~~Chris Tomlin is one of my favorite artists. We get the benefit of his music on the annual Passion releases as well as his solo albums. His worship songs are sung by an estimated 30 million people in churches around the world each week, leading some to refer to him as America’s worship Leader. This highly anticipated release is his eleventh studio album and first album of all new non-Christmas songs since 2014’s excellent Love Ran Red. Tomlin has stated that joy is at the heart of the album because of what Jesus has done for us.

Every well-crafted and performed song here is excellent. The album would be comparable to a "Greatest Hits" collection for most artists. It's one of my favorite albums of the year.

Below are a few comments on each of the songs on the Deluxe Edition of the album:

Good Good Father – This song was written by Pat Barrett and Tony Brown, and has been recorded by a number of artists, including Housefires. It is probably the most popular song that Tomlin has ever recorded, winning the 2016 Dove Award for song of the year. The single was released a year ago and is still near the top of the Christian charts. The song was also the inspiration for the children’s picture book of the same name co-written with Pat Barrett.

Jesus – Written with Ed Cash, this was the second single released from the album. This is a straight forward worship song about our Savior:

Who walks on the waters

Who speaks to the sea

Who stands in the fire beside me

He roars like a lion

He bled as the lamb

He carries my healing in his hands

Jesus

Impossible Things – Danny Gokey, a third place finalist on the eighth season of American Idol, joins Tomlin on this song. He recently won the Dove Award for Christmas album of the year for his album Christmas is Here. The songs starts an infectious beat with Tomlin singing over acoustic guitar and drum. Gokey joins him on verse 2 which is from Psalm 23. Our God is with us, we will fear no evil because He does impossible things. This joyful song will be wonderful to sing in a worship service.

Home - Written with Ed Cash and Scott Cash, this song is about longing for Heaven, our ultimate home and where we belong. This is an upbeat, joyful song that opens with hand claps and is instantly likeable. It is based on Revelation 21 and will sound great in concert or a worship service.

God Of Calvary – Written by Tomlin, Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin, and Matt Redman, this is Tomlin’s favorite song on the album. The song takes us from the cross to the resurrection. It begins with what takes place on the cross at Calvary and then moves into a triumphant chorus. We are set free by His wounds and redeemed by His blood. Christ crossed the great divide for us. Redman provided the bridge, from which Tomlin takes the title of the album. He will never lose sight of the cross and Christ. The song then moves to Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

He Lives – This power ballad starts slowly with piano and synth and gradually builds. Christ rose from the grave to life. He lives reigning in power. He lives name above all names. He lives in me.

Glory Be – This is an upbeat praise song version of the Gloria Patri. It’s a song from his lips from the time he rises about the Trinity.

Glory be to God, the Father

Glory be to God the Son

Glory be to God the Spirit

All Glory to the One

Come Thou Fount (I Will Sing) - Like he did with “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)” Tomlin merges a classic hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, written by Robert Robinson in 1758, with some new lyrics. He starts with the hymn over acoustic guitar. The new section is about how God’s mercy yet pursues us, His mercy never fails. Till the day we die we will sing of Him. Features some good backing vocals.

Yes And Amen – This song is also featured on Housefires III, and was written by Nate Moore, Chris McClarney and Tony Brown, the latter of which co-wrote “Good Good Father” with Pat Barrett. He is faithful and all of His promises are yes and amen. Features some good backing vocals. This is one of many songs that will sound good in corporate worship.

All Yours – This is a worship song about the God of creation. God reigns over all of creation, it’s all His, the earth, sky, the day, the night and every breath we take. All creation praises him – the mountains, oceans, everything is His. This song reminds me of Abraham Kuyper's famous quote "There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!" It features a good drum beat as the song builds to a worshipful chorus.

First Love – This is a duet with Kim Walker-Smith of Jesus Culture. It starts with piano and acoustic guitar and slowly builds. Jesus is still our first love and all we are is His. He is our anchor and guiding light and greatest joy. Musically, this is a bit of a departure for Tomlin.

Deluxe Edition Only:

The God I Know - This praise song opens with guitar and drums and builds with a good beat. He sings of God’s goodness and mercy. God will make a way, whatever comes, whatever we face. He is strong to save. He is the Lord and conquered the grave. He works all things for our good (Romans 8:28).

God And God Alone – This song was also included in the Passion album Salvation’s Tide is Rising released earlier this year. It is written by Jason Ingram, Jonas Myrin and Tomlin. It opens with an acoustic guitar. It is sung to the Lord that He is forever God and God alone, and forever seated on His throne. Nothing can separate us from the amazing love of the God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39). Every knee will eventually bow down to the Lord.

