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Top 10 Christian Albums, Winter 2013

by Wendy Lee Nentwig

We're kicking off the New Year a little late here in the Christian genre, and there's plenty to celebrate. So far, 2013 has given us a plethora of new music to get us through these drab, gray days; here are 10 albums we'll be playing well into spring.

For one thing, we've got a couple of Idols -- of the American, not biblical, variety -- in the form of Colton Dixon and Jason Castro. The former is just beginning to make his mark after his seventh-place finish on Season 11, while the latter is out to prove there's more going on under all those dreads than you might imagine.

Worship still reigns supreme, and Chris Tomlin proves he's the king with his latest, Burning Lights. Meanwhile, Casting Crowns deliver an acoustic disc with a few new tracks to tide over fans until their next studio project, and Elevation Worship offer an original praise-filled project tied to Greater, the best-selling book written by their pastor, Steven Furtick.

Elsewhere, RED rock hard as always, Kurt Carr takes us to capital-C Church with his latest gospel release and Jeremy Camp gets a little Reckless, at least in a spiritual sense, with his new project. We also get reacquainted with Daniel Bashta, who should definitely be on your radar, and Jenny Simmons, the former frontwoman for Addison Road who offers up her solo debut. Enjoy.

A Messenger

Colton Dixon

Tennessee native Colton Dixon made it to the Top 7 on season 11 of American Idol, easily winning over fans with not just his voice but also his Christian beliefs. So it’s only fitting that Dixon’s faith has a starring role on his 12-track debut. “Never Gone” is a plaintive tune with big orchestration that shows off Dixon’s softer side, while “You Are” is straight-up worship. He’s careful, though, to take a tip from groups like Switchfoot and Lifehouse, delivering solid pop-rock that also feels perfectly home outside of Christian radio. With A Messenger Dixon proves he’s on his way.

The Invisible

Daniel Bashta

Credit fatherhood for The Invisible's more tempered, hopeful take on worship (Bashta does). While he's still eager to light a spiritual fire under this generation, the approach is more nurturing. Producers Jonny MacIntosh and J.T. Daly (Paper Route) help Bashta make great use of instrumentation, with strings going from inviting on "Deliver Us" to haunting on "Great Is the Lord." The songs are inextricably linked by a plaintive quality, and Bashta's vocal approach is rawer than much of today's polished, prettified worship. This makes for a fresh-feeling album you'll want in heavy rotation.

The Acoustic Sessions: Volume One

Casting Crowns

Mark Hall and company stripped down some of their biggest hits to get to the guts of each track and better showcase the heart behind the lyrics. The result is an acoustic project that relies on guitar, mandolin and violin to do the heavy lifting, and in the process gives the songs more weight as well. As a teaser, there are two new tracks here -- "Delivered" and "Only You Can Satisfy" -- and they hold up well against the other eight Casting Crowns faves. This simpler sound, which has an almost bluegrass feel to it, suits this band of worship leaders well. Maybe they should unplug more often.

Burning Lights

Chris Tomlin

Chris Tomlin is, above all, a worship leader, so when he sets out to record a new album, it's not just about choosing songs that sound good when he sings them. The goal is to create music that everyone can instantly make their own and congregations can sing together. Burning Lights, helmed by award-winning producer Jason Ingram, has an urgency that runs through it, connecting tracks by collaborators Matt Redman, Kari Jobe, Matt Maher, Ed Cash, Phil Wickham and Lecrae. Tomlin twice thought the album was finished before going back and adding a song. Here, that perfectionism pays off big.

Only A Mountain

Jason Castro

Only a Mountain finds this American Idol alum continuing to work hard to earn his place, proving he has plenty to offer beyond his trademark dreadlocks and blue eyes. Each of the disc's 11 tracks were written or co-written by Castro, and his faith-filled pop is polished in a way that is professional but not plastic. Produced by Matt Bronleewe, Ben Glover and David Garcia, Only a Mountain draws on Castro's "glass half-full" philosophy of life, focusing on lifting others up and giving hope. It may not be a career-definer, but the album is infectious and shows Castro is coming into his own.

Reckless

Jeremy Camp

Don't let the title fool you. The album may be called Reckless, but Jeremy Camp is as solid as ever. While the songs encourage listeners to live with abandon when it comes to spiritual things, this is a well-planned collection of worship pop-rock. By losing just a little of the polish found on previous releases, the emotion of tracks like "My God" is really allowed to shine through. Produced by Camp and Andy Dodd (Jonas Brothers, Plain White T's), Reckless has a clear, cohesive message: Our lives are defined not just by what we hang on to, but also what we're willing to give up.

Bless This House

Kurt Carr

The seventh project by Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers is a double disc that beautifully showcases Carr’s classical music training, Baptist roots and Hollywood experience all wrapped up in one soulful package. Credit his diverse background for allowing Carr (and the talented Kurt Carr Singers) to transport you to a front pew in church one minute and a Broadway theater the next. If the track “Let Everything That Has Breath” doesn’t have you looking heavenward, then you better check for a pulse. Also, don't miss “I’ve Seen Him Do It,” a fan pick for inclusion on the project.

Nothing Is Wasted

Elevation Worship

Elevation Worship's fifth album, Nothing Is Wasted, features all original songs inspired by Pastor Steven Furtick's best-selling book Greater. Based on the life of Old Testament prophet Elisha, the book and these worship songs deliver a message about following Jesus as we lay our lives down to make Him greater. While the music here can stand alone, each track corresponds to a written chapter. The songs here focus more on celebrating the amazing things God is doing than worshipping Him simply for who He is.

Release The Panic

RED

When it comes to post-grunge bros who are also Christian bros, RED are of the fire-and-brimstone persuasion. "Release The Panic" reinforces this right out of the gate. "'Cause you're trapped in the countdown/ And your days are numbered/ Don't you know that you're done for," rages Michael Barnes over an industro-riff clearly inspired by Page Hamilton. This fatalism also manifests itself in the form of Barnes' reoccurring obsessions: sickness ("Same Disease"), death ("Die for You") and scarring ("Love Will Leave a Mark"). Forget all that black metal hokum; RED's prophecy is far bleaker.

The Becoming

Jenny Simmons

The former Addison Road frontwoman's solo debut finds her taking a big leap of faith with this self-penned collection. Produced by Paul Moak (Mat Kearney, Third Day) and Seth Mosley (Newsboys), The Becoming allows Simmons to get personal in a way she couldn't as a member of a band, resulting in honest, gut-level music that is as real as it gets. Tracks like "Heaven Waits for Me" and "This I Know" tackle topics like perfectionism and the need to make the most of today. Also, don't miss the anthemic "Broken Hallelujahs."