Search - Chuck Girard :: Name Above All Names

Powerfully prophetic and relevant

Dr. Emil "Tom" Shuffhausen | Central Gulf Coast | 08/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chuck Girard, one of the true pioneers in modern Christian music and one of the founders of the band Love Song, released THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES back in the mid-1980s. From that time onward, it has remained one of my favorite albums of all time.



There is an electricity that surrounds each song...an amazingly powerful sense of significance both lyrically and musically. Many of the songs have an unusual prophetic edge, and the message here holds up very strong today, nearly 20 years later. Containing powerful biblical truths, these lyrics are both weighty and accessible, lending each individual song stand-alone strength and also a cohesion that flows with all of the other songs.



The album is primarily a mixture of anthemic epics and topnotch Eagles/Beach Boys Cali country-rock. As varied as the sonic textures and instrumentation are, the overall flow here is very "vertical" and worship-inspiring. The soaring title track builds into an electrifying trumpet solo by Phil Driscoll. "Kingdom Come" is my favorite track among favorite tracks; it's a piercing heartcry straight from God reflecting His desire to manifest His righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, on earth, as it is in heaven...now. Musically, it's pretty adventurous, harder edged, yet inviting. It remains a spirit-stirring triumph after many repeated listens.



Other thrilling anthems include "Soldiers of the Lion" and "The Power and the Glory." Girard has a warm, versatile voice that is very reminiscent of Brian Wilson, and he handles these big songs with both conviction and aplomb.



And, it's impossible to resist the countrified stomp of "Blessed Be the Name of My Rock," and the folky ease of "Walk as I Walk."



Girard talk-sings "Don't Shoot the Wounded," a song that is deeply personal and incredibly convicting. It speaks of the sad truth that oftentimes, "The Christian army is the only one that shoots its wounded soldiers." It's a call straight out of Galatians 6:1, and it resonates deeply.



There are no weak moments here. It's intense and powerful album, that continually convicts, refreshes, and exhorts. If you've never heard it, don't miss it now."