Only the Suffering God
Cover design by Andrew Moody, 1989 |
Sixteen songs written by Monique Lisbon which focus on a God prepared to get dirty hands by entering into the suffering of the world. Several of the songs on Only the Suffering God, including the title track, were inspired by the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Only the Suffering God is available on CD and in songbook formats. Released in 1992 (re-released 2001). |
Producer: Peter Haydon. Featuring: Rosemary Lyons (lead vocals), Monique Lisbon, Peter Haydon, Angela Chandler, Cathy Altmann, Jill Livett, Jonathon Gunthorpe and others. |
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Lyrics and MP3 samples
Track |
Name |
Lyrics |
MP3
sample |
1 |
Born to Die |
 92 kb |
Coming
soon! |
2 |
Will We Give Up Our Power? |
92 kb |
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3 |
Hear Our Prayer |
80 kb |
Coming
soon! |
4 |
Only with Pain |
92 kb |
Coming
soon! |
5 |
Psalm 121 |
80 kb |
Coming
soon! |
6 |
A God Who Cares Enough |
84 kb |
Coming
soon! |
7 |
If God Saves |
80 kb |
Coming
soon! |
8 |
Release Us |
92 kb |
Coming
soon! |
9 |
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing |
84 kb |
Coming
soon! |
10 |
Psalm 25 |
96 kb |
Coming
soon! |
11 |
What Kind of God is This? |
96 kb |
Coming
soon! |
12 |
This is My Body |
88 kb |
Coming
soon! |
13 |
We Are His Children |
92 kb |
Coming
soon! |
| 14 | Psalm 51 | 96 kb |
Coming
soon! |
| 15 | A Wedding Prayer | 92 kb |
Coming
soon! |
| 16 | The Kiss of Death | 84 kb |
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Lyrics are in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF) and require the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded for free from www.adobe.com |
Review
Ken Davis, Inside Out Music
Do they know God was born to die? This is the opening question posed by Monique. The rest of the album explores the power and meaning of the incarnation. Despite being a remastering of an album recorded on a limited budget, this recording stands up well. The arrangements and production match the moods of the songs, and there is a smoky ambience that gives me the feel of a jazz club. The songs are anchored in Monique's thoughtful and understated piano playing. These are complemented by touches of classical, traditional jazz and baroque influence.
The voice of Rosemary Lyons is interesting, with the recording being darker, dryer and less 'sparkly' than modern pop sounds, yet it complements the songs, and that's what this album is about. As Monique says, 'many modern Christian songs seem to be fairly content-less and I was particularly concerned that this album did not go that way.'
My personal favourites are A God Who Cares Enough and What Kind Of God Is This? which deal poignantly with the issue of suffering on both a global and personal scale: What kind of God is this / Who chooses to be powerless / Submits to rejection / And gives himself to die?Will We Give Up Our Power? is hauntingly powerful as it marries an urgent lyric, dark piano and a brooding electric guitar to create a mood reminiscent of the Cure.
The final song The Kiss of Death is a brilliant musical parody on all the great 'stripper' themes, which deals with the darkest of themes—sin!If you like thoughtful, piano based music, with a touch of playfulness, sort of Billy Joel meets Bette Midler, I think you'll like this.