Insideout - The Story EP

"Through our music, it is our prayer that people are drawn into a place of deep connection and encounter with God and to be change from the inside out."

The Story EP (2008)

Artist:  Insideout
www.insideoutlife.com.au
Label:  independent
Length:  5 tracks / 22:33 minutes

An artist or band that undergoes a name change is often taking a risk in my opinion. The risk taken is that fans may lose touch with the artist/band.  This is precisely what happened with me.  I had Jess Hammond’s There Is Hope CD (2006)(a strong effort, by the way, which was produced by Small House Records) in my collection and was surprised to discover that Jess and her husband Daniel had released another 2 CDs under the moniker Insideout. 

Jess & Daniel give the following reason for the name change: "Through our music, it is our prayer that people are drawn into a place of deep connection and encounter with God and to be change from the inside out."  The band’s website describes them as "an itinerant worship and arts ministry (of which Jess & Daniel Hammond form the core) based at One Community Church, Blackburn" (Australia).

Jess and Daniel first met each other at the same Youth with a Mission base that I was a staff member of back in the 80s in Melbourne, but alas, our paths never crossed.

Jess possesses one of those God-given voices that I swear has soothing/healing properties.  Daniel accompanies Jess’s vocals with his own vocals and proficient guitaring.  One can hear traces of The Edge’s style in Daniel’s guitaring (check out the lead break on"Who Will Stand?").  Jess and Daniel’s voices harmonise well together.

The opening song "Majesty" is every bit as good/inspiring a song of worship/adoration to God as the well-known chorus of the same name by Jack Hayford, as well as having greater lyrical depth.  "Who Will Stand?" is a moving call to social action that is motivated out of the Gospel.  "New Day" is another radio-friendly song that exhorts the listener to:

"Arise it’s a new day
We lift our hearts in praise
Let us be a generation who seeks Your face
We arise as one people
This our anthem raise:
‘Let us be a generation
living for Your Name’"

The title track "Story" is song of missionthat inspires the listener to be part of God’s great salvation story.  The EP concludes with "Selah" which is one of those laid-back songs that has the quality of a round.

The Story EP is a strong set of contemporary songs with a worship focus.  The EP was produced, mixed and mastered by Phil Gaudion of PC3 (Paul Colman Trio) fame. It sets the direction for the Abide CD (2011) that was to follow.

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