UNNECESSARY HYMNS PROJECT
Certain collaborative projects
seem like such a natural extension of the artists involved that you have to
wonder why they haven’t worked together before. Then there are some, like
In Christ Alone, combining acoustic
songstress Bethany Dillon with Matt Hammitt, (lead vocalist for Sanctus Real)
that feel forced and more a commercial pairing created with dollar signs in
mind rather than artistry.
In
Christ Alone energizes a dozen British hymns written in the last decade or
so with Dillon and Hammitt largely taking turns with lead vocals. Dillon seems
more at home in these waters, but both come off just fine. But perhaps that’s
the problem.
This is not a bad album, but it’s not
necessarily good either. The Tim Hughes/Martin Smith collaboration “Clinging to
the Cross” leads off the disc on a darker note and, with a buoyant string
arrangement, is one of the best tracks on
In
Christ Alone. The title track follows with deep, punching percussion that
drives the familiar song forward. But others like “Jesus is Lord” and
“Adoration” are largely forgettable.
While there are some gems here, there are
stronger artistic arrangements and collaborations than In Christ Alone available for your worship gatherings.
-- Matt Conner