Back in the mid-90's Kim began writing impromptu reviews of church music CDs (worship music) so that people who were looking for CDs would have an opinion from someone who is also a worship leader and is garnering music for local church use. Up to this point, this was rarely something that was done, because church music was revered as sacred and it was thought that any offering of that sacred worship shouldn't be criticised or evaluated. In fact, Kim wasn't as much a critic as he was an evaluator, helping people find what fit their church. He began posting his reviews on line in a email discussion forum, called the Worship List (website). After a while, when he helped launch Worshipmusic.com, he continued that same concept of trying to help other local church worship leaders and musicians find music that might be applicable to their situations. The reviews continued to be a part of that. Worshipmusic.com went on to grow a staff of writers that would add many more reviews to the collection they have, but Kim continued to participate as a key reviewer. This journal logs all the reviews Kim has written on worship music CDs and projects.
Kim's reviews of CD projects of worship music includes independents, label and main stream recordings, but all having to do with worship music.
Friday, January 25, 2013 at 4:38PM 
It's been just over 2 years since Chris Tomlin released the Grammy Winning "And If Our God Is For Us..." album. And here we are with another new project from Chris Tomlin- "Burning Lights". Beginning as a spectacular album, "Burning Lights" has several sparkling new songs, but also has a few "average" tracks as well.
The first 5 songs are not only great songwriting anthems, but are presented in musical vibrancy that tops any work Tomlin has done in the past. The arrangements, style and rhythms found here are smart and successful experiments in broader worlds into which Tomlin has been relatively cautious.
The songs "Awake My Soul" (anthem rock with hip-hop lyric overlays), "Lay Me Down" (rock touched with a bit of Lumineers/Mumford and Sons) and "God's Great Dance Floor" (pop-dance worship that actually doesn't sound cheesy) are almost ecstatic in their energy and vibrancy- all while staying on task of being songs the church will want to sing in the style of modern liturgy. My nod for best song on this album, both lyrically and as a church anthem, is "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)". This song has all the excitement of the other top tracks on the album with its dynamics and guitar hooks, but it also possesses the most singable melodies and lyrics on the project, all wrapped into a glorious rock worship anthem.
After the song "White Flag", the songs empty out to simple worship ballad arrangements. Kari Jobe duets with Tomlin on the hymn "Crown Him", and this works not only as a listening experience but as a worshipful arrangement of this classic hymn- with a new custom Tomlin chorus, of course. The next several songs continue to strip back the instruments in ebb/flow arrangements throughout. Some may conclude that these last five songs are the slower ballads that are left more barren to allow churches to adopt them as is. But I would contend that these melodies and music are simply not as compelling on the last five songs as the first six songs on this project. The lack of arranging on the final songs simply excentuates those properties.
Be that as it may, this album has many excellent songs. You will find several to be of interest to contemporary churches who already like Chris Tomlin songs and style. Musically and creatively, "Burning Lights" is Tomlin's best album to date, eclipsing even his debut "Arriving" in creativity. Again, do not miss "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)"- it is the best contribution on this project!
For churches using WorshipTeam.com, the songs, chord charts, lyrics and audio are already available and pre-loaded for you in the WorshipTeam.com system song database. If you are not part of WorshipTeam.com and want to listen to audio samples or purchase the album directly yourself, see the Amazon link below.
Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/14jCcIE
Review by Kim Gentes
album, burning lights, chris tomlin, music, praise, review, songs, tomlin, worship in Awards, CD Review, Music Review Sunday, August 19, 2007 at 11:00PM 
From 2004 to the present, few Christian recordings have been able to attain the level of popularity that garners platinum record sales. Fewer still have included songs that are not only great radio favorites but long term standards for Sunday morning worship. But all that and more has been accomplished by this amazing solo project from one of the top artists in Christian music today- Chris Tomlin. Arriving was Chris Tomlin's break out blockbuster album and it still holds sway as one of the best artistic endeavors in Christian music in the last 10 years.
Arriving became such a tremendous success for several reasons, but the primary are: great songs and great production. One of the hallmarks of a great artist is their ability to incorporate great songs that they didn't write. Tomlin shines in this regard, recognizing that while he has strong songwriting chops, some of the songs he is best known for are not his writing at all- Indescribable and Your Grace Is Enough two brilliant examples. Arriving is the perfect balance of radio ready songs and corporate worship favorites. This became the backbone of its stream of #1 radio hits. The creative genuis of Ed Cash rendered Tomlin in his absolutely best light, making the songs on this album shine.
Songs like Holy Is The Lord and How Great Is Our God have become staples in the CCLI top 10 list of most used songs in the world. Cash's perfect production and layered sounds has since been copied time and again by other worship records, but never to the same level of authenticity or success.
But beyond the awards, success and record sales, this album represents what is the pinnacle of the praise and worship genre in Christian music- great art in a devotional context. While the album lacks the gritty vibe of a live project, nothing sounds phoney about the stellar arrangements placed on every track. Tomlin's high tenor reach and textured voice makes the project worth listening to all the way through.
While worship leaders would be ill-advised to retain the songs in same key as the original recording with Tomlin's soaring vocals, all the songs are usable and accessible. In fact, the tunes are so hook-laden and melodic any revisions will do well to retain the memorable arrangements even if shifting pitch for congregational singability. Again, this CD has recieved all the accolades possible. In the age of a collapsing music industry, church based worship music has continued to be as popular as ever. And none more popular than the songs, artist and writer of this album. Arriving has left a monumental imprint on the last 7 years of Christian music and continues to do so. If you haven't got your own copy of the tremendous album, check out the link below and get the MP3 album for your collection. It is worth it.
Product Link: Arriving: Chris Tomlin
Review by Kim Gentes
album, arriving, cd, chris tomlin, christian, holy is the lord, how great is our god, indescribable, music, praise, tomlin, worship in Awards, CD Review, Music Review 