An Album Review of "Join In The Sound" by Brothers McClurg

Brothers McClurg is a brother duo/worship leading collective based out of Buffalo, New York. Their debut album, "Join In The Sound," under Integrity Music is an exploration of creation, redemption, and the collective church coming together to sing to God.


Their sound has country finger prints, from the groove in "All Around" (track 8) to the wistful, shane and shane-esque country voicing in "Lean Not" (track 9). 


Alternatively, Brothers McClurg experiment with some jazz instrumentation in "Come To The Fount" (track 7). There is also folk influence, especially in the Rend Collective collaboration single, "You Shine Through," complete with stompy rhythm and gang vocals. Definitely a plus in this guy's book.


Though not a country fan personally, I find myself appreciating the stylistic endeavors and thematic writing a whole lot. As a songwriter, I can't but admire the album's intentionality. "Tune Up", the opening track, crescendoes in an organized mess of sound, and as it ends the second track opens with the plea, "Tune my heart" in the next song, "Join In The Sound."


Thematically, the record really explores the notion of creation coming together- both the earth and the people in it- to bring praise to God. Not just that, creation becomes a vehicle that allows us to experience worship in a new light. 
For example, in "You Shine Through" the hook sings:
Through the cracks in all of us
 through the fractures and our dust
you shine through


And look at the wordplay in  "Caught In The Moment":
caught in the beauty
that swells my soul
caught in the sunrise
that rolls back the clouds from our heart
a new song is rising
from the deepest part
join in the melody.

This imagery not only sings of creation bringing praise to God, but uses creation as a way to paint new pictures in our minds of how we engage with our maker. 


The Brothers McClurg record brought in the likes of All Sons and Daughter's, Paul Baloche, Mia Fields and Rend Collective Experiment to make the project happen.


Voices joining in the sound, indeed. 




My final thoughts: The album definitely has country christian markings. It is thematically deep. It resonates with the gospel, and brings attention to the maker. Musically the harmonies are wistful and folky, and the instrumentation groovy with the adult alternative vibe. 


Adrian
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Be sure to stay tuned for my interview with Anthony Hoisington of Brothers McClurg!


special thanks to Shannon Walker and Integrity Music for the press release and album