Category: Christian Music

The Top Albums of 2017

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The year is almost over so it is time to look back at what was awesome in music during the year.  I have already looked back at the Top Rock Albums of 2017 (click to read).   This list will cover all other genres that I listened to over the year including Pop, Country, Christian and whatever other genre you want classify these albums.  Rock is my favorite genre and that is why it gets it’s own list, but that doesn’t take away from any of these choices as I think they are great on their own.

Note:  These albums were my favorites and not necessarily the most played on the radio (which I hate the radio) or even the biggest sellers.  There aren’t the trendy indie bands on everyone else’s top albums list.  These are just what I came across during the year and connected with me in some way.  So, we might as well get started…

The #1 Album of 2017

A1gOoT2DCZL._SL1500_  Colton Dixon – ‘Identity’:  What??? Not Taylor or Harry or Ed??  Nope!!!  Colton Dixon’s album ‘Identity’ was the album that did it for me this year.  Colton’s very pop album, but a Christian based album, is what I found to be best this past year.  The album was a loosely based concept album which was broken down into 3 parts – The Mind, The Body & The Soul.  He was able to rock out, dance, and slow it down all with precision.  You couldn’t help getting caught up in the messages of the songs and I am still listening to it even though it came out real early in the year.  That says something right there.

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Friday New Releases – November 10th

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Welcome to another Friday New Releases and this week is a biggie.  Why?  Because Taylor is finally releasing her long awaited new album.  I put it at the top because it will be the most played album in our house (I have two girls that love her).  But don’t fret!  There is plenty of other releases for everyone.  I have a ton of rock records that I can’t wait to spin and they are highlighted in Blue.  I hope there is something for you.  Enjoy!

  • 61fam+0-OYL._AC_US218_  Taylor Swift – Reputation – (Big Machine): Get ready because the old Taylor is DEAD!!  This is a new Taylor Swift and from what I have heard so far, I would agree.  Taylor is reinventing herself now with each new release and I don’t see it as a bad thing.  At least for me, the new songs are more interesting than the prior songs.  I actually might like this new direction.  We will see as I will definitely hear it enough to become familiar with it.

  • 61qd3pEQ1nL._AC_US218_  Sweet & Lynch – Unified – (Frontiers Records):  Now here is where I will begin.  Michael Sweet & George Lynch were brought together by Frontiers Records as one of their special projects and usually they end up as a one time deal, thankfully, this one is not. We are now given a second release and they are touring.  Maybe this will last a little while.  I always need more rock & roll.

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Friday New Releases – October 27th

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Welcome to the last Friday of October and the last set of new releases for the month.  Halloween is coming up in a few days and maybe there is something on here that will be a treat for you…or maybe you buy it, it sucks and then it is a trick…either way I hope there is something for you.  The ones I am interested in are highlight in Blue.

  • 61M1TfV-VoL._AC_US218_  Stereophonics – Scream Above the Sounds – (Stereophonics / Parlophone):  These Welsh boys are back with another new album.  After 20 years together, they haven’t missed a beat.  They are on a steady diet of one new album every two years and without fail, he were are with their latest.  If you don’t know them, check them out and see why they are top of my list this week.

  • download  Red – Gone – (Provident Label Group):  This Christian metal band is straying from their Christian roots with this album and delivering a mainstream rock record.  They even do a Sia cover on the album.  This could be interesting.  I will definitely cue this one up as well,

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Friday New Releases – October 6th

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Welcome to October and of course, I have a list of new releases for you to check out.  There are definitely some I am getting this week and I will talk about those as they will be highlighted in Blue.  There are not a ton, but hopefully you will find something.  I know I have.

  • 61VQ92of-mL._AC_US160_  Whitesnake – Whitesnake (30th Anniversary Edition) – (Parlophone Records):  Duh!! No Brainer!!!  I can’t believe it has been 30 years since this album was released.  I have it on Vinyl, but I want this CD see.  With classics like “Still of The Night”, “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love” you can’t go wrong with this one.  The only downside is the Super Deluxe Edition, which I ordered, is on hold until October 27th.  Oh well, still can’t wait to get ahold of it.

