Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Already this album has made American music industry history, being the first praise and worship album ever to debut at number one on Billboard's Hot 200. Whatever the sharp downturn in sales that large parts of Christian music has experienced, clearly there is still a major worldwide market for congregational worship music, particularly when it is executed with such creative skill as demonstrated on 'Burning Lights'. Several of the songs here are co-writes with ex-Delirious? man Martin Smith and the success of these collaborations is evident for all with the ears and hearts to hear while the production by Nashville favourite Jason Ingram is exceptional. Kicking off with a short instrumental passage featuring lush strings and a nagging guitar figure (titled "Burning Lights" but actually a prelude to the first song proper, "Awake My Soul"), the mood is wonderfully set for the top rate songs that follow. "Awake My Soul" is a haunting mid-tempo number which explodes when rapper Lecrae reads a passage from Ezekiel 37. The next track, "Whom Shall I Fear (God Of The Angel Armies)", is already impacting many churches with its salient reminder that God is our sword and shield. Another Passion event favourite, "White Flag", is heard in a studio version for the first time while Tomlin's rendition of "God's Great Dance Floor" outdoes Martin Smith's version heard in his EP series. There are one or two slight miss-hits. Continuing his habit of rewriting ancient hymn classics, Chris offers a version of "Crown Him With Many Crowns" which, even with the addition of Kari Jobe's voice, is rather dull. But having said that, the other duets with Christy Nockels on "Jesus Son Of God" and Phil Wickham on "Thank You God" both work exceedingly well. I've no doubt that this album will add to the list of world Church-impacting classics that began with "How Great Is Our God". Chris Tomlin is on a creative role and this, his 12th album, is his best yet.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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