Happy Valentines Day. Here’s a little love from me with the preview of the freshest Christian Music coming out this year!
Okay, any of those who know me, know that I probably am way more into bands in the Christian Rock Scene than I should be. That being said, 2008 promises to be a monumental year in albums. With a landslide to choose from, how will you know which one to spend your hard-earned cash or your pitiful excuse for an allowance on?
FEAR NOT !!!!!
I am set to bring you my reviews of upcoming albums this year and what I think will be the picks of the year for you guys to go and check out. So, without further ado, we’re off.
#10 – THIRD DAY – “untitled album” – Summer 2008 
One of my all time favorite bands, (probably because it was the fourth CD I ever bought), has got to be the Southern Gospel Rock Group Third Day. Their rock sound with worship-driven lyrics speaks directly to your heart. If there is a band that has never changed their sound, then these guys are it. I was a little disappointed with their last release, “Wherever You Are”, but these guys do quality work. It will be interesting to hear what the new album will sound like, but you can bank on the fact that it’ll be straight from the word of God and from their hearts to ours.
#9 – Leeland – “Opposite Way” – February 26th, 2008 
2006 saw the debut of a very young, very brand-new Irish Worship Band led by the flaming red-haired (then not yet 18 year-old) Leeland Mooring. This band blew me away. Their dominantly worship lyrics combined with the fresh sound of Leeland’s voice gave me a new sound I had been looking for in the worship realm. I have already heard the first single off of this album and cannot wait to get my hands on this one. If you like worship music, this one’s for you.
#8 – Sanctus Real – “We Need Each Other” – February 12th, 2008 
You know I had to include an Ohio band in here. The boys from Toledo are back and have their most edgy sound yet. Frontman Matt Hammit’s lead vocals combined with Lead Guitarist Chris Rohman’s runs makes this band hard to miss. Rock-driven, heartfelt songs come straight at you and punch you in the gut from this band who I have to thank my brother, Jason for introducing me to. And yes, I know that this one is already out, so if you’re looking for a good one right now, head out and grab it.
#7 – Fireflight – “Unbreakable” – March 4th, 2008 
2006 was not only the debut year for Leeland, but for another band that caught my attention. That band was Fireflight. I have always had a soft-spot for a girl lead singer heading up a rock band and so it was no surprise that Fireflight captured my ears. They have a heavier rock tone to the band, but the lead singer, Dawn Richardson’s vocals come across pure and clean. Their lyrics are another example of a band that will knock you to the ground and their bass player, (also female), Wendy Drennen (she’s married to the rhythm guitarist guys), can shred with the best of them. There single off of this album, which is also the title track, may be the most amazing rock song I’ve heard in years, and that’s saying something. You can get it off of iTunes now if you’re interested.
#6 – Pillar – “For the Love of the Game” - February 26th, 2008 
Okay, if you’re in my youth group, you may wonder why up until now, you’ve never heard any of these bands. All I have to say is that they’re in the youth media library and all you have to do is check them out. However, let’s say you’ve been living under a rock, well then you’d still recognize this next band because they need no introduction. Pillar is one of the harder Christian bands out there and is responsible for leading the charge in today’s Christian Rock Arenas. Their no-holds-barred attitude towards life and the spiritual struggles we face everyday are evidenced by frontman Rob Beckley’s lyrics and incessant screaming vocals. If you’ve ever seen these guys live (I call it Kung-Fu Rock), then you can attest to what I’m saying. 2006 was a disappointing year for Pillar as they released “The Reckoning” and fans let them know that they were disappointed with the band’s depature from their signature style. “Well,” Beckley explains, “I guess we’ll just have to remedy that, now won’t we.” Pillar has gone back to their heavy rock anthems and it couldn’t come at a better time. If you like that style, definitely be on the lookout for this one.
#5 – Anberlin – “untitled album” – Summer 2008 
2006 woke me up to another band because it was another banner year for new music, but this band wasn’t new in 2006. In fact they weren’t new in 2004. They were new in 2003 when no one had heard of them because they hailed from Europe. Now, four albums later, we finally catch word of them as they prepare to release their fifth studio album. If you are a big fan of U2 or enjoy haunting vocals with driving guitar and sometimes softer touches with acoustic, this band is up your alley. I discovered this band with the release of their third album “Cities” which garnered my second best album of the year last year. This band rocks and they have no problems doing it. I can’t wait for the release of their new album, slated for this summer.