  • 61FIqt+D+pL._AC_US218_  The Darkness – Pinewood Smile – (Canary Dwarf Ltd):  The glam metal band that glorifies the excess of 80’s rocks brings us their new album.  After 5 albums has the schtick gotten old?  We will see.

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Friday New Releases – September 29th

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Welcome to the last Friday New Releases of the month.  There are too many new releases this week and no way to even come close to listening to it all.  There a handful I will attempt to get to and those will be highlighted in Blue, but doesn’t mean there aren’t others on this list I don’t want to hear.  I have to some way prioritize the listening choices.  I am sure there is something on here that you will find exciting.  Let me know what you are interested in getting.

  • 91+F7bRBJkL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg  Shania Twain – Now – (Universal Nashville):  Oh Shania, how we have missed you.  Back with her first album in 15 YEARS!!!.  I have heard a couple songs off the album and haven’t been overly impressed so I am little worried about this one.  My wife and I enjoy Shania and went saw her in concert about 2 years ago and we also had “From This Moment” played at our wedding.  As a result, I will give this a listen despite my hesitations.

  • 51-RUWDsUjL._AC_US218_  Black Stone Cherry – Black to Blues EP – (Mascot Label Group): The Southern Hard Rock band is bringing us a little EP to hold us over until their next album…I am so cool with that.  They don’t seem to ever disappoint and I could use a good old rock album about now.

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Friday New Releases – September 22nd

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Another Friday is upon us and another day of new music.  There is a little of everything on tab for this week so hopefully there is something you can find you want to give a spin.  I have quite a few this week and they are highlighted in Blue as usual.

  • 613Ur6oUHlL._AC_US218_  Black Country Communion – BCCIV – (J&R Adventures):  BCC is back with their 4th album.  I thought they might have been done after their last one so I am thrilled to see a new release.  If you don’t know who they are, the band consists of some quite talented musicians you might have heard about…Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian.  Not a bad line-up.  Definitely worth checking out.

  • 615l-IJwJwL._AC_US218_  H.E.A.T – Into the Great Unknown – (Frontiers Records): This Swedish rock band brings us their 5th release and first after losing original guitarist Eric Rivers.  I am interested to hear it despite 2 of the original members now gone including the lead singer.  That usually really bothers me when you lose the singer, but Erik Gronwell can hold his own and has done a fine damn job since taking over.  Here is to hoping for more of the same greatness from these guys.
  • 411N1zML8KL._AC_US218_  The Killers – Wonderful Wonderful – (Island Records):  For some reason, I really like The Killers.  When they are good, they are really good and Brandon Flowers has been sounding great lately.  I am digging the new song “Run for Cover” so hoping the rest of the album is on par with that one.

  • 61KFg3CH+0L._AC_US160_  Mastodon – Cold Dark Place E.P. – (Reprise Records):  It is only an E.P., but anything from this Atlanta Metal band is worth grabbing.  Bring it on.

  • images-1  Fergie – Double Duchess – (Retrofuture Productions):  Okay, yes I am interested in hearing Fergie.  I have my guilty pleasures.  She proved she can rock out when she did a song for Slash so I definitely want to hear what she brings to the table this time around.

  • 4192A8z6v8L._AC_US218_  Otherwise – Sleeping Lions – (Century Media)
  • 61FIiVNH5OL._AC_US218_  Macklemore – Gemini – (Bendo LLC)
  • 513lUqo6OtL._AC_US218_  Matthew West – All In – (Sparrow)
  • 61EuJwZ3BCL._AC_US218_  Josh Ritter – Gathering – (Pytheas Recordings)
  • 51CVVBAaSrL._AC_US218_  Midland – On the Rocks – (Big Machine)
  • 51nMKZQR5nL._AC_US218_  Van Morrison – Roll With The Punches – (Exile Productions)
  • 61LDM-QpKqL._AC_US218_  Leon Russell – On A Distant Shore – (Palmetto)
  • 61d5C7z7dcL._AC_US218_  Chris Hillman – Bidin’ my Time – (Rounder)
  • 61KHcRSiqCL._AC_US218_  Steve Martin / The Steep Canyon Rangers – “The Long-Awaited Album” – (Rounder)
  • 51T3BQ1iCJL._AC_US218_  Cradle of Filth – Cryptoriana: The Seductiveness of Decay – (Nuclear Blast)
  • 51sZCZfQfIL._AC_US160_  Lecrae – All Things Work Together – (Reach Records)
  • 51NFpv8xsDL._AC_US218_  Haley Reinhart – What’s That Sound? – (Concord Records)
  • 51o8JkMVkwL._AC_US218_  Brian Wilson – Playback: The Brian Wilson Anthology – (Rhino/Warners)

