New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Rick Hoganson Media Relations) Jesus Culture Awakening: Live From Chicago, the sixth new full-length recording from Jesus Culture, released last week amidst acclaim on Kingsway with EMI CMG Distribution in the US. Recorded live in Chicago's Allstate
Arena at Jesus Culture's Awakening 2011 conference Aug. 3-5, 2011, this double-CD quickly shot to the top of "Praise & Worship" sales chart, and sold nearly 12,000 copies in its debut week at retail. The album further spent all week on top of the iTunes® "Christian/Gospel" chart, while initially entering at No. 26 before climbing by last Friday to No. 2 on the iTunes overall "Top Albums" chart, just behind Michael Bublé at that time.
Known as one of the most influential youth movements around the world,
Jesus Culture has ignited a generation with energetic, passionate and authentic worship music. Gathering more than 14,000 youth and young adults from around the nation and beyond for the Awakening conference, the passionate worship was recorded live with mixing by Sam Gibson (UNITED,
Pearl Jam, Crowded House).
Featuring the
Jesus Culture Band, as well as Jake Hamilton, Kristene DiMarco and Byran and Katie Torwalt, the highly anticipated
Jesus Culture Awakening: Live From
Chicago features both old and new favorites. Here is what the critics are saying about the album:
"One of worship music's most popular movements packs two discs (for the price of one) with electrifying corporate worship recorded earlier this year at Chicago's Allstate Arena." - ChristianityToday.com
"Incredibly anointed! There is power in the name of Jesus and all over this album." -AllAboutWorship.com
"Worship powerhouse
Jesus Culture teams up with several of their friends to produce a project and title that is true to form… The collection has a matured sound that sports a healthy mixture of creativity…an authentic, King David-like approach to worship. Pushing against humanity's propensity for apathy, the band challenges listeners to dig their heels in and worship God with a refreshed abandonment of self, and a renewed hope that God is who he says he is." - Crosswalk.com
"…if you aren't a fan of them yet, I would definitely recommend this as a great worship album…shows the growth of
Jesus Culture as a band." - TheWorshipCommunity.com
"If you're looking for an album with passion filled rock worship songs then look no further…With Jesus Culture's distinctive rock worship sound that is sung and played with passion, Awakening: Live From
Chicago is one event I wish I was at, thankfully this album captures all of it superbly…" - LouderThanTheMusic.com
"Jesus Culture is one of the most passionate worship bands you will find out there. It's obvious they put their hearts into the music they play and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, but listening to it unfold on this live project is an exciting and inspiring experience. Awakening: Live From
Chicago is a heart-felt, worshipful album!" - www.jaysmusikblog.com
"Since this is Jesus Culture's sixth release, there are certain standards that listeners expect from them: passionate and genuine, invigorating and raw, inspiring and enthusiastic. This newest release doesn't fall short on any of those criteria. If anything, they are only getting better… This unabashed praise, unapologetic worship, and unstoppable energy is influential and powerful." - Relate Magazine
Jesus Culture Band, comprising Kim Walker-Smith (vocals), Chris Quilala (vocals/guitar), Ian McIntosh (keys), Jeffrey Kunde (lead guitar),
Brandon Aaronson (bass) and Josh
Fisher (drums), was formed organically through the momentum of a movement whose focus is to equip a generation to transform society by bringing people into an encounter with God's love through worship and discipleship. Their albums capture the heart of this movement of young people who are passionate for God and seeking an encounter with His presence.
More information on Jesus Culture, including its events, can be found at www.jesusculturemusic.com, www.jesusculture.com, www.facebook.com/jesusculture and www.kingswayworship.com.