Unless a band has some very unique and clever lyrics, worship albums today seem to be unoriginal and flat. The Longing's self-titled debut album beats these odds. Not so much because of the lyrics, as they are what we often hear in a worship album, but because of the sound. The sound of this album will make listeners want to continue discovering how the band expresses themselves in worship. Lead singer Jason Ingram has said repeatedly that the band's calling is to be worshippers. They have definitely created a beautiful, out of the ordinary worship album with this CD.

The first single leads off the album. "Heal This Land" is, musically, a very busy track. It's a powerful song to lead things off, and pleads with God to "stretch out Your hand, reveal it to this land."

Other strong rock songs include "Unleashed," "We'll Tell the World," and "Only Your Love." While these songs are mostly instrument dominant, Jason Ingram's airy vocals get to shine in a few songs, including "Here's My Heart," and most prominently in "Give Us This Day," in which The Lord's Prayer is put to music. The music stays faint in the background, with Ingram and his band mates voices breaking through in a spine-tingling way. It's not until the last minute of this song when the music and the vocals mix for a perfect medley of sound.

The band covers the class hymn, "My Jesus, I Love Thee," towards the end of the album, and concludes the CD with slow moving worship song "Eyes on You."

Though another worship album, fans of classic newsboys, David Crowder*Band, Chris Tomlin, and Matt Redman will be sure to enjoy this one. Appreciation of the unique sound and intelligent blend with the lyrics will be sure to set this album high on fan favorites lists.