"Truth"
Michael Sweet
...order here.
Michael Sweet, the former front man for the mid-'80s Christian heavy metal
band Stryper, returns with his sophomore solo effort, "Truth." Coming on
the heels of the Dove Award-winning "Real," Sweet's new record nicely
subverts the spandex-clad cliches of his past while mining an
admirable melodic sense that still provides the necessary rawk & roll
punch.
"Transparent"
LaRue (Christian)
...order here.
Featuring the sweetly devout, folk-kissed melodicism of Phillip and
Natalie
LaRue, "Transparent" takes a slightly more challenging road than the duo's
self-titled debut. Building on their engaging, ethereal alt-pop sound, the
new edge to their music has a more mature feel that further enhances the
group's credentials as one of contemporary Christian music's most
appealing
new acts.
"Southern Gospel Treasury Series"
The Happy Goodmans
...order here.
Sony Records' "Southern Gospel Treasury Series" features the music of the
Happy Goodmans, a group whose uplifting gospel has brightened the vocal
music landscape for four decades. The record gives a fascinating and
informative overview of one of gospel's legendary groups.
OUR CUSTOMERS RECOMMEND
"Amazing Grace: 40 Treasured Hymns"
Tennessee Ernie Ford
...order here.
A customer from Thomasville, Georgia, recommends "Amazing Grace: 40
Treasured Hymns" from Tennessee Ernie Ford: "Keep your Amy Grant, keep
your
Carmen, keep your Twila Paris--when I get to Heaven I want to hear Ernie
Ford and this backup choir! These grand old hymns and spirituals make me
feel the presence of God."
ARTIST ESSENTIALS
Steven Curtis Chapman's work is marked not only by its spiritual
intensity, but also by how it creatively and wholeheartedly challenges the
conventions of Christian rock. Amazon.com's music editors have kindly
compiled a list of his essential recordings for your listening pleasure.
see it
Go to Christian essentials
...order here.
FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS
Delivering the Word
Catholic priest Stan Fortuna uses the music of rap and hip-hop to deliver a spiritual message of brotherly love and praise. And he does it with street credibility! Download "Kumbya," his dope antidrug anthem and proclamation against teen suicide, from his CD "Sacro Song."
Go to download
...order here.
DVD STORE
"Left Behind - The Movie"
Victor Sarin
...order here.
Part sci-fi head trip, part religious-themed allegory, "Left Behind: The
Movie" brings to the screen the first book in the immensely popular series
of apocalyptic novels by authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Starring
Kirk Cameron and Brad Johnson, it's a well-paced thriller with a tale
that's as much a warning as it is a message.
GRAMMY WINNERS
BEST ROCK GOSPEL ALBUM
Winner:
"Double Take"
Petra
...order here.
Petra, who are legends in Christian rock, were one of the first bands to
contemporize non-secular music for a younger population. While the record
may not be the best from their long career, it was good enough to put them
over the edge.
Our Pick:
"Offerings: A Worship Album"
Third Day
...order here.
Taking a more devout turn from their Dove award-winning "Time," Third
Day's
"Offerings" retains and improves upon what made the earlier album so
resonant--Mac Powell's soaring lead vocals and the band's electrified
punch--while delivering a more overtly worshipful stance.
BEST POP/CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ALBUM
Winner:
"If I Left The Zoo"
Jars Of Clay
...order here.
Jars of Clay's sophomore effort has kept them at the forefront of
contemporary Christian music, and the improved songwriting on this record
augurs great things in the future.
Our Pick:
The golden boys of Jars of Clay. Unquestionably, this was a great pop
record. Sporting a more organic, playful sound than their debut, "Much
Afraid," the band continues to evolve.
BEST SOUTHERN, COUNTRY, OR BLUEGRASS GOSPEL ALBUM
Winner:
"Soldier Of The Cross"
Ricky Skaggs
...order here.
Outspoken fundamentalist Ricky Skaggs has been hovering toward making this
record his entire career. Voters sought not only to acknowledge Skaggs's
beliefs, but also the fact that he's been honing his bluegrass chops for
over 20 years.
Our Pick:
"Just Over In Heaven [HDCD]"
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
...order here.
Doyle Lawson's work with Quicksilver produced some amazing vocal harmonies
on this record, but it just wasn't enough to get this bluegrass
institution
his first Grammy.
BEST TRADITIONAL SOUL GOSPEL ALBUM
Winner:
"You Can Make It"
Shirley Caesar
...order here.
As the First Lady of Gospel, Shirley Caesar looms large over the land.
Voters couldn't resist her or her work on this relatively eclectic record.
Our Pick:
"Ole Rickety Bridge"
Dorothy Norwood
...order here.
No less a legend in the field than Caesar, Dorothy Norwood's live effort
was a hair more immediate and exciting, mostly owing to the live setting.
BEST CONTEMPORARY SOUL GOSPEL ALBUM
Winner:
"Thankful"
Mary Mary
...order here.
The sister-duo act of the moment, Mary Mary's listenable, joyful debut
record may not have been the strongest release in this category, but
voters
couldn't resist rewarding their potential.
Our Pick:
"Love & Freedom"
BeBe Winans
...order here.
While he misses his sister and collaborator CeCe, BeBe Winans remains a
formidable force on this record, and he should have walked away with this
award.
BEST GOSPEL CHOIR OR CHORUS ALBUM
Winner:
"God Is Working: Live [LIVE]"
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
...order here.
One of America's best-known gospel choirs, the Brooklyn Tabernacle is
always a favorite when nominated in this category. This record wasn't
their
best, but was still worthy of notice.
