World Service

by Delirious (furious? records)

Would everyone please stop whinging. Delirious are a brilliant band and this album is a profound and timely reminder of just why. People complained at U2 when they released Pop in 1997 and they did the same when Delirious released AudioLessonover in 2002. But a band has to develop and stretch its boundaries: musically, lyrically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. We don’t want Delirious to produce another Cutting Edge album or more congregational worship songs. We want Delirious to be themselves and to produce good music in the way that they feel is best – that’s what they’ve done here.

World Service marks a significant point in Delirious’ journey of maturing and refining their identity and sound. In some ways, they return to a tried and tested formula that has worked so successfully in the past – capturing a statement about or aspect of who God is and encapsulating it in the anthemic way only they seem able to. Majesty, InsideOutside, and Grace Like A River are all superb examples of this. Meanwhile, the tenderness, emotion and power of Mountains High, I Was Blind and Feel It Coming On speak of relationship with God as only those who’ve lived it can.

Some tracks on this album seem to fill it out in the middle and would make for weak ‘b’ sides on a single release, but the listener is nonetheless carried through from track to track. I can imagine that some people will need to let World Service grow on them over time. Those of us who remember standing in Central Hall Southampton when White Ribbon Day was first played or on Beach Green in Littlehampton when the sun broke through the clouds during History Maker will recognise Delirious doing their thing, leading the crowds they draw and being used by God.

This probably isn’t a good introduction to Delirious, but it ranks alongside Glo as one of their best albums yet and I can’t wait to hear these songs performed live.