I had a conversation with a friend recently where I was asked to name my five favorite Christian albums of all time. I was surprised how quickly I was able to come up with the list, and I thought I'd share it with you. Remember that these albums were created at a time when music, especially Christian music, was not nearly as accessible as it is today. We tended to listen to entire albums much more than we do now. These projects date back to the mid-eighties so you may have never heard them. They are all available on I-tunes and I strongly encourage you to give them a listen!
The concept for the CCM rock band Whiteheart was a very practical one: Take the leading session players making music on the top CCM artist's albums of the day and form a band. The group made several transformations over the years but reached it's pinnacle with 1989's Freedom. Fronted by roady-turned-lead-vocalist Rikk Florian, the band was made up of musicians who remain a who's-who list of players till this day. What they produced on this recording was nothing short of brilliant and, though there was no 'radio hit' for them on this outing, the album as a whole is one of the finest Christian projects ever recorded!
There would be no CCM without Amy Grant. I realize others will select one of Amy's many various albums as their favorite - but for me, Lead Me On was her best! It combined her poignant writing and straight-forward vocal styling to create an honest look at life and faith as only Amy Grant's artistry can. Musically, the record was much more reliant on real instruments than the more commercially successful follow-up project Heart In Motion which was more synth-driven. The radio hits were the title cut and the song Saved By Love. They certainly were not her biggest hits, but the album as a compilation was, in my opinion, her finest accomplishment.
3. DC Talk - Jesus Freak
No album has every revealed a greater musical maturity than DC Talk's 1995 breakout project Jesus Freak. It is probably one of the most significant recordings in Christian music history. It still sounds as fresh today as the day it was released. Radio hits like Colored People, Between You and Me, In The Light and the title track are still staples on Christian radio! This album changed everything and every time I hear it I wish the boys would get back together and cut another record! Kevin Maxwell and Michael Tait remain two of the most talent vocalists in CCM and TobyMac is simply brilliant.
2. Switchfoot - The Beautiful Letdown
The Beautiful Letdown introduced Christian Music's premier San Diego rock band Switchfoot to mainstream radio and changed the rules for Christian music yet again. There are so many brilliant moments on this record and the huge radio singles Dare You To Move and Meant To Live remain staples on Christian radio and top 40 alike. The masterful musicianship and the brilliant lyrics share equal billing to create a listening experience that begs to be repeated. I've probably played this CD more than any I've ever owned and have sung the words of these songs at the top of my lungs over many a mile!
1. Russ Taff - Russ Taff
My favorite CCM artist of all time is Russ Taff. His 1987 self-titled release is everything a signature album should be - It is Russ Taff at his best. His best voice, his best writing - He truly put it all on the line with this recording. These tracks include some of the most passionate vocals ever recorded and the result is infectious! The project opens with the 'In-your-face' rocker Shake and warns you of what's to come. The radio hit I Still Believe is one of the most vulnerable and honest songs ever written and performed, remaining the standard in my mind by which all Christian music is judged.
