Listmania!
Favorite Contemporary Christian CDs 2005/2006
By an Amazon.com customer
Turn AroundTurn Around by Jonny Lang
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $4.65
Brilliant blues guitarist shares his faith in creative mix of blues, gospel, R&B that showcases vocals but allows his guitar virtuosity to come through, too--ballads and high energy tunes
HeroHero by Kirk Franklin
Buy new: $9.97 / Used from: $3.49
Major gospel production here! Album's got guests: African children's choir, F. Hammonds, Yolanda, Stevie Wonder, others. Christ-glorifying, encouraging lyrics.
Introducing Ayiesha WoodsIntroducing Ayiesha Woods by Ayiesha Woods
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $4.45
Seriously undernoticed CD debut. Very joyful, upbeat. Singer/songwriter debut CD, pop w/R&B, folk, and rock sounds w/lots of interesting details.
With One VoiceWith One Voice by Ramsey Lewis
Buy new: $11.94 / Used from: $6.16
Award-winning jazz pianist's gospel-influenced CD; mostly instrumental; fresh (see my review)
SpeakSpeak by Jimmy Needham
Buy new: $9.97 / Used from: $9.97
Now here's a discovery! Jazzy vocals set to modern rock/pop; poetic bold yet loving message; acoustic and electric, occasional harmonica.
Glory TrainGlory Train by Randy Travis
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $4.91
Personal favorite of the Christian country albums out there; very expressive; no monotony with songs sounding the same.
Live UnpluggedLive Unplugged by Jeremy Camp
Buy new: $12.97 / Used from: $3.60
Easy listening masculine voice, lyrics emphasize faithfulness of God, even during trials; sort of a greatest hits from early CDs; to me it's better than his CDs Beyond Measure, Restored, even Stay; comes w/DVD too
Nothing Left to LoseNothing Left to Lose by Mat Kearney
Buy used from: $2.94
Adult contemporary with some rap, several hits ("Undeniable"), widely recognized as one of the better releases of the year.
Live in SeattleLive in Seattle by Shawn McDonald
Buy new: $8.97 / Used from: $1.99
Acoustic guitar, folk/pop, more relationally than theologically deep, great voice. Not as good as his first phenom album of 2004, "Simply Nothing," though many of same songs. Also shares testimony on this one.
LifesongLifesong by Casting Crowns
Buy new: $13.97 / Used from: $6.46
Modern pop/rock songs more consistent in quality than their self-titled CD which had some that really stood out; great lyrics emphasize authenticity, not having a fake faith
Redeemer: The Best of Nicole C. MullenRedeemer: The Best of Nicole C. Mullen by Nicole C. Mullen
Buy used from: $9.55
Perhaps best known for "Redeemer" or "On My Knees," all songs by this phenom singer-songwriter are great, it's just that the mix doesn't flow so well as the songs are quite different (stylistically (ballads, rap, etc)
Wherever You AreWherever You Are by Third Day
Buy new: $13.97 / Used from: $3.50
Mac Powell's trademark rich voice with a rock/pop sound (touched with Southern), less like their Wire and more like Time, but not as good, yet still satisfying.
Live from New OrleansLive from New Orleans by Ginny Owens
Buy new: $9.97 / Used from: $2.28
This understated 2005 release has several of Owen's most popular songs and is a better collection than her 2006 Greatest Hits CD (see my review). All her songs except for one cover.
Redemption SongsRedemption Songs by Jars of Clay
Buy new: $12.97 / Used from: $3.95
Neither typical crossover Jars of Clay nor typical hymns (even of the modern praise and worship variety), but Jars-ified hymns that connect us to the Body of Christ thru history
Snapshots: Live and Fan Favorites: February 8, 2005Snapshots: Live and Fan Favorites: February 8, 2005 by Chris Rice
Buy used from: $2.50
Mellow adult alternative contemporary with meaningful lyrics as Rice is known for.
Life ChangingLife Changing by Smokie Norful
Buy new: $12.97 / Used from: $3.71
R&B/Soul sound with encouraging lyrics that praise God's greatness and goodness in caring for us and giving us victory in Christ. All but two are mellow songs.
ImaginationImagination by Bethany Dillon
Buy new: $9.97 / Used from: $0.75
Easy listening acoustic folk/pop reminiscent of Jennifer Knapp style though sweeter-sounding, not as gruff.
