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In this section of the website I’ll be sharing my 20 favorite albums (periodically until I have a total of twenty) . They are really in no particular order, but I will be trying to address 5 things for each album: strengths, weaknesses, aesthetic appeal, spirituality, and stand out tracks. With that said, here we go!

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1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20

{Needtobreathe}

The Heat

Needtobreathe has always been one of my favorite bands. With their first release, Daylight, I’ve been watching the band and got really excited to hear about an upcoming release. Now that this release is here and available, I’ve come to love it. No disappointments here.

Strengths:

The vocals of needtobreathe’s lead singer, Bear Rinehart, are outstanding. They are not going to suit every person’s particular taste, but if you like smooth, strong, southern rock vocals, you’ll love this band. The melodies and blend of the band is also a highlight. The instruments are in balance and we hear what we are supposed to hear and when we’re suppose to hear it (always a bonus).

Weaknesses:

Needtobreathe has a great group of instrumentalists, but I’d love to hear a greater range and diversity of instruments. Somtimes guitar and piano aren’t just enough. This does not detract from the overall appeal of the album, and it certainly does not apply to all tracks (such as in “more Time. Banjo anyone?). I also found there are a few songs on the album that do not shine as brightly as the others. The number of songs that apply to this category is small, but a strengthening of the weaker tracks would make the album better (who’d of thought?).

Aesthetic appeal:

First of all, I might want to describe what this category is about. It’s going to describe the more physical and well… more musical part of the music. More about the rhythms, instruments, and style. Got it?

The style of this album is kinda your typical southern rock, however it doesn’t really fit into a category for me. The style of the songs shift as the album progresses, but it’s fair to say that is album is nothing we have not heard in a way before. It’s music, and can expect a style consistent with many of the modern musical groups performing right now. This does not fully give the band justice, and the band does have a unique sound, so it is still very appealing in my eyes. It’s not the alternative funky stuff you hear though. The way you see it really depends on preference.

Spirituality:

The Christian aspects of this album are more difficult to see than in many of the other mainstream albums. The way in which the band communicates their Love for God is more subtle, but sometimes I can find it more effective. There are certain ways in which listening to a song filled with religious jargon can allow me to connect to God, but sometimes I find that relating to certain feelings and situations where God is not right-up-in-your-face allows me to see Him better.

The album does this nicely. Although you might hear some words you’d hear in church, it really doesn’t matter. For example, Washed by the Water gives us a beautiful picture of God’s plan and will for our lives. Although there can be pain and storms in life, He can use them to wash and shape us. It’s messages like these that can make me really connect to a band or song. Certainly it’s present within this album.

sed some better acoustics, the sound from this guy is unique. Along with this album, Phil’s first album, Phil Wickahm, hold another spot in my list of favorite albums (although I’m not going to count it as on

Standout Tracks:

Without a doubt, Washed By the Water is an excellent track on the album. Almost resembling a hymn or southern slave song, it talks about the storms of life. Other mentions include, The Heat, and Yahweh.

needtobreathe’s website

{Phil Wickham}

Cannons

I don’t know what is more impressive: Phil Wickham’s vocals or his guitar playing. I’ve had the privilege to see Phil in concert two times already and I have not been disappointed. Although both venues could have used some better acoustics, the sound from this guy is unique. Along with this album, Phil’s first album, Phil Wickahm, holds another spot in my list of favorite albums (although I’m not going to count it as one of my “20″). Specifically form his previous album, standout tracks include “Divine Romance”, “Crumble to Pieces”, “Holy Holy Holy”, “Grace”, and “Always Forever”.

Strengths:

The album starts off almost dark, mysterious, and bass-driven with “Must I wait”. The only thing that carries through the rest of the songs form the description in the previous sentence would probably be the bass. The mystery of the song is lifted when Phil starts in with his vocals. It all seems to come together at this point; the lyrics add to the overall clarity and beauty of the song. There are transitions from driven guitar, to more subtle controlled vocals. This is an example of the strength of the album, not necessarily in the song itself, but what elements it portrays. The vocals are by no doubt some of the most powerful, subtle, beautiful, and fully enticing vocals I’ve ever heard (seeing him in person also adds another layer to his depth). I would say that this element of the album is certainly one of the strongest.

