Album Recommendation #1 - Deluge's Unshakable

Whilst I'm still listening to and working on my thoughts for the first few CD reviews, I thought I'd recommend some of my favourite albums in the meantime which are worth a listen. Or two. Or ten.

Here's recommendation #1!

Unshakable (that's American spelling for you) is Deluge's first studio-recorded album - their previous album was also their first; the self-titled project was a live worship album recorded at their home church's youth conference.

What sets this album apart from the many other praise and worship offerings out there is its heart.

Most worship albums (especially 'live' ones) get by by stirring up, to a certain extent - hype and emotion. As a result, much of the original meaning of the song (and sometimes, the purpose of worship itself) gets lost in translation.

Lead singer/songwriter Jonathan Stockstill and Deluge have done so much more with this record.

Despite the 'studio-recorded' trappings, they have managed to crystallize and convey the very raw yet immense power of a heart rooted in desperate seeking for God - and the indescribable joy of knowing, for sure, that God is real, and He is looking out for us.

Have you ever sung a song in a worship service that expressed exactly what you were feeling in your heart towards God, almost as if someone had written or chosen this song just for you to sing? It makes your heart soar, it makes you cry, but most of all, it makes you want to worship so much harder.

And that's what this album does. From the rocking title track to the moving Refuge, from the exuberant I Wanna Dance to the plaintive, desperate cry of I Want To Be Used By You, every song captures the essence of a heart of worship and a desire to draw nearer to God.

Jonathan Stocktill's gravelly voice belies the strong conviction with which he sings:

Cleanse my heart and my hands

To become the image of the Lamb

Cleanse my heart and my hands

Once every while, an album comes along that does more than introduce us to a bunch of songs about God.

They literally invite the presence of God down into the listener's atmosphere, and the listener is compelled to respond simply in worship.


This is that album.

Check out this video of Jon Stockstill and the members of Deluge talking about the album and the stories behind the songs: