Holy Roar is the eleventh studio album by Chris Tomlin. It was released on October 26, 2018, along with a book titled Holy Roar: 7 Words That Will Change the Way You Worship, co-written with his minister Darren Whitehead,[2] and a Spotify-exclusive "Holy Roar Podcast".[3][4][5] Tomlin announced a short Christmas tour and a 2019 Holy Roar Tour to promote the album.[5][6] Ed Cash and Bryan Fowler handled the production of the album.[7]

Holy Roar
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 26, 2018
GenreWorship, contemporary Christian music
Length51:24
Labelsixsteps
ProducerEd Cash, Bryan Fowler
Chris Tomlin chronology
Never Lose Sight
(2016)
Holy Roar
(2018)
Chris Tomlin & Friends
(2020)
Singles from Holy Roar
  1. "Resurrection Power"
    Released: January 12, 2018[1]
  2. "Nobody Loves Me Like You"
    Released: August 16, 2018
  3. "Is He Worthy?"
    Released: February 1, 2019

Background

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Tomlin has said that parts of the album is a response to current events.[2] In regards to the title Holy Roar, Tomlin states that "people let a massive roar out for different things, but when you put ‘holy’ in front of it, it changes everything. It's this set apart roar."[6] He adds that Holy Roar gives the connotation of "every tribe, every language, every tongue" giving "worship to God".[2] Tomlin states that the lead single "Resurrection Power" reminds the listener "of the foundation of our faith, which is that you've been made alive".[8]

Holy Roar: 7 Words That Will Change the Way You Worship

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Tomlin and Whitehead started to write the book after Tomlin liked one of Whitehead's sermons. The book takes some aspects of Whitehead's sermon and gives a new way of looking at worship.[2][9] The book has drawn criticism from critics that have said that the whole book is based on an urban myth, and is not factual.[10]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Hallels     [12]
Jesusfreakhideout     [11]

Holy Roar has received average reception from critics. James Larsen of Jesusfreakhideout says the album sounds overall too "similar and generic" although there are some good songs.[11] Hallels' reviewer Timothy Yap stated that the album seems too "manufactured" and "safe" for a "stellar songwriter like Tomlin".[12]

Track listing

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Album release
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Holy Roar"Jason Ingram, Chris Tomlin4:11
2."Nobody Loves Me Like You"Ed Cash, Scott Cash4:26
3."Resurrection Power"Tony Brown, Ed Cash, Ryan Ellis4:11
4."Goodness, Love and Mercy"Cash, Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart, Tomlin4:21
5."Satisfied"Ross Copperman, Ingram, Tomlin3:33
6."Impact"Tommy Iceland, Tomlin, Mitch Wong4:14
7."Praise Him Forever"Jonathan Smith, Tomlin, Phil Wickham4:53
8."Is He Worthy?"Andrew Peterson, Ben Shive4:31
9."Forever Young"Ed Cash, Nick Herbert, Bo Rinehart, Martin Smith, Tomlin4:07
10."I Stand in Awe" (featuring Nicole Serrano)Audrey Assad, Martin Chalk, Mark Alan Schoolmeesters, Tomlin4:17
11."Praise Is The Highway"Sean Feucht, Ben Fielding, Brian Johnson, Tomlin4:56
12."How Sweet It Is" (featuring Pat Barrett)Pat Barrett, Hank Bentley, Jessie Early, Tomlin3:39
Total length:50:54

Accolades

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Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2020 Grammy Award Best Contemporary Christian Music Album Nominated [13]

Charts

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Chart (2018) Peak
position
UK Christian & Gospel Albums (OCC)[14] 8
US Billboard 200[15] 103
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[16] 3

References

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  1. ^ "Resurrection Power - Single". iTunes Store. January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d Watts, Cindy. "Chris Tomlin turns lesson in praise into 'Holy Roar' album, book, tour". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  3. ^ "Holy Roar - Chris Tomlin | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  4. ^ Longs, Herb (December 18, 2018). "Chris Tomlin Performs Mashup On 'Good Morning America'". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Longs, Herb (December 7, 2018). "Chris Tomlin Opens Christmas Tour With Four Consecutive Sold-Out Shows". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Chris Tomlin Sets 'Holy Roar' Spring Tour, Album and Book: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  7. ^ Longs, Herb (November 2018). "Chris Tomlin Reaches A Billion Streams on Pandora". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  8. ^ "Chris Tomlin Talks Upcoming Album, Striving for 'A Place of Oneness & Unity'". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  9. ^ Longs, Herb (October 10, 2017). "Chris Tomlin & Pastor Darren Whitehead's 'HOLY ROAR' Receives High Regard". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  10. ^ Andrew Court (August 29, 2018). "Right Idea, Wrong Texts: Reflections on "Holy Roar"". The Gospel Coalition | Australia. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  11. ^ a b "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Chris Tomlin, "Holy Roar" Review". jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Chris Tomlin 'Holy Roar' Album Review". hallels.com. October 2, 2014. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  13. ^ "2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominees List". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  14. ^ "Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  15. ^ "Chris Tomlin Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  16. ^ "Chris Tomlin Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2019.