Leadership Tools
Music. Sing a New Song.
10,000 Reasons
By Matt Redman
Sparrow; CD and Digital Download
With more than 20 years of innovative songwriting and leading worship, and, now, 12 albums under his belt (or in his guitar case), Matt Redman definitely knows a thing or two about connecting people into the presence of God through song. 10,000 Reasons is no exception and continues down the road of breakthrough albums—and it’s sure to move hearts toward God’s active movement in our world.
The artist’s inspiration for this new album was his recent move back to the U.K. where he helped to plant a church in Brighton, England, which, based on a recent census, is one of the least religious places in the U.K. With his work cut out for him, Matt began a journey to capture a musical and lyrical experience that would appeal to the unchurched population yet remain biblically sound and uncompromising to his faith.
Driven by the recorded live setting at the LIFT: A Worship Leader Collective conference, the album includes the voices of 1,000 worship leaders. The trancelike electric guitar patterns, coupled with the attendees’ chants on “We Are the Free,” are somewhat of a welcoming declaration of God’s catalytic thrust of life into His children to reach the world with His love.
“Here for You” continues with similar electricity but with a slower, pulsating drumbeat. Slowing down the pace, it bleeds in with a responsive proclamation that every soul needs to wake up to God’s divine touch.
The album’s title song, “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord),” is guided by a beautiful ascending and descending piano riff that welcomes a faint, acoustic guitar pattern and soft cymbal accents. And, with his signature raspy British voice, Matt declares that every day is a new day to bless the Lord, and that he will worship God’s holy name like never before.
“Never Once,” the album’s first single, is a great reminder that God is faithful and will never abandon His people. It’s the type of traditional congregational song—among so many that Matt has written through the years—that we’ve all come to know and love.
To conclude the journey, “Endless Hallelujah” is a melodic love song that shouts praises to God as the one and only king. Moved along by a soft piano melody and a perfectly blended string section, the finale makes for a great contrasting bookend to its genesis counterpart.
10,000 Reasons, although a change from the artist’s well-known style, has the potential of providing a new musical and lyrical experience for worship leaders and congregations looking to add a new life to their worship services.
How to Get This Resource
This album is available from the following retailers:
Reviewed by: Derrick Engoy, creative arts pastor at New Life Center (Harbor City Foursquare Church) in Harbor City, Calif.