The Ascension (Phil Wickham album)

Last updated

The Ascension
TheAscension.jpg
Studio album by
Phil Wickham
ReleasedSeptember 24, 2013 (2013-09-24)
Genre Contemporary worship music, Britpop, contemporary Christian music
Length48:49
Label Fair Trade
Producer Pete Kipley
Phil Wickham chronology
Response
(2011)		The Ascension
(2013)		 Children of God
(2016)
Singles from The Ascension
  1. "This Is Amazing Grace"
    Released: August 6, 2013
  2. "Glory [1] "
    Released: 2014

The Ascension is the fifth commercial studio album from Christian singer and songwriter Phil Wickham. The album was released on September 24, 2013 by Fair Trade Services, and was produced by Pete Kipley. The album has seen commercial charting successes as well as garnering critical acclamation from music critics.

Contents

Background and release

The album was released on September 24, 2013 by Fair Trade Services, and produced by Pete Kipley. It is the fifth studio album by Phil Wickham.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
CCM Magazine Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Christian Music Review4.9/5 [3]
Christian Music ZineStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [4]
CM AddictStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Cross Rhythms U+25A0.svgU+25A0.svgU+25A0.svgU+25A0.svgU+25A0.svgU+25A0.svgU+25A0.svgU+25A0.svgU+25A0.svgSolid white borderedS.svg [6]
Indie Vision MusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Jesus Freak HideoutStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [8]
Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Louder Than the MusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [10]
New Release TuesdayStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [11]
Worship Leader Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [12]

The Ascension garnered critical acclaim from music critics. Elliot Rose of Cross Rhythms called it "An impressive album which will certainly help solidify Wickham's position as an innovative worship songwriter." [6] At Worship Leader , Andrea Hunter alluded to how "Phil Wickham, whether alone with a guitar or in a sea of fresh and refreshing accompaniment, brings something to the worship table that is often missing: emotional power and transparency, melodic and creative originality, unexpected lyrical turns and an escape from 'more of the same.'" [12] Grace S. Aspinwall of CCM Magazine told that "Phil Wickham has already proven he is a masterful songwriter, and gifted worship leader", which "The Ascension is no different." [2]

At Jesus Freak Hideout, Ryan Barbee proclaimed that Wickham was "bringing listeners what they love with more fervor than ever before", and noted that this was an "excellent combination of all of Phil Wickham's previous offerings with dashes of enough newness to make it certifiably fresh." [8] Mark Rice of Jesus Freak Hideout highlighted that "Between the scope that has almost the feel of a concept album, and simply yet another solid musical performance [...] Phil Wickham has definitely unleashed another winner into the modern worship circle." [9] Kevin Davis of New Release Tuesday felt the album took him "to another realm of holiness and thirsting for God's presence." [11] At Indie Vision Music, Jonathan Andre called this "an enjoyable and heartfelt album!" [7]

Jono Davies of Louder Than the Music told that "the wonderful distinctive voice of Phil Wickham is well worth checking out." [10] At Christian Music Zine, Joshua Andre felt that this was "one of the most profound, transparent, and honest albums of the year, and you certainly don't want to miss this unique and God-inspired experience", which the album "will complement and add plenty to anyone's music collection", and praised the artist "for reinventing the electronic worship setting!" [4] Laura Chambers of Christian Music Review highlighted that "Phil Wickham invites us to climb higher in search of God and promises that if we make The Ascension, we will never regret it for a moment." [3] At CM Addict, Brianne Bellomy called this "yet another amazing project." [5]

Commercial performance

For the Billboard charting week of October 12, 2013, The Ascension was the No. 39 most sold album in the entirety of the United States by the Billboard 200, and it was the No. 2 Top Christian Album sold the same week.

