Soderholm takes step into the past

By D.S. Martin and ChristianWeek | September 15, 2006

On Glen Soderholm's 2003 album Rest, he gives us authentic songs of praise that acknowledge our need of rest in our hectic lives using a gentle folk style dominated by his acoustic guitar.

This album takes a step backwards, but in a way many will appreciate. He returns us to the roots of his song writing by interspersing hymns written from across the centuries with his original songs; all six hymns come from the current Presbyterian hymnal.

The best known of these is "Praise To The Lord The Almighty." This version is updated, not by altering the rhythm as is common in many contemporary praise services, but by reworking the lyrics to eliminate antiquated phrases that may prove inaccessible to a new generation. Soderholm sings, "Have you not seen how your heart's wishes have been/Granted through God's kind ordaining?" so that it flows more smoothly and meaningfully from his tongue.

I believe that contemporary worship songs are generally better for celebration, but can be less reverent and reflective. Soderholm doesn't sacrifice these qualities in his versions of the hymns, even though the traditional organ has been replaced by guitar, bass, drums, violin and David White's exquisite mandolin.

Some of Signpost Music's best performers appear on various tracks: Steve Bell, Jacob Moon and Carolyn Arends (he returns the favour on Arends' album). Producer Roy Salmond has again helped to create a smooth soundscape that suits the material.

Soderholm's own compositions work well with the traditional hymns since he often writes from Scripture, such as "Think on these Things" from Philippians 4. Unfortunately, such lyrics, like those of well-known hymns, lose some impact through their familiarity. In such circumstances, Soderholm's own honest writing shows its strength:

"That which God has placed within my hands Has slipped through my fingers like sand Did I hold it well? The whistle wind won't tell."

Although I enjoy this album, it really is more churchy because of the large number of hymns. We also don't get to experience the songwriter as much. If you haven't any Glen Soderholm in your collection, I still think Rest is the better choice, but for everyone else, World Without End is a pleasant addition.

In the liner notes to Carolyn Arends' ninth and newest album, Pollyanna's Attic, she writes, "Mark Heard's music and legacy inspired much of what is contained herein." This can be seen in her cover of Heard's song "To See Your Face," in "I've Got a Hope" from Pierce Pettis, a close friend of the late Mark Heard, and in the strongest of Arends' own compositions.

The opening song "Just Pretending," for example, gives a strong acoustic rock groove worthy of the liner tribute: "Sunday the whole congregation/ Doesn't seem to need salvation/ Everybody's just terrific/ All the time." The chorus continues, "Why do we try so hard?/Life's not some greeting card/...They're just pretending."

Lyrically, several other songs also grab truth in insightful ways. "More Is Less" shows the irony in so many of our pursuits, and "No Trespassing" takes a shot at how we mind our own business to the detriment of those who need our help.

However, some of her subtler lyrics could slide past unnoticed because their musical arrangements are just too sweet. "Free" seems to celebrate liberty, but is really about how we misuse freedom and take it for granted. Her agreeable tone doesn't seem to be pointing out a problem. The form and content need to go together! A harder edge to the music running through the album would also help the flow. The catchy rocker "Everybody Wants Everything"— where Spencer Capier can finally let loose on guitar—seems to ricochet out of nowhere. It should be the album's centrepiece, not an anomaly.

What would make this good album great is a producer that makes the tough calls and draws from the artist the delivery her good writing deserves. It is still a thoroughly enjoyable album, but I see what it could have been.