Kyrie Eleison – This wonderful song features the vocals of Matt Maher, Matt Redman and Jason Ingram. Their voices merge well on this song that begins with piano and synths. Lord have mercy and Christ have mercy, hear our cry. Let us kindness to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4). Who is this God who pardons all our sins, so ready to forgive? He delights to show His mercy.

~~Switchfoot is one of my favorite bands, second only to U2. This is their first full-length album since the chart-topping 2014 album Fading West. An EP of songs from the Fading West sessions The Edge of the Earth, was also released in 2014. Lead singer/songwriter Jon Foreman also released four solo Wonderlands EPs in 2015.

This is the band’s 10th album in their 20-year career. It is also the first time in ten years that the band has worked with producer John Fields, who worked with them on their 2003 breakthrough album The Beautiful Letdown, as well as 2005’s Nothing is Sound and 2006’s Oh! Gravity. Bassist Tim Foreman has said that the band went through a dark season and the record become a source of light in the middle of that dark season. He stated that the album rose organically out of the ashes of adversity.

This is an excellent new release from the band that always sounds fresh. Jon Foreman’s vocals are excellent and Chad Butler’s drums really stand out. I would have liked a few more rockers, but still love the album.

Below are a few comments on each of the songs on the deluxe edition:

Holy Water – a strong opener with grungy drums and guitars that reminded me of the band’s raw Oh! Gravity sound. Jon sings that he has fought the fire with fire and he wants to taste the Lord’s love again.

Float - features an infectious funky beat. I liked this song instantly. Jon sings “Turn it up so I can feel it. Loud enough so I can get near it.” He sings don't let them tell you what to feel like, and that money’s going to leave you broken-hearted. It can’t finish what we started. A favorite.

Where the Light Shines Through – opens with guitar, then quickly goes into drums and the full band. Jon sings encouragingly that we can’t run away from ourselves. He sings that our scars shine like dark stars and that our wounds are where the light shines through, it’s where the light finds us. The band describes it as “a gospel song – an open palms altar call – bring your scars and abuse and bruises with you”.

I Won’t Let You Go – opens with acoustic guitar. Jon offers a vulnerable Bono-like vocal as the song builds. This song works on different levels, including being a song in which the Lord is speaking to us about trusting Him.

If you could only let go your doubts

If you could just believe in me now

I swear, that I won't let you go

Another line that was powerful was “pain gives birth to the promise ahead”.

If The House Burns Down Tonight – begins with Jon singing over an acoustic guitar. He sings that the truth is what remains and what you save from the fire. The songs turns into a driving rocker, featuring excellent drums. It could be a song about his wife. He wants passion, the fire. If he loses everything (the house burns down tonight), he still has everything he needs with her by his side. The rest can burn. A powerful line is “ashes from the flames, the truth is what remains”.

The Day That I Found God – a lighter song musically, this one starts slow and builds. A key line is “I found out the day I lost myself was the day that I found God”. Another highlight.

I found strength but it wasn't what I thought

I found peace in the places I forgot

I found riches ain't the things that I had bought

I found out

The day I lost myself was the day that I found God

Shake This Feeling – opens with guitars. A mid-tempo rocker about a relationship that is falling apart. You can feel the pain. Words have been said that can’t be taken back. They are going to have to fight to fall back in love again.

Bull in a China Shop – a rocker that starts with a screeching guitar and great drums with good backing vocals. The chorus us “I wanna rock this block like a bull in a china shop”. Jon asks what we are waiting for as the future is here. It’s a bold songs, he sings that fear is all he’s got left to fear.

Live it Well – in this encouraging and uplifting song Jon sings that life is short, he wants to live it well. He wants to burn brighter than the dawn. He wants to take full advantage of what he has been given, and we should as well.

Looking for America – a powerful songs featuring Lecrae, this song is about America. The song acknowledges that the Lord knows we need plenty of change in our country. Features a great beat molding Lecrae’s and Switchfoot’s sounds with challenging, bold lyrics. It reminds me thematically of Lecrae’s “Welcome to America” from his Anomaly album.

America, who are you?

Is God still on your side?

Healer of Souls – an out and out rocker with great guitars and drums. Jon acknowledges that we have problems. We are a nation torn by the clashes. We need to turn to the Lord, the healer of souls. This song will sound great in concert.

I want more than just a crutch to lean on

Yeah I'm looking for that freedom

So let's go there

To the healer of souls

Hope is the Anthem – a slower song featuring synth, keyboards and light drums. Jon sings that sometimes what we need is what we fight. He sings that God’s love is what he was running from. The Lord’s hope is the anthem of his soul.

Light and Heavy – was first played live by Jon in 2009, when he dedicated it to a friend and fellow musician who had recently died of cancer. Starts with Jon singing with bass and drum and then builds. Jon sings that he is travelling light with a heavy heart. A personal song, perhaps to a friend, as he sings “I hope you find what you were looking for”.

