Bellarive Heartbeat CD Review

HeartBeat

 

     Six passionate worship leaders from Orlando Florida joined together awhile back to awaken the spiritual Heartbeat of believers. Bellarive met each other in 2009 and began leading worship in churches. However, they soon realized that was not the only mission God had purposed them together for. Upon the recognition of the call to worship, band members Sean Curran (lead vocals, Melissa Mage (vocals), Mike Mage (Programming, vocals, guitar), Zach Glotfelty (lead guitar), Josh Luker (bass, percussion) and Kenny Werner (drums)  created an EP titled "The Being Human Project, Start Listening". Sparrow Records was right on their heals after the EP released and signed with them for their debut album Heartbeat available June 19, 2012.

     The first radio release Taste of Eternity in my opinion is the essence of the cup that you drink with this album. As lead singer Sean Curran stated in a recent video release,

"All that He is, the context of Eternity. It is what we were all designed to do, to worship Him. If we will allow ourselves to go there, worship can take us to an Eternal place where it’s not about singing with our lips or our lungs, but where we enter in singing with our soul."

     That definitely describes the character demonstrated on their debut. With different musicians and singers you can pick up similarities of influences throughout the delivery of artistic worshipful pieces. Notably so is the musicianship of Anathallo, which the band has stated is a huge influence for them. Vocally you can definitely hear the style of David Crowder echoing through the elements.

     On the title track there is a semblance to what you might hear from the great Michael W Smith. They sing about the importance of staying in the presence of God. Musically this is one that could easily be used for corporate worship.

     It is very easy to sing along to and there is a moment that builds to focused encouragement, followed by what I call a faith filled showdown. "Stand tall for we are daughters we are sons, step straight into this love, we bear the mark of our creator."

     There is a relationship portrayal in Love Has Found Us, which depicts the simplicity and yet overwhelming joy that comes from knowing God as Lord of all.

Hope Is Calling, follows next continuing to deliver radio friendly messages. After listening to the album I was surprised they did not choose one of these two songs to use as their first release. Needless to say, this radio worthy album is not going to have a short life on the charts.

     Measures of Rest , is a reminder of the peace and restoration that God offers us as we seek that place with Him. Finding all that we need in Him, arriving at a place where our focus is totally on His love. The resonating praise and vocal harmonies toward the end of this piece is refreshing and inviting.

     Speaking of vocals, you will not be hearing any of them in Sing, which seems a bit ironic. However, many people who know true worship understand the depths of instrumental praise. Proved by many, the intensity of prophetic worship through instrumentation takes you somewhat deeper personally during corporate or private worship, because it’s not about what’s being sung, it’s about allowing God to pull your heart strings closer to Him.

     Musically speaking, I feel The Father’s Heart is a standout piece on the album. I feel the vocals are better on a lot of their other songs, but the melody is one of the catchier on the album. It could also be one that sets them apart as well, a band identifier so to speak.      The message is also moving, searching for the heartbeat of our Father."Father hold me, heaven come fill this place, open the flood gates, I’m reaching for the rhythm of my Fathers heart."  This song will definitely be more radio active than others and probably quite a bit more popular to the general Christian music population.

     Everyone always is watching and waiting for a move of God, waiting to see something happen. Here We Are, captures the essence that God needs us to move. It is a call to be free to walk in His love that He provides for us."Here’s my heart for the taking, God keep it. Face down at your feet, I’m not leaving. For you are where I want to be." I am a sucker for guitars so I must say I have a biased opinion of this song and it is one of my favorites by far.

     One of the highlights is hearing more vocals from the only female member Melissa Mage. A beautiful eclectic contribution that I am certain her fellow band members are glad to have with them. One that I would say is seasoned with just the right amount of the likeness of Adele with a sprinkle of the great Adrienne Camp (previous lead for Benjamin Gate). In Tendons (The Release) Melissa comes through more vocally leading up to one of the best moments on the album, the spoken poem from Sean (I think) of a broken heart before the Lord. This is undeniably a stand out number.

     The harmony shared in Shine On, is pleasantly on point and reminds us that in Him we can shine with our hearts toward Him. No matter what obstacles we face we have His Glory in us to carry to others. "Wake up oh sleeper, the glory came through, the Glory shines through and we’re wide awake now."

     I would like to personally thank the band for allowing Melissa to lead I Know You. I love hearing songs from the perspective from God toward us and this song is brilliantly written and expressed. Musically and vocally a masterpiece created representing the love that the master carries for us. If able I would give a standing ovation to the band and the composer of this piece.



     The last track on the album, Stories is another beautiful closing sentiment, touching on the stories we have heard about Jesus. Vocally this is the most beautiful song on Heartbeat. The delivery and the message exceptionally exceed what you expect. "Holy Spirit come, descend on your people. Your fires’ in our hearts it’s all we’ll ever need. For we know, we know that you’re alive. So come and speak here. Our ears are open now."

Bellarive, which means Beautiful River, chose the perfect name when they were coming to a decision. This album delivers living water right into your spirit and will touch you on many levels. If you allow yourself to dive into these waters you will bask in the spirit of worship. Hoping their music pulls the listener closer to the heartbeat of God this album flows straight to the foot of the cross and beckons His presence.