See the Morning (Special Edition)

Album Review

It's quite possible that Chris Tomlin's fourth studio album is the one that firmly seals his place as the ultimate innovator in praise & worship music. His first three solo efforts (plus 2005's Live from Austin Music Hall) had effectively made his name synonymous with the subgenre that directs songs to God, not just about Him. Tomlin's confident, clear vocals are at their pinnacle, as is his songwriting and collaboration, and his backing band does a superb job rounding out the dense sound. Producer Ed Cash returns at the controls to lend the album a transparent sheen that gives it a final sense of accessibility. There are no low points; each track consistently evokes adoration. Tomlin tried out the first single (the contagiously buoyant "Made to Worship") and several others while touring in support of Arriving, his extremely well-received effort from 2004. Surprisingly it's the midtempo numbers like "Everlasting God" and "Let Your Mercy Rain" that define the sound on See the Morning, not the electrifying crowd-pleasers like "Let God Arise" and "Awesome Is the Lord Most High." Tomlin closes the album with a brilliantly personal arrangement of "Amazing Grace," penning a new bridge that fits well with the time-honored poetry of the original. Like labelmate and fellow Texan David Crowder, Tomlin injects just a hint of his down-home roots into an otherwise rock-centric sound. [A 'Special Edition' with a video feature was also released.]