Track listing

Standard (studio) edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Ascension" Phil Wickham 4:18
2."Holy Light"Wickham, Pete Kipley3:45
3."Carry My Soul"Wickham4:42
4."This Is Amazing Grace"Wickham, Joshua Farro, Jeremy Riddle 4:39
5."Over All"Wickham, Kipley4:28
6."When My Heart Is Torn Asunder"Wickham4:18
7."Mercy"Wickham4:08
8."Glory"Wickham, Kipley4:01
9."Tears of Joy"Wickham, Kipley4:34
10."Wonderful"Wickham, Chris Tomlin 4:15
11."Thirst"Wickham5:41
Total length:48:49
Deluxe (acoustic) edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."The Ascension"Wickham3:46
13."Holy Light"Wickham, Kipley3:43
14."Carry My Soul"Wickham4:16
15."This Is Amazing Grace"Wickham, Farro, Riddle4:27
16."Over All"Wickham, Kipley4:39
17."When My Heart Is Torn Asunder"Wickham4:15
18."Glory"Wickham, Kipley3:51
19."Tears of Joy"Wickham, Kipley3:59
20."Wonderful"Wickham, Tomlin4:26
21."Thirst"Wickham4:57
Total length:91:07

Chart performance

Chart (2013)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [13] 39
US Christian Albums (Billboard) [14] 2

Related Research Articles

<i>Christmas in Diverse City</i> 2011 studio album by tobyMac

Christmas in Diverse City is TobyMac's first full-length Christmas album and fifth full-length studio album. It was released on October 4, 2011.

<i>Response</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Phil Wickham

Response is the fourth commercial studio album by contemporary worship musician Phil Wickham. It was released on October 4, 2011 by label Fair Trade Services, his fourth album released under that label. The album was produced by Brown Bannister and Peter Kipley.

<i>Zion</i> (Hillsong United album) 2013 studio album by Hillsong United

Zion is the third studio album by Australian contemporary worship music band Hillsong United. It was released on 22 February 2013 for Australia, and was released by 26 February 2013 internationally, under Hillsong Music and Sparrow Records. Production for the album began in March 2011 in Sydney, Australia. Michael Guy Chislett and band member Joel Houston oversaw production of the album, with the latter serving as executive producer.

<i>Live</i> (All Sons & Daughters album) 2013 live album by All Sons & Daughters

Live is the first live album by duo All Sons & Daughters, released on April 23, 2013 by Integrity Music. The album was produced with One Sonic Society member Paul Mabury.

<i>Bring Your Nothing</i> 2013 studio album by Shane & Shane

Bring Your Nothing is the eighth studio album by the Contemporary worship duo Shane & Shane. The album was released on May 14, 2013 by Fair Trade Services record label.

<i>Radiate</i> (Tricia album) 2013 studio album by Tricia

Radiate is the second studio album by American contemporary Christian musician Tricia, released on August 13, 2013 by Inpop Records. The album has seen commercial charting success, as well as, positive critical attention.

<i>Heart</i> (The City Harmonic album) 2013 studio album by The City Harmonic

Heart is the second studio album from Christian rock band The City Harmonic, which was released on September 3, 2013 through Integrity Media, and was produced by the band in association with Jared Fox. It received a nomination for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2014, but lost to Trees by Tim Neufeld.

<i>Revival</i> (Soulfire Revolution album) 2013 studio album by Soulfire Revolution

Revival is the first studio album by Christian Contemporary/Praise & Worship band Soulfire Revolution, which was released on August 13, 2013 by Sparrow Records. The album garnered critical acclamation from critics and commercial successes by the charts.

<i>God of Every Story</i> 2013 studio album by Laura Story

God of Every Story is the third studio album by Contemporary Christian musician Laura Story, which the album was released by Fair Trade Services on September 30, 2013, and the producer of the album was Ed Cash. The album has seen commercial charting successes, as well as, it has garnered positive reception from music critics.

<i>Christmas Is Here</i> (Brandon Heath album) 2013 studio album by Brandon Heath

Christmas Is Here is a holiday studio album from Christian Contemporary Christian musician Brandon Heath, released on October 15, 2013 by Reunion Records and produced by Ben Shive. The album achieved commercial success and critical acclaim.

<i>Oh for Joy</i> 2011 studio album by David Crowder Band

Oh for Joy is the first holiday studio album and tenth album overall from Christian rock group David Crowder Band, and was produced by the band as well. The album was released on October 4, 2011 by sixstepsrecords, and has attracted generally positive critical attention.