The album is also strong in lyrical ingenuity and range of style. Although the same sound originates form each song, the styles and dynamics vary. Although not necessarily a common thing to point out, the album art and physical CD itself is designed very well; it has a taste that represents most of Phil’s music.

Weaknesses:

I think Cannons is a tad overproduced. When you see Phil in concert, usually it’s just him and his guitar; a great singer-songwriter image. But when you get to his album, most of the beautiful acoustics are lost. Don’t misunderstand though, the album is filled with acoustic guitar, but it is backdropped by electric guitar, piano, strings, drums, etc. I think a few tracks that highlight the standout vocals of Wickham by having just him and his guitar would be more true to his performance and his style. I would really like to see just an acoustic track with no other instruments. I think that would add to the overall emotional range of the album and also let us re-experience some of his live music.

Aesthetic appeal:

The musical style on Cannons isn’t like much of the “Christian” music we see today. It’s more stylized in a personal way. Rather than conforming to what the industry has pushed to produce, Phil is different in his approach by creating a sound centralized to his name. I don’t think you could recognize this music as done by another artist (unlike many many of the bands today). It is smooth and controlled, at times bass-driven, while at times the lyrics, or maybe the guitars, lead the tracks. I would not classify this music as plain old music, but rather style-driven emotional worship.

Spirituality:

Phil uses a lot of words you might hear in church, and that might turn some people away right form the start. It might draw others in, but Phil does this in an ingenious way. The words and phrases he uses are combined with the music almost to a point where you cannot have one without the other. The religious feel of Phil’s songs are diminished by the deep love and vulnerability Phil shows. That overpowers all the rest. It is so clear to see how much of Phil’s life is affected by God and how He interacts with him. This is so easily seen in the album, but it’s so easy to miss the layers of complexity in each song. I find the spiritual content in this album overflowing out of the CD itself. You might just wake up one day and feel stuff oozing out.

Standout Tracks:

No doubt, the title-track, “Cannons”, is one of my favorites. It does such a good job of putting a sense of wonder and amazement into the listener’s thoughts:

You are Holy, great and mighty,

The moon and the stars declare who you are.

I’m so unworthy but still You love me,

Forever my heart will song of his great you are.

Other standout tracks include, “You’re Beautiful”, and “True Love”.

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Phil Wickham’s website

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{Brooke Waggoner}

Fresh Pair of Eyes

Brooke Waggoner stands out . Her music has captured something within me besides the regular and mundane that come with the many guitar driven rock ballads. Besides from being an excellent pianist, her lyrics can be clever and reassuring. A nice combo.

Strengths:

The piano in this album is no doubt the best and most intriguing part. I’m not saying that this album would be bad without the piano, or that the piano is the only thing holding it together, but that the piano exemplifies all the great stuff going on in the front and back lines. It’s the icing to the cake (since I don’t like frosting, maybe this analogy doesn’t work all that well).

The piano that takes over in “Hush if You Must” (one of the best songs in my opinion) in the middle of the song is one of the highlights of the album. Not only being a literal center of the piece, I think it’s a central part of the album. The character it adds in conjunction with the vocals and strings makes “Hush if You Must” a stylistically brilliant piece.

Strings and the background instruments add fifty different colors to the songs on this album. Another huge plus.

Weaknesses:

Brooke has some great vocals in the album, but at times it isn’t necessarily all that awe provoking. This is not supposed to be a detraction from the album, just an observation. The vocals are in no way sub-par though. Stylistically they are wonderful. The blend and quality of her voice adds a unique and jazzy spin to her music.

The only other thing I’ve noticed is that this isn’t a full album! There’s only six songs. So, that’s a “weakness” I guess. I think the only thing you can do there is wait for her full one to come out.

Aesthetic appeal:

Hands down the tone and style of the album are some of my favorites. The album is is musically fresh — not something too often these days.

If you like piano, strings, acoustics, expressive, lyrics, and drums in an almost jazzy classical-infused-with-alternative-indie-pop sound, then this might just be your lucky day. The lyrics and creativity in “So-So” are also a good way to express the aesthetic appeal of this album; almost all of the lines rhyme. This might not sound so impressive, but to come up with so many words that end in “o” seems pretty creative.

