New Christian Album Reviews
TobyMac’s ability to stay true to himself, his music, and his mission while staying pop-culturally relevant is a true art form. Track after track on Tonight, he brings his unique blend of rock/rap/techno to start a party inside your speakers. The title track plus others, such as “Funky Jesus Music” and “Hey Devil”, echo a Black Eyed Peas type call to get up and dance. Of course, at this stage of the game, it’s impossible to not repeat yourself. “Changed Forever” sounds like so many other songs he’s done over the years, and I think it’s time to put the obligatory “TruDog” track to rest. However, “Start Somewhere” and the first single “City On Our Knees” are representative of TobyMac’s knack for successfully mixing a strong faith message with killer beats. This CCM veteran proves yet again that he still has a few tunes up his sleeve. - jennifer e. jones
Album Highlights: “Funky Jesus Music”, “Tonight”, and “City on Our Knees”
Day of Fire's third studio release, Losing All, breathes a fresh rock & roll meaning into the word "rebirth". With this album, the band has legitimized a place among mainstream rock acts. "Hello Heartache," a co-write with Daughtry, prepares the way for a "Day of Fire" entrance into the Top 40 format, while songs such as "Light 'Em Up" and "Lately" succeed in satisfying their fan's craving for gritty American rock. Frontman Josh Brown confidently shatters the "bull's eye" every time he commands the mic. This ain't a CCM record. This is rock & roll that bleeds with desperation and hope. - rob vischer
Album Highlights: "Hello Heartache", "Light 'Em Up", and "Lately"
 Wake Me by Tal & Acacia
Popular young adult music has met its match. In their newly released album Wake Me, Tal & Acacia captivate their listeners with their exciting beats and enthralling melodies, while sharing the message of Christ with their beautiful lyrics and heartfelt harmonies. There is nothing adult contemporary about this album; it's not your parents' Christian tunes. The songs are not preachy, but rather sincere and inspiring. This sister duo has managed to capitalize on the beautiful and hard to find balance of popular music that keeps your head bopping and a message that keeps your heart soaring. - monique derr
Album Highlights: "Garbage In" and "Wake Me (Noah's Song)"
Phil Wickham's latest album floats between heaven and earth with 12 tracks of powerful pop music. His more ethereal sounds can be heard in the opening song, "Eden". The album is synthesizer-heavy, but he makes up for the lack of acoustics with more creativity, as evidence by the myriad of musical levels in "Hold On" and "I'll Always Love You". Wickham not only experimented with different sounds, but also let his lyrics go boldly into deeper devotion. The title track is an aggressive run towards Christ with open arms ("I'm laying down my life / ‘Cause I know what you're worth"). Fans of Phil Wickham will surprised to see what else the musician has up his sleeve. - jennifer e. jones
Album Highlights: "Eden", "Heaven & Earth" and "I'll Always Love You"
Seabird's sophomore effort, Rocks into Rivers, proves the piano pop/rock darlings of network television are hiding more than one album of hit-status songs up their sleeve. Aaron Morgan's vulnerable lead vocals could make the "X" section of the dictionary sound radio-worthy. His fluctuating melodies sizzle with the passion needed to brand each stanza on the consciousness of even the harshest critic. "Don't You Know You're Beautiful" sports a genius intro and is the disc-defining, catchy-as-flypaper single. Except for the pretentious Michael Jackson tribute, "Finally Done Right," Rocks into Rivers hails as the nearly flawless continuation of Seabird's rising career. - rob vischer
Album Highlights: "Don't You Know You're Beautiful", "The Sound of You and I", and "This Road"
 Duets by The Blind Boys of Alabama
The Blind Boys of Alabama resurrect collaborations with an all-star cast of vocalists and musicians on their most recent album, Duets. Ben Harper, Randy Travis, and Jars of Clay each headline a track in this sacred melting pot of gospel, blues, rock, and reggae. The gritty harmonies of The Blind Boys dish out back porch southern Americana that authenticates the organic mid-fi production style. This ain't "chicken noodle soup for the soul." This is "grits and collard greens for the soul." Before auto-tune and digital hackpop, The Blind Boys of Alabama sang. After seven decades, they're as good as ever. - rob vischer
Album Highlights: "Perfect Peace", "Nothing But the Blood", and "How I Got Over"
Smooth vocals, comforting words, and strong instrumentation -- that's what you'll discover in Sara Groves new album Fireflies and Songs. Her rich melodies and silky tone quality make for a relaxing, inspiring, and positive listening experience. Where her vocal range falls short, her style and emotion make amends. Groves seems truly connected with God and her audience, making for a brilliant vessel between us and the Lord as we strive to feel of his love for us through song. - monique derr
On his new CD, The Best Is Yet to Come, singer/songwriter Rob Vischer pulls from a variety of influences to craft a textured, acoustic-guitar fueled album. Though a few of the tracks experiment with more rhythm-based composition (like Jack Johnson and Mat Kearney), Vischer mostly offers listeners a folky, pop-savvy variety of mellow songs. Songs about faith and innocent romance provide soundtracks to sunny afternoons with bright melodies and foot-tapping choruses. Though the stripped down arrangements on tracks such as "Castle in the Sky" and "Grandpa's Lake" create an introspective coffee-shop feel, the album's at its best when it gets funky with banjos, brass, and keys on "My Valentine", "How Much I Love You", and "Day in the Rain". - jesse carey
Album Highlights: "My Valentine" and "Beautiful Mourning"
Coming from the depths of Steven Curtis Chapman's soul after the tragic death of his daughter Maria, Beauty Will Rise is a testament to God's faithfulness during our darkest times. The album chronicles Chapman's wrestling bout with God, and his ultimate surrender to the One who holds him close through unbearable pain. Lyrically, Beauty Will Rise is one of Chapman's greatest gifts to the broken and hurting of this world. For anyone who needs supernatural strength and peace, this new album reaffirms that "Jesus Will Meet You There", and "Our God is in Control". - hannah goodwyn
Album Highlights: "Heaven is the Face", "Beauty Will Rise", and "Spring is Coming"
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