Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Although this is a live set, you'd hardly notice apart from the applause that briefly comes at the end of each track. What producers Jeremy Edwardson and Ian McIntosh have done is encapsulate Chris' triumphant anthems in a wall of guitars and keys and overall 'Breakthrough' sounds a little too stereotypical in the light of the torrent of similar sounding modern worship releases engulfing the Church. But Chris is an engaging singer who exudes passion and conviction, and although there isn't a song here equal to his 2008 "Your Love Never Fails" classic, "Love That Saves" with its nagging synth riff and "Hiding Place" with its bold proclamation "when I'm in your presence, I am unafraid" both stay in the mind. Sales-wise, 'Breakthrough' has done quite well, but nothing like as well as Cory Asbury's 'Reckless Love'. So as far as I know, Chris hasn't had to shoulder complaints from theologians declaring that the line describing God's agape love as "crazy" is heretical. Even if he has, I'm sure this gifted songsmith could defend his particular choice of words.

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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