Living With a Fire is the eleventh live album and thirteenth album overall by American worship group Jesus Culture. The album was released on August 31, 2018 by the group's imprint label, Jesus Culture Music alongside Capitol Christian Music Group and Sparrow Records.[1]
| Living With a Fire | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Live album by | ||||
| Released | August 31, 2018 | |||
| Recorded | Encounter Conference 2018 | |||
| Venue | Jesus Culture Church, Sacramento, California, U.S. | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 100:10 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Jeremy Edwardson | |||
| Jesus Culture chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Living With a Fire | ||||
| ||||
Living With a Fire was nominated for the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.[2]
Background
editOn July 13, 2018, Jesus Culture and Capitol Christian Music Group announced the then-forthcoming release of Living With a Fire, slated for August 31 release, with the commencement of the album's digital pre-order.[3][4] The album, recorded live at Jesus Culture Church in Sacramento during their conference, features Kim Walker-Smith, Chris Quilala, Bryan & Katie Torwalt, Derek Johnson and Chris McClarney as worship leaders.[3] The album is a celebration of Jesus Culture as a movement of people passionate about worshipping God approaching twenty years, with Kim Walker-Smith sharing that "we can say with conviction that our hearts are still burning for Jesus, and we are still wanting to bring Him glory, above all."[5]
Release and promotion
editAt the commencement of the digital pre-order period in July 2018,[3] "Living With a Fire" which featured the vocals of Chris Quilala and Kim Walker-Smith-led tracks "Freedom" and "Center of Your Love" were availed for instant download, being the first three pre-order singles from the album.[3] On July 25, 2018, Jesus Culture published the live music video of the song "Defender" led by Katie Torwalt, on YouTube.[6][7] "Not Afraid" featuring Kim Walker-Smith, was released on August 4, 2018, as the fourth pre-order single from the album.[8][9] On August 15, 2018, "Move" featuring Chris McClarney became the fifth pre-order single availed from the album,[10] followed by "Anointing" featuring Chris Quilala being released on August 22, 2018, as the sixth and final pre-order single from the album.[11] The complete album was released on August 31, 2018.[12]
Singles
editJesus Culture released a radio-adapted version of "Freedom" featuring Kim Walker-Smith as the lead single of the album on January 18, 2019.[13]
Tour
editOn July 13, 2018, Jesus Culture announced Living With a Fire Tour, slated for October 2018.[14] The tour's promotion and production being handled by Premier Productions, the featured Jesus Culture members Kim Walker-Smith, Chris Quilala, Bryan & Katie Torwalt and Chris McClarney together with Jesus Culture founder Banning Liebscher and Pastor Nathan Edwardson will be stopping in twenty cities across the United States for nights of worship.[15][16]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| CCM Magazine |   [17] |
| Hallels | [18] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | [19] |
Living With a Fire prompted mixed reactions, with varied sentiments echoed in reviews about the collection from critics within the CCM and contemporary worship music genres.
Mark Geil of CCM Magazine rated the album four stars out of five, describing the sound as "bright and modern," bemoaning the track length saying "some of them simply run too long," and concluded that the album is a "strong offering from Jesus Culture, with quality songs of declaration and dependence."[17] In a three star review of the collection at Hallels, Timothy Yap states that "there is not a lack of future church worship songs" on the album, but criticised it for failing to "charter new ground," concluding that the release, though good, can be "a tad run-of-the-mill bland too."[18] Giving the album a poor two star rating in a Jesus Freak Hideout review, David Craft, who described the album as "yet another mediocre project," and reasoned that it satisfies the listening habits of Jesus Culture fans but advised those in need of new worship songs that "there are far better alternatives to consider."[19]
NewReleaseToday music critic Mark Ryan, excitedly indicated in his review that "Live worship alums should be the only worship albums that are allowed to be released, and Jesus Culture does not disappoint on Living With a Fire. The gang from Sacramento, CA continues to deliver powerful worship that crosses generations and is meant for the whole church."[20] Gerod Bass, in his review of the album at Worship Musician Magazine, says that Living With a Fire "is pretty much what we've come to expect from Jesus Culture as far as songs and arrangements go."[21] Bass resolved that fans will "love this big collection of new songs. There is nothing ground-breaking here, and it seems as if Jesus Culture has kind of adopted the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it.""[21]
