Music Review: ‘The Hill’ by Travis Greene

Travis Greene’s latest album ‘The Hill’ undeniably has some of the most sensational and anointed songs the gospel music sphere has seen in a while. The album was recorded live at Mosaic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina under the RCA Inspiration Label. The album was officially released on the 30^th of October, 2015, and contains a total of 12 tracks which includes Travis’s hit single ‘Intentional’.

Basically, the album tells the story of how God intervened and saved Travis from several circumstances that should have ended tragically. At age 4, Travis Greene fell 4 floors from the window of an apartment in Germany and was pronounced dead. But his praying mother believed otherwise. She took the little Travis in her arms and called out the name of Jesus over and over again, and in no time, little Travis opened his eyes. Travis also narrates how his wife miraculously gave birth to their first son after his wife’s water broke and the baby was pronounced dead, and also how his mum was healed after an illness that nearly took her life. With such remarkable back stories, it’s not surprising that Greene’s album is pure worship and praise to God. Essentially, the album portrays Travis’s journey of faith which is captured first by his catchy song titles like ‘Gave It All’, ‘You Keep Me’, ‘Just Want You’, ‘Thank You For Being God’, ‘Made A Way’, ‘Love Me Too Much’, and others.

Judging from the lyrical standpoint, the songs are simple and easy to understand as they primarily speak of God’s goodness and unchanging love. The songs are not too wordy, and most times end up with chants that can be sung repeatedly, a style used by the likes of Jesus Culture and Bethel Music. Most times, couplets are repeatedly antiphonal and with increasing levels of intensity until Greene, the background vocalists, and the live audience erupt in loud worship and prayerful ecstasy. Travis takes his time to share his testimony at the end of some of the tracks like ‘The Hill’ and ‘Made a Way’.

Travis’s approach to his music demonstrates how thin the stylistic line is between gospel, inspirational and CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) in the 21^st Century. ‘You Got Up’ incorporates an engaging island beat, while ‘Intentional’ gives us the meditative CCM rhythm we’ve come to love. Travis musicality can be compared to the likes of Tye Tribbett and Mali Music. The album also featured popular gospel artists such as KJ Scriven and Laura Wilson.

With an album this rich in true and sincere content, it becomes herculean for one to start to pick out any of the tracks as favorites, as each lyric coated melody in the album flows with beautiful rhythm and encourages the heart of the listener, stirring up faith and a deep sense of wonder and adulation for God.  Nonetheless, songs like ‘Made A Way’, ‘Intentional’, ‘The Hill’, ‘Who You Were’ and ‘Thank You for Being God’ stood out for me and made me push my repeat button.

On a final note, Travis Greene’s ‘The Hill’ has the youthful vigour and power praise propulsion that will definitely appeal to a wide audience including young adults and older folks across all cultural backgrounds.

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Tobenna is a writer, programmer and musician who is passionate about God, tech, and music. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook by clicking the icons below.

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