Wonder of the World is the second studio album from contemporary Christian

Contemporary Christian music

Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...

 rock

Rock music

Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...

 band Rush of Fools

Rush of Fools

Rush of Fools is a Christian rock/contemporary Christian music band from Alabama, U.S. They are known for their 2007 hit single "Undo", co-written with producer Scott Davis, which was the most played song of 2007 on Adult Contemporary Christian Music radio stations according to R&R magazine. It...

. It was released on September 16, 2008 through Midas Records and debuted at No. 187 on the Billboard 200

Billboard 200

The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...

. 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. The album's title was announced by July 2008. It was produced by Scott Davis, Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp, and mixed by Lee Bridges with Tom Laune.

The members of Rush of Fools

Rush of Fools

Rush of Fools is a Christian rock/contemporary Christian music band from Alabama, U.S. They are known for their 2007 hit single "Undo", co-written with producer Scott Davis, which was the most played song of 2007 on Adult Contemporary Christian Music radio stations according to R&R magazine. It...

 considered the album to be different thematically than the lyrics of their self-titled debut Rush of Fools

Rush of Fools (album)

Rush of Fools is the self-titled debut studio album from Christian rock band Rush of Fools. It was released on May 8, 2007 on Midas Records.-Track listing:#"Undo" – 3:41#"We All" – 3:23#"When Our Hearts Sing" – 2:52#"Your Love" – 3:06#"Fame" – 3:31...

. 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".

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." A remix

Remix

A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....

 for Never Far Away was produced by Jim Brickman

Jim Brickman

Jim Brickman is an American songwriter and pianist. He has been named the most charted male Adult Contemporary artist to date, with six of his albums receiving Gold and Platinum status. He is known for his solo piano compositions, pop-style instrumentals, and vocal collaborations with artists...

, 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

Rush of Fools (album)

Rush of Fools is the self-titled debut studio album from Christian rock band Rush of Fools. It was released on May 8, 2007 on Midas Records.-Track listing:#"Undo" – 3:41#"We All" – 3:23#"When Our Hearts Sing" – 2:52#"Your Love" – 3:06#"Fame" – 3:31...

. It charted at No. 187 on the Billboard 200

Billboard 200

The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...

 in its first few weeks of release.

Critical reception of the album was somewhat mixed, however. Gospel Music Channel

Gospel Music Channel

gmc is an American satellite and cable television channel, known from its 2004 launch until February 1, 2010 as Gospel Music Channel. It is also available in high-definition as a separate channel called gmcHD ....

'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".

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