Accolades
edit| Year | Organization | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | We Love Christian Music Awards | The Chorus Award (Church Worship Album of the Year) |
Nominated | [22] |
| Grammy Awards | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album | Nominated | [2] |
Commercial performance
editIn the United States, Living With a Fire debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Christian Albums chart dated September 15, 2018, having earned sales of 6,000 equivalent album units in its first week.[23] Living With a Fire is Jesus Culture's third album to attain the top position on the chart after Unstoppable Love (2014) and Love Has a Name (2017).[23] The album was also listed as the eighth best-selling digital release in the country that same week,[24] with a placement on the mainstream Billboard 200 chart at No. 134.[25]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Move" (featuring Chris McClarney) |
| 6:50 |
| 2. | "Awe" (featuring Chris Quilala) |
| 5:43 |
| 3. | "Not Afraid" (featuring Kim Walker-Smith) |
| 7:25 |
| 4. | "Living With a Fire" (featuring Chris Quilala) |
| 6:15 |
| 5. | "Defender" (featuring Katie Torwalt) |
| 12:18 |
| 6. | "Center of Your Love" (featuring Kim Walker-Smith) | Hanna Sheets[33] | 9:35 |
| 7. | "Freedom" (featuring Kim Walker-Smith) |
| 6:31 |
| 8. | "Anointing" (featuring Chris Quilala) |
| 8:12 |
| 9. | "Be Crowned" (featuring Bryan Torwalt) |
| 5:26 |
| 10. | "Yes and Amen" (featuring Chris McClarney) |
| 5:47 |
| 11. | "Beautiful Day" (featuring Derek Johnson) |
| 4:21 |
| 12. | "Let Love" (featuring Chris McClarney & Kim Walker-Smith) |
| 5:35 |
| 13. | "How Amazing" (featuring Kim Walker-Smith) |
| 10:06 |
| 14. | "For No Other Reason" (featuring Chris Quilala) |
| 6:06 |
| Total length: | 110:10 | ||
Personnel
editSingers
- Derek Johnson – vocals
- Chris McClarney – vocals
- Chris Quilala – vocals
- Bryan Torwalt – vocals
- Katie Torwalt – vocals
- Kim Walker-Smith – vocals
Musicians
- Jeremy Edwardson – keyboards, programming
- Andrew Jackson – keyboards, programming
- Jeffrey Kunde – keyboards, programming, guitars
- Ian McIntosh – keyboards, programming
- Brandon Aaronson – bass
- Josh Fisher – drums
Production
edit- Banning Liebscher – executive producer
- Jeremy Edwardson – producer, engineer, mixing
- Jeffrey Kunde – additional production
- Ian McIntosh – additional production
- Andrew Jackson – engineer
- Jamie Beaudoin – assistant engineer
- Drew Lavyne – mastering
- Christopher York – A&R
- Matt Jones – design, packaging
Charts
edit| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Christian & Gospel Albums (OCC)[43] | 9 |
| US Billboard 200[44] | 134 |
| US Christian Albums (Billboard)[45] | 1 |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | August 31, 2018 | [26][27] |
References
edit- ^ Lundin, Marcus (August 31, 2018). "Jesus Culture's New Live Worship Album 'Living With A Fire' Releases Today : Music : BREATHEcast". The Christian Beat. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ a b Lynch, Joe (December 7, 2018). "2019 Grammy Nominations: Complete List | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Lundin, Marcus (July 13, 2018). "Jesus Culture To Release New Live Worship Album 'Living With A Fire' Out Aug. 31; Music Video For Title-Track, Pre-Orders Available Now : Music : BREATHEcast". The Christian Beat. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ Longs, Herb (July 13, 2018). "Jesus Culture Announces 'Living With A Fire' Live Album August 31". The Christian Beat. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ Law, Jeannie (July 18, 2018). "Jesus Culture Reveals How They Keep Fire Burning for God After 20 Years Together (Video)". The Christian Post. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ "Jesus Culture - Defender (Live) - YouTube". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. July 25, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ "Jesus Defender (Live) (feat. Katie Torwalt) Video | Jesus Culture Videos | Christian Artist Music Videos | Christian Music | NewReleaseToday". NewReleaseToday. NRT Media, Inc. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ Longs, Herbs (August 4, 2018). "New Jesus Culture Pre-Order Track "Not Afraid"". The Christian Beat. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ Yap, Timothy (September 2, 2018). "Listen to Jesus Culture's Dynamic New Song "Not Afraid" : News : Hallels". Hallels. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ Longs, Herbs (August 15, 2018). "New Jesus Culture Pre-Order Track "Move"". The Christian Beat. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ Longs, Herbs (August 22, 2018). "New Jesus Culture Pre-Order Track "Anointing"". The Christian Beat. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ Longs, Herbs (August 22, 2018). "Jesus Culture Releases 'Living With A Fire' Live Album". The Christian Beat. