"Hezikiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir has done it again after keeping us waiting for 3 long years. There are songs on here for everybody and the message is good. However there are some negative comments that I do have.
1. The lead vocalist are not as strong as on previous albums. To me personally, after family affair 1, his lead vocal selection went down. He already lost monique so a lot of the anoiting in the slow power ballads went with her. I know ya are divorce but can she please be a guest soloist, she is truly missed.
2. Is that the best Donald Lawrence could do? The song Jehovah Reigns is nice but Heather is not the right person to lead it. It sounds so dry and tiring.
3 The repeating of the lyrics are a little to much as it is displayed on songs like Do You Know Jesus, Lift Him Up, More Than That, and well actually it is displayed on all the songs. He done it previous years but songs like Clean inside and Victory were good so he could have gotten away with it.
4. The last negative thing is we are missing the signature modulation song like Jesus is My Help, Anyway You Bless Me, and Power Belongs to God. He tried to do it with no defeat but it does not have that same flavor.
Now The Positive
Compared to Love is Live and Family Affair 2, the album is a big improvement. The songs were writtin with a little more feeling and a greater connection with God. No matter what type of Choir you have, there is a song on there just for you. It seems like choirs are loosing the flavor they use to have and are trying to go more mainstream. Where are the Rev. Milton Brunson's and the Tommies? Where are the O'landa Draper's? Maybe one will come up soon."
A Good Buy!
Coolreem | Salisbury, NC United States | 06/28/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"First let me state that, I really loved this album. You will not regret purchasing this album.
Now, the reasons why I did not give it five stars:
1. Lift Him Up - 5 star song
-This is a song that will get you moving. Fast paced and sets off the album in the right way. Straight up Praise song!
2. Do You Know Jesus - 5 star song
- Flows well. This song mellows the tempo. Real good spot for this song. This song reminds me of an early Kirk Franklin song. Good song!
3.It's More Than That - 5 star song
- Great song. This is classic Hezekiah! Nuff said!
4. Hold Out - 4 star song
- Great lyrics, but why are the same lyrics repeated throughout the whole song? too repetitive. Great beat, song.. but add more lyrics, more depth.. instead of the hook being the entire song.
5. No Defeat - 4.5/5 star song
-I am torn over this song. This is one of the best songs on the whole album. Same thing.. the hook is repeated throughout the song too much.. no depth.. How about have the altos, sopranos, tenors, mix it up? Every time I hear this song, I can hear the different voices in the choir break it down..
Please make a remix and do that. But it is such a good song.
6. Jehovah Reigns - 3.5 stars
- This sounds like a Fred Hammond type song. This song does not belong on this album or if it does, maybe at the end. I skip this one all of the time. It doesn't fit right with the album.
7. He's Able - 4 stars
- This one, has variety.. good song. It doesn't seem to fit right there. This one sounds like every other contemporary gospel song. It really doesn't have any complexity to make me really like this one. I skip this one sometimes.
8. Celebrate - 4 stars
- I like this one. Again too repetitive on the hook. Give me more lyrics. Good song although.
9.Faithful Is Our Goal - 5 stars
Classic! A masterpiece! Absolute favorite.Nuff said.
10. On Tyme God - 5 stars.
- I really feel this song. Excellent spot. Lyrics are great and the beat is awesome. I love it.
11. 12. Grateful - 5 stars
Classic. The best songs on the album.
I didn't hear the growth on this album, because of the simplified lyrics and arrangements of the vocals. But, regardless it is so worth it to buy this album. I don't regret any penny. I just expected a little more. But Hez, with all of the stuff you went through, I give you props.
"
THIS IS HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cclay | new york | 10/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you really like HEZ you would like this album. To all of the people that think this album isn"t good, I"d like to hear what you consider good. This album is awesome to say the least. This is another major step into the right direction for Pastor Walker and his church, choir and ministry. I bid him God"s speed and only the best. I also challenge all the critics to either support GOSPEL music entirely or buy r&b if that's what suits you. When are we going to not only support financially but also speak positively about what we claim we are apart of or just not be apart. I pray this album reaches all of those unchurched people wandering the streets, in your families that you aren't reaching. perhaps they will listen to track ten and realize that God is an "on time God," that he was on time enough to reach them through this CD and go to church and give their lives over to the LORD, AMEN"
Welcome Home
Elder T | Erie, PA United States | 01/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just want to say to Hezekiah, "Welcome home." I am in agreement with another reviewer on this site that alluded to the fact that Gospel music has run hard after establishing an R & B sound.
This CD, however, returns us to the concept of Gospel music as different. I understand the reviews of those who thought that they liked Gospel until they actually heard it. Most of what we hear is R & B with Gospel-ish words. This CD is mostly Gospel.
First I will say, the chords, the changes, the instruments are on point and in some songs amazing. (Listen real close in Hold Out and Lift Him Up) I am not a big fan of On Tyme God. It's a little too (forgive me) worldly for my tastes. My favorite songs on the CD are Lift Him Up, Hold Out, and Grateful.
If you are looking for a CD that will minister to you, this is it. If you are a lover of Gospel music, this is the one. If you want R & B with Gospel-ish lyrics, don't waste your time and money."
Slammin'
Brown Eyes | Monrovia, CA United States | 01/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"All I can say is......Hezekiah has done it again. This is Classic Hezekiah and it is Awesome!!!!! HEZEZKIAH IS BACK!!!!!!"