Leaders of the modern transatlantic worship movement, Delirious seem to reinvent themselves with each release. The worship-oriented Glo captured fans and critics alike in 2000 with its earnest appeal of today's rock for to... more »morrow's church. With Touch, Delirious step ahead into uncharted musical territory with a release of depth and passion. But what other ground is there for true pioneers like Delirious? From the charismatic title track to the melancholy closing of "Stealing Time," the band continues its honest exploration of faith, hope, and love. In between, Delirious range from Pink Floyd-like rock ("Fire") to art rock ("Rollercoaster") to pure melodious pop ("Take Me Away"). Producer Chuck Zwicky promotes an almost live feel, keying off the band's energy while casing it in an organic wrapper. When you're truly one of a kind, the artistic danger is always self-plagiarism. While Delirious dance close around the edges of this chasm, they never quite fall in, leaving you with that familiar, gnawing feeling that you've heard it before--somewhere. Perhaps that is the brilliance that defines the band and keeps these UK lads churning out music of majesty. --Michael Lyttle« less
Leaders of the modern transatlantic worship movement, Delirious seem to reinvent themselves with each release. The worship-oriented Glo captured fans and critics alike in 2000 with its earnest appeal of today's rock for tomorrow's church. With Touch, Delirious step ahead into uncharted musical territory with a release of depth and passion. But what other ground is there for true pioneers like Delirious? From the charismatic title track to the melancholy closing of "Stealing Time," the band continues its honest exploration of faith, hope, and love. In between, Delirious range from Pink Floyd-like rock ("Fire") to art rock ("Rollercoaster") to pure melodious pop ("Take Me Away"). Producer Chuck Zwicky promotes an almost live feel, keying off the band's energy while casing it in an organic wrapper. When you're truly one of a kind, the artistic danger is always self-plagiarism. While Delirious dance close around the edges of this chasm, they never quite fall in, leaving you with that familiar, gnawing feeling that you've heard it before--somewhere. Perhaps that is the brilliance that defines the band and keeps these UK lads churning out music of majesty. --Michael Lyttle
Solid album, but not as formulaic as some would like..
12/28/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There are many different kinds of Delirious listeners. Depending on which type you are, you will either love or loathe the "Touch" album.
First, there's the casual fan who likes the radio-friendly songs like "Deeper" "History Maker" and the song that just about every CCM artist has covered, "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever." For these types, I would not recommend the groundbreaking "Touch" disc because it won't conform to the formula that you might wish it would. You'll be happier with CCM radio stuff and more predictable artists like Third Day and the Newsboys. Of course, if you're willing to abandon those expectations and become open to something a little more musically experimental, artistically unique, and lyrically mature, then "Touch" has a lot to offer.
There are others who think of Delirious primarily as a source for the latest groovy worship tunes that can be incorporated into a corporate singing setting, or the next Passion album. After all, isn't Delirious where "Did you feel the mountains...?" "I Could Sing.." and "My Glorious" came from in the first place? If you are this type, you might also be dissapointed to find that the next "Did you feel?" or "The Happy Song" is not lurking on this album, waiting to be discovered by the Passion empire or the next WOW Worship Magenta compilation.
And then, there are the Delirious "fans." Speaking as one who has found that no Delirious album has ever followed the formula of the preceeding one, I wasn't surprised to find that "Touch" was no exception. If I had to summarize this album's overall flavor, (which isn't totally possible un-fomulaic nature of the album) I would call it a cross between the arena anthem singability of "Glo" and the arsty studio production of "Mezzamorphis."
As is the case with any d: album, it will take some time for it to grow on you. The first listen will be completely different than the fifth, or tenth. In my opinion, the biggest strength of this album is that the songs on "Touch" come across as more honest, raw and risky than any the band's previously released work. Highlights include "Love is the compass," the title track and "Angel in Disguise." If you've been a Delirious fan for a while, you will grow to love this album just as much as the others, plus disc #2 has some rockin' live versions which only helps to sweeten the experience.
If you are semi-new to Delirious, and are looking for a first album to try out, I would recommend "Cutting Edge" and "King of Fools" over this one. The "D:finitie Worship Experience" double disc set is a good compilation of their best work but it takes away from the album feel of the songs since it tends to be more of a cut and paste job."