Our Pick:
The good people from Brooklyn. While it's not a classic, this live
recording definitely has earned the award.
You'll find more great music, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's
Christian & Gospel section.
...order here.
NEW AND NOTABLE CDS
"Freedom"
Michael W. Smith
~ more
After a massively successful career as a pop singles artist, Michael
W. Smith tests himself with his new record "Freedom." A diverse,
mostly instrumental record imbued with strings, the plaintive,
graceful music here marks a new direction for Smith. Ranging from
quiet orchestral soundscapes to electronica influences and even
through covers of classic praise songs like "Thy Word," it's a
rewarding record for listeners willing to follow an artist who is
willing to explore his creativity.
"Smell the Color 9"
Chris Rice
~ more
Chris Rice isn't shy about asking those difficult, existential
questions about God that many seem hesitant to ask; his new record
keeps on asking. Still, there is a sublime and sincere penitence in
his music that, coupled with his informed, talented songwriting
skills, makes Rice a contemporary Christian artist worth
watching. Featuring silky-smooth production and a perceptive grasp of
the modern condition, "Smell the Color 9" is a musical and spiritual
journey that won't disappoint.
"Intermission: The Greatest Hits"
DC Talk
~ more
As one of the first bands to incorporate hip-hop into contemporary
Christian music, DC Talk represents an important part of the
genre. Their latest record, "Intermission: The Greatest Hits," is not
only an excellent collection of their best-known work, but it also
does an effective job of displaying the strains of melody that make
their music so compellingly accessible. And, as always, the pious
heart that beats within their lyrics continually shines through.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
"Winners Never Quit"
Pedro the Lion
~ more
"Winners Never Quit" is all about the dark night of the soul. The
philosopher Cornel West has said that Americans tend to focus on the
risen Christ of Easter Sunday, and not on Christ's last dark days
that culminated with his crucifixion. David Bazan is one American
Christian songwriter who isn't afraid to stare into the abyss, as he
compassionately details his characters' struggles on Pedro the Lion's
latest album. Ultimately, Bazan's unsparing vision is shot through
with light; this intense, moving CD ends with a sense of hard-earned
hopefulness.
OUR CUSTOMERS RECOMMEND
"City on a Hill"
Various Artists
~ more
A customer from Jeffersontown, KY, recommends "City on a Hill: Songs
of Worship and Praise": "'City on a Hill' is an awesome CD produced by
Steve Hindalong, percussionist and chief lyricist of The Choir. The
recording features collaborative efforts by outstanding artists such
as Caedmon's Call, Jars of Clay, Sixpence None the Richer, Third Day,
FFH, and The Choir.... Whether you regularly invest in worship CDs
or not, 'City on a Hill' is a recording you will find entertaining,
moving, worshipful, and full of praise. This is not just a great
worship recording; this is a great recording."
CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE
As apocalyptic Christian action-adventure books go, you just can't
beat the ever-popular Left Behind series. The suspense continues in
"The Mark: The Beast Rules the World," the eighth installment in this
thrilling saga.
~ more
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: REBECCA ST. JAMES
"Transform"
Rebecca St. James
~ more
"Transform," the sublimely catchy follow-up to the Grammy-nominated
"Pray," finds Rebecca St. James casting her upbeat and honest persona
upon songs that powerfully deliver sound and fun like a roller
coaster delivering twists and speed. Combining the propelling forces
of techno-driven pop and string-arranged epics, St. James issues
paramount anthems with an inspiration that makes one wonder if she
wrote them while singing upon a mountaintop. On the strength of this
fantastic recording and the depth of her passion, Amazon.com has
named St. James the Christian & Gospel Artist of the Year.
See more by Rebecca St. James:
~ more
THREE TO WATCH IN 2001
1. Stacie Orrico
~ more
Young Stacie Orrico is a pop diva in the making; this 14-year-old's
tightly wrought urban pop music compares favorably with that of
Christina Aguilera and Lauryn Hill. Like Hill, Orrico's music goes
for a deeper meaning than traditional radio fare, mixing questions of
faith, peer pressure, and service to the Lord into her pumped-up pop.
Her debut disc, "Genuine," is everything its title implies, and more.
2. Pedro the Lion
~ more
We just can't rave enough about Northwest indie-pop act Pedro the
Lion, a musically subtle and lyrically contemplative band destined to
go places in 2001. Their music is the ultimate demonstration of
Kierkegaard's "leap of faith." Shame, delusion, and resignation are
everywhere on "Winners Never Quit," yet there is an underlying
message of hope. Singer-songwriter David Bazan's grim songs come off
like allegories without the comfort of clearly stated life lessons.
The music is slow, melodic, heartfelt, and weirdly soothing.
3. Spiritual Pieces
~ more
The hip-hop and R&B sounds of Spiritual Pieces' sophomore release
"Soul Food" find the band entering a new level of showmanship and
production. On their second full-length, this group has successfully
mastered today's popular urban sounds while maintaining an
uncompromising spiritual fervor. The sultry beats deliver all the
stimulus necessary to keep the dancing alive, while the laid-back
vocals churn out rock-solid messages about faith and Christian living.
AMAZON.COM'S BEST OF 2000
Explore the year's best music from across all genres by visiting
Amazon.com's Best of 2000 page. You'll find our customers' favorite
CDs, our editors' favorite CDs, Artists of the Year, and more.
~ more
reviews excerpted are copyright © 2001 amazon.com & associate ncdn and CDnow, TowerRecords, Barnes & Nobel associates