Customer Reviews

And If Our God Is For Us

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My favorite Chris Tomlin songs have generally been the new live recordings found on the Passion worship collections, going back to "We Fall Down," "Enough," "How Great Is Our God" and "God Of This City." The Passion: Awakening collection released earlier this year started off with the great new Chris Tomlin worship anthem "Awakening," which I hope will soon be a song I'll be singing with fellow believers. "Awakening" has a great worshipful chorus which ends with "Let Your will be done in me," which is the cry of my heart as well. As that song starts the Passion collection, the new studio recording ends the new Chris Tomlin album And If Our God Is For Us. "Awakening," co-written with Reuben Morgan, is a great song and is my favorite song on the new album. The album starts with the new studio recording of the #1 hit song "Our God," the anthemic declaration of faith co-written with Matt Redman that has already spent numerous weeks on top of the Christian radio charts. The bridge of the song is the basis of the album title. The "passion" of these worship songs when sung live among believers seems a bit overwhelmed by the musical production on this album. "I Will Follow" is already a hit song co-written with Jason Ingram and Reuben Morgan and will certainly follow in the pattern of past radio success like "Jesus Messiah," "Made To Worship," "Indescribable" and "Your Grace Is Enough." In addition to the studio recordings of "Our God" and "I Will Follow," the first half of this album has an electronic musical style similar to newsboys and Stellar Kart. Although this is a popular trend in music right now, those other artists have consistently made those types of albums, but not Chris Tomlin who has always had more of a guitar-based full band sound. The remaining first half of the album includes "Majesty Of Heaven," co-written with Matt Redman, "I Lift My Hands," co-written with Matt Maher, which reminds me of "Unchanging" and "No Chains On Me," co-written with Matt Redman, which reminds me of "Your Grace Is Enough." They are all good songs, but don't connect with me quite as much as some of his past hit songs.

The second half of the album is my favorite as the songs switch to more of a piano-based full band rock musical style and they are more reflective. "Lovely," "The Name of Jesus," "Faithful" and "All To Us" switch over to more of what I've come to expect from Chris Tomlin musically. They are prayerful and worshipful songs that I can imagine singing with fellow believers, especially "Faithful" which was co-written and sung with Christy Nockels. "All To Us" is an epic worship song (over 6 minutes long) that reminds me of "I Will Rise" which was also co-written with Matt Maher. All 11 songs are praise and worship and that's the basis for the past radio and sales success. There's nothing different or overly creative about this album other than some additional electronic music. Musically, many of the songs on this album are all a bit similar and very heavily produced rather than going with the Coldplay-type guitar riffs used by Hillsong UNITED. The musical trend from the Passion albums has been more of a Hillsong style, and Hillsong UNITED even appeared on Passion: Awakening. I was a bit surprised and a little disappointed by some of the studio recordings although they will probably resonate with radio audiences.

For me, I would have liked one or two songs that gave me a glimpse of what Chris thinks about besides praising God. Since he's getting married this year, perhaps I'll get that on his next album. His approach to this album is a bit less a view into his personal worship thoughts and creativity and a bit more into collaborating with others who seem to be leading the way in today's worship song writing as these songs were all co-written with Reuben Morgan, Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Jason Ingram and others. I don't mean to heap on any undue criticism however I'm not hearing the heart of Chris Tomlin in any of these songs. My favorite worship songwriters are Joel Houston ("From The Inside Out"), Brooke (Fraser) Ligertwood ("Hosanna"), Reuben Morgan & Ben Fielding ("Mighty To Save"), Robbie Seay ("Song Of Hope"), Tim Hughes ("Beautiful One"), Phil Wickham ("Cannons"), Todd Agnew ("My Jesus"), Jason Ingram & Bebo Norman ("I Will Lift My Eyes"), Paul Baloche ("Your Name"), John Mark McMillan ("How He Loves"), Brandon Heath, Bart Millard of MercyMe and Mark Hall of Casting Crowns. All of those songwriters have personally poured out their hearts in their songs, such as in MercyMe's "I Can Only Imagine," "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns and "I'm Not Who I Was" by Brandon Heath.

