Wonder of the World (album)

Wonder of the World
Studio album by Rush of Fools
Released	September 16, 2008
Length	40:51[1]
Label	Midas Records
Rush of Fools chronology
Rush of Fools (2007) Wonder of the World (2008) We Once Were (2011)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]
Christianity Today	[3]
About.com	[4]
Jesus Freak Hideout	[5]

Wonder of the World is the second studio album from contemporary Christian rock band Rush of Fools. It was released on September 16, 2008 through Midas Records and debuted at #187 on the Billboard 200.^[6] The album's first single was the title track "Wonder of the World".

Background

Rush of Fools was in studio recording for the album earlier in the year, April and May 2008, completing the process mid-year.^[7] The album's title was announced by July 2008.^[8] It was produced by Scott Davis, Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp,^[8] and mixed by Lee Bridges with Tom Laune.^[9]

The members of Rush of Fools considered the album to be different thematically than the lyrics of their self-titled debut Rush of Fools. The band's guitarist and co-writer Kevin Huguley said in an interview that, "on our first album, we focused a lot on our sin—our need for grace—and the second album still has parts where we talk about our struggles, but this album focuses on the joy we have in Christ".^[10]

Music and lyrics

Kevin Huguley self-described Rush of Fools as a "little worship band". The track "Never Far Away" is a love song dedicated to the band members' wives, and was written about the life of touring across the United States; "but they are never far away because of the love that God has given us for each other and [because] our marriage relationships are in our hearts."^[10] A remix for Never Far Away was produced by Jim Brickman, and was made for Adult Contemporary stations, which became very popular.

Release and reception

Wonder of the World was released on September 16, 2008 and received moderate commercial success following the band's debut release Rush of Fools.^[11] It charted at #187 on the Billboard 200 in its first few weeks of release.^[6]

Critical reception of the album was somewhat mixed, however. Gospel Music Channel's review noted that, since Rush of Fools is a band based on the Christian worship genre, there is a "higher bar to vault over".^[11]

Track listing

Wonder of the World contains 11 main tracks, one untitled bonus track, and another untitled track that contains 29 seconds of silence.

1. "There Is Nothing" - 3:19
2. "Wonder of the World" - 3:47
3. "Holy One" - 3:40
4. "You Are Glory" - 3:00
5. "Lose It All" - 3:10
6. "Escape" - 3:17
7. "The Only Thing That's Beautiful in Me" - 3:41
8. "Freedom Begins Here" - 3:38
9. "Tonight" - 3:48
10. "No Name" - 3:26
11. "Never Far Away" - 3:46
12. [Untitled] - 0:29
13. [Untitled] - 1:44

References

1. ^ "Rush of Fools, "Wonder of the World" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. 2008-09-01. http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/WonderOfTheWorld.asp. Retrieved 2008-10-17. 
2. ^ Allmusic review
3. ^ Christianity Today review
4. ^ About.com review
5. ^ Jesus Freak Hideout review
6. ^ ^{a b} "Rush of Fools - Wonder of the World". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?pid=841979&aid=1172976. Retrieved 2008-10-17. ^{[dead link]}
7. ^ "Rush Of Fools Awarded ASCAP Song of the Year". CCM Magazine. 2008-04-30. http://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/headlines/11574634/. Retrieved 2008-10-19. 
8. ^ ^{a b} "Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp produce new Rush Of Fools album". Cross Rhythms. 2008-06-20. http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/news/Wonder_Of_The_World/32562/p1/. Retrieved 2008-10-21. 
9. ^ "Wonder of the World > Credits". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1421938/credits. Retrieved 2008-10-19. 
10. ^ ^{a b} Grace S. Cartwright (2008-09-15). "Rush of Fools: Learning Curve". cmcentral.com. http://www.cmcentral.com/special/8186.html. Retrieved 2008-10-18. ^{[dead link]}
11. ^ ^{a b} Melissa Riddle. "Wonder of the World: Rush of Fools". Gospel Music Channel. http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/streetdate/rushoffools/wonderoftheworld. Retrieved 2008-10-21.