Rend Collective Experiment Releases “One Of The Top Worship Albums Ever Made”

Jan. 10, 2012 - PRLog -- Internationally acclaimed Rend Collective Experiment releases its sophomore album, Homemade Worship By Handmade People, today on Kingsway with global distribution and amidst five-star reviews.  The album was recorded and produced by Rend Collective in Irish church halls and homes in the band’s organic, collective style and fusing a depth of sung theology and fresh melodies that reflect themes of redemption, devotion and celebration.

A movement of 20-somethings that began in Ireland and spread across Europe before hitting the Americas, Rend Collective Experiment’s journey continues as the critics rave:

“Homemade Worship By Handmade People is the kind of unique worship album I've only dreamed was possible…This is surely one of the top worship albums ever made…don’t miss out on Rend Collective Experiment’s new album, a stellar five star worship album.” – NewReleaseTuesday.com

“Modern worship groups could take some cues from the Rend Collective Experiment. This 15 strong outfit from Ireland imbues its songs with a crackling spirit and a ramshackle folk-pop sound…they glow with pure joy…Once you get caught in the swell of their stomping, rollicking music, no doubt you'll do the same.” – ChristianityToday.com

“Homemade Worship By Handmade People is as much of a party as it is a prayer. It is a celebration of life…With each listen (and you can’t help but listen again), you step into a world of feeling full to the brim, yet wanting even more.” – About.com (5-Star review)

“From moments of drifting intimacy or acoustic beauty to full on horns blasting gung ho praise songs, the band continue to reflect an indie sensibility and compelling contemporary sound… definitely another winner and Rend are still one of the few worship outfits doing anything original!” – Cross Rhythms

“…ripe with rich theology and authentic melodies… From Fleet Fox-ish acoustic (“You Are My Vision”) to programmed indie pop (“True Intimacy”) and modern radio (“Second Chance”), Rend is a fresh, singable take on modern worship.” – CCM

“Words don't express how great a piece of work this is…clever, arty, heartfelt, operatic, intense, acute, fierce and powerful…The whole albums feels like a journey.” – LouderThanTheMusic.com (5-Star Review)

“We love Irish folksy worship group Rend Collective Experiment and we’re so excited about their sophomore album, Homemade Worship By Handmade People. They came by our office and played new songs - watch brand new videos with the group on HearItFirst!”- HearItFirst.com

“…Rend is one of the few bands that is brave and imaginative enough to pick up the baton left by David Crowder…Buy this album… put it in your worship collection. This could be seen as a watershed album in the way Worship music will be looked at being produced from here on…” – Screaming Goose (10 out of 10)

“Their ability to utilize simple music and profound lyrics to create an organic sound for worship was inspiring to say the least…it's really good music…some of the best songs that the Collective has released to date…pure worship songs with very raw emotion.” – JesusFreakHideout.com

“Rend Collective Experiment is definitely original, containing heart-felt, awesome worship –If you’re looking for an original worship project, look no further!” – jaysmusikblog.com

“The album elegantly and flawlessly weaves together a texture of different sounds, complex harmonies, and lyrics laced with theology that pierces the heart…This is a must have album.” – The 416 Project

For Rend Collective, the music has never been about adding to their coffers or building fame, it has always been about people and building God’s Kingdom here.  That direction continues on Homemade Worship By Handmade People with songs like “Build Your Kingdom Here” and “Second Chances,” the first radio single, going for adds Feb. 17, and music video from the album that premiered on YouTube Dec. 26 (http://www.youtube.com/user/RendCollective).  

Rend Collective has also undertaken the task of understanding the famous hymn, “Be Thou My Vision,” subsequently translating it into a form and melody for contemporary worshippers that a Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster Sunday News writer calls “powerfully-done” and NewReleaseTuesday.com calls “an amazing performance.”  

Playing “You Are My Vision,” “Second Chance” and other new songs from Homemade Worship By Handmade People, as well as its fan favorites, Rend Collective joins Francis Chan beginning this week for four US tour dates, including events in St Paul, MN (1/13), Troy, MI (1/14), Phoenix, AZ (1/20) and Corona, CA (1/21).  These tour dates are followed by a major market, 30-city Rock & Worship Roadshow tour that begins Jan. 26 and also features MercyMe, Tenth Avenue North, Lecrae, Disciple, Hawk Nelson and Sidewalk Prophets.  

Beginning as a group of friends collectively wondering how to make sense of the conundrum of life, God and community, Rend Collective Experiment is a nod to the places in Scripture where it says to “rend your hearts” and not your garments, a bold call to be genuine. “We’re all handmade people created by our God who is not safe or small,” explains Rend Collective Experiment bandleader, Gareth Gilkeson. “Our heart is ultimately to make music that is sonically creative and pushes the boundaries, but also serves the Church.  It’s our response to a truly magnificent God with a wild imagination.”

For more information on Rend Collective Experiment, it’s touring and music, go to www.rendcollectiveexperiment.com.

About Kingsway:
Tracing its music heritage to 1969, Kingsway today is known as a leader in Worship Music. As the creator of Thank You Music, and later in partnership with EMI, its catalogue includes songs such as “Here I Am to Worship,” “In Christ Alone,” “Everlasting God” and “Blessed Be Your Name” to name a few.

Kingsway’s songs are sung in more than 300,000 churches worldwide accounting for over 30% of CCLI’s (Church Copyright Licensing International) bestseller list. With writers and artists like Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Delirious?, Graham Kendrick and Stuart Townend, Kingsway is dedicated to feeding the Church with songs that will change the world. As part of David C Cook, a non-profit organization located in Colorado Springs, CO, a significant portion of the profits that Kingsway and David C Cook generate are used to provide discipleship and music materials free of charge to church leaders in developing parts of the world who wouldn’t be able to get them any other way. (www.kingswayworship.com)