Congregational Accessibility

David Crowder Band’s new project, Remedy, is certainly infused with fresh praise and worship songs for the church, and for those who’ve enjoyed previous Crowder projects this one will not disappoint. There are also those folks out there who seem to enjoy DCB from a purely artistic standpoint and have never quite made the connection that their songs could in fact translate into congregational use. Some may simply hear the production and think, “Wow, that would be great for our youth group.” And while they may in fact be great for your youth group, I would challenge you to hear through the production and listen to the words and melody and how easy it would be to do many of these songs with your worship band and even utilize a choir if you have one.

There are several songs here that would be perfect for service openers, such as “Can You Feel It?” and “We Won’t Be Quiet.” Both of those exude an energy that is palpable on the recording, by the time they hit the chorus, you are ready to dance. Songs like, “Never Let Go” and my personal favorite, “Rain Down” are tender and warm and could translate to a multitude of uses for church services and would lend themselves to choral use, as well. Crowder even remediates Charles Wesley’s beloved hymn, “O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” into a 21st Century anthem—very well done indeed. Don’t let your congregation miss out on some of these tunes, and don’t be afraid to bring that “youth group” music into the sanctuary—after all, today’s senior citizens grew up on rock ’n’ roll. This album may just contain the Remedy for getting your congregation out of a musical rut.

David M. Edwards

Worship Leader/Author/Recording Artist

Musical Art

You can’t just stand outside this party and look in. With Remedy, David Crowder Band truly engages you in a time of worship that demands a response. Magnetically, they draw you inside where honest and radical worship is happening in the context of community. The songs speak to the brokenness that is true for all of us and point us toward the God who repairs.

The dynamic swells throughout the record naturally fall in the way that can only be captured when everyone is fully engaged in worship. What is true of the band in concert is also captured here on this record; they actually go to the places they are inviting you to go. I am in awe of how the Remedy strikes that delicate balance between being experimentally innovative without distracting the listener from the message behind the songs.

“Surely We Can Change” stopped me in my tracks when I heard it the first time. The lyrics “And the problem it seems / is with you and me / not the love who came / to repair everything / and I don’t know what to do with a love like that / And I don’t know how to be a love like that” immediately called my heart to attention, especially wrapped with the tender guitar and string arrangement.

Like a master chef pairing two flavors you wouldn’t expect to go together, Crowder combines a Celtic motif with a driving rhythm on “O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing.” “Rain Down” showcases a invigorating blend of electronic and acoustic sounds. I just can’t stop singing this song. It’s infectious.

I’ve listened to this record countless times. Music that calls me to a new place will never grow old. Like a good sermon, this record captures my heart throughout and gets me excited all over again about the gospel.

Anadara Arnold

Worship Leader/Recording Artist

Production

When I placed Crowder’s latest release, Remedy, in my car stereo I was immediately drawn in by the opener, “The Glory of It All,” and found myself pressing down on the accelerator as I drove on the interstate with the heavy club groove akin to “Can You Feel It” rumbling through the speakers.

While this record incorporates all the elements Crowder is known for: acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, programming, DJ turntables, violin alongside thought provoking lyrics, what separates Remedy from Crowder’s previous records is how he manages to simplify his sound while keeping the energy and passion that makes him unique.

I hit the repeat button on several songs and began to understand how dynamic this new record really is. While I appreciated their ability to never let it get too busy I was equally provoked to listen deeper as layers of sound were revealed with each repeated listen. Even when they stripped it all down with passionate ballads, “You Never Let Go” and the six-string on “Surely We Can Change” I still found myself hearing a uniquely different aspect of the production. I was even amused when I tried to determine if this was a modern worship or alternative pop/rock record. Does it really matter?

I would simply define the production of Remedy in one word: progression. Not only in instrumentation and vocals, that are brilliant throughout, but the flow of songs that play like a personal worship encounter. It is clear from the first note that Crowder’s mission is to share the message of God’s unfailing love. He’s inviting us to join him on a dance-groov-ing, knee-bending and voice-raising journey to proclaim with joyous hearts the glory of our Creator.