Chris Tomlin's See the Morning: Top Worship Artist Releases Latest Collection of Songs

How does one go about reviewing an album of worship music? If every song on a CD is for God, to God, and about God, can you really critically consider the material? It seems a bit different, to say the least. Then again, with the plethora of releases under the 'worship music' category, it is apparent that there are great differences in quality and musicianship. With that said...

See The Morning is Chris Tomlin's latest album and the momentum could not be stronger. With each release, the sixstepsrecords artist and worship leader sells more units and now he is easily the most popular songwriter for the church today. His songs are both inspiring and memorable - the perfect combination to ensure being sung by congregations across the world - with recent classics including "Forever," "Famous One," "Enough," "How Great Is Our God," and "Wonderful Maker" among others. And all of this comes before his multiple wins at the Dove Awards last spring. This album, it seems, is as close to can't-miss as exists in the Christian music world.

But that would be a wrong assumption. See The Morning perhaps relies too much on the momentum that seeks to give us yet another group of songs the church is guaranteed to sing. Instead of carrying the signature Tomlin sound, there are several tracks here that wouldn't be noticed above others in the genre if it wasn't for placement on a Chris Tomlin album. Tracks such as "Let Your Mercy Rain" and "Rejoice" feature pedestrian arrangements that are instantly forgettable. Album opener "How Can I Keep From Singing" lacks the killer hook that other lead tracks like "Everything" and "Indescribable" possessed. Instead of setting the tone, the listener is left waiting for the next song for the extra something.

Of course, this is a Chris Tomlin effort, so it's easier to be a bit harder than normal. After all, the quality to this point has been tremendous. But that doesn't mean See The Morning is a contrived album, not by any means. There are several strong tracks that showcase what makes Tomlin so popular. "Glory In The Highest" is solid all the way before bursting into a beautifully repeating refrain at song's end. "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" is a fantastic revision of the classic hymn in which Tomlin actually dug up unfamiliar, original verses.

"Everlasting God" is definitely the highlight here and will be sung in countless sanctuaries within weeks as musicians and worship leaders struggle to hurry this one to the forefront of their songlists. It's simplicity makes it beautiful and the simple words somehow speak what other songs try so hard to say. It's vintage Tomlin and is the moment on the album that works best. Holdover tracks like "Glorious" and "Awesome is the Lord Most High" are from the Passion 2006 album Everything Glorious released earlier this year.

They were the best two tracks from that release and they are also among the elite here as well. The reworked versions lacks the live energy from Glorious but they are still strong nonetheless. See The Morning evokes the same emotion as a game in which LeBron James doesn't score 40 points or a movie where Johnny Depp isn't winning an Oscar. People who are great at their craft develop a following where continued greatness is simply expected and when they don't, there is a bit of a disappointment. Then again, it's another Chris Tomlin album and for most of us, that's all we have been waiting to hear.