Is it horrible to say that Bebo Norman's music is as its best when he's at his worst? A near-decade of personal contentment has dulled his angsty edge. But with Lights of Distant Cities, a few years of spiritual drought have produced a record that will take listeners back to his practically perfect debut. Not that it's a downer, though. The darkness is tempered by some lighter moments, and it helps that Norman is surrounded by old friends in collaborators Gabe Scott and Ben Shive (Andrew Peterson, Sara Groves). Norman's eye for the unusual in the everyday is a one-in-a-million gift.
God's not dead, and Newsboys are continuing to spread the word with this live disc, recorded in front of enthusiastic crowds at 2012's Sonshine Festival and LifeFest. The focus here is on newer tracks (that is, from albums recorded since Michael Tait took the lead). The few exceptions are Tait's take on Newsboys classics "He Reigns" and "Something Beautiful," along with a funky, fun cover of "Jesus Freak," from Tait's tenure with dc Talk. Whatever they're singing, this band's rock-worship amalgamation continues to strike a chord.
This sincere, uplifting collection is the perfect balm for someone who is hurting and in need of a reminder of God's role as our protector and soother. From beginning to end, there's a softness that permeates Jeremy Vanderloop's pop music. Even on more upbeat radio hits like "Enduring Love," which would be perfect for a larger worship setting, there's still a mellowness that just washes over the listener. There are no veiled references to spirituality here. All Creation Sings contains a straightforward gospel message that is pure praise.
Flyleaf's last album with original singer Lacey Sturm, New Horizons hits on all the right spots: It's heavy where it needs to be and mall-bustingly melodic at the chorus. Sturm's pronunciation pushes the whole machine into that rarely achieved balance between unapologetic commercialism and perfectly executed pop music. Opener "Fire Fire" and "Call You Out" cannot be played loud enough.
Miracle's 12 tracks are infused with everything good about Third Day. There's a blue-collar, Springsteen-esque quality to the anthem "I Need a Miracle"; there's also romance ("Kicking and Screaming"), worship ("Your Love Is Like a River"), sing-along choruses ("I Want to Believe in You," "Hit Me Like a Bomb") and even frontman Mac Powell playing badass on the gritty Southern rocker "The Victory." When a band's been together this long, they risk sounding like they're covering themselves, but Third Day avoids the temptation, thanks in part to producer Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, The Killers).
The sophomore project from this Minnesota-based band finds the boys on solid footing. After a debut disc filled with a lifetime's worth of songs and experiences, they're now looking outward for inspiration, resulting in a more universal, less first-person collection of songs. The outpouring of love (and cash) after their gear was stolen also motivated the band to deliver a stellar product this time around -- and the pressure worked. Producer Jeff Schneeweis (Number One Gun, The Make) also helped the band find its way musically. Don't miss "Beauty in the Broken" and "Power & Love."
Sometimes a live album is just a live album. This isn’t one of those times. A Creation Liturgy is much more than just a celebration of the band’s 2012 spring tour. Gungor’s intricate arrangements and organic worship are brought to life by the live audience, and you can just feel the band feed off the crowd. Part down-home pickin’ party, part jam session and part high church, this live disc takes you on a journey. You don’t need to have been to a Gungor show to appreciate it. You don’t even need to a fan of Christian music (in fact, it might help if you’re not). Just give it a listen.
The sixth disc from Anberlin finds the band returning to producer and friend Aaron Sprinkle, who helmed their first three projects. In this case, returning to their roots was the right call. The sound on Vital is their most aggressive yet, and singles like “Self-Starter” show the band means business. The album practically snaps, crackles and pops with electricity, showing the band is definitely firing on all cylinders for what is arguably their best effort to date. Don’t miss “Someone Anyone” and the provocatively named album closer “God, Drugs & Sex.”
Don't look for Blue Mountain on any map. This scenic setting exists only in Brandon Heath’s mind. It’s a place with back porches perfect for picking out tunes about life, love and faith. And part of this album fits perfectly on that porch. The title track and “The Harvester,” with their “y’alls” and fiddles and “hickories,” couldn’t have been born anywhere else. Other tracks – like “Jesus In Disguise” for instance – have a more polished, studio feel, making us wonder if there’s a recording booth on Blue Mountain, too? Fortunately, both are an equally good fit for Heath’s gravelly vocals.
This album marks the return of Further Seems Forever, featuring the lineup from their 2001 debut, including frontman Chris Carrabba, who left to pursue his side project, Dashboard Confessional. The original lineup reformed in 2010, so this project has been two years in the making, and it’s a welcome reunion. From album opener “So Cold,” which fittingly announces their return with a little pop-punk flavor, to the somber ode to the end of summer, “Janie,” this album is full of big, catchy choruses and a feeling that the guys are even happier than their fans that the band has been resurrected.
