Prime Cuts: In the Garden, I'm Coming Home, Jesus Name Above All Names

In 2010, FFH (acronym for "Far From Home") downsized from being a quartet to a duo. Not only were the number band members reduced but their sound took on a decidedly different detour. Tapering down from a brazen glitz power pop sound, they have morphed into a slower and more acoustic song set with 2010's'Wide Open Spaces." With the birth of their second child and Jeromy's shocking diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, such turns in their lives have made them more contemplative in their song choices and more mature in their deliveries. The Way We Worship takes a step further in this more intimate crescent they have paved. Inspired by Jennifer's nightly singing of hymns to her children before bed, the couple have decided to record a CD full of these heartfelt hymns that one could easily use in family or personal devotions. The Way We Worship, as the title suggests, is a God centered album consisting of seven carefully chosen hymns, three newly penned songs and a couple of One Sonic Society covers. Sonically the album is stripped back acoustic with the occasional shades of rustic country where flourishes of steel, guitars and fiddles abound.

As with their last album, lead vocals are shared between Jeromy and Jennifer Deibler. However, most intriguing is that Jennifer gets to sing most of the hymns here. Nestled within the soft paddling of steel and acoustic guitars, "Come Thou Fount" gets a slow country makeover with Jennifer sounding very much like Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks in her country twang. Catch her again delivering what must be one of the most tender renditions of "In the Garden" as one tries to hold back the tears as she warmly assures, "He walks with me and He talks with me/He tells me I am his own." "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" finds Jennifer trying to nuance along a different melodic style that adds a glowingly personal flair to this treasured gem. Though not as ancient as the aforementioned hymns, it is time "Jesus, Name Above All Names" gets a reprise. Almost sounding Christmasy with some gorgeous bell chimes, this track is poignantly focused on Jesus and his various names used in Scripture.

Hymns aside, strangely there are two worship covers both coming from One Sonic Society. Lead single "As for Me" is a sore thumb sticking out from the album. While the rest of the record is acoustically driven, "As for Me" features a much crowded backing of screeching electric guitar, percolating drum loops and even a rousing choir to boot. Frankly, "As for Me" could just be tailored so that FFH has a radio single driving the album and that is about it. A little better is the other One Sonic Society cover (also recently done by Superchick lead vocalist Trica Brock) "Always." Here the more acoustic rendering of "Always"actually helps us focus more on the lyrics which tells of how God "will not delay" in our times of need. Of the three newly written songs for this disc, "First Love" and 'Glorious King" are standard worship songs with Jeromy taking the lead. While the country flavored "I'm Coming Home" (a personal favorite) is a re-telling of the story of the prodigal son told in a first person narrative with the arresting line, "I'm tired of dancing with the devil/I'm coming home."

"The Way We Worship" is not FFH's first worship album. Way back in 2007 they released "Worship in the Waiting' which was carved in the straight ahead pop direction; this time they have gone for a less is more perspective. And with a more stripped down and a rustier packaging, they have indeed hit a sweet spot for the heart. "The Way We Worship" is soul building enough to be used as a soothing soundtrack for some personal R&R and powerful enough for the broken heart to sing as one worships the Almighty God in the quiet recesses of our personal devotions. In short, this record is indeed powerful-and yet gentle and sweet.