reviews

what people are saying about “with broken fists”. . .

“Aaron Niequist is one of the gifted new songwriters who is writing worship music
with a concern for justice. Lots of great resonances with Everything Must Change,
Songs for a Revolution of Hope and my "open letter to worship songwriters".
You can read the lyrics to his beautiful new collection of songs here, and listen
to an mp3 of "The Resistance," and order the CD too....”
brian mclaren, brianmclaren.net (link)

"With brokeness and broken fists we beat upon the breast of falleness." What?
You just don't get that kind of poetry in worship music these days. Aaron Niequist
has trampled the industry's definition of worship songs. With Broken Fists is a
collection of well-crafted cries of a people reaching out to a God that is intimately
present. In 2007, Niequist left his position as the worship leader at Mars Hill
(the one in Michigan with pastor Rob Bell), though Niequist says the songs on
With Broken Fists were written for that specific worshiping community.”

So as songs for your service of worship, you have to think about cracking the
verse-pre-chours-chorus mold and get a little open-minded with your sequencing
(but Hillsong United and Crowder's band have been teaching our congregations
to sing that way for years). Then you have to get a little used to Niequist's vocal tone
(a little nasally in a Jon Foreman meets Phil Wickham way). But that's how we like our
indie pipes, it makes them stand out from among the mob. So built on gospel and
congregational structures that are piano driven, Niequist is able to broaden the musical
range and incorporate bluegrass choruses and choral supports while also juxtaposing
banjos, cellos and tubas to create that elegant unity only available with a little courage
to experiment. Then to bring the crescendo to the whole, the songs reflect a kingdom
theology that pursues action and underscores a heart for the poor. Need I say more?”
worship leader magazine, worshipleader.com (link)

“I’ve been enjoying – and stretched by- the most recent CD from worship leader
Aaron Niequist (formerly from Mars Hill in Grand Rapids). “With Broken Fists” takes
listeners to deeper places I’m hoping all of us will go to – places where we surrender
ourselves to God for his purposes of advancing the kingdom and bringing about social
justice. The very first song, The Resistance, calls us to being a part of the resistance,
a movement of God that refuses to settle for the way things are. How refreshing to
think thoughts about leveraging our gifts for holy purposes through songs of worship.

Aaron is one of several songwriters these days who is expanding our language beyond
songs of comfort and songs of praise – all of which certainly have their place – to songs
of action, confession, and transformation of our broken planet. Many of his songs propel me
out of my cushy, predictably routine life to want to risk something bigger for God.”
nancy beach, willow creek, towardwonder.com (link)

“Aaron Niequist's piano-based Christian rock is exquisitely produced, with dynamic
melodies and insightful lyrics displayed on the Grand Rapids singer-songwriter's
debut album, "With Broken Fists." Take a listen to the opening track, "The Resistance,"
as part of today's Local Spins lineup. Learn more about his music at aaronniequist.com.”
john sinkevics, the grand rapids press (link)

“The CD is called “With Broken Fists.” It’s a collection of songs that Aaron has used
for corporate worship for the last few years at Mars Hill. There are even a few songs on
the CD that were recorded live at the church (”All Sing Hallelujah,” “Bend my Knees”).
The cool thing to me is that this CD sounds nothing like any other worship album that
I’ve ever heard. It actually really reminds me of a indie rock album….like The National
or something (actually a lot like The National, except for the deep voice).

The songs have these elements that you never see coming, like horns on “Already Here”
and “Here are my Hands”….almost Sufjanish. One of my favorite things about the CD is
the choir vocals that come in on the bridge of the opening song, “Resistance.” It is a
beautiful song about the struggle that Christians find themselves in. We’re a part of
a world that is fallen and hurting, but we have these glimpses of hope that remind us
of a future with Christ, when things will be made right. This seems to be the message of the CD…
that in Christ we have been changed and see a small glimmer of change happening
around us. But this change in us causes us to look at all the hurt around us and say “how long.”
The first four songs have such longing to them, so when you get to the fifth song, “Changed,”
it’s like you’re ready to go over a hill in a roller coaster. “Changed” has such a
beautifully accessible melody….my favorite of the CD.

Aaron does a phenomenal job of expressing expectant hope. This is certainly a bold CD,
considering the type of music that most worship songs are set to these days. Aaron is a
great writer and musician, and I’m excited to hear how these songs find their way
into corporate worship.”
daniel renstrom, danielrenstrom.com (link)