Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

The latest album from Oklahoma-based Passion worship leader Charlie Hall picks up from where he left off in his stunning 2008 release 'The Bright Sadness' with a collection of worship songs that are intense but refreshingly never introspective. Renowned for pushing the proverbial worship envelope, Hall's intricate songs of praise are unlikely to be heard in corporate times of worship - instead, his work serves to draw the listener into a deeper understanding of the wonder of God through some truly infectious and well-crafted music courtesy of Hall, his band and producer/guitarist Kendall Combes. Proceedings kick off with the thundering "Rising (A Song Of Ascent)" - an out and out celebration of salvation through Jesus - whilst the quirky "Let The Earth Awake" showcases the ability of all involved to turn out a truly memorable sound. Whilst this release has an overall tone of optimism, Hall does not shy away from some of the grittier elements of the Christian faith - namely man's hypocrisy and Hall's own misplaced pride in "Ransom" and "Deeper In Love" respectively. Nonetheless, each song points unreservedly to Jesus and communicates Hall's awestruck love for his God in a way that many worship writers can only dream of doing. Hall closes with the tender bedtime ode "Sleep And Dreams" which tops a remarkable album which just gets better and better with each track. If you haven't checked out the work of this exemplary worship man, now is most definitely the time to do so.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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“The journey of songs that form The Rising come from the pursuit of God in everyday life and God’s pursuit of us."

Much like the Psalms, these songs speak of the ascension to, and the embracing of God inside the intense, peaceful and mundane places in life and all of the emotions that fill those spaces. The rising is the ascent, the forward motion and the open heart toward the life giving, healing God, day by day and throughout our lives.