Bring on the Day - Garage Hymnal

Craig Schwarze | 29 August 2007

Font size: + - | print | email to a friend

Music remains a contentious issue in evangelical churches. Many have felt forced to choose between scripturally rich songs and those with inspiring, enjoyable music. Andy Judd began Garage Hymnal with the conviction that it was possible and desirable to have both.

Garage Hymnal released their first album, Take My Life, in 2006. The original idea was to bring a fresh, alt-rock vibe to a number of well known congregational songs. But the really exciting thing to emerge from the project were several excellent original songs, including Holding on to Me and the title track.

I started to pay serious attention to the band when I saw their performance at the 2006 TWIST conference. It was raw, passionate and energetic – they were clearly the “real deal”. I began to eagerly anticipate their follow-up album.

I’m delighted to say the newly released Bring on the Day fully lives up to expectations. The writing, the music and the production have all matured greatly since Take My Life. It is hard to believe only a year separates the two albums.

The theme of Bring on the Day is the return of Christ, and the tension felt by Christians living in a fallen world while awaiting Him. The 12 songs are a mixture of grungy alternative, pop-rock, and a bit of R&B as well.

The opening track is Come Lord. It is a plea for Jesus to return and save us, relieving our burdens and bringing us into his kingdom. The verse is rhythmic and moody, the chorus urgent and grungy. A great song and probably my favourite.

Come Lord establishes a theme that will be repeated many times on the album - this world is transitory and full of trouble; comfort, hope and life can be found in Christ alone. The lyrics, all very scriptural, recall to mind some of the old Negro spirituals.

The title track is very much in the same vein, though with a more triumphant note –

One saviour, one redeemer
One name for all the earth
All people, every nation
Will bow before our king

The style here is a Foo Fighters inspired grunge, very uplifting and exciting. But there are more mellow songs as well, such as the beautiful How Long? Echoing Psalm 89, it asks –

How long till justice flows?
How long till peace is ours?
How long must sadness be our song?
How long my Lord?
The glorious kingdom come
Is here at last
But not yet seen
Oh, not yet seen

How long must we wait?

It seems almost mandatory for congregational albums to include a re-worked hymn. The final track is a wonderful, R&B arrangement of It is well with my soul. It is upbeat and hopeful, and I much prefer it to the traditional tune.

Of course, Garage Hymnal wrote these songs to sing. I haven’t tried these at church yet, but I’m confident they are all singable. Church musicians may be a little daunted by the sophisticated production on the album, but they shouldn’t be. Take the songs, strip them back and arrange them to suit your circumstances.

It is really pleasing to see local musicians writing such good, fresh tunes and producing such a polished album. I hope you will buy a copy – it deserves strong sales. And I am now very much looking forward to their next album.