#4 – Kutless – “untitled album” – June 2008 
Again, if you’ve been in my youth group for any amount of time, you have no doubt heard of these guys. In fact these guys are so good that our worship band has even borrowed some arrangements of their songs (shh! Don’t tell anyone!) to use in our APEX and Sunday Morning Worship Services. Kutless flat rocks. Their lyrics penned by frontman Jon Micah Sumrall scream for a change in our lives as we seek to live for Christ and they cut to the very fabric of the truth that so many are blind to. Kutless has rock-driven guitars and actually reminds me of the band Creed without the terrible vocals of Scott Stapp. If that’s for you, then get this one in June!
#3 – P.O.D. - “When Angels and Serpents Dance” – April 8th, 2008 
Ah….the boys from the 619. Living in San Diego for 7 years, I had the opportunity and privilege to watch a local band rise to national recognition. If you have lived in a turtle shell for the last 10 years, then you have no idea who P.O.D. (Payable on Death) is. For the rest of you, these guys need no introduction. Sonny Sandoval, Noah “Wuv” Bernado, and Traa (pronounced “tray”) Daniels, are once again joined by original P.O.D. guitarist Marcos Cuirel. What will 2008 bring for the boys of Southtown? My guess is pure God-honoring metal and rock. P.O.D. is a Christian band for the non-Christian world. A lot of their songs do not fit in the Sunday School circles of churches, but that’s why they’re mission is so important to them. “We’re trying to see the Great Commission lived out in our generation,” explains frontman Sonny Sandoval. And with the following they have, they just might be the catalysts to lead it. Be at your record store April 8th. The guys are awesome.
#2 – Starfield – “I Will Go” – March 25th, 2008 
To quote Austin Powers, “Yeah Baby!” 2005 saw the release of the best worship album ever, (in my humble opinion, and a lot of others), “A Collision” by the David Crowder*Band. Now, enter Starfield. A Canadian worship band from…you guessed it…Nashville, TN! And they are just awesome. I have never heard better “sing-along” worship songs from a band than these guys. They have a sound that reminds me of Switchfoot, but at the same time, keep their band sound closer to Chris Tomlin’s and Jon and Tim Neufeld’s lyrics are incredible. I have had a chance to preview this album and I’m going to go out on a limb and say that I think it wipes the floor with A Collision as the best worship album ever. I will be at the store on March 25th when it opens to procure my copy of this one. If you want to preview it, head to http://www.starfieldonline.com/ and check it out!
SO WHAT’S THE NUMBER ONE ALBUM COMING IN 2008 ?????????
WELL
IT’S
GOT
TO
BE
……….
#1 – Family Force 5 – “untitled album” - July 2008 
Awwww Yeaaaaaa. Soul Glo Activatur and the boys are back. Crunk Rock style. The quintet from the south that gave us Buisness up front is now bringing us the Party in the Back. Family Force 5 is set to release their sophmore album, which as Drummer “Crouton” explains, “this album is a sophmore album but that don’t mean it’s more soft. You better put yo dancin’ shoes on fo’ this one.” I loved these guys when they debuted in 2006 because they sound like nothing I’ve ever heard before. To describe what they sound like, I’ll need a blender. Into this blender, we’ll throw:
* Prince
* Michael Jackson
* Tobymac
* Sevendust
* Disturbed
* The Beegees
and
* Linkin Park
That’s how you get their sound. Guitarist “Chap Stique” says that the new album, “will sound like Transformers became a rock band, invented a time machine, and went back in time to hang out with James Brown.” Can’t wait guys. Bring it on!
Well, that does it for this year’s edition of the Top Ten Previews. I hope my list gives you some to choose from this year. I know I can’t wait to hear how they all sound!
-Brian
Raft Wars is about a little boy who, while digging on the beach finds gold and diamonds. A newspaper does a report on his treasure find, and the pirate, whose treasure it was, tries to get it back. So, the boy enlists his older brother and their next-door neighbor to take on pirates, vikings, islanders, and their next-door neighbors. And they do all of this with squirt guns that launch tennis balls. 