Precious MemoriesPrecious Memories by Alan Jackson
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $5.48
Traditional hymns sung with Jackson's richly masculine yet soothing voice; strong, pure piano heard in most songs, along with guitar and some organ.
Long Way HomeLong Way Home by Ginny Owens
Buy new: $17.98 / Used from: $1.99
4
Add to the BeautyAdd to the Beauty by Sara Groves
Buy new: $11.97 / Used from: $4.98
Delicate and feminine, acoustic/folk type easy-listening style; voice sort of similar to Ginny Owens
WOW Hits 2007WOW Hits 2007 by Various Artists
Buy new: $16.97 / Used from: $4.49
The best WOW Hits mix yet, see product's review tagged "A Kid's Review" signed by PlumbLuver#1
Coming Up to BreatheComing Up to Breathe by MercyMe
Buy new: $11.94 / Used from: $2.50
My favorite Mercy Me album--the others had some megahits ("I Can Only Imagine"), but this one's got more good songs overall; light rock/pop w/ Southern hint, one w/spoken word; hit "So Long Self"
Now Is the Time: Live at Willow Creek (CD+DVD)Now Is the Time: Live at Willow Creek (CD+DVD) by Delirious?
Buy used from: $49.99
2006 live album of favorite Delerious? worship songs from before their last album when they departed from their familiar British worship style that's influenced so many.
Life on the InsideLife on the Inside by Jadon Lavik
Buy new: $9.97 / Used from: $1.95
Modern alternative/rock/praise sound slightly more acoustic than electric (though it has both), somewhat like Bebo Norman, Big Daddy Weave, Geoff Moore.
RipenRipen by Shawn McDonald
Buy new: $9.97 / Used from: $2.29
A bit inconsistent (no songs are bad, just some are merely good, others exceptional), better songs are on the latter half of the album, except for the mesmerizingly powerful Rider on a White Horse.
Jennifer Knapp LiveJennifer Knapp Live by Jennifer Knapp
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $3.05
Nothing new, just nice to have some of Knapp's best from different CDs collected together; folk/rock pop (of course nothing compares to her bestselling CD Kansas)
Phil WickhamPhil Wickham by Phil Wickham
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $6.50
Sounds like Jeff Buckley to me, and that's a good thing.
A CollisionA Collision by David Crowder Band
Buy new: $12.97 / Used from: $2.52
Not like his Crowder's previous CDs, this is an artsy, performance of a story told in 4 parts.
B CollisionB Collision by David Crowder Band
Buy new: $8.97 / Used from: $3.05
Only 7 songs, but interesting as Crowder always is, this time w/"twang", "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" in full song now
Bless the Broken Road: The Duets AlbumBless the Broken Road: The Duets Album by Selah
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $3.49
Easy listening/folkish adult contemporary. Variety of famous artists appear on this unique mix of well-known songs.
PostcardsPostcards by Cindy Morgan
Buy new: $13.97 / Used from: $1.58
Country/Folk Adult Contemporary sound that'd be appreciated by fans of artists like Susan Ashton.
Until My Heart Caves InUntil My Heart Caves In by Audio Adrenaline
Buy new: $9.97 / Used from: $1.29
This 2005 release is actually better than their 2006 goodbye CD, _Adios. For those who like rock with melody, not too hard, but not easy listening stuff either.
HistoryHistory by Matthew West
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $2.44
Modern Pop/Rock. More electric than acoustic, this is West's best album, more consistent song quality.
Let's Not Forget the StoryLet's Not Forget the Story by Foolish Things
Buy used from: $1.72
Debut CD, my favorite for modern British pop/rock sound (see my review)
Oh! Gravity.Oh! Gravity. by Switchfoot
Buy new: $8.98 / Used from: $2.97
Not for easy listening/adult contemporary fans, Switchfoot's a louder rock sound with theologically light and not in your face lyrics with some crossover appeal.
Sound of MelodiesSound of Melodies by Leeland
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $6.47
Rising star on the CCM scene, one of several popular groups out with that Coldplay influence; my favorite cut is "Yes You Have"
Better DaysBetter Days by Robbie Seay Band
Buy new: $9.97 / Used from: $2.76