Without Words (Bethel Music album)

Without Words is the first remix album by California-based worship collective Bethel Music, and it is also the fifth album overall to be released. The album was released on March 5, 2013 by the group's imprint label, Bethel Music alongside Integrity Music.[1][2][3] Garrett Viggers and Gabriel Wilson produced the album together.[4]

Without Words
Without Words Album Cover
Remix album by
ReleasedMarch 5, 2013 (2013-03-05)
Genre
Length51:06
Label
Producer
Bethel Music Remix chronology
Without Words
(2013)
Without Words: Synesthesia
(2015)
Bethel Music chronology
For the Sake of the World
(2012)
Without Words
(2013)
Tides
(2013)

The album is an entirely remixed instrumental collection of select songs previously released by Bethel Music in an effort to explore "what it is to worship— without words."[5]

Critical reception

edit
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [6]
Cross Rhythms          [7]
Indie Vision Music     [8]
Louder Than The Music     [9]
NewReleaseToday     [10]
Today's Christian Music     [11]

David Jeffries, rating the album three stars at AllMusic, says "While it's fine background music for anyone, those most familiar with Bethel's output are going to get the most out of this soothing release."[6] Stephen Luff, reviewing the album for Cross Rhythms whilst rating it seven squares out of ten, says, "I have to mention, however, that it took a number of plays of the disc for me to really "tune in" to what the album is all about as it is not like other "instrumental praise" albums and to the casual listener, it can sound a little like a film soundtrack. ... However, the project will reap rewards with frequent listening."[7] At Indie Vision Music, Jonathan Andre gave the album a three star rating, concluding on a congratulatory note, "Well done Bethel for such an enjoyable and certainly timeless album that will forever change how worship instrumental music is made!"[8] Jono Davies, indicating in a three star review at Louder Than The Music, says, "Creatively Bethel have made a stunning piece of music, just for me I would rather listen to a bunch of new songs with new expressive lyrics to help with my worship to God."[9] Rating the album four and a half stars by NewReleaseToday, Marcus Hathcock confesses "When I first saw the concept of Without Words, I honestly expected an elevator music album of Bethel songs. I had no idea the depth of the artistry that would go into an album that doesn't have a single lyric."[10] Awarding the album three stars from Today's Christian Music, Grace S. Aspinwall writes, "The whole album has great worshipful lyrics that dig deep into the soul."[11]

Track listing

edit
Without Words — Standard edition[6][12]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."What Does It Sound Like"Brian Johnson3:31
2."God I Look to You"
  • Jenn Johnson
  • Ian McIntosh
5:47
3."Forgiven"
5:19
4."For the Sake of the World"
  • B. Johnson
  • Riddle
  • Taylor
6:39
5."Angels"
  • B. Johnson
  • Taylor
5:11
6."Come to Me"
  • John Hendrickson
  • Jenn Johnson
4:29
7."To Our God"
  • B. Johnson
  • Riddle
  • Taylor
5:30
8."One Thirst"Riddle4:51
9."Worthy Is the Lamb"B. Johnson4:28
10."I Will Exalt"Amanda Cook5:20
Total length:51:06
iTunes bonus content[2]
No.TitleLength
11."God I Look to You" (Video)3:56
Total length:55:02

Personnel

edit

Adapted from AllMusic.[6]

  • Jerry Aaronson – ham radio
  • James Gabriel – string arrangements
  • John-Paul Gentile – acoustic guitar
  • Chris Greely – keyboards, mastering, mixing
  • Nathan Grubbs – design, photography
  • Daley Hake – photography
  • Kiley Hill – project manager
  • Hannah Jeanpierre – strings
  • Brian Johnson – executive producer
  • Jenn Johnson – vocals
  • Timothy Jon – strings
  • Jeremy Larson – string arrangements, strings
  • Daniel Mackenzie – banjo, bass, editing, vocoder
  • Amy Renee Miller – vocals
  • Jason Miller – back cover photo
  • Graham Moore – percussion, vocals
  • Daniel Schafer – horn, trumpet
  • Joel Taylor – executive producer
  • Rebekah Van Tinteren – strings
  • Garrett Viggers – banjo, Fender Rhodes, Hammer Dulcimer, harmonium, melodica, producer, pump organ, string arrangements, vocals
  • Kendra Wieck – strings
  • Gabriel Wilson – acoustic guitar, delay, drums, Fender Rhodes, grand piano, guitar, harmonium, keyboards, loops, Moog synthesizer, percussion, producer, programming, reed organ, string arrangements, typewriter, upright piano, vocoder

Charts

edit
Chart (2013) Peak
position
UK Christian & Gospel Albums (OCC)[13] 2
US Billboard 200[14] 106
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[15] 10

Release history

edit
Region Date Version Format Label Ref.
Worldwide March 5, 2013 Standard Bethel Music [1][2][3]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Bethel Music - Without Words - Amazon.com Music". Amazon.com. March 5, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Without Words by Bethel Music on Apple Music". Apple Music (iTunes). U.K. Apple Inc. March 5, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Without Words by Bethel Music on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  4. ^ "Without Words - Bethel Music | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  5. ^ "Without Words - Bethel Music". Bethel Music. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d Jeffries, David. "Tides - Bethel Music | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Luff, Stephen (July 3, 2013). "Review: Without Words - Bethel Music | Cross Rhythms". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  8. ^ a b Andre, Jonathan (March 19, 2013). "Bethel Music - Without Words - Indie Vision Music". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  9. ^ a b Davies, Jono. "Louder Than The Music - Bethel Music - Without Words". Louder Than The Music. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  10. ^ a b Hathcock, Marcus (August 28, 2013). "Tides by Bethel Music | CD Reviews And Information | NewReleaseToday.com". NewReleaseToday.com. NRT Media, Inc. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  11. ^ a b Aspinwall, Grace S. (August 28, 2013). "Bethel Music | Without Words | TodaysChristianMusic.com". Today's Christian Music. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  12. ^ "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Bethel Music, "Without Words" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  13. ^ Kreilser, Lauren (March 11, 2013). "Official Christian and Gospel Albums Charts". Official Charts. Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  14. ^ "Bethel Music Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  15. ^ "Bethel Music Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 7, 2017.