I just think the musical talent in this album stands out.

Spirituality:

Much more subtle than many of the bands today, the spirituality is infused within the musical expressions and meaning of the songs. The music is beautiful, and that in itself has an ability to provoke realization of God and his creations.

The more typical expression of the spirituality in this album come in the songs like “My Legionnaire”. Open to interpretation, the “Legionnaire”referenced in the songs can easily be understood as God or His manifestations. That’s how it took me, and it seems to hold some credibility.

Standout Tracks:

“Hush if You Must”, “So-So”, and “Fresh Pair of Eyes.” (So, that’s half of the album…)

{Katie Herzig}

Apple Tree

I have been whistling “Songbird” for the past four days (quite literally). I don’t know what that tells you about me, but this album has turned into one of my all-time favorite albums. I have been a fan of Herzig’s previous album, Weightless, but I’ve come to perch on Apple Tree’s branches quite a bit more in the past few months. People are starting to comment on how I’ve been whistling the same song for days, and yet it’s still in my head.

Strengths

Katie Herzig is a master of quirky and beautifully unique rhythms. Her musical intuition is so clearly portrayed within her work that it makes me smile to hear her use bells and wind instruments in so many different ways. One of my favorite tracks, “I Will Follow” is more of an upbeat song that utilizes bells in such a clever fashion. I don’t know why it strikes me as such, but the chorus goes perfectly with all the background music.

Another very strong aspect of Katie’s work is her vocals. This album is not a repeat or another imitation of some of the bands that have struck it big within the past years; Herzig’s voice is smooth and sophisticated, and there has been no point yet to which I have confused her music for someone else’s.

Her style is kind of hard to pick out, as her songs morph and change throughout the album while maintaining a feel of unity. My best shot would be an folky indie singer/songwriter with an alternative twist. This is not rock album however, the acoustics and bells of the album are certainly for those who have an ear more attuned to the subtitles of life.

Weaknesses

Although the musical diversity on this album is above par, I would like to hear a greater range of styles and compositions from Herzig. Now that I say that, I’m not even sure if I really wish there would be greater diversity, but rather I fear I don’t believe how well she has composed this album. I’m not sure. I can try and pick out other small aspects of the album that I think could be improved upon, but I don’t think it’s worth it. I appreciate the album too much and I would be looking for things rather than commenting of what I already see. Perhaps it would be better if I had another opinion on the weaknesses of this album.

Aesthetic appeal

I kind of already touched on this one within “strengths” but I will add a few more thoughts. Besides from the instrumental appeal, the unity and coalition of Apple Tree is something that stands out. There are some albums that have such unity and likeness that it is for the worse (all the songs sound the same), but this kind of unity keeps the album as a whole and adds color and life to each section. I’m not sure how she does it, but there is a holistic quality to her music that makes you want to listen to the album all at once rather than having it mixed in a playlist.

Spirituality

The spirituality in this album is not the up-front-in-your-face kind of spirituality. It is more on the subtle side, but it is strong. There are aspects of the songs that touch on hurt as well as hope. One song, “I Will Follow” really struck me in meaning. In my understanding of the song, it talks about following God, making mistakes, losing God, finding Him again, and a determination to “follow”.

Standout Tracks

(Obviously) “I Will Follow”

“Songibrd”

“Hologram”

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Katie Herzig’s web page

Katie Herzig’s myspace

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It seems as though there is much interest in knowing the full set of my 20 favorite albums even without review. So I’ll list the rest and review them as I become able.

• Straitjacket – Steven Delopouslus
• Brother, Bring the Sun – Dave Barnes
• A Collision – David Crowder* Band
• Leeland – Sound of Melodies
• Starfield – Starfield
• Mercury – Long-view
• Well Meaning Fiction – Mainstay
• Nothing Left to Lose – Mat Kearney
• Please Come Home – Dustin Kensrue
• Eat, Sleep, Repeat – Copeland
• Speak – Jimmy Needham
• Don’t Get Comfortable – Brandon Heath
• Do You Feel – The Rocket Summer
• Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
• Parachutes and Lifeboats – Rue Royale
• Keep No Score – Sleeping At Last

Note: This is bound to change, and I’m not sure what order I’ll review them in.