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ "Freedom (Radio Version) by Jesus Culture on Amazon Music - Amazon.com". Amazon.com. January 18, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- ^ Longs, Herb (July 13, 2018). "Jesus Culture To Bring "Living With A Fire" Tour To Nearly 20 Markets This Fall". The Christian Beat. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ Yap, Timothy (July 14, 2018). "Jesus Culture to Bring "Living With A Fire" Tour to Nearly 20 Markets This Fall : News : Hallels". Hallels. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ "Jesus Culture Announces "Living With A Fire Tour" – CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. July 13, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ a b Geil, Mark (August 23, 2018). "Jesus Culture 'Living with a Fire' Album Review – CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ a b Yap, Timothy (August 13, 2018). "Jesus Culture "Living with a Fire" Album Review : Exclusives : Hallels". Hallels. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ a b Craft, David (August 30, 2018). "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Jesus Culture, "Living with a Fire" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ Ryan, Mark (August 24, 2018). "Living With A Fire (Live) by Jesus Culture Christian CD Book Reviews | NRTeam Member MarkRyan_NRT | NewReleaseToday". NewReleaseToday. NRT Media, Inc. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ a b Bass, Gerod (August 6, 2018). "Jesus Culture: Living With A Fire - Worship Musician Magazine". NewReleaseToday. NRT Media, Inc. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ "We Love Christian Music Awards - 7th Annual 2018". NewReleaseToday. NRT Media, Inc. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
- ^ a b Zellner, Xander (September 13, 2018). "Koryn Hawthorne's 'Won't He Do It' Makes History Atop Hot Gospel Songs Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
Plus, Jesus Culture collects its third No. 1 on Top Christian Albums, as the quintet's Living With a Fire arrives with 6,000 equivalent album units earned. The group, which formed at the Redding, Calif.-based Bethel Church, has sent 11 sets to the chart since 2010 and previously led with Unstoppable Love in 2014 and Love Has a Name in 2017.
- ^ "Digital Albums Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. September 11, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Top 200 Albums | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. September 11, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ a b "Living With A Fire (Live) by Jesus Culture on Amazon Music - Amazon.com". Amazon.com. August 31, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ a b "Living With A Fire (Live) by Jesus Culture on Spotify". Spotify. 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Move - Jesus Culture, Chris McClarney Sheet Music | PraiseCharts". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Awe - Jesus Culture, Chris Quilala Sheet Music | PraiseCharts". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Not Afraid - Jesus Culture, Kim Walker-Smith Sheet Music | PraiseCharts". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Living With A Fire - Jesus Culture, Chris Quilala Sheet Music | PraiseCharts". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Defender - Jesus Culture, Katie Torwalt Sheet Music | PraiseCharts". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Center Of Your Love - Jesus Culture, Kim Walker-Smith Sheet Music | PraiseCharts". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Freedom - Jesus Culture, Kim Walker-Smith Sheet Music | PraiseCharts". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Anointing - Jesus Culture, Chris Quilala Sheet Music | PraiseCharts". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Be Crowned - Jesus Culture, Bryan Torwalt Sheet Music | PraiseCharts". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Yes And Amen - Jesus Culture, Chris McClarney Sheet Music | PraiseCharts". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Beautiful Day - Jesus Culture, Derek Johnson Sheet Music | PraiseCharts". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Let Love by Jesus Culture". MultiTracks. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "How Amazing by Jesus Culture". MultiTracks. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "For No Other Reason - Jesus Culture, Chris Quilala Sheet Music | PraiseCharts". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Living With a Fire - Jesus Culture | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
- ^ "Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
- ^ "Jesus Culture Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "Jesus Culture Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
External links
edit- Lyrics and sheet music for the album on PraiseCharts