<i>Love Will Have the Final Word</i> 2014 studio album by Jason Gray

Love Will Have the Final Word is the fourth studio album from Christian singer and songwriter Jason Gray. The album was released on March 4, 2014 by Centricity Music. The producers on the album were Jason Ingram and Cason Cooley. The album achieved commercial charting successes and it received critical acclaim.

<i>All Sons & Daughters</i> (album) 2014 studio album by All Sons & Daughters

All Sons & Daughters is the eponymously titled second studio album from the American Christian worship duo All Sons & Daughters. The album was released on May 6, 2014 by Integrity Music and Columbia Records. It was produced by Paul Brendon Mabury and Shane D. Wilson. The album charted on the Billboard 200 at No. 58, and it received a five star rating from Worship Leader, four-and-a-half star ratings from Jesus Freak Hideout and New Release Tuesday and a four star rating from Indie Vision Music.

<i>The Dream</i> (Sanctus Real album) 2014 studio album by Sanctus Real

The Dream is the seventh album from American Christian rock band Sanctus Real, released by Sparrow Records on October 14, 2014. Sanctus Real worked with producers Pete Kipley and Christopher Stevens in the creation of this album.

<i>How Can It Be</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Lauren Daigle

How Can It Be is the debut studio album by American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter Lauren Daigle. The album was released on April 14, 2015, through Centricity Music. LifeWay Christian Bookstore was permitted to release the album on April 11, 2015. The lead single from the album, "How Can It Be", was released on July 8, 2014. A deluxe edition of the album was released on May 6, 2016.

<i>Exhale</i> (Plumb album) 2015 studio album by Plumb

Exhale is the seventh studio album by Plumb. Word Records alongside Curb Records released the album on May 4, 2015. Plumb worked with Matt Bronleewe in the production of this album.

<i>Science Fiction</i> (Jonathan Thulin album) 2015 studio album by Jonathan Thulin

Science Fiction is the fifth studio album by Jonathan Thulin. Dream Records released the album on 17 March 2015. Jonathan Thulin worked with his brother, David Thulin, in the production of this album.

<i>Breathe in Deep</i> 2014 EP by Carrollton

Breathe in Deep is the first extended play (EP) from Carrollton. Centricity Music released the EP on February 11, 2014.

<i>As Family We Go</i> 2015 studio album by Rend Collective

As Family We Go is the fifth studio album by Rend Collective. Sparrow Records alongside Capitol Christian Music Group released the album on 21 August 2015.

<i>The Burning Edge of Dawn</i> 2015 studio album by Andrew Peterson

The Burning Edge of Dawn is the eleventh studio album by Andrew Peterson. Centricity Music released the album on October 9, 2015. Peterson worked with Gabe Scott, in the production of this album.

References

  1. ↑ "Phil Wickham". billboard.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Aspinwall, Grace S. (November 1, 2013). "Phil Wickham: The Ascension (Fair Trade Services)" (PDF). CCM Magazine . Salem Publishing. p. 68. ISSN   1524-7848 . Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Chambers, Laura (October 2, 2013). "Phil Wickham– The Ascension". Christian Music Review. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Andre, Joshua (September 23, 2013). "Phil Wickham – The Ascension (Review)". Christian Music Zine. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  5. 1 2 Bellomy, Brianne (October 2, 2013). "Review of The Ascension by Phil Wickham". CM Addict. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Rose, Elliot (October 3, 2013). "Review: The Ascension - Phil Wickham". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  7. 1 2 Andre, Jonathan (September 17, 2013). "Phil Wickham – The Ascension | Reviews". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  8. 1 2 Barbee, Ryan (September 21, 2013). "Phil Wickham, "The Ascension" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  9. 1 2 Rice, Mark (September 23, 2013). "Phil Wickham, "The Ascension" Review: Second Staff Opinion". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  10. 1 2 Davies, Jono (September 4, 2013). "Reviews - Phil Wickham - The Ascension". Louder Than the Music. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  11. 1 2 Davis, Kevin (November 18, 2013). "Another Realm of Holiness". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  12. 1 2 Hunter, Andrea (September 24, 2013). "The Ascension". Worship Leader. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Phil Wickham Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Phil Wickham Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.