They're still one of a kind
Billy Pilgrim | Boogar hollow | 01/15/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"First I'd like to address all of you who are knocking this album because it is not a worship record. Over the past year and a half, I have become pretty familiar with delirious and their work. The first album I heard by them was "Glo" a terrific record that somehow manages to straddle the line between worship music and flat out rock 'n roll. While that album is definitely a milestone, and is hard to categorize, I can safely say that all of their other albums fall into one of two distinct categories: worship albums and not worship albums. Let's call "Glo" a successful attempt to achieve both statuses. Records like "Mezamorphis" and "Touch" and even "King Of Fools" (which i, regrettably am not as familiar with) falls into the non-worship category. "Cutting Edge" and "Deeper" are unabashed in their worship recordness.I play in a praise band, and did not know until I bought and read the liner notes to "Deeper" that Delirious is responsible for writing some of the best and most well-known praise songs of our day. After finding that out, I stopped nursing the notion that they were another bunch of hacks putting out some tired, retreaded worship album: they were putting together a greatest hits album of sorts. My respect for this band is sky high. They are innovators, visionaries, and on that standard alone, it could be said that absolutely any record they make is a good record, but I won't be that naive. "Touch" took me a couple of listens to come around to, but I'm glad I did. It reminds me of "Mezamorphis" in that these are just good songs that say so much about the way that faith in Christ effects our everyday life. "Mezamorphis" wasn't a worship record at all. The first time I heard "Heaven" was on a secular modern rock radio station. I didn't know who it was, and only assumed that they had to be a Christian band. Point is, Delirious is not softening up their message, they're just writing the songs that they feel are important to themselves, their fans, and most importantly God. Don't knock them for that."
A poor job
groundskeeperwilliam | Hartford, CT | 01/16/2003
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a delirious fan and have all of their previous CDs, however I have to say that this CD is a bit of a disappointment and I don't listen to it often.
Many of the songs are weak in the melody department - a strength of previous Delirious offerings. Martin Smith sounds like he is trying to channel Radiohead at times and ultimately fails in my opinion. The focus of the songs on this CD seems to have shifted away from outright Christian themes to more general life themes of love and loss. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to keep them stuck in the Christian ghetto with everyone else, I just think that tackling more general themes leaves them with a less distinctive voice than they had previously.
If you are a die-hard fan like me then you'll buy this CD anyway. If not, steer clear of this particular offering........"
Great British Rock
Sam | Detroit | 02/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I got this album a week ago and really liked it. As far rock albums go it doesn't get much better than this. I was suprised that a lot of people were so harsh on it with their reviews but as I began to read what they wrote it started to make sense to me. Most the people who complained about this album mentioned something about its spiritual content. I guess it makes since that since Delirious is a band that made a solid reputation based on worship music that this album would upset a lot of it's fans, not that it is by any means close to a secular album despite what some people have said. I can safely say if your looking for a truely religious work that you probably want to check out Glo, World Service, or even King of Fools but as far as rock albums go this is on par with anything Delirious has ever done and better than most of it. A good comaprsion would for those who aren't are familiar with Delirous be fellow british rockers U2, or the White Stripes odds are if you have their albums and like the highly sythensized abstract music they put out this is right up your alley if not you probably should check out something else. I would recommend either of Third Day's or News Boy's worship albums if thats what your looking for."
Delirious in the mainstream
E. Smith | Winter Park, FL | 09/30/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Unfortunately, most of the bad reviews have been because people don't understand the type of delirious that put this album out. Though not up to speed with King of Fools and Glo, Touch is still very addicting. The sound is much different than Glo and King of Fools and more along the lines of Mezzamorphis, which has more of a UK mainstream sound. The limited edition cd package makes the purchase all the more worth it, with great live performances and a bonus live performance of "There is a Light" which made me shed a tear the first time I heard it. So, if you are looking for the praise music delirious usually puts out, this isn't your cup of tea. But if you are a diehard delirious addict such as myself, don't even hesitate(you probably already have it, tho.)
LOOK FOR THE NEW DELIRIOUS? ALBUM COMING SOON! ALSO, CHECK OUT THEIR NEW SINGLE "MAJESTY" AT MP3.COM (due out october 1.)"