album review   

“Facedown” – by Matt Redman – CD Review (Sue Jean Chung)

Facedown is Matt Redman’s latest CD, featuring 13 new songs recorded live during the Facedown Songwriters’ Gathering in January of 2004. I just found out that he has 119 songs posted on the CCLI website (meaning that is how many songs are currently available for churches to sing), and I’m sure he’s written many more. For those not familiar with Matt Redman, he’s a British song writer (gotta love the accent!) who writes contemporary worship songs. He has ministered not only in the UK , but internationally at various conferences and gatherings.

I remember Matt sharing at a conference that I attended some years ago that he draws much inspiration from the works of Fanny J. Crosby. A woman who lived in the 1800’s, she was blind and yet impacted (and still impacts) the world with over 1000 hymns and 8000 poems. She wrote songs and poems for all occasions and all circumstances, and Matt shared how he would like to be that kind of song writer as well. When I look at the songs in the Facedown CD, I do see a variety of themes and purposes in the selection. They’re not all just “blood of Jesus” songs, or “glory” songs. Themes cover a spectrum of praise/worship, celebration, blood of Jesus, glory and missions. It’s not just a “happy celebration” CD nor is it entirely focused on meditative intimacy. It’s a bit of everything.

As for specifics, here are my thoughts on a few songs:

“Dancing Generation” – This song brings out in me the pure delight of being a child of God; of dancing and simply having fun with my God. I’m in the car most of the time when I listen to this CD so I can’t physically jump up and down to worship, but that’s exactly what I’m doing in my heart.

“Facedown” – Every time I hear this song, I’m reminded of how awesome God is, and how I need to humble myself in the midst of His presence. Yes, He’s a loving Father, yet in the same breath, He’s an incredible God whose holiness is not to be taken lightly. The tag on this song, about His glory coming down, is a petition that really registers in my own heart as well.

“Worthy, You Are Worthy” – Chris Tomlin also sings in this version. This is a good worship song, where the focus is on God and how worthy He is to be praised. Very little about “me and my needs”, and a lot on “God, I’ll give you the worship”.

Personally, I think Matt’s musical style has matured over the years, although it could also be the producer’s influence. The complexity of instrumentation has increased from his earlier CD’s. What has remained constant, however, is his ability to write lyrics. His lyrics are, and always have been, deep and profound, expressing one’s honest heart in worship to God – definitely not superficial worship. Being a live recording, this release captures more of the anointing that he carries as a worship leader than many of his previous studio CDs. Inside the CD cover is written, “When we face up to the glory of God, we find ourselves facedown in worship”, and many of the songs on this CD reveal that heart.

Oh yeah, Matt’s also written a book called “Facedown”. I haven’t read it at the time of writing this article, but I have read his book, “The Unquenchable Worshipper”. I’m guessing it’s a similar read, as both are of similar thickness. “The Unquenchable Worshipper” really inspired and reminded me of the heart of worship. I found it refreshing and renewing, and I would expect the same from the book, “Facedown”.