Main Review
With their rather successful release of You Deliver Me in 2009, which featured Hillsong’s hit song “Hosanna,” Selah
returns with their eighth studio appearance, Hope of the Broken World. The album contains the style of music that Selah
is well known for: worship and gospel mixed together into one package.
Amy Perry takes most of the lead vocals in the first song “On the Mountain,” though the great duet of Perry and Todd Smith’
s voices is heard during the chorus. The song has a great tune and talks about Heaven being a place that is unreachable
and unimaginable, but is where all Christian souls will one day be. It is followed by the title track “Hope of the Broken
World,” a song written by Carl Cartee and Jennie Lee Riddle and one that is, indeed, very full of hope. Our Lord is
described as that hope for the world, my favorite line coming during the chorus where it is sung, “You are Salvation/You
are the joy of the earth/ Restoration comes/the Hope of the broken world.” Those words really carry a promise to us
Christians that if we are going through tough times, God will be our Salvation.
“Shelter Me” has a strong gospel style in its music. The singers constantly request to God, “shelter me, Lord,” something
all Christians will find themselves asking of God at some point in their lives. Allan Hall takes over lead vocals in “Coat of
Many Colors” which was written by Dolly Parton in 1969. The lyrics retell a true story of Dolly whose mother sewed
together a coat out of rags for her daughter, telling Dolly the story of Joseph from the Bible in the process. Hall’s voice
adds a great touch to the song that neither Smith nor Perry would be able to give, just like in the favorite “You Raise Up”
single of 2004.
As with many of Selah’s songs, encouragement is found in “He’ll Hold You.” As told in the song, God will hold you “when
the tempest rages all around” and “when the waves come crashing down.” Background vocals in the bridge and final
chorus add some more encouraging lyrics with the words “He will never let you go.” The following song “Be Still” is about
waiting for the Lord’s presence in solitude and quietness. Todd Smith sings that God’s presence “makes me want to be
still/so still you can hear me breathing now…/Let your calm descend upon me now.” I really enjoyed listening to the
beautiful lyrics of this song which describe a person’s experience of meditation and listening for God’s word. “Moments
Like These” is about treasuring every moment we live here on earth, such as with our children, the example Smith uses in
the song.
“I Turn To You” was written by Todd Smith in 2004 for his solo album Alive. However, the song fits in perfectly with this
album as it talks about turning to God for strength and help. The first few lines show the entire idea of the song: “When I’m
far away from home/and the cold wind starts to blow/When I’m empty and alone/I turn to you.” Next comes the classic
hymn “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” written in 1882 by Louisa M. R. Stead. Todd Smith is the son of missionaries in
the Congo, and Selah’s trademark is to always include in their albums at least one song sung in the language of the
Congo. This hymn is sung in both English and the African language of the Congo and the two sound great together! This
song will definitely be a favorite to all those who listen to this record.
The topic of coming to the presence of our Lord is sung in “Threshold of Glory.” The threshold of glory is described a
place where “every eye [is] now focused on [God]” and where “we rejoice and sing in the favor of our God.” As the album
begins to come to a close, Amy Perry again takes over lead vocals in the Whitney Houston classic “I Look To You,” a song
about looking to God in times of trouble. Perry’s vocals are perfect for this melody and help make it an amazing song
cover. The album’s closer again features the vocal talents of Allan Hall who shares the lead vocals with the other two.
“When Love Was Slain” recounts the price Jesus paid for us to live and tells how our lives are not our own and are, in fact,
the Lord’s and for His use.
Closing Thoughts
Selah began singing hymns and they continue to include hymns in their albums now along with their own gospel songs.
Their choice of songs is perfect for their voices, making the album flow very smoothly all the way. All fans of the band’s
previous albums will not be disappointed with Hope of the Broken World. It is a great album both musically and lyrically,
focusing on topics of trusting in the Lord and looking to him for the help we need. This makes it a perfect album for people
searching for hope and a Savior.
Review Written By: Justin Morden [justin.morden@christianmusicreview.org] on 7/13/2011
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