If you were to guess that Hillsong drops about 3 albums a year, you’re pretty much right on target. Between the Hillsong Live, Hillsong United and the various acoustic and special albums, they’re always releasing something.
This particular album, Live in Miami, isn’t their typical live album consisting of various live cuts from their church services in Australia. This is actually a full set from their latest North American tour. I was lucky enough to catch the spring leg of this tour when they played Atlanta. From my personal experience, it was unlike most concerts that I go to. Sure, it was a performance, and JD was a crazy man jumping around, as huge Hillsong fans would expect. Beyond that though, the show wasn’t focused on the band, but on glorifying Jesus. Again and again, the focus was placed on Him.
Since this album was recorded at a show on the Aftermath Tour, as expected, the set is heavily weighted towards their latest album of the same name. Eight of the twelve songs are represented here. That still leaves 14.. err. 13 other songs, which are spread out among many of their past releases.
Although the Hillsong Live & the Hillsong United brands are under the same umbrella, the United guys started their band for the youth at the church and tend to be more upbeat and rocking. Two songs here, You and With Everything, are on a United album for the first time.
When I saw the tracklist, I was looking forward to a new song, A Song To Sing. Unfortunately, it’s not a new song, but sort of unscripted free form worship. Don’t rush out to iTunes to pick up this new track, or you’ll be disappointed.
I broke the tracklist into two “discs”, but since most people are buying music digitally.. what do you call it? With vinyl and tapes, it’s Side A, Side B, etc. I’m not sure what we’ll call the division of these albums in the digital age? Any thoughts?
There’s not a whole lot to be said here about this album since all of the songs have already been on past albums. If you’re a mega fan, you already own them all. If you’ve seen the Aftermath Tour, you’re still not going to get a pile of songs you don’t know. New to Hillsong or haven’t bought an album in a few years? …you may want to pick this up. It was a great show, but does that mean you need the album? Your call!
Grade: 4.0 / 5.0
Disc 1
1. Go
2. Break Free
3. You
4. Search My Heart
5. Mighty To Save
6. Hosanna
7. All I Need Is You
8. Bones
9. Nova
10. Aftermath
Disc 2
1. Freedom Is Here / Shout Unto God
2. Like An Avalanche
3. Rhythms Of Grace
4. Oh You Bring
5. The Stand
6. From The Inside Out
7. A Song To Sing…
8. WIth Everything
9. Your Name High
10. Take It All
11. Yours Forever
12. Take Heart
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What are your thoughts on the audio production/mix of this project? I found the vocals tough to hear over the crowd.
It’s not a studio album.. so I didn’t expect that level of quality.
I remember my wife telling me she had a hard time understanding the vocals when we saw them live.