Coming January 2016, this brand new Passion EP contains new studio recordings from best-selling artists Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Matt Redman, and Kristian Stanfill. Since the first release in 1998, Passion albums have sold over 1.3 Million units while introducing the church to worship songs like “Our God,” “Holy Is The Lord,” “How Great Is Our God,” and “God Of This City.” Passion 2016 will have 3 simultaneous conferences in Atlanta & Duluth, GA and Houston, TX January 2-4, 2016.
The Passion Movement and the messages of founder Louie Giglio have marked the lives of millions of people around the globe, calling people everywhere to live for the glory of God. From its inception, the movement of Passion has birthed new anthems of worship, influencing countless churches and helping to define the current worship climate and establish artists Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill and others. Louie Giglio is the pastor and founder of Passion City Church in Atlanta, GA.
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Congregational Worship At Its Best| Posted January 15, 2016
Isaiah 26:8 reads, "Yes Lord, walking in the way of Your truth we wait eagerly for You, for Your name and renown are the desire of our souls." This verse has been the theme of Passion Conferences for years, and the verse fits beautifully into who they are as a group. The collective that is Passion has been revered by the Christian music world for years, and with good reason. The brainchild of ardent public speaker and pastor Louie Giglio, Passion has been releasing a live worship recording annually almost every year since the Passion Conference's conception in 1997. Each album is enthusiastically received and well-loved by believers worldwide. Their latest album, Salvation's Tide Is Rising, was digitally released on New Year's Day, and its songs are sure to quickly become radio and worship staples.
Salvation's Tide Is Rising features a number of sixstepsrecords artists such as Crowder, Chris Tomlin and Kristian Stanfill. It also covers a number of musical styles throughout the album, culminating in the very powerful and intricately communal worship experience that is so unique to the Passion Conferences. Tracks such as "Salvation's Tide" (featuring Kristian Stanfill) and "My Victory" (featuring Crowder) open with a glossy, upbeat and alternative sound, perfect to capture attention and prepare fiery hearts for worship. "Surrender," much later in the worship set, maintains the alternative beats at a slower tempo as it focuses on surrendering oneself wholly to God. Other songs, such as "God And God Alone" (featuring Chris Tomlin) and "Remember" (featuring Brett Younker), deliver a very familiar sound with powerful calls to praise, invoking passionate congregational worship in their own way.
Although the entire album is spectacular, one song in particular which stands out within the set is "All We Sinners," featuring Crowder's vocals. The song feels like a mashup of a contemplative original hymn and a folk song, reminiscent of the legacy Crowder himself left behind in his worship-leading days at University Baptist Church in Waco, Texas-- a style the church's worship team still honors to this day. The song's refrain, simple but authoritative, says "Saved, we are saved / The gates of heaven wide open / Saved, we are saved / The keys to the grave have been stolen," a strong reminder that in our sin and death, we were rescued at the perfect moment by a perfect Savior.
The Bottom Line:
Passion Conference is highly esteemed in the Christian world, and with albums like new Salvation's Tide Is Rising, it shouldn't be any other way.
Song To Download Now:
"All We Sinners" (Get it on iTunes here.)
STIR The Tide| Posted July 08, 2016 This is an abridged review of my review of this album, and you can read my song-by-song review of this album on my website. Click here to read it!
Passion is known for their live albums, which are recordings of the music portion of their annual conferences, where they invite motivational speakers to speak to college students. It honestly sounds like a great time and I’d love to go myself one day! But we get that snippet of the songs, and they’re usually wonderful! The only difference about this album is that it’s their second album that’s not a live album! Does that ruin anything? Not at all!
The first surprise I received (besides it not being a live album) was that it wasn’t straight pop CCM worship! There were some electronic elements, namely synths and drum machines. This album shows that things are changing from a rock influenced sound to an electronic influenced. (Just think: tobyMac, Newsboys, Hillsong UNITED, Fireflight, Tenth Avenue North, and even Skillet!)
Brett Younker takes on lead vox on the most popular song on the album “Remember.” This track encourages us to remember what Jesus did for us. It should encourage us to take some time and ponder on his sacrifice. And Melodie Malone adds some color on this track by singing duet with Brett Younker on the verses.
Crowder touched me with the lyrics in “My Victory,” as he sung “a cross meant to kill is my victory.” Amen! But Kristian Stanfill opened this album with an amazing song called “Salvation’s Tide,” as it is a prayer from the church for salvation to baptize the earth, like a flowing river. (If you want to read my song-by-song review of this album, click here.)
In sum:
This album actually didn’t hook me right away. It took a few listens, but I really enjoy it! Great lyrics, glorious songs, and worship anthems are all packed in this album. I do recommend this album to anyone looking for a new worship album to add to his/her collection! (Those who aren’t 100% a fan of worship albums might wanna skip over this album or pick up some of the more popular songs.) And if you do listen and don’t think it’s your cup of tea, take my advice and listen to it one or two more times. I read reviews on Amazon and for some it was love at first sight, and others it grew on them. So don’t be discouraged. And sing along with the saints:
Let the walls come down in Jesus’ name Let the lost be found in Jesus’ name Let the Church arise to shine Your light to the world Shine Your light
. . . Salvation’s tide is rising As all Your people seek Your face Your life a river flowing To wash our sin and shame away
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