Matt Searles has released From The River To The Ends Of The Earth a second album of biblical Psalms for which he’s composed his own tunes and lyric adaptions.
A fine followup to 2011’s Now And Not Yet Searles is accompanied by an accomplished group of vocalists and instrumentalists, with production to a high standard.
There are more instruments this time, I think, but not to the detriment of appreciating the vocals or lyrics. They make the album interesting for devotional listening while enabling the listener to consider whether these songs would work in various congregational settings.
Leading off with a revised version of Be At Rest (Psalm 116, which featured on Now And Not Yet), this album is features a greater range tempos, which reflects the celebratory themes of the selected Psalms that emphasise the Lordship of God our Saviour.
Of particular interest is Searles’ setting of Psalm 45 to the tune Thaxted.
Presently the album’s only available on bandcamp. CDs will be available soon.
Have a listen and see what you think.
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