Historically, every Hillsong Live offering has been recorded around a centerpiece, a theme song that captures the moment the church collective is living. Accordingly, the title tracks often become anthems -- "You Are My World," "Blessed," "Mighty to Save," "This Is Our God," and "Saviour King" are but a few examples. Cornerstone, the group's 21st live project, may disrupt the streak somewhat: its titular song, rather than a rousing expression of praise, is a dirge consisting mostly of borrowed verses from the classic hymn "The Solid Rock," plus the requisite four-line chorus. That's not to say the well has run dry. Hillsong's yearly output, after all, is viewed more as a resource for local churches than a creative tour de force. In that sense, Cornerstone goes through the motions and delivers the goods: serviceable rockers, ballads, and midtempo numbers aplenty, all large on dynamics, atmospherics, and easy-to-learn refrains. Hillsong matriarch Darlene Zschech -- she left the group in 2010 to pastor a church -- is surely missed.
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