My main issue these past few albums since the brilliance of 2002's Not To Us is that Chris seems to have been transformed from a worship leader to a radio singles fixture with the studio albums. It seems to me that "Enough" was the last truly personal worship song penned by Chris Tomlin. Then, great songwriters like Brenton Brown ("Everlasting God"), Laura Story ("Indescribable"), Matt Maher ("Your Grace Is Enough"), Bluetree ("God Of This City") and even John Newton ("Amazing Grace") have been the "personal" writers behind the radio success of Chris Tomlin. Tomlin has 5 of the top 10 most played songs in churches. Without a doubt, Chris will always have a place in CCM history. His singing voice is as good as ever, the lyrics are biblical (although a little bit predictable), and this album probably won't win any new fans but should please most fans of Chris Tomlin.

CLOSING THOUGHTS
I intend to take nothing away from my respect for Chris or his past accomplishments when I say And If Our God Is For Us just doesn't affect me as his past albums have. Certainly "Our God" and "Awakening" are great songs. Personally I prefer the live versions from the Passion: Awakening album. Maybe that's just the way I prefer to worship along with Chris. We sing his songs at my church weekly and I connect to most of them personally. "Awakening" might actually be my favorite overall song by Chris along with "Enough," "Unchanging," "Holy Is The Lord," and "Jesus Messiah." If you like those songs, then you should enjoy this album, especially "Our God," "I Will Follow," "Majesty of Heaven," "Faithful," "All To Us" and "Awakening." Expect to be singing most of these songs at your church soon.

We went to see Chris Tomlin at the NC State Fair this past October and were so blessed by his concert...I immediately went home and pre-ordered the CD for friends and family. It arrived yesterday...have been playing it non-stop! ;-) You will LOVE IT!

Like many of Chris Tomlin's other music accomplishments this one does not disappoint! Powerful, uplifting and definitely worth waiting for. If you are new to Chris Tomlin's music this is a great cd to start with. Love this one and look forward to hearing all the songs sung live!!

After a few repetitive releases, Chris Tomlin seems to be making "real" music again. Yes, worship music is not my genre, but this song plays in my car nearly every time we go for a little drive, and I have to share my thoughts on it.

There is only one song that follows the generic worship pattern: All to Us. This 6-minute track has "The Hidden Ending Effect", where you think the song has ended after it has gone quiet, but then they sing more, which annoys the living heck out of me. Other than that song, most of the others are great church worship tunes.

Rating: 3.5 stars/5 stars

I have been a Chris Tomlin fan for many years and have seen him perform live and Chris has such a dedication and love for our Lord! So when this new CD came out I immediately downloaded it from Itunes and was blown away by the new music! Some of my favorites are "All to Us", "Majesty of Heaven" and of course "I Will Follow". Just a solid collection of praise music that will energize the soul! Christy Nockels also appears on this CD and her voice is the voice of an angel! Her soaring harmonies with Chris are amazing and it just sends chills up & down your spine. Chris is an amazing talent and his message is so simple and biblically based. Many of Chris' songs reference verses in the bible and having seen Chris in concert my favorite times are when he relates how he came to write a particular song and what motivated him to do so. I love watching him on "New Song Cafe" talk about his music and also seeing him perform many of his songs with just an acoustic guitar. I lead worship in my church and sing many of Chris' songs because they are so inspirational & powerful! I highly recommend this CD and for those of you who have never seen Chris in concert you need to "experience" that! You WILL be blessed! God bless you Chris and your amazing band! Your collaboration with Christy and your god inspired talents!

This is definetely the best Tomlin's album. I loved the songs from the very first chords. "Sounds effects" are also appreciated. And drums are perfect. Praise the Lord!

Chris Tomlin's new CD is so good,it feels like home. Takes you to the very throne room of God to soak in His Presence. What an amazing witness this music is. Wish I could give one to everyone I know!!!

If you are a Chris Tomlin, Passion or Hillsong fan you will enjoy this one. "And if our God is for Us" is another great worship CD. I love playing worship in the morning while my family is getting ready for the day and this one will definitely be added to rotating list. Love it!

I personally enjoy this music. The style of music fits the words and the words to most songs really are meaningful to a Christian. I don't know Chris Tomlin personally but I appreciate his songs.
If you like this stuff you might also like Matt Redman, Hillsong or David Crowder Band too.

This is a very inspiring cd--also great to get you in the spirit of worship. "Our God" is one of my favorites and the other songs are really good too.