Mike Rimmer and Tony Cummings have between them listened to over 1,500 Christian music albums in the last year. Here are their selections of the very, very best.
KIRK FRANKLIN -
'Hero' (Integrity-Provident)
After the live
recording 'The Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin' reconnected Franklin with his
church-based audience, he returned to the studio to create another
stunning studio set that as usual combined the best of gospel and pop
and whatever kitchen sink elements he wanted to throw into the pot.
Got to say that I always prefer Franklin when he does this as the
results are never less than stunning! Although he was already on
record about his abandoned childhood and struggle with sexual sin,
there was something refreshing about the way that a song like "Let It
Go" with its admission of struggles marked a personal life change in
the response to his past. In interview this year he told me how he had
come under the guidance of a pastor who had taught him the word of God
and consequently helped him escape the ravages of pornography on his
life. Other standouts include the boppy "Lookin' 4 U" and
collaborations with a wide range of artists including Stevie Wonder,
Yolanda Adams and J Moss. The result is a gospel album that's already
on its way to becoming a classic and appearances by Franklin on Oprah
Winfrey where he talked honestly about his life.
Mike
Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
RICKY ROSS - 'Pale
Rider' (P3)
Whether he's singing about his love
for his wife and family, looking back on past friendships or
ruminating on the death of a friend, this is hugely powerful,
beautifully executed stuff. As good as anything Deacon Blue did in
their heyday. In a year when the hugely overrated Ryan Adams released
three albums, this demonstrates the wisdom of a thoughtful songsmith
cherry picking his compositions over the years so that no song is
wasted and many of the songs here show Ross to be up there with the
finest post war songwriters. The understated production brings out the
full eloquence of Ricky's material.
Tony Cummings
DWEEB - 'Moose Moose Moose
Chicken Moose' (Independent)
Cross Rhythms' tip
for big success next year, they kept their growing legion of fans
happy with this EP. The results are exceptionally good and the EP has
given Dweeb a further opportunity to shine and win new fans. The band
manage to combine a Pythonesque sense of humour with rocking musical
credentials and a heart to really communicate their faith. A tour with
Steve and Andy Hunter at the end of the year which coincided with the
release of this EP introduced the band to a whole new audience.
Although only five tracks, the band manage to cover a huge amount of
ground from the Rage Against The Machine influenced opening cut to the
jazz tinges that breaks out in some of the band's breakdowns. Rock
with a touch of jazz and funk is what we're talking here though the
band continue to deny easy categorisation. After their debut EP was
released earlier in the year I tipped them for greatness and nothing
on this second EP indicates that there is any reason why their debut
album won't be released to great acclaim in 2006.
Mike
Rimmer
(£5.00 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
SUPERCHIC[K] - 'Beauty From
Pain' (EMI Christian Music Group)
Max Hsu is in
my book a genius and as the driving force behind this California
ensemble he produces a flawless mix of pop, punk rhythms. Speaking
straight to the lifestyles of the whole teenage generation, Hsu
sharpens his songwriting pen (check out the lyric "You need that boy
like a bowling ball dropped on your head") while Trisha Brocks' vocals
can be sly and sassy but also smoothly emotive on the slow title
track. Some people might underrate Superchic[k]'s hot pop with gutsy
guitars interspersed with bits of reggae and rap but for me the
immediacy of their message make them perfect youth communicators.
Tony Cummings
(£7.67 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
SUFJAN STEVENS -
'Illinois' (Beggar's Banquet)
It seems unlikely
that American singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens will complete the task
of recording an album about every state in the USA but while he tries,
we can enjoy the fun! Part history, part documentary and part
reflection, these songs that celebrate different aspects of Illinois
life sum up Stevens' skills as writer and performer. With arrangements
which at best can be described as "out there", he continues to serve
up some of the most interesting music made by a Christian on the
planet today. He's also much respected and loved by segments of the
mainstream! For me, there were two songs on this album that I returned
to time and again in 2005. There's the joyful quirky groove of "Come
On And Feel The Illinoise" (which has to be one of the greatest titles
ever) and then the more downbeat bittersweet ballad "Casimir Pulaski
Day". This latter song leaves things totally unresolved at the
conclusion of the track but is still a piece of beautiful observation
and raw emotion.
Mike Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
SHERWIN GARDNER - 'Who I
Am' (UB1 Music)
Trinidad & Tobago's star
takes reggae gospel and soca into new vistas. Check out the heavy rock
guitar riff blended to the delicious soca groove, and swoon to those
chaotically infectious turntable hits "Under We Feet" and "Down Under"
this is a rhythmic delight that carries a spiritual wallop. If you are
into dancehall, there are some tasty riddims on "Pray" while the
infectious club-banger "Trend Setters" (with guests Bernardo and
Christlike) is another winner.
