Louder Than The Music

Chris Tomlin - Glory In The Highest

Artist:

Chris Tomlin

Title:

Glory In The Highest

Type:

Album

Released:

06 Oct 2009

LTTM Rating:

Your Rating:

Review

I was quite thrilled at the prospect of reviewing a Christmas album, even if it is still autumn, I am a big kid at heart and adore Christmas and drive Dave mad with Christmas songs, that usually start being played from 1st December. Chris Tomlin's 'Glory In The Highest' is not however a Christmas carol sing along that gets one into the festive mood, it is marketed as a Christmas worship album and there in lies its downfall.

Whilst I like the traditionalist carols and the way in which Tomlin has jazzed them up to appeal to the younger audiences...
Read More I was quite thrilled at the prospect of reviewing a Christmas album, even if it is still autumn, I am a big kid at heart and adore Christmas and drive Dave mad with Christmas songs, that usually start being played from 1st December. Chris Tomlin's 'Glory In The Highest' is not however a Christmas carol sing along that gets one into the festive mood, it is marketed as a Christmas worship album and there in lies its downfall.

Whilst I like the traditionalist carols and the way in which Tomlin has jazzed them up to appeal to the younger audiences whilst still retaining the charm for the oldies, I fear that the added worship songs such as Light Of The World with Matt Redman (which is a welcome addition), leads me to the conclusion that this album lacks cohesiveness. I know that I will keep many of these songs on the iPod, yet they will be split into the "Christmas" and the "worship" playlists.

I currently have a five year old singing "Away In A Manger" at every opportunity and a nearly three year old singing "Father Christmas he got stuck" in October, that I thought that this album would definitely put me into the decorating the Christmas tree/mulled wine/mince pie feeling, yet somehow it lacked that final punch (no pun intended!)

Come all ye faithful, is given the ever popular modern twist with a more upbeat tune, this is a very good rendition and it is one that I am sure will be played in many homes in the run up to Christmas. Angels we have heard on high, you can imagine singing this in Church on Christmas morning, where the excitement and buzz radiates through the young and old alike, a truly amazing feeling.

O Holy night, I have listened to so much that my daughter knows the words and groans when it comes on again, "We've already had this one Mummy" and my son starts begging for "Happy Day." It is a lovely meditative song, but I can't help but think that its melody is too sorrowful, however this is by far my favourite song.

This is a nice album, but I had greater expectations, I thought that it would be amazing!

Review by Melissa Wood

LTTM Rating 4 out of 5 Stars
Standout Tracks
Angels We Have Heard On High
Come All Ye Faithful
O Holy Night

Get 'Glory In The Highest'

Track Listing

Chris Tomlin - Glory In The Highest

Review

Other Chris Tomlin Releases

Your Name Above All

Always

Always

Chris Tomlin: Christmas Collaborations

Chris Tomlin: Christmas Worship - EP

Emmanuel: Christmas Songs Of Worship (Deluxe)