Music Review: Glory In The Highest
Posted November 30, 2009
By ChristianManifesto,
By Dan Harmeson
GENRE: HOLIDAY
LABEL: SIXSTEPSRECORDS
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 6, 2009
RATING: 4 OUT OF 5
Sometimes I hesitate to buy Christmas albums. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE Christmas. It’s just that people look at you funny when you’re rockin’ Jingle Bells in July. Unlike other music purchases, your investment is limited to two months out of the year (four if you’re my wife). If only Christmas albums were more versatile. Don’t lose hope; Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship by Chris Tomlin solves our quandary. This album is primarily a worship album, secondarily a Christmas album.
Chris Tomlin and his band recorded two live sets in Nashville, Tennessee to compile this much anticipated album. Incorporated in the record are Audrey Assad, Christy Nockels, and worship giant Matt Redman. Besides these guest artists, Chris Tomlin doesn’t present anything new or fresh in his own sound. Glory in the Highest is a collection of unique songs and conventional Christmas favorites. A majority of Glory in the Highest grants us the opportunity to worship our new born King all year long.
Softly beginning with “O Come All Ye Faithful,” there is an instant revelation that this album will not disappoint and the urge to curl up by the fire and take part in corporate worship takes over. Tomlin flavored versions of “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Emmanuel” welcome the listener to raise their hands and worship where they are.
After listening to “My Soul Magnifies the Lord”, I found myself singing the chorus in my head throughout the day. This isn’t a song that makes you tap your feet and dance around, but one the transports your soul to a place of glorifying our Lord and King. This is the finest song on Glory in the Highest and deserves to be sung in every church, all year long.
To accomplish fresh new sounds Chris Tomlin relies on his friends. “Light of the World” featuring Matt Redman is a beautiful picture of God sending his son to become flesh and die on the cross, as a Light for the entire world. “Winter Snow” features new artist Audrey Assad. With soulful flavoring, this is the least Tomlin-like track on the album.
This has to be one of the most versatile Christmas albums in recent years. Christmas is about Christ and Tomlin reminds us that a true Christmas song is about God becoming flesh among us. While jingle bells and bellowing of HO-HO-HO have their place, I appreciate that this Christmas album is different. You can tell Glory in the Highest is a Chris Tomlin record from the first breath of vocals. The decision is up to you on how Christmassy each song on this album is, but I guarantee that you will find enough songs to worship our King 365 days of the year.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Manifesto. Click here to visit TheChristianManifesto.com today! View All Music And Book Reviews By ChristianManifesto | View ChristianManifesto's Profile
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