Lifehouse – Deep Dive Playlist

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Lifehouse has been around since 1999 when they were known as Blyss, but it was their debut album under the name Lifehouse in 2000 that made them stars.  The album was ‘No Name Face’ and the song was “Hanging By a Moment” that brought them to my attention.  They have quietly been releasing albums ever since and now have 7 studio albums.

I think part of my enjoyment of the band is due to Jude Cole.  One of my all time favorite albums is by him called “A View From 3rd Street”.  Jude has been producing and writing songs with them for most of their career (around 2005) and that has shown through in the maturity of the songs and albums.

They finally released a greatest hits compilation back on July 14th, 2017 and it was pretty good as it had 18 tracks.  However, it was missing several songs that are better than some of the ones on the compilation.  So I figured why don’t I do a deep dive and give you the non-singles I think are the best.  I hope you enjoy.  They are in no particular order except my #1 favorite song is the last one on the list!

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Friday New Releases – August 4th

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Thank goodness July is over.  The Friday new releases were limited during July, but things start to pick up in a big way in August.  There are some great ones coming out today to get your month started out just right.  As I am in the midst of busy season at work, these releases will help get through it.  Hopefully there is something for you.  My picks are highlighted in Blue.

  • 51pk40Y5iKLDEF LEPPARD – 30th Anniversary Edition of HYSTERIA!!! – (Mercury):  It is hard to believe it has been 30 years since this release.  Amazing how time flies.  This album sounds just as good now as it did back then.  It is a classic.  With songs like “Women”, “Animal”, “Armageddon It”, “Love Bites”, “Hysteria” and “Pour Some Sugar On Me”, you have the ultimate rock album.  There is only one edition to buy for me and it is the full on edition with 5 CDs, 2 DVDs, a couple books and everything you would want.  You have to get this!!!!  I already have and it will be there when I get home from work.

  • 61yXrpnKLCL._AC_US218_  The Winery Dogs – Dog Years Live in Santiago & Beyond 2013-2016 – (Loud & Proud Records).  Three outstanding musicians bring us their first live album.  Richie Kotzen, Mike Portnoy and Billy Sheehan make up The Winery Dogs and I couldn’t be more excited to grab this.  If you haven’t heard them, you are definitely missing out.  Give this one a listen!!  This should also be waiting on me when I get home!!!

  • 61UOXBW-THL._AC_US218_  Kryptonite – Kryptonite – (Frontiers Records SRL):  Frontiers Records has a way of bringing people together.  This group brings Jakob Samuel (The Poodles), Pontus Egberg (Treat), Robban Back (Moustasch) and Mike Palace (Palace) together to form a sort of supergroup.  I really love Jakob Samuel and The Poodles, so anything he does really peaks my interest.  Heres to hoping for something special.

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Friday New Releases – June 9th

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It is Friday yet again and there are even more albums out and ready for you to go buy, stream or do with it as you will.  Not a lot this week, but one critical one for my kids.  The ones I will check out are highlighted in Blue.  I hope there is something for you.

  • 170x170bb-70  Katy Perry – Witness – (Capitol Records):  After 4 long years since Prism, Katy is back and better than ever…well…maybe not.  She has released 3 singles are ready and I have to say I am not that impressed.  I only like the first one “Chain to the Rhythm”, the rest have been kind of awful (especially “Bon Appetit”).  And I have to mention how awful the album cover looks to me.  Not off to a good start.  I will still give it a try though, but expectations are now pretty low.

  • 51qQOMb6CqL._AC_US160_  Lady Antebellum – Heart Break – (Capitol Nashville):  Lady Antebellum is back after three years and the members doing a little stuff on their own.  They are pure pop country, but I love Charles Kelley’s voice and Hillary Scott’s as well.  Put the two together and wow!!

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