Australia’s Hillsong United scored its first #1 album when it released
All of the Above in May. It is again #1 this week on the Nielsen Christian SoundScan charts as the top Praise & Worship album in America.
All of the Above also returned to the Billboard Christian/Gospel Top Ten, landing in the #8 spot. The CD remains one of the top downloads on iTunes.
Nearing the 50,000 unit mark after nine weeks,
All of the Above
(
http://www.unitedalloftheabove.com) released on May 22 in the United States and sold 10,505 units in the first week, putting it not only at the top of the Billboard Christian/Gospel Albums chart, but also #1 on the Nielsen Christian SoundScan chart, the first time Hillsong United has topped that chart.
The sales success comes as the band is finishing up a world tour with one remaining North American stop in Tacoma, Washington, before heading to Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. During the North American leg of the tour alone, Hillsong United will have played to more than 150,000.
All of the Above has made its mark with both fans and critics, including Martin Smith of Delirious? who recently told CCM Magazine: “Hillsong United is the best youth worship band on the planet right now.” With 4 ˝ star fan ratings at both iTunes and Amazon.com, the CD has also received accolades from the press, such as these:
“
All of the Above is definitely one of the best worship albums of 2007 with more authenticity and nuances in each song than I thought possible.” – SoulShine.com
“What makes
All of the Above shine lyrically is its raw determination to push worshippers out into a broken world. These songs don’t just include platitudes to God but confront the worshipper with challenges, as Hillsong United motivates a generation to seek justice and be Christ’s messenger outside church walls.” – CCM Magazine
“Hillsong United’s
All of the Above is a direct hit. The saturation of sound, the well-chosen voices and the emotional appeal of both lyrics and instrumentation call to mind the huge arenas and swelling human voices that mark a revolution.” Relevant Magazine
As enthusiasm for the Aussie rockers grows within the U.S., Integrity Music is readying the release of an exclusive Bonus DVD Edition of the
All of the Above, scheduled to hit stores on November 6.
This special Bonus DVD Edition includes the original 14 song CD plus a stunning DVD filmed all over the world that includes concert footage, video blogs from the band, a stirring message from United youth pastor Phil Dooley and a trailer for United’s “I Heart Revolution.” Three live music videos for the songs “Solution,” “Hosanna” and “Saviour King” brings fans right into the stadiums to witness the band’s amazing live concert experience.
With
All of the Above, Hillsong United hopes to inspire young people to do more than sing about their relationship with God. They hope their music will compel students to live out their faith in their communities through acts of justice and compassion. That message also underlines “The I Heart Revolution” (
http://www.theiheartrevolution.com.) recently launched by Hillsong United.
For more information visit:
http://www.hillsongunited.com or
http://www.myspace.com/hillsongunited.