Reviewed by Chris Webb

Chris Tomlin has sold a staggering 30 million albums worldwide and the last release for the Atlanta-based worship leader was, of course, a huge hit. So how could he follow that up? Should he change course and experiment musically or offer a continuation of a popular pop rock formula? The latter is the case and generally ploughs the same furrow as its 'Burning Lights' predecessor. Like wearing a pair of old slippers, this album has an air of comfortable familiarity with relatively simple musical arrangements based around a predominantly light rock format. "Greater" commences with a gently thrumming bass line leading into the first outpouring of praise and sets the tone for the majority of the album. "Waterfall" is a vivid sound picture created by the interplay between spiky keyboard, lead guitar echoing the tune and then strong vocals in carillon, combining to provide an auditory Niagara of water slowing and then suddenly racing to tumble over a cliff's edge, crashing and splashing onto the rocks below; a deep pool at the base of the fall is still and peaceful despite the torrents above and tumult of sound filling the air. This powerful melody and driving rhythm reflects the power of God but also the depth of his being calling out to his creation, as "deep calls to deep". The images of flowing, flooding water appear a number of times in the songs to indicate the majesty and overwhelming magnificence of God. "At The Cross (Love Ran Red)", the most poetic and original lyric, based around one of Isaac Watt's hymns, provides a most thought provoking picture to enable meditational reflection for Holy Communion. Lilting piano and smooth acoustic guitar introduce "The Table" and "I Will Boast" as slower, more contemplative pieces to provide some balance to the power of the others. This deluxe edition contains an additional four tracks including a remix of "Waterfall" and an acoustic version of "At The Cross (Love Ran Red)" and a new song "Let It Be Jesus". Overall, 'Love Ran Red' is an accomplished album that will please many people and achieve its primary intention of providing the world Church with new material for congregational worship and the songs here are impeccably performed and produced. However, a few musical risks are now needed if the "genre" of praise albums is to move forward.

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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