Chris Tomlin is no rookie to worship music. He's been touring around with Passion for years and has released several solo efforts in the process. His latest project, Arriving picks up where his previous album Not To Us left off. Stylistically, Tomlin experiments a little more with more solid and mature tracks like "Indescribable" but also offers up more traditional yet common worship tunes, like "Holy Is The Lord."

Tomlin displays growth on Arriving, but ultimately plays it safe by sticking with the brand of songwriting that has made worship music as popular as it is today. While "Your Grace is Enough" gets lost in the typical sound of the genre, it's more intimate tracks like "Unfailing Love," featuring a subtle background vocal accompaniment from Steven Curtis Chapman, and "Mighty Is the Power of the Cross," that are indeed album highlights.

Fans of Tomlin's work won't be disappointed, but those looking for something new and unique probably won't find much on Arriving. Indeed a cut above previous efforts, Arriving shows Tomlin's on his way, but he may not quite be there just yet. Fans of David Crowder, Matt Redman, Delirious?, and the Passion conference projects should check out Chris Tomlin's latest.

- Preview Review date: 08/4/04; Reviewed on 10/12/04 by John DiBiase