REVIEW: Listening to “I Will Be There” Album

Guest writer: XZ

Editor’s Note: This is officially our first album review; we have it hard and real, it’s subjective to your preference but we say it as it is! Look out for more album reviews in future! 😉

Album: I Will Be There

Artiste(s): 3rd Wave

Music Genre(s): Christian, Rock

Language: English

Tracks: 11 tracks, 10 original songs

1. Everything to Me (feat. Van Ness Wu)
2. Awesome God
3. Altar of Praise (feat. Lenny LeBlanc & Michael O’Brien)
4. I Will Be There
5. You Created Me
6. Sweetest Name (feat. Choi Siwon of Super Junior)
7. I Stand (feat. Trace Bundy)
8. Looking for the Day
9. Jesus is Coming Back
10. Closet Song
11. I Stand (Alternative Version)

If you’ve ever spent any significant time delving into Christian music, you’ll probably know of Don Moen, Hillsong, or if you’re Chinese, the Stream of Praise (赞美之泉). Joining these groups from the country whose music took the world by storm is the 3rd Wave, a music ministry meant to literally be the third wave of the global revival of Christian movements.

Headed by artistes Johnny Lee (aka Pastor Johnny) and Brain Joo, 3rd Wave has collaborated with several Asian superstars like VanNess Wu and Choi Siwon of Super Junior, and released their album, titled I Will Be There. This single CD contains 11 tracks, with 10 original songs. With a rock beat and the crooning vocals, none of the songs will be mistaken as the stuffy hymns that dominate old-school churches.

The album

The music is what really holds the album together. Whether it’s a quick beat or a slow, warm rhythm, the rock element is always there. You can simply sit back and relax in the music, taking in the sweet cadence of the singers’ voices even if you can’t catch the lyrics (which, by the way, are in English, so you can’t say you don’t get it). The lyrics themselves aren’t very complicated. Dedicated to Jesus, they mostly sing of His return, as while as how they will worship Him and His work. The simple repetitive refrains will have you singing along after a listening for some time.

The songs

While each of the songs have their merits, have a listen at the bouncing melody of ‘You Created Me’ and ‘Closet Song’. Locked in with Johnny Lee’s strong vocals and the lulling warble of the backups, you can literally feel the passion of the singers for Christ. ‘Jesus is Coming Back’, on the other hand, rollicks with a country/surf-esque beat that wouldn’t be out of place on a ranch-y area or beach bonfire.

This album’s songs may not be too deep and endearing at the first run-through, but it does grow on you. They’ve started off at quite a high level, and while they aren’t fully on par with the more experienced groups we’ve listed earlier, this album shows that they indeed have the potential to continue to grow both in their music, as well as in Christ and spread His Word throughout the world with their music. It doesn’t matter whether we like it or not. After all, they are singing not for us, but for God.

Latest Activities

Currently 3rd Wave is prepping up for the release of their next album, that will be a Live Album with 12 songs, set to be released on November 11th this year. With post U-Kiss member Alexander on board, it seems like the strength of the wave just gets stronger and stronger! Recently the team has been in the studio recording the songs, and notably Alexander will be singing the new remixed version of “Looking for the Day“, sung previously by Johnny and Siwon.

Summer Sale ON – Last day of Sale!

Also, they have a final promotion sale for “I Will Be There” album for summer! Extended to tomorrow, July 1st,  3rd Wave has prepared albums with autographs of Brian Joo, Choi Siwon, Pastor Johnny, and surprise guest After School’s Bekah to giveaway to random albums! Just costing $10 with free shipping, the album comes with a mini poster and great Christian music. If you would like to support 3rd Wave and get a chance at the autographs, remember to head to 3rd Wave‘s website (www.3rdwavemusic.org) now or tomorrow to order, before it’s too late!