Begin Forever – A light rocker. It appears to be about a relationship that has gone wrong. Jon sings that it’s never too late to try. It’s never too It's never to begin forever.

When was the Last Time - a light rocker with a good beat driven by the drums. A key line is “When was the last time you tried something for the first time?” Life is difficult but he would rather be happy than typical. Take chances. Step out. A good challenge to end the album with.

~~After a successful sixteen-year run leading the David Crowder Band that ended in 2012, David Crowder, now known simply as Crowder, released Neon Steeple in 2014, one of my favorite albums of that year. He returns now with American Prodigal, and what he calls “swamp pop”. The album features recurring themes of sin and forgiveness, chains, freedom, being a prodigal and Heaven. Below are a few thoughts about each of the songs on the Deluxe edition of the album, one of my favorites of the year:

American Intro – This brief minute and a half opener features Crowder with a simple piano backing. He wants Heaven to be opened and all of the angels of Heaven to sing along Come on Hallelujah!

Keep Me – This is a prayer to the Lord to keep him walking as the devil keeps calling him back. But the Lord keeps calling him home. It features a foot-stomping, hand-clapping, heavy beat, banjo, fiddle, good backing vocals and even some rapping by Crowder.

Run Devil Run – The first single, this is a rousing toe-tapping rocker. He sings that he has something that’s going to make the devil run. He has three (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and the devil has none. We have revival. A song that will really be fun in concert.

My Victory – Was included on the Passion album Salvation’s Tide is Rising. This is a great song that will be sung in churches around the world. It features more of a Passion band sound than Crowder’s usual “folktronica” sound. It starts slow and then builds to a powerful chorus and the line “A cross meant to kill is my victory”. Amen! One of my favorite songs of the year.

Prove It – This song features Christian rapper KB. It has a foot-stomping, driving beat. It’s about freedom. He sings that if you’re free, prove it. If not, loose the chains on your soul.

All Your Burdens – This song opens with banjo and then goes into a driving rocker with excellent guitar and drums. He sings that all his burdens weigh him down, but the chains will be broken and we shall overcome and have victory.

Back to the Garden – This song is from the perspective of Adam. He sings that he was born to be royal and made for glory, but was torn from the garden when the devil lied to him. It starts slow and builds powerfully. He longs to go back to the garden when he walked in the presence of God. The song features a blazing guitar solo.

Forgiven – A powerful worship song that begins with guitar and piano, then builds with banjo and drums. He sings that he was the one who held the nail, hid in the garden and denied Jesus with his lips. Despite this, we can receive God’s unconditional love and find freedom by falling to our knees and receive forgiveness from our sins.

Promised Land (Glory, Hallelujah) – This is a triumphant worship song featuring Crowder’s swamp sound. Who has the power (to save, heal, raise the dead, make me whole, etc.)? It’s his sweet Lord. He’s longing for the Promised Land. It features a rap from Christian rapper Tedashii, who will be touring with Crowder.

All My Hope – This song has the feel of an old-time gospel song. It opens with piano, and builds slowly with light drums and finishes with a great backing choir. He’s been held by Savior. All his hope is in Jesus. All of his sins are forgiven. He’s been washed by the blood. The chains are removed, he’s freed and forgiven. One of my favorites on the album.

Shouting Grounds – This song features the swamp pop sound. He should be dead but he’s alive. He’s a prodigal, who was lost but now is found. He wants to be taken to shouting grounds, where it’s going to get loud. No grave is going to hold him down. This is a triumphant, victory song. Features some Native American chanting toward the end of the song.

Shepherd – The worship song is an adaptation of the 23rd Psalm. It features banjo, light drums and backing vocals. When his heart is prone to wandering, Jesus shepherds him.

All We Sinners - Was also included on the Passion album Salvation’s Tide is Rising. The song begins and ends with acoustic guitar. It’s a triumphant song that starts slow and then builds. The keys to the grave have been stolen and the gates of heaven are open.

American Outro – Begins with him singing Come on Hallelujah from “American Intro”. He’s out of the ruins and back in communion with God. Starts with piano and builds. Includes some distorted vocals.

Praise the Lord – This song, written by Sean McConnell, features an acoustic guitar and builds gently. He sings that as he gets to know the Lord more, he realizes that He’s not who he thought He was. Praise the Lord!

Great Rejoicing - This celebratory worship song infectiously repeats the lines “There's gonna be, a great rejoicing”, and “There’s gonna be a great joy river”, as the troubles and tears of this world fade away. It features some excellent lead and backing vocals. It’s a wonderful song about that grand reunion.

American I/O – On this closer he repeats from American Intro and Outro the line Come on Hallelujah. He is out of the ruins and back to communion.