FamilyFans Music

###

SEE THE MORNING

Chris Tomlin / Sixsteps (EMI)

Fan Appeal: Teens and Adults

Genre: Worship

What do you get when you mix a strong melody with simple, sing-able lyrics and a great musical hook? Well, a hit song, of course. Combine that with crazy musical talent, lyrics based on Scripture, and a passion for worship and you have EMI’s hottest new worship hit-machine, Chris Tomlin.

In a relatively short time, Tomlin has risen to the top rungs of the crowded ladder of worship artists. He currently has 17 songs on the CCLI list of top-performed worship songs, including three number one singles. He’s sold more than a half a million albums and he’s been awarded no less than five Gospel Music Awards. Literally millions of people are singing his tunes in church every week.

I was curious how he could follow up his 2004 project, Arriving, but See The Morning is at least as good, maybe better in some spots.

I love the title of the project, because many of my favorite Bible verses have to do with the morning, including Psalm 30:5 (“…weeping may go on all night, but joy comes in the morning”). Interestingly, there is no title track, but the liner notes explain. “The morning is a place of hope, a place of worship … I pray that these songs help you ‘see the morning.’ If you find yourself in the dark night of hardship, grief or circumstance, know that the morning is coming. And, if you find yourself in the best of times, praise God for the morning!”

If you’re familiar with Chris Tomlin, you’ve no doubt heard track number two, “Made to Worship,” on the radio already. If not, it’s a fairly laid-back, happy tune that answers the age-old question of why we were created. I also really appreciated the first track entitled, “How Can I Keep from Singing,” which Tomlin, Matt Redman and the album’s producer, Ed Cash, adapted from the traditional hymn. Additionally, the song, “Let God Arise” is one of the few worship tunes that you can really rock to, and I love the second verse lyrics: “His enemies will run for sure / The church will stand she will endure / He holds the keys of life, our Lord / Death has no sting no final word.”

Another bright spot on the project is “Glory in the Highest,” a sing-able anthem that starts out soft and low and grows in intensity. This song will surely lead many into the presence of God during worship in many churches. “Glorious” is also a favorite, although if you read the lyrics by themselves there’s nothing too earth-shattering in them. Still, Tomlin’s gift of unforgettable melody really makes up for the lyrical shortcomings and the end result is very worshipful and passionate.

In spite of all the others, though, the real ray of sunshine here is what Tomlin and co-writer, Louie Giglio, have done with the standard hymn, “Amazing Grace.” They’ve added a chorus to this timeless classic that really wakes you up (to continue the theme). You’ve simply got to hear this one.

If you like Delirious, the Passion worship band or Michael W. Smith, you are probably already familiar with Chris Tomlin’s music. If not, do yourself a favor and plug this one into your iPod. You’re in for a real worship treat.

FAMILYFANS RATING:A-

--Eric Jaqua

###