Leaders make the indescribable visible. Isaiah's words, for instance, brought comfort to a defeated nation and transformed a people's imagination, empowering them to mount up with wings like eagles. Those words bear fruits... more » today, capturing a post-modern visionary's heart, urging Chris Tomlin to call together God's people for life-renewing worship. "I feel as though we're like this landing strip in the desert for our great, incredible God to arrive on; a way for Him to come into people's lives," Tomlin says of the album's metaphorical moniker inspired in part by Isaiah 40. Tomlin's third studio record and first in two years, Arriving demonstrates a Christian's glad surrender meeting God's welcoming arms. Tomlin's undeniable energy is charismatic and contagious. Avoiding the trappings of public performance, Chris stands beside the people he serves, raising his voice to God with them so that they share God's presence together. Credited with venerable church choruses such as "Forever," "We Fall Down," and "The Wonderful Cross," Tomlin is considered one of this era's top songwriters for the church with five songs in CCLI's Top 60 and four more in the service's Top 500. With millions singing his songs weekly, Chris is recognized as a pivotal voice of today's modern expression of Christian worship. Arriving rocks with inspiring, guitar-driven pop melodies reflecting the roots traditions of Austin, Texas, where it was recorded and home to the church Tomlin co-founded, Austin Stone Community Church. The project's raw, straightforward lyrics are knotted tight with hooks as big and broad as the Lone Star state sky. Producer Ed Cash (Caedmon's Call, Kathy Mattea, Bebo Norman) brings his signature touch to the tracks, revealing that the talent pool is deeper than even the artist knew.« less
Leaders make the indescribable visible. Isaiah's words, for instance, brought comfort to a defeated nation and transformed a people's imagination, empowering them to mount up with wings like eagles. Those words bear fruits today, capturing a post-modern visionary's heart, urging Chris Tomlin to call together God's people for life-renewing worship. "I feel as though we're like this landing strip in the desert for our great, incredible God to arrive on; a way for Him to come into people's lives," Tomlin says of the album's metaphorical moniker inspired in part by Isaiah 40. Tomlin's third studio record and first in two years, Arriving demonstrates a Christian's glad surrender meeting God's welcoming arms. Tomlin's undeniable energy is charismatic and contagious. Avoiding the trappings of public performance, Chris stands beside the people he serves, raising his voice to God with them so that they share God's presence together. Credited with venerable church choruses such as "Forever," "We Fall Down," and "The Wonderful Cross," Tomlin is considered one of this era's top songwriters for the church with five songs in CCLI's Top 60 and four more in the service's Top 500. With millions singing his songs weekly, Chris is recognized as a pivotal voice of today's modern expression of Christian worship. Arriving rocks with inspiring, guitar-driven pop melodies reflecting the roots traditions of Austin, Texas, where it was recorded and home to the church Tomlin co-founded, Austin Stone Community Church. The project's raw, straightforward lyrics are knotted tight with hooks as big and broad as the Lone Star state sky. Producer Ed Cash (Caedmon's Call, Kathy Mattea, Bebo Norman) brings his signature touch to the tracks, revealing that the talent pool is deeper than even the artist knew.
"Although I normally write Christian reviews of books, I have a love for solid, biblically-based music. This latest CD by Chris Tomlin is one of the best I have heard. When I make that remark it is from a different perspective than many of the young "whippersnappers" here, for I remember the likes of Love Song, Second Chapter of Acts, and Keith Green. I've been listening to "contemporary" Christian music for 25 years, and Tomlin is quickly becoming one of my favorite artists of that entire time span.
I highly recommend this CD to the younger folks, as well as to the older folks like me who are products of the Jesus movement. This small investment will yield huge returns in strengthened personal praise and worship."
Chris Tomlin has arrived
D. Keating | Bristow, VA United States | 03/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Chris Tomlin is not new to the modern Christian music scene, but this album definitely indicates his arrival as a rising star. It is probably the strongest worship album I have heard this year because it has so many strong songs on it. The album delivers from the first song - Indescribable to the last, You do all things well.
Chris is known as a great worship leader who has been involved in some of the Passion and One Day festivals, but it is nice to see that he is creating his own voice and finding his own place among the stars of modern Christian music.
I highley recommend this album to any Chris Tomlin fan. If you are not familiar with his songs, this is a great starting place. Or, if you like the Passion CDs, and/or One Day albums you will definitely enjoy this one as well."
It's Indescribable!!!
J. Li | San Jose, Ca United States | 02/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Enough said about Chris Tomlin's latest album, Arriving. I don't want to repeat what others have already stated but would just like to add another "5 stars" and my own opinion about this worship collection. Songs like Indescribable, Holy is the Lord and How Great is our God are songs I can never stop listening to, whether it's in the car, at home or in my cubicle. It's packed with powerful words that will thrill you away with the Lord. Along with the songbook, you too can learn how to play these songs on your guitar. Other great songs such as Unfailing Love, The Way I Was Made, and All Bow Down are songs that gets better every time. You may not like some songs at first, like I did when I first heard it, but after awhile, the words clicked in and everything just makes sense. The only down side to this cd is the fact that it's too short (less than 50 min). But still, that is a minor problem. I don't care whether you borrow it, rent it, download it or buy it, just get a hold of it and listen to it. It's worth every second you spend listening to this album."
An awesome CD!
Kellista | Overland Park, KS USA | 11/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I hardly ever buy cds anymore with the radio and internet but this is a CD that is so worth buying. Its also rare for me to love every song on a CD, there are usually at least one or two that I skip. Not with Chris Tomlin. This music really brings me down to where I need to be when I'm getting frustrated with the silly little things in life, or when I'm getting to sure of myself. Tomlin's songs on this CD remind me of who I am, who God is and how amazing it is that I can worship Him. This CD will make you want to worship God. There are times I don't even want to stop listening to get out of my car! Praise God for an artist like Chris Tomlin."
All things well
David A. Baer | Indianapolis, IN USA | 04/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When people complain about the shallowness of all modern worship music, they haven't heard Chris Tomlin. The singer has mastered Christian doxology that achieves true praise - the adoration of God rather than the introspection of self while one worships - by wedding language impregnated with biblical vocabulary to singable melody.
The 'worship wars' among which such achievements take their place suggest that Tomlin's is no small accomplishment.
ARRIVING focuses on the Lord's glory and its saturation of a world often too dim to understand that it's been filled. But not all are sightless:
'But rising up all around
Is the anthem of the Lord's renown
Together we sing
Let everyone sing:
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with his glory'
Even with his focus on the Lord, Tomlin is able to express life here below, lived in the company of this Intimate Stranger:
'You have my heart and I am yours forever
You are my strength, God of grace and power
With everything you hold in your hand
Still you make time for me, I can't understand
Praise you God of earth and sky
How beautiful is your unfailing love
And you never change, God,
You remain the Holy One
And my Unfailing Love'
This is brilliant song-writing, rooted deep in biblical faith, understated in the performance arts, contagious to those with a penchant for singing along. ARRIVING could be a university curriculum for the How To Write a Song that People Can Actually Sing major. May its graduates multiply."