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I knew the last post was going to come off as harsh, and it was meant to in some ways. However, I don't mean to bash all Christian music, and I dislike the attitude that all Christian music is bad almost as much as the circle-the-wagons mentality that only Christian music is good. In fact, a couple of the bands/artists that I mentioned in the last post (namely Switchfoot, Jeremy Camp and Sanctus Real) have done some good work, albeit tempered with self-copying and self-importance (Switchfoot), some repetitiveness (Camp) and many songs with preachiness, repetitiveness or simplicity (Sanctus Real).
So, in the spirit of fairness and of not wanting you to miss out on some good tunes, I have compiled a list of 10 good albums by bands generally thought of as Christian. I have picked albums from 10 different bands, and I have included short lists of their other stuff that's worth checking out. This list is roughly based on my quite subjective view of which album is best, with the best album being number one.
10. Polarity - The Wedding
Genre: Rock, with twinges of southern rock
I wasn't sold on this album when it first came out, mostly because I was not (and still am not) a fan of The Wedding's first release. However, this one far exceeded my expectations. The reason why is a huge uptake in energy.
The guitars are out in full force, along with some brass to make the album stand out from other rock acts. However, the biggest improvement over the first album is the vocalist, Kevin Kiehn. If you didn't listen closely to both albums, it would be easy to think that the band had switched vocalists, as Kiehn's voice goes from light and unfulfilled on the first release to full and bursting with emotion and distinction on their second.
Add that to the fact that many songs on the album have pretty deep lyrics for the genre they're playing in, and you have a solid sophomore release from The Wedding.
Other stuff to check out: You remember how I said that it sounded like they switched vocalists from the first album to the second? Well, after the second album, they actually did switch vocalist, and the new one isn't nearly as good, so Polarity stands alone as the only album by the band that I can recommend.
9. Word of Mouth - John Reuben
Genre: Rap/Hiphop
While I normally dislike the above genres, I can get into Reuben because, unlike much hiphop that I hear, he isn't repetitive and he tries to be unique in his musical arrangements. While he can a little repetitive at times, his lyrics are clever and provide some good and needed jabs at popular culture. Also, his song "Make Money Money" is the only rap song I've ever heard that employs a banjo.
Other stuff to check out: "The Boy vs. the Cynic" may actually be better than "Word of Mouth." No sweet banjo song though.
8. Brother, Sister - mewithoutyou
Genre: progressive/indie rock
I'm still trying to figure this band out. They are definitely very talented (although sometimes a bit too dissonant for my tastes), but I still am not sure how much I like them. The reason for that is that their vocalist, Aaron Weiss, rather than singing his poetic lyrics, sort of shout/speak/sings everything. While this would normally annoy me to no end, he isn't trying to sound good in these songs. When an artist thinks he's a good singer but isn't, the musical effect is usually pretty awful. Weiss' stylings are created to complement the music, which includes raging guitars, interesting drum parts and some oddball instruments like the accordion, but it still takes some getting used to.
This album is worth checking out for its poetic lyrics, particularly on "C Minor" and "In a Sweater Poorly Knit." Keep listening if you can get used to Weiss.
Other stuff to check out: I'm not too familiar with the band, but I've heard that "Catch for Us the Foxes" is a good release too.
7. Love Liberty Disco - The Newsboys
Genre: Usually pop or pop/rock, but this album, obviously, is disco
While The Newsboys have certainly declined from their pre-worship album days, many people have forgotten that they did release some solid pop tunes before the turn of the century (and, with this album, just after). This is probably the most underappreciated Newsboys album, but it is actually very well layered and a great tribute to what happens to be a similarly underappreciated genre.
It's fairly short, but in a way that's good, as the album doesn't overstay its welcome. The strings and the electric guitars mesh well, and the more atmospheric songs are good too.
Other stuff to check out: "Going Public," "Step Up to the Microphone"
6. Lift - Audio Adrenaline
Genre: Rock
Lift represents the best of Audio Adrenaline for two reasons. The first reason is that, on this album, they finally transcended what was already a very catchy straight up rock sound and turned it into something more introspective. This album more than any of their others sounds like a complete album, rollicking when it should and slowing when it should while still sounding cohesive.
The second reason is that this is the first album in which their second vocalist, Tyler Burkum, assumed significant singing duties, and it is the last album in which their first vocalist, Mark Stuart, was not dominated by Burkum in any of the songs. Their smooth/rough, evenly distributed vocal stylings makes for a balanced yet interesting listen.
Other stuff to listen to: While I am a sucker for at least something on nearly all of the band's releases, "Underdog" is the pinnacle of Audio A's rock and roll sound, and "Bloom" is a catchy, more raw version of the same style (although some of the lyrics leave something to be desired).
5. A Collision - David Crowder Band
Genre: Worship, experimental/alternative
Every time I listen to this album, I hear something new. Crowder has laced his songs with old-style recordings, bluegrass, echo laden piano parts, electronic elements and much more. In what might be an even more significant achievement, he has made many of his songs' music add to the meaning of his lyrics. You can feel the climax that he speaks of on tracks like "A Beautiful Collision," and "We Win!," and the eternal exultation of God is felt more thoroughly after hearing "Foreverandever Etc.," which ends on a repeating constant note, intimating that worship will transcend time.
What I love about this album is Crowder's ability to simultaneously make a great experimental album while making a great worship album. The man cares about the quality of his music, and it manifests itself in the quality of his lyrics.