Tony Cummings
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
KEVIN MAX - 'The
Imposter' (Floodgate, Import)
Who is Kevin Max?
I wonder these days if even he knows the answer to that question. The
former dc Talk member's second major solo project highlights the
things he does best. Write catchy, compelling songs and sing them with
one of the most distinctive voices in Christendom. I always thought
'Stereotype B' was the most interesting solo album by a Talk member
and had been waiting to see what he might do next. Thematically
exploring the conflicts within our souls and doing it with great
energy and style, this mixes the immediate with songs that take a
little more time to reap a rewarding harvest. And there's even a
brilliant cover of Dylan's "When He Returns".
Mike
Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
BLOODLINED CALLIGRAPHY -
'They Want You Silent' (Noizz Music Co)
A
magnificently brooding blend of hardcore and metal this even shaves
the magnificent As I Lay Dying as the hard music album of the year
with lead singer Amy giving the band an originality of vocal dynamics
to make them one of the freshest sounds to emerge for years. This has
been an exceptional year for Christian hard music with a dozen or more
bands making inroads into the UK mainstream. These guys, though,
remain my favourites.
Tony Cummings
MAE - 'The
Everglow' (EMI Christian Music Group)
The
American band surprised everyone by delivering such a well formed
album in 2005 following the moderate success of their debut. 'The
Everglow' is a concept album of sorts, taking the band's emotive
progressive power pop sound and carving something with a lyrical depth
to match the perfect production here. With plenty of melody and
intertwined guitars and piano, this album has managed to pass people
by in the UK this year but it's a treasure of journeying metaphors,
superb album artwork and fine songwriting. The overall effect is to
create an album that hooks the listener into its beauty.
Mike
Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
TBC - 'TBC'
(Authentic Music)
Catchy arrangements, four girls each
of whom can sing as well as dance, hooky songs from the
tried-and-tested pens of Pennells and Porter (The Tribe, Shine, etc)
and lyrics which speak right to the heart of unchurched youth. This is
as good as teen pop gets. What is impressive about Zarc Porter's canny
production is his ability to make witty references to '70s disco and
yet never stepping into cheesy territory while the full on
evangelistic thrust of the group is clear for all to see and hear.
Tony Cummings
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
DELIRIOUS? - 'The Mission
Bell' (Fierce!)
I thought that 'World Service'
was accomplished and marked a new chapter for the band but 'The
Mission Bell' has launched the band into a completely new phase of
their ministry. Mixing worship with a cry for action and a challenge
to the Church, this takes me back to the excitement of 'King Of Fools'
and the way the D:Boys have tapped into a new generation of teens and
20s ready to step up to the plate and make a difference. From the
prayerful cry of "Miracle Maker" to the battlecry of "Paint The Town
Red" or the yearning wondering of "Our God Reigns", 'The Mission Bell'
confidently rings out loud and clear calling a new generation to
action.
Mike Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
THE CAMPBELL BROTHERS - 'Can
You Feel It?' (Ryko)
If Robert Randolph floated
your boat this East Coast family group will take you on an oceanic
cruise. Dazzling slide guitar gospel blues from the House Of God
Holiness denomination with some guest vocalists adding their stuff.
Searing, authentic, joyful music with Chuck, Phil and Darick (along
with Phil's son Carlton on drums) ably demonstrating they have the
instrumental chops to tear the roof off any church to leave the
congregation in spiritual apoplexy! If you still believe that pedal
steel guitar is a hopelessly corny instrument loved only by country
and western aficionados it's time you woke up to these cooking
purveyors of sanctified blues.
Tony Cummings
AFTER THE FIRE - 'Der
Kommissar' (Edsel)
This is probably the reissue
of the year! After The Fire were the Delirious? of their day and were
at their height between 1979 and 1982 when they split up. In 2005,
those nice people at Edsel Records pulled together all three of their
albums for CBS with a fabulous selection of bonus cuts and live
recordings to complete the package. With a synth driven new wave
sound, the band really was cutting edge for the early '80s, hence the
support from CBS. The combination of talents fused together to create
some great music captured on this double disc. A reformed ATF sans
lead singer Andy Piercy has played Greenbelt in the last couple of
years and released download singles and fans dream of a full album in
2006.
