Music Review
(The most informed, current, pursuer of Christian Music I have ever known.)
Christian Rap
Jarred’s Fav’s:
116 Clique- The best Christian Rap out there right now. Lyrically, these guys are as solid as they come. They rap the gospel- every song quotes scripture in they’re new album as they break down Paul’s 13 letters.
DJ Maj- Doubling as a solo artist and tobyMac’s DJ, DJ Maj puts together some of the best beats in Christian Rap.
Grits- They been doing it for over a decade, and their latest album “Redemption”, released this past year is solid. Two of the 10 tracks are in a small percentage of Christian rap that could be mistaken for mainstream rap…. They’re legit!
John Reuben- The “Talk-rapper” released Word of Mouth earlier in the year and it’s your usual Reuben album. I believe its his best yet though… very political and edgy. But one of the coolest things is he’s a Messianic Jew.
Lecrae- One of the members of 116 Clique, Lecrae is the most successful solo artists of the group. His newest album “After the Music Stops” is awesome!
Manafest- This kid could be unbelievable if every track was as good as his hit single “Impossible” featuring Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch. That’s the best rap song out….if you like rap/rock you’ll love Manafest.
Pettidee- The gangsta rapper has the beats like Lil’ Jon, and the rap voice like Jeezy… He’s sick!
T-Bone- 14 years and running one of the fastest and best rappers I’ve heard. Hopefully we’ll see a new album out soon with new tracks besides his latest Greatest Hits album.
Tobymac- The name explains his greatness….
Other popular Christian Hip/Hop artists…
The Ambassador, Cross Movement, Everyday Process, Flame, Group 1 Crew, J.R., LA Symphony, , , Mars Ill, Ministri of Defense (MOD), , Phanatic, R-Swift, , Tedashii, Trip Lee, , The Tonic, Tru Life, Viktory
What’s that “scream/emo” stuff my son/daughter listen’s too??-
The Almost- Aaron Gillespie of Underoath’s, side project. Part of the reason this album is amazing is the lyrics. He stands firm in his faith with tracks like “Amazing Because It Is”.
Anberlin- The best guitar rifts in Christian rock. Rarely scream, use a lot of synths, and are pretty hard.
*Chasing Victory- My favorite hardcore band. I’d say about 60-40 scream-sing ratio. They use a lot of falsetto’s and have a unique hardcore sound in the new album. (too bad they broke up)
Cry Of The Afflicted- One of the newest members to Solid State Records. Id give them a 60-40 scream-sing ratio, but their screams are high pitch (much like Underoath’s album “They’re Only Chasing Safety” without the synth’s)
Disciple- The epitome of Hard Rock… with some screams mixed in. They are a band that you’ll see a lot on ESPN highlight videos. If you’re looking for a “Pump up” album- this is it!
Emery- This is what we call screamo. 80-20 scream-sing ratio. They cover a wide range- mellow/rock/scream/hardcore/and even piano and acoustic sounds… All 3 albums are worth the purchase.
Family Force 5- Never have I seen a band take the music scene by storm like FF5 has. They have the most unique sound in rock music… or is it rap?… or is it funk? One of the most fun and energetic live shows you can experience. Just make sure you check em out!
Haste The Day- Hardcore lovers- this is you. 95-5 hardcore scream-sing ratio. They break it down a lot…and that is what I love about ‘em.
Norma Jean- This IS very hardcore. All hardcore scream/roars. They can best be described as hardcore on ecstasy. Its very hectic and lacks rhythm, but that’s what people love about ‘em.
Underoath- The best hardcore band out there. 80-20 hardcore-sing ratio. The new album “Define The Great Line” is way more hardcore than the last album.
The Wedding- My favorite band of all time. They are solid lyrically as they sing only about their faith and the often forgotten (by most “Christian bands”)- “Jesus”. Rock, with minimal scream and some unreal breakdowns! If I had one band to suggest- it’d be- The Wedding.
