| Length: | 45:50 |
|---|---|
| Cuts: | Exodus |
| My Will - DC Talk | |
| Needful Hands - Jars Of Clay | |
| Brighten My Heart - Sixpence None The Richer | |
| Make Us One - Cindy Morgan | |
| Nothin' - Chris Rice | |
| Draw Me Close - The Katinas | |
| Agnus Dei - Third Day | |
| Salvation - Crystal Lewis | |
| I See You - Michael W. Smith |
Pop, rock and orchestral threads are woven together to create a tapestry of worship music that is given the moniker Exodus. Relative newcomers like The Katinas and Chris Rice join veterans like Crystal Lewis, Cindy Morgan, Sixpence None The Richer, and Rocketown label head and project producer Michael W. Smith. Other tracks include contributions by Jars Of Clay, Third Day, and the only studio tune by DC Talk in three years. Like the My Utmost series of projects, expect the material on Exodus to be ported to choral and/or worship team arrangements for use in church worship services.
It would be difficult to find a more musically balanced album. The opening instrumental strains of the tune "Exodus" set an orchestrated movie soundtrack mood that segues directly into "My Will." A similar feel is present midway through the project in Morgan's "Make Us One." Finally, as Smith's voice fades away at the end of "I See You," the opening chords of "Exodus" re-emerge in their original key, completing the circle.
The songs in between stay true to the concept of the album, but venture into other styles. Third Day renders a cover of Smith's "Agnus Dei" using a combination of acoustic and distorted electric guitars and a marching band snare drum rhythm. The production on the tunes by The Katinas and Crystal Lewis is in a pop vein with breathy percussion. In fact, the whole album is breathy. That's the primary unifying element in the music itself. Everything from vocals to percussion and anything else producing a pitch above 500 hz is encased in a breathy sheen of reverb.
Although the title means "exit," the message of Exodus is one of celebration and praise. Which "exodus" is actually being celebrated is not clearly addressed, although it might be the Israelites leaving Egypt, or more likely the coming exodus of Christians that is commonly referred to as The Rapture. A deeper meaning could be that of abandoning and exiting our present human weaknesses while drawing closer to God's fullness through worship and discipleship. The conclusion and response is left to the listener.