Chris Tomlin: See the Morning
Review
Tomlin fans will not be disappointed in this rousing rocker, for he has amped up the energy level since "Arriving," slipping in some appealing guitar effects while retaining the glorious power to move on both the hearts and feet of listeners. He brings his usual genius for writing and arranging songs that vocalize our deepest corporate yearnings, from his collaboration with Matt Redman on the 1860 Robert Lowry song entitled "How Can I Keep From Singing," to a lush cover of Brenton Brown's melodic "Everlasting God." The former actually opens the album, and introduces it perfectly with its throbbing rock guitar and hooky chorus.
Producer Ed Cash brought the chorus to radio single "Made to Worship" to Tomlin, who developed it into the exhilarating hook-infested rocker that it is now. These two songs lead nicely into the jubilant hard-rocker "Let God Arise," its driving chorus building to a gloriously pounding crescendo over the stirring refrain, "Our God is the God who saves." Based on Psalm 68, the song was inspired by a message Tomlin heard from Jim Cymbala (Brooklyn Tabernacle) at a conference.
Brown's lyrical "Everlasting God" is straight-up soothing, leading organically into the deeply worshipful "Glory in the Highest," a gentle ballad that builds quietly to a powerful peak of free-flowing praises. If "Rejoice" is classic Tomlin, an articulate rocker made for Sunday morning, then following track "Let Your Mercy Flow" is the surprise offering. I couldn't get Springsteen out of my mind while listening; it's something about Tomlin's delightfully heavy-handed rhythmic strumming on this standout track. What is classic about the song is Tomlin's signature vocals, dripping with passion, and lyrics that encapsulate the deepest longings of your heart. Tomlin sings what you never thought to say to God until his music brings the realization of all that lies buried in your own heart.
His closing rendition of "Amazing Grace" does exactly that. He found an original verse no longer sung, although after hearing it you can't imagine why not. Suffice it to say that this will no doubt change shortly after "See the Morning" hits the streets, this September 26. Chris Tomlin's unique and powerful music ministry continues to shape the way we express our worship to God.
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