Other Popular Hardcore/Screamo bands…
As Cities Burn, As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red, Becoming the Archetype, The Chariot, *Dead Poetic, The Devil Wears Prada, Destroy the Runner, Demon Hunter, Far-Less, Showbread, The Showdown
Is there any good Christian rock without screaming?
12 Stones- (Wind Up Records- Mainstream recording company) Hard rock, with no scream anymore (as opposed with the first 2 albums). If you’re looking for a Christian version of Nickelback with a better voice… this is it. Although they have strayed away from “Christian” lyrics- it’s still positive and uplifting.
The Classic Crime- Amazing alternative/rock band. With the music of a scream band, but singing vocals make this band in a league of its own. They have great faith-based lyrics to go along with the great music.
Falling Up- Rock music. Great singing vocals to go along with awesome alternative rock sound mixed in with a lot of synth’s… put it together and you get an eerie movie sounding rock album.
FM Static- Pop/punk side project of Thousand Foot Krutch. Fun lyrics that talk about the struggles/fun times/issues of students.
The Fold- Pop/punk/rock. The new album “Secrets Keep You Sick” picks up right where the last left off, with catchy tunes and fun guitar rifts.
Hawk Nelson- Pop/Punk band from Canada is a huge crowd favorite. The middle school girls love ‘em, but don’t let that scare you away from their awesome sound. I personally like “Letters To The President” (First album) better than the newer “Smile It’s The End Of The World”.
House Of Heroes- Alternative rock band that is due up for a new album soon…
Jonezetta- Very catchy rock/funk/dance band. They have a unique sound that has teamed them up on a fall tour with family Force 5 called the “Dance Rawr Tour”, if that explains anything…
Paramore- Mainstream Pop/punk/rock band with a girl vocalist… don’t let that scare you off- she fits perfect in the band and they rock out.
P.O.D.- Rap/rock band… ya know what? If you don’t know about P.O.D. than you’re in some trouble- ‘cause you got a lot of catchin’ up to do!
RED- The Linkin Park of Christian music.
Relient K- The best at what they do in the Christian and mainstream scenes… pop/punk/rock blend with a little piano and acoustic tracks thrown in.
Run Kid Run- Pop/punk band that evolved from the old band Side Walk Slam… if you like MXPX, Relient K, or FM Static- you’ll love these guys!
Skillet- Hard Rock with faith-based lyrics that rock harder. Their new album “Comatose” is a 10 Christian album in this decade!
Thousand Foot Krutch- Hard Rock/alternative band that loves to dish out huge hits for ESPN. The new album “The Flame In All Of Us” is a must purchase for any rock fans!
Other Awesome Christian Rock bands to check out…
The Almost, Amber Pacific, Anberlin, Between the Trees, Casting Pearls, Decyfer Down, Eleventyseven, Everyday Sunday, Fighting Instinct, Forever Changed (no longer a band), Kids In The Way, Mourning September, Mute Math, MXPX, needtobreathe, Nevertheless, Number One Gun, Pax 217 (no longer a band), Pillar, The Send, Spoken, Subseven (no longer a band), Stellar Kart, The O.C. Supertones, The Wedding
Some Christian Worship/soft rock/acoustic
