Sounds like … stylish modern worship rooted in pop, rock, blues, and soul, comparable to Chris Tomlin, the Michael Gungor Band, Delirious, and David Crowder Band with some obvious-but-welcome nods to John Mayer.

At a glance … Lincoln Brewster's first all-new studio album in six years ranks with his best, offering modern worship that's energized by engaging pop melodies and blazing guitar work.

You'd think Lincoln Brewster would be better known than he currently is. As a singer, songwriter, worship leader, and guitarist extraordinaire, he's got the skills—part Chris Tomlin, part Phil Keaggy (at least the rock side of Keaggy)—as well as the connections, playing with such big names as Steve Perry (Journey) and Michael W. Smith, writing with the likes of Paul Baloche and Hillsong. The guy's also certainly had his share of radio hits, most recently his No. 1 cover of Brenton Brown's "Everlasting God." Yet he's still not quite a household name in Christian music, or as widely recognized a worship leader as his contemporaries.

Part of the problem has been a drought of original material in recent years. Brewster's last all-new studio album, Amazed, was released in 2002, and though 2005's All to You … Live did offer some original worship songs, the concert recording didn't generate as much buzz as his earlier albums. His best-of collection, Let the Praises Ring, released the following year as a reminder of just how good those albums were, but its only new tracks were two worship covers. We've been long overdue for a return to form by Brewster, who has kept busy by focusing his efforts on raising a family and serving as a Worship Arts Pastor at Bayside Church near Sacramento, California. At least Brewster has never been completely absent, making guest appearances on many a worship album. But Today Is the Day finally marks Brewster's return to recording.

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