Other stuff to check out: "Remedy" offers more great music, although the lyrics aren't as insightful as this release.
4. The Light of Things Hoped For - Brave Saint Saturn
Genre: Astro rock
While I am not a fan of Five Iron Frenzy or the short-lived Roper, Reese Roper's Brave Saint Saturn project is definitely one to check out. While their debut album "So Far From Home," is plagued by hasty production, The Light of Things Hoped For sounds much more full. The band's songwriting improved as well, and the result is a rock album supplemented by synthesizers, ethereal pianos and clips from NASA to build an poignant sense of loneliness. Many of the songs don't sound amazing by themselves, but the music in its proper place forms an album that tells a story, building to climax of the final song, "Daylight." This is one theme album you should definitely check out.
Other stuff to check out: So Far From Home is decent, but there is some poor songwriting on a few tracks, and the production is subpar. The two tracks I've heard from the upcoming album "Anti-Meridian" give me hope, however, that the band's final album will be its best.
3. Supernatural - dc Talk
Genre: Rock/hiphop, although by this time they had gone almost completely over to a rock style.
While "Jesus Freak" marked the transition from dc Talk being a corny, 80s rap tribute band into a talented Christian rock powerhouse, Supernatural takes over where Freak left off and develops the harmonies, riffs and complexity to a much more mature sound. While Supernatural does contain the rockin' guitars found on Freak (see "It's Killing Me" for one of the best examples), it branches out into wider fields to include more unique elements, like the organ on "Since I Met You," the Stevie Wonder-esque vocals on "We All Want to Be Loved" and the sound of a submarine sonar keeping time on "Dive."
It's too bad that dc Talk's career had to end on this note. While it's a worthy end, one has to wonder where they would have gone from this point, as this was only their second album since the realization of their new style.
Other stuff to check out: Well, there's Jesus Freak, but "Welcome to the Freak Show" infuses even more energy into those songs, while taking some of their older songs and actually making them sound good.
2. Mmhmm - Relient k
Genre: It went from garage punk to punk/pop to pop/rock. At this point, it was punk/pop at its most capable.
In retrospect, this seems to be a landmark album for the band. It was the last album with RK's "classic lineup" of Thiessen, Hoopes, Pittman and Douglas, it was the first album that garnered them mainstream attention, it has been (so far) the last album that saw a significant amount of punk influence, and it was the album that seemed to shake off the people who only liked the band for their funny songs. With the exceptions of "High of 75," "The Only Thing Worse Than Beating a Dead Horse is Betting on One" and "My Girl's Ex-Boyfriend," this album is laugh-free, and even those three songs don't get a lot of guffaws.
What this album does get is a dose and a half of what is hands-down vocalist Matt Thiessen's best lyrics to date. He's never been this consistently clever, poetic and insightful before or since. The guitars and drums work together to create a mostly break-neck pace for the album, but it never sounds rushed. Piano fills and backgrounds supplement the louder portions to make the album stand out and sound better and more meaningful.
As I said, Thiessen's best lyrics are contained here, whether it's a cry for God's help ("Be My Escape"), criticisms of society's jumping to the next big thing ("This Week the Trend," "Maintain Consciousness") or, most frequently, a reflection on the overwhelming grace of the Savior ("I So Hate Consequences," "Life After Death and Taxes," "When I Go Down"). This is the album for those that thought that punk couldn't get out a message besides "we hate the establishment."
Other stuff to check out: While all of their albums have some fun/quality songs, "Two Lefts Don't Make a Right (But Three Do)" is their second-best album, followed by the uneven-yet-musically-diverse "Five Score and Seven Years Ago." Their 26-song EP "The Bird and the Bee Sides" is also very solid.
1. If I Left the Zoo - Jars of Clay
Genre: Various albums have been classified as folk, powerpop, alternative, rock, Gospel/bluegrass/roots and contemporary. Here they could best be described as experimental/folk/alternative.
This is nearly unquestionably the most underrated album of an underrated band. While Jars has always remained relatively popular, they have nowhere near the same amount of fame (even in the Christian community) as they did when they release their first album. However, while that album has some good tracks and while "Flood" proved it could eat up the charts, the band's first release has been musically overshadowed by almost every album the band has put out since (which isn't to say that it's not good. Jars just keeps getting better).
The band's pinnacle album (for me, anyway) is If I Left the Zoo, Jars' highly successful attempt at playing music that is thoroughly different while still being characteristic of the band.
From the goofy accordion opening to the introspective, guitar-picking close, the album skirts all over the place while still remaining cohesive. There's the catchy, hook-laden "Unforgetful You," the high energy commentary on love rocker "Collide," the gospel-choir-backed "I'm Alright" and so much more. One of the best tracks might be the allegorical "Sad Clown," which talks about how only God can crack through the happy facade that we put up. A meandering toy piano on the bridge makes this song a highlight.
This album takes the band's obvious love for all sorts of music and meshes with some of their most thought-provoking lyrical imagery. Go listen to it. Please.
Other stuff to check out: While they have great tracks on all of their albums, "Much Afraid," "Who We Are Instead" and "Good Monsters" round out their best work. I'm looking forward to their 2009 release, which already sounds like yet another new direction for this talented band.
There's my list. It's not comprehensive and very subjective, but so are all reviews. Enjoy.
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