Chris Tomlin's Lights Shine Bright

For a contemporary Christian musician to be successful not only does the devotion have to feel palpably real but the musician has to deliver the goods in a genuine fashion. In a way he has to eclipse whatever hired hand production values have been erected for the sake of tilting the odds towards mass consumption. I'd say Chris Tomlin's brand new "Burning Lights" album succeeds on both counts. His is a boy next door likable persona. You don't feel like you're being hustled through church doors to hear whatever message is the flavor of the month. Tomlin and his accompanying band manage to construct several "pleasing shapes" for their salute to the Almighty. You're sure to get caught up in "God's Great Dancefloor". It's deceptively accessible. By that I mean Christian music in a poppy vein runs a risk of sounding light a light beer version of entertainment but here you'll have a hard time not giving in to the sweltering tempo. As for "Awake My Soul", it wouldn't sound out of place on one of Kirk Cameron's movie soundtracks. Kirk, as you may or may not know, is fervently Christian and has those themes emanating from such films as Fireproof. What punches this number up the scale of audience engagement is keyboards, guitars, and drums working as a camaraderie aided unit with all members perusing the same page. Steady but not overreaching harmony carries the day on "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel)". The revival tent crowd never had it so good. His female duet partners, Kari Jobe and Christy Nockels summon up maternal gentleness on "Crown Him (Majesty)", and "Jesus, Son of God, respectively. In both cases instead of a yin and yang cross pollination of devotion you get two yins intensifying what was already Chris's one man mutual admiration society with the Lord. "Crown Him (Majesty) cleanses from the jump. Bandmate Matt Gilder's thoughtful piano enhancements ripen the climate in favor of washing away cares so the Lord can work on fixing what's in need of healing. On the other hand "Jesus, Son of God" billows out in a lavish extension of hand towards God and, one hopes all manner of listening audience. There's an epic storm of worship brewing and Chris and band are positioning you to be front and center for the hoped for impact. "Shepherd Boy" is the ideal closing tune. Chris is alone with piano and an uncluttered connection to God. Weakness is laid out on the table. Pride is abandoned. The welcoming of solace in the Lord's arms is the consummate salve. "Burning Lights" has already hit #1 on Billboard's Christian Albums Chart as well as the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. In the latter's case the album is only the fourth Christian album to debut in pole position. The public got it right this time. There's plenty for both he and the listening audience to be proud of. "Burning Lights" won't fade away any time soon. Chris has the neighborly spirit and then some.