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Brandon Grissom: Brighter EP

Brandon Grissom: Brighter EP

There are some seriously horrible worship albums out there. I want let you in on a secret. A diamond in the rough.

There are some seriously horrible worship albums out there. I want let you in on a secret. A diamond in the rough. His name is Brandon Grissom … and he’s the the real deal.

Living in the Chicago area, I get to meet some very creative and talented people. Living in the back yard of Willow Creek Community Church–I am friends with many young, shiny faces that come to Willow from around the world because of their gifting. Often these folks, while talented, seem to be on the fast track to become minor “Christian celebrities” and, to be brutally honest, lack a collaborative heart. The bright lights of the mega church (and the notoriety and salary that come with it) have drawn them like moths to a flame … and some hearts just get burnt up.

Grissom seems to have escaped all this nonsense. Why is all this important for a music review? It’s really simple, if you are going to make real worship music what’s in your heart is 99% of the battle.

Out of a man’s heart flows his music. Out of a man’s heart flows his lyrics. You should investigate Brandon Grissom’s heart.

The Brighter EP is the first independent release of worship songs for Grissom. He has several other great worship albums through Willow Creek that are worth buying , but the Brighter EP is a slight departure from those past efforts– the whole EP (5 songs) is a nice little adventure.

The title track, “Brighter,” is a catchy anthem song. It has a snazzy hook that has you humming it for the rest of the day. It also has theological punch. This song is straight forward so it won’t be hard for your team to perform it live.

There are two other tracks that will play really well from the front of your stage on a Sunday morning or evening. “Liberty,” is a track that can hold its own in a set full of Crowder or Tomlin. The more I listen to Liberty (I’ve been listening to it the whole hour it has taken me to write this review … man I write slow?) the more I think it might be my other favorite. “Arms of Mercy” is another track that is great for live performance–a bit more reflective, original and fresh. I have seen this one on the Willow main stage and it was warmly received.

The rest of the songs each find a natural and authentic place on the album. “I Have Decided” is a half track and it sounds like he’s just hanging in the studio. The engineer secretly recorded something gentle, unexpected and genuine. “God Most High” is a heart felt conversation with God

I wholly recommend going out and investigating the Brighter EP. Grissom is a welcomed and fresh voice in a world gone stale. He has the chops to carve his own place among the worship gypsies of modern Christian music. He seems to have the heart not to get too caught up in himself and I think God will continue to use him. Essentially, He’s a real nice guy making really great worship music for people. No rock star wannabe stuff going on here. The more I listen to him–the more I want to find a way to share him with others. We need more people like him on stages across the world

So, whether you need a few new creative songs for your service, or you’re like me and you just need something to blast on your iPod on a sunny day, Brandon Grissom’s music makes your heart feel brighter.

Brandon Grissom’s Brighter at Willow Creek SHIFT Conference

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