Holy Roar (album)

Holy Roar is the twelfth 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 Chris Tomlin
Released	October 26, 2018
Genre	Worship, contemporary Christian music
Length	51:24
Label	sixsteps
Producer	Ed Cash, Bryan Fowler
Chris Tomlin chronology
Never Lose Sight (2016) Holy Roar (2018) Chris Tomlin & Friends (2020)
Singles from Holy Roar
"Resurrection Power" Released: January 12, 2018[1] "Nobody Loves Me Like You" Released: August 16, 2018 "Is He Worthy?" Released: February 1, 2019

Background

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

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

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Hallels	[11]
Jesusfreakhideout	[12]

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.[12] Hallels' reviewer Timothy Yap stated that the album seems too "manufactured" and "safe" for a "stellar songwriter like Tomlin".[11]

Track listing

Album release

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

Accolades

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

Charts

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

References

1. "Resurrection Power - Single". iTunes Store. January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
2. 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. "Chris Tomlin Performs Mashup On 'Good Morning America'". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
5. Longs, Herb. "Chris Tomlin Opens Christmas Tour With Four Consecutive Sold-Out Shows". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
6. "Chris Tomlin Sets 'Holy Roar' Spring Tour, Album and Book: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
7. Longs, Herb. "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. "Chris Tomlin & Pastor Darren Whitehead's 'HOLY ROAR' Receives High Regard". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
10. Andrew Court. "Right Idea, Wrong Texts: Reflections on "Holy Roar"". The Gospel Coalition | Australia. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
11. "Chris Tomlin 'Holy Roar' Album Review". hallels.com. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
12. "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Chris Tomlin, "Holy Roar" Review". jesusfreakhideout.com. 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.