33 Miles, The Afters, Warren Barfield, Building 429, David Crowder Band, DecembeRadio, Downhere, Tim Hughes, Mat Kearney, Kutless, Lifehouse, Leeland, Mainstay, Shawn McDonald, MercyMe, Monday Morning, Jason Morant, Rush Of Fools, Sanctus Real, Shane & Shane, Starfield, Switchfoot, Telecast, *Ten Shekel Shirt, Third Day, This Beautiful Republic, Chris Tomlin, Matthew West, Phil Wickham, Paul Wright
BOLD = Jarred’s Fav’s
ITALICS= Who’s Hot
Christian New Releases
October 2
· 33Miles 33Miles: Limited Edition [INO]
· Todd Agnew Do You See What I See Performance Resource Disk [INO]
· Johnny Cash Christmas With Johnny Cash [Sony Music/Integrity]
· Bethany Dillon So Far: Acoustic Sessions EP [Sparrow]
· Emery I'm Only A Man [Tooth & Nail]
· Falling Up Captiva [BEC]
· Bebo Norman Christmas... From The Realms Of Glory [BEC]
· Chris Rice Peace Like A River: Hymns [INO]
· Phil Wickham Cannons [Simple]
October 9
· Jump 5 Hello & Goodbye [Slanted]
· The Myriad Prelude To Arrows EP [Koch]
· Plumb Blink [Curb]
October 16
· Jars Of Clay Christmas Songs [Gray Matters]
· Michael W. Smith It's A Wonderful Christmas [Reunion]
October 23
· Steven Curtis Chapman This Moment [Sparrow] ]
· The Glorius Unseen Tonight The Stars Speak [BEC]
· Manic Drive Reset & Rewind [Whiplash]
· Oh, Sleeper When I Am God [Tooth & Nail]
· Relient K Let It Snow, Baby... Let It Reindeer [Gotee]
· Rush Of Fools Rush Of Fools Special Edition [Midas]
· TobyMac Portable Sounds Deluxe Edition CD/DVD [Forefront]
· Chris Tomlin See The Morning Deluxe Edition CD/DVD [Sparrow]
October 30
· FFH Worship In The Waiting [Kindred Recordings]
· Sevenglory Atmosphere [7 Spin]
· Jaci Velasquez Open House EP [A’postrophe]
November 6
· A Dream Too Late Intermission To The Moon [Tooth & Nail]
· The Classic Crime Acoustic EP: Seattle Sessions [Tooth & Nail]
· Demon Hunter Storm The Gates Of Hell [Solid State]
· Desperation Band Everyone Overcome [Integrity]
· Phanatik Crime & Consequences [CMR]
· Hillsong United All Of The Above: Bonus DVD Edition CD/DVD [Integrity]
November 13
· Red End Of Silence: Deluxe Edition CD/DVD [Essential]
November 20
· Anberlin Lost Songs [Tooth & Nail]
· Dead Poetic The Finest [Tooth & Nail]
· MercyMe All That Is Within Me [INO]
· Newsboys The Greatest Hits [Sparrow]
· Skillet Comatose Deluxe Edition (digital release) [Atlantic] ]
November 27
· Project 86 The Kane Mutiny EP (Digital EP) [Tooth & Nail]
December 26
· J.R. Life By Stereo [CMR]
· Kevin Max The Blood [Northern]
· Skillet Comatose Deluxe Edition (hard copy) [INO]
· Sound Of The New Breed Kingdom [Integrity]
January ??
· Blindside untitled (independent)
· Matthew West Something To Say [Sparrow]
January 15
· Number One Gun The North Pole Project [BEC]
January 22
· Farewell Flight Sound. Color. Motion. [Mono Vs Stereo]
February ??
· Stellar Kart untitled [Word]
· The Wrecking A New Abolition [Universal]
February 12
· Newworldson Salvation Station [Inpop]
· Sanctus Real Turn On The Lights [Sparrow]
February 26
· The Afters Never Going Back to Ok [INO]
· After Edmund Hello [Slanted]
· Avalon Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics [Sparrow]
· Cadia Cadia [Fervent]
· Pillar For The Love Of The Game [Flicker]
March 4
· The Myriad With Arrows, With Poise [Koch]
March 18
· Jaci Velasquez untitled [A'postrophe]
April
· Sarah Kelly untitled [Gotee]
Further in the Future…
· Anberlin untitled [Tooth & Nail] -- Summer
· Children 18:3 untitled [Tooth & Nail] -- Spring 2008
· Code Of Ethics untitled
· Dakoda Motor Co. untitled
· Flame Our World: Redeemed [CMR]