Mike Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
SPIRIT OF MEMPHIS - 'Happy
In The Service Of The Lord' (Acrobat Music)
I'd
nominate the 1949 recording of "The Day Is Passed And Gone" by the
Spirit Of Memphis Quartet as one of the greatest recordings in the
history of gospel music. Now you've got this amazing 47 song double CD
re-issue to show that "Little Axe" Broadnax, Jethro Bledsoe and Silas
Steele had some of the most staggering voices in black church history.
Timeless.
Tony Cummings
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
LAIN - 'Brother
Soul' (Spirit Music)
One of the most underrated
and unnoticed British releases of 2005, the former Nu Colours singer
enjoyed a hit called "Battle" with Wookie in 2000 but on 'Brother
Soul' he delivers the kind of music he really wants to make. Not
strictly gospel in style or content, Lain creates acoustic-driven soul
and the album shows off his keen sense of melody and the expressive
voice that brings every lyric to life. Blending together all his
influences, highlights include the blissed out "Peaceful Waters", the
jazz-tinged "What I'm Feeling" and one of the best songs I've heard
all year "Bottle". This mix of sweet soul and social commentary really
deserves to be heard by a wider audience.
Mike Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
FIRE FLY -
'Breathe' (Plastic Head)
After a long hiatus
the Midlands progressive hard rock band have returned with a truly
epic album. Fire Fly's particular musical blend of Si Bibby's haunting
vocals and stylistic thrust which takes in an almost European gothic
sound and some wonderfully layered guitar work interspersed with
intricate keyboard parts that could give Extol a run for their money
make them a truly hard to classify unit. Full of deep messages and
permeated with an intricate style of metal, Fire Fly remain one of the
most inventive bands in Britain.
Tony Cummings
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
NOTE FOR A CHILD - 'Eternal
Curve' (ICC)
After the success of their debut
album (one of my albums of the year for 2004) Note For A Child
returned this year to carry on creating music of much beauty. This
time Spring Harvest appearances and ICC's efforts at promotion have
meant the profile of the group is increasing and deservedly so. Mixing
their whimsical melodies with adventurous arrangements that waft over
the soul massaging away the stresses of modern life, the group manage
to create songs that haunt and beguile simultaneously. The band have
created an album that is more electric than their debut and 'Eternal
Curve' features many fine moments. Highlights include "Loving You
(Without End)" with its cool arrangement and the understated vibe of
"Vermeer's Astronomer". 2006 sees the departure of Daniel Goodman and
Susie Beattie fronting the group on her own, we wait to see how this
will influence the development of the group.
Mike
Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
SWITCHFOOT - 'Nothing Is
Sound' (Fierce!)
San Diego's finest seem to be
going from creative strength to strength and after three million sales
for 'The Beautiful Letdown' come bouncing back with an album which
intuitively walks the fine line between artistry and ministry, and
rock and pop. "Easier Than Love" is a punchy examination of the
cheapening of sex in contemporary culture while "The Setting Sun"
looks beyond the brokenness of contemporary life to find something
bigger. As Mike Rimmer observed, "'Nothing Is Sound' is the spirit of
the book of Ecclesiastes set to a rock and roll beat and fed to the
MTV generation" and I for one applaud the Foreman brothers' lyrical
and instrumental dexterity.
Tony Cummings
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
ONE VOICE - 'One Voice One
Heart' (Survivor)
Not strictly an album but an
essential part of 2005. The start of the year saw the cream of the UK
CCM and gospel artists gathering at Abbey Road studios to record this
single to raise money for those suffering after the Boxing Day
tsunami. I was actually there on the day witnessing the event and it
was a very special moment seeing the Abbey Road complex packed to the
rafters with gospel singers, worship leaders and Christian artists. It
was an amazing day and an amazing song.
Mike Rimmer
(£2.99 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
ANDY HUNTER -
'Life' (EMI Christian Music Group)
After the
amazing 'Exodus' album I wondered whether brilliant Bristol
turntablist could reach the same heights again. This proves he can!
Although there are only six tracks here, this clocks in at 43 minutes
of pulsating rhythm. The opening cut "Open My Eyes" carries on where
the careering drive of "Go" left off while other highlights include
the blazing sound of "Come On" and the atmospheric, gentle vibe of
"Wonderful". Andy uses some vocalists as well, Neil Wilson from Steve
offers his rock edge while the hugely underrated American singer
Christine Glass turns up on "Alive". Innovative dance music which will
no doubt like its predecessor turn up in the months to come on game
consoles and in movie houses.
Tony Cummings
(£7.99 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)
I have to say, I think Dweeb are absolutely amazing. I might be a bit biased as my brother is the drummer(!) but all the guys in the band are immensely talented with a real passion for God. They certainly deserve to really well.