For a moment I thought I’d wandered into an old church, with the sun filtering red, green, amber, and blue across the exposed beams of the high ceiling, to find a celtic band of free style worshippers singing to God with all they had. Then I came back to reality to enjoy one of the most interesting, refreshingly new worship CDs I’ve heard in years. From the traditional renderings of old hymns to sweet lullabies and original creations, this is a well titled project covering a host of different genres. This doesn’t sound like musicians who pick up instruments and ‘wing it’ either. These sound like classically trained musicians, singers, and performers who’ve studied to ‘show themselves approved.’ I love every note! This is a record that could even get Lutherans excited! (I can say that…I’ve spent quite a bit of life as a Lutheran!) Psalterbook transcends genre and praises God in such a beautiful way, that it leaves me wanting to pick up a hymnbook and find what other treasures are lurking there.
“I am blown away and captivated with this CD. The gifted saturation of sound and talent is…Incredible!”
Crystal Clear, CEO, Whitedove Radio
"As you might expect given the classical background and training of many of the nine (yes nine!) band members the musicianship throughout is of the highest order and the band are already beginning to get recognition, airplay and awards Stateside. [...] For a debut CD this is certainly boldly adventurous."
Trevor Kirk, Crossrhythms.co.uk
The rise of the praise and worship movement within contemporary Christian music circles has resulted in the unfortunate (and I believe, unintended) homogenization of worship styles. For every Charlie Hall, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and David Crowder there are a couple of dozen artists who sound just like ‘em. How refreshing then, to stumble across Psalterbook, a worship band that doesn’t sound like anybody else – and so far, nobody else sounds like them.
The band is not new. They’ve apparently been around since 1999, but didn’t get around to cutting their debut project, Age to Age, until five years later. It’s only taken two more years for it to find its way to my CD player. All I can say is, ‘It’s about time!’
Age to Age is reminiscent of the early days of the Jesus Movement when folks like Ernie & Debbie Retino, Honeytree, and LoveSong were making honest, heartfelt, and totally cool music. Best cuts include a gorgeous version of “You Are Forever,” a very sweet version of the classic hymn, “Come Thou Fount,” and a juicy, neo-bluegrass instrumental called, “Burning Bush.” Trust me, it’s cool.
