''The Ascension'' is the fifth commercial studio album from Christian singer and songwriter

Phil Wickham Philip David Wickham (born April 5, 1984) is a Contemporary Christian musician, singer and songwriter from San Diego, California. Wickham has released nine albums: ''Give You My World'' in 2003, a self-titled album in 2006, ''Cannons'' in 2007 ...

. The album was released on September 24, 2013 by

Fair Trade Services Fair Trade Services, formerly known as INO Records, is an American record label based in Brentwood, Tennessee, specializing in Contemporary Christian music (CCM). History The label was founded in 1999 as INO Records, a division of M2 Communi ...

, and was produced by Pete Kipley. The album has seen commercial charting successes as well as garnering critical acclamation from music critics.

Background and release

The album was released on September 24, 2013 by

, and produced by Pete Kipley. It is the fifth studio album by

Critical reception

''The Ascension'' garnered critical acclaim from

music critics Music journalism (or music criticism) is media criticism and reporting about music topics, including popular music, classical music, and traditional music. Journalists began writing about music in the eighteenth century, providing commentary on w ...

. Elliot Rose of

Cross Rhythms Cross Rhythms is a Christian media organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. It operates an FM and online radio station, produces radio shows sent internationally, and its website has resources about contemporary Christian music. Hi ...

called it "An impressive album which will certainly help solidify Wickham's position as an innovative worship songwriter." 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.'" Grace S. Aspinwall of ''

CCM Magazine ''CCM Magazine'' is a twice-monthly online magazine focusing on contemporary Christian music, published by Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications. History ''CCM'' was first published in July 1978, as a printed magazine. It has bee ...

'' told that "Phil Wickham has already proven he is a masterful songwriter, and gifted worship leader", which "''The Ascension'' is no different." 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." 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." Kevin Davis of New Release Tuesday felt the album took him "to another realm of holiness and thirsting for God's presence." At Indie Vision Music, Jonathan Andre called this "an enjoyable and heartfelt album!" Jono Davies of Louder Than the Music told that "the wonderful distinctive voice of Phil Wickham is well worth checking out." 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!" 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." At CM Addict, Brianne Bellomy called this "yet another amazing project."

Commercial performance

For the ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' 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

Chart performance

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ascension, The 2013 albums Fair Trade Services albums Phil Wickham albums