Subscribe

Male vocalists have always played a big role in contemporary Christian music but they seem to be gaining in prominence this season.

Brandon Heath — the Dove Awards’ New Artist of the Year for 2008 – has been riding high in the sales and download charts for weeks with his excellent "What If We."

However, the new kid on the block might simply be warming up fans for some more familiar singer/songwriters. Worship singer Chris Tomlin recently captured the top spot in sales with "Hello Love" and Bebo Norman has just released a self-titled album.

Tomlin is known for creating deeply moving worship songs for the Passion Conferences. Although worship is the driving force behind his fourth studio album, it unfolds a bit differently.

Instead of rousing anthems, "Hello Love" has a more intimate feel. Instead of bringing crowds to their feet, it seems more likely to bring individuals to their knees.

The album opens on familiar ground. "Sing, Sing, Sing" offers a pleasant pop-oriented melody while praising "the one we’re living for." The powerful "Jesus Messiah" — which has been perched atop the Christian inspirational radio chart for weeks — expresses both awe and joy. And "You Lifted Me Out" edges toward the energy that filled such hits as "Indescribable" and "Your Grace Is Enough."

However, many of the remaining songs offer a mellow sort of praise, often taking hints from traditional hymns.

"Praise the Father, Praise the Son" is a soft but strong account of grace, power and peace.

The ballad "I Will Rise" harkens back to the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul."

And "All the Way My Savior Leads Me" actually is an old standard.

The album offers some international flavor with the ballad "God of This City" — which was written by Bluetree, a band from Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The song, which originated in a Thai town known for human trafficking, connects to the here and now as it claims "greater things are to be done in this city."

The delightful "Love" offers an African rhythm with the help of the Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda.

Most of the tracks are not the radio-friendly, corporate-worship-ready gems that have earned Tomlin so many fans.

However, they’re well suited for quieter time of reflection and worship.

While Tomlin usually writes for congregations, Bebo Norman normally takes a more personal path in his music.

His new self-titled album follows suit with songs that are filled with a deep yearning for closeness to God.

For example, the pleasant ballad "Not Living In the In-Between" promises devotion, saying, "I’m gonna give you everything I’ve got. I’m not living in the in-between."

Most of the other tracks pack a surprising amount of energy. The radio hit "Pull Me Out" calls out to God for help. "Never Saw You Coming" describes being surprised by God’s love. "Hear It From Me" explains that God would like each person to acknowledge him. "A Million Raindrops" asks whether God can forgive a life tangled in weakness and regret, and receives the answer that faults will be left on the ground like fallen rain.

The song that’s likely to make the biggest impact is about confession and hope. The pop-oriented "Britney" admits that "we sell the beauty but destroy the girl" and "we stood aside and watched you fall apart." The song — which is climbing the Christian adult contemporary radio chart — then offers hope and encouragement that’s apparently aimed at a familiar pop star and others like her. This mix of praise, encouragement and insight is definitely one of the best albums of the busy fall season.

On the Web: www.christomlin.com and www.bebonorman.com

Today’s Praise is a roundup of news and reviews from the contemporary Christian music industry.

Sign Up for Daily Headlines

Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets from around the world.

Sign Up Now