1. Michael W. Smith – This is Your Time
What I love about Michael W. Smith is that he writes and sings praise music, but his songs also tell stories as well. Most praise music, I’ve found, just tends to glorify god, his love for us, and our love for him. But the stories Michael W. Smith tells praise, while at the same time bring into clear relief our mission on this earth, which is to help others as well. This is Your Time is an excellent record that balances the two, while also keeping the sound modern and intriguing. Standout song: Hey You It’s Me.
2. TobyMac – Tonight
If you just heard TobyMac on the radio and weren’t listening too closely to the lyrics in the song, you might even think you were listening to secular music. But once you do focus (and get past the funky dope beats) you’ll recognize that the rapper known as TobyMac is about as Christian as they come. His beats may be dope, but his lyrics are an amazing testament to what god has done in his life, and to what he can do in yours. Tonight is his fourth full-length album since breaking away from the massively successful DC Talk, and he just keeps doing it his way. Standout song: City on Our Knees.
3. BarlowGirl – How Can We Be Silent
You know, I’ve never understood how artists don’t use question marks when they’re asking a question in a song (well, a few do, but not nearly enough), but I can’t possibly question the talents of this girl group. Reminiscent of Evanescence, the soprano voice of the lead singer is haunting and eerie, but it only serves in BarlowGirl’s case to highlight the epic nature of each song. With soaring rhythms and amazing guitars, How Can We Be Silent takes contemporary Christian music to a new level. Standout song: Song For the Broken.
4. Sanctus Real – We Need Each Other
This is power pop at its best, nice and hard at times, but also tender and emotional at others. In fact, Sanctus Real has reinvented the juxtaposition of songs in this vein, not just for Christian artists, but for musical artists overall. We Need Each Other hearkens back to albums like Pearl Jam’s Vs., or Matchbox Twenty’s Yourself or Someone Like You. Yet, it is still undeniably Christian in its message and in its words. What I love about Sanctus Real is that they readily admit to being Christian, even though some people try to separate them from the message. Standout song: Sing.
5. Casting Crowns – Until the Whole World Hears
I mentioned praise music earlier, and one of the best examples of modern praise music is Casting Crowns, a group made up of ministers who harmonize beautifully on song after song, and album after album. In fact, their albums are almost like books in that they continue the theme without repeating the exact words. They’re one of my favorite Christian bands because of this fact, and I know before their albums even come out that I’m going to love their catchy tunes and in-depth lyrics. Standout song: To Know You.
6. Flyleaf – Memento Mori
While Flyleaf isn’t overt in their embrace of Christianity in their lyrics, and many of their song lyrics could be construed as ambiguous, they maintain their staunch beliefs. And if you listen to the songs with this in mind, you can certainly hear the themes that are relevant for latter day Christians. They fight with the notion of the end of the world, and with people not being ready to meet their savior, but they also deal with themes of love and loss, both rough subjects, and both relevant to the fight for faith in this ever-changing world. Flyleaf can be subtle, but they’re still very effective. This was one of my favorite albums of 2009.
7. Amy Grant – Behind the Eyes
The lyrics for this album were written at a very tough turning point in Amy’s life, and it shows. Her personal life was in upheaval, with the scandal over her relationship with Vince Gill that hadn’t wound down yet, and her legion of fans were split between the Christian ones and the secular ones. I always loved Amy Grant’s voice and music, and this didn’t change even during this time period. I never had a problem with her secular music, like on House of Love, but Behind the Eyes was a return to her roots (later followed by some old school praise albums). The bare bones production suits her voice to a T, and it is truly representative of Amy as a contemporary Christian star, despite turmoil. Standout song: Curious Thing.
Sam
Sam's Online Journal 