I’ve been thinking a lot about why I listen to Christian music lately. Putting together this list of my top ten Christian albums of 2014 and writing some of my thoughts down has reminded me of the collective reasons that I listen to Christian music. It was an important reflection for me, so I want to take a moment to share some of my thoughts as an encouragement and challenge to all of you.
Over the years, there have been dozens of albums that have deepened my relationship with Jesus and affected how I live my life as a Christian, such as DC Talk’s Jesus Freak, Relient K’s Anatomy…, and more recently My Epic’s Broken Voice. Even just listening to Christian music on a regular basis, whether it is worship or not, keeps my mind focused on God or at least what is pure and honoring to Him (~Philippians 4:8). I like when music challenges my faith. I don’t want to just listen to fluffy Christian messages almost as much as I don’t want to listen to a song about doing drugs or getting drunk. If it’s covering serious topics, I want to wrestle with it, let it convict me, and grow from it. That’s why I love bands like Disciple and Lecrae. They bring the truth and they want people to be uncomfortable with it.
But I don’t want that all the time. Sometimes I just want some clean entertaining music and, many times, Christian artists can offer that. All of the albums on this list have songs that can put a smile on my face, make me bob my head, or even dance. These artists know how to make a catchy tune and for rest of us who wouldn’t be able to pick out a capo from a c-clamp, we can just soak it in and enjoy it.
Alex “Tin Can” Caldwell mentioned something in his recent blog post about how we can develop “relationships” with an artist (not in a romantic way 🙂 ). Through music, an artist is sharing his or her perspective on life. They are putting their thoughts, desires, and longings into words and singing them for us to think about. What the artist shares both in music and lyric you may come to treasure and trust the way you would the work of a loved one or the words of a friend. As a Christian, I find it easier to connect with Christian artists because they share a similar worldview as me.
One of the obvious reasons I listen to Christian music is because I am writing reviews for it! It kinda goes with the job description.
There are also a couple reasons I listen to Christian music that are not so good. I have a lot of pride about my music taste and knowledge. While that’s not inherently a bad thing, sometimes it gets to my head and I can come to view others as having lesser tastes, and that is just sinful. It can also be an idol. Ironic, right? I could pour my heart out about this one but I don’t know 99% of you and I’m about as introverted as they come, so I will just say that this is something I have to continually bring to God.
All of the albums on this list have engaged me with some combination of these reasons. There are also other reasons that I like these albums that have nothing to do with how “Christian” the music is, like their artistic merit (which is a whole different conversation!).
Feel free to comment at the bottom with some of the reasons that you listen to Christian music or even share your favorite Christian albums of 2014. I’d love to hear what you think!
- Fading West, Switchfoot– With each release after The Beautiful Letdown, I was ultimately left wondering if that album was a one-time thing (not the actual sound, just the overall quality of it). I enjoyed Nothing Is Sound and Hello Hurricane, but there was just something truly remarkable about their breakthrough album. My love for Switchfoot was rekindled with Vice Verses in 2011 and Fading West this past January. The album is musically full of strong melodies and memorable hooks, and lyrically filled with philosophical thoughts and questions of hope, love, and faith. My favorite song off the album is the sole ballad, “The World You Want,” which is completely drenched with emotion, capturing despair and hope within the context of our responsibility to the world. This was definitely my soundtrack for the year.
- Rivers In The Wasteland, Needtobreathe– Few bands grab my attention from album to album the way that Needtobreathe does. They reinvent themselves with each release and continue to produce quality music. Rivers feels like a journey of emotions, from the chilling and vulnerable opener, “Wasteland,” to the convicting closer, “More Heart, Less Attack.” The half-title track can send chills up and down my spine and it’s one of the most vulnerable worship songs I’ve heard in quite a while. “Rise Again” is one of the more beautiful songs that the band has crafted alongside “Something Beautiful” and “Garden.” As a side note, Needtobreathe is one of the few Christian bands that I like that that will come out to Boston (the only others being Switchfoot and FIF). They always put on a great show.
- Smoke EP, House of Heroes– While nothing quite tops The End Is Not The End, everything House of Heroes has put out since then is high caliber rock music. The Smoke EP is no exception. From the rock and roll opener, “Bottle Rocket,” to the anthemic closer, “Infinite,” the band keeps you engaged and craving more. This EP is filled with layers of harmonized vocals, sweet guitar riffs, pounding drums and thought provoking lyrics. Behind it all is the talented front-man Tim Skipper who stretches his voice as he sings about loss, faith, and relationships. This six song EP had the most candidates when I was trying to decide my top ten songs of the year.
- Attack, Disciple– When I first heard this album, I immediately knew this was one of my favorites for the year. Packed with aggressive yet melodic hooks and bold lyrics, it quickly became one of my favorite Disciple albums alongside Scars Remain and By God. I really love the fusion of the old (Back Again) and new (O God Save Us All). “The Name” is possibly my favorite song in the 150+ song Disciple catalog. The only thing holding this album back are the three predictable softer tracks (which are still better than most of their recent softer tracks). On a more personal note, this album has really challenged me in my faith and I love that.
- Anomaly, Lecrae– Over the past several years, Lecrae has certainly lived up to his self-proclaimed title of “Anomaly,” by simultaneously engaging the common Christian household and mainstream hip-hop community. On Anomaly, memorable beats are accompanied by fluid rapping over a variety of sounds and instruments. Lecrae tackles the too-often taboo topics in Christian music, such as the effects of sin and social and political issues. Though Rehab still remains my favorite Lecrae album, Anomaly has taken the number two spot right above Rebel.
- In A Breath, New Empire– New Empire has been making waves in Australia for several years. Those waves finally made it all the way over here to the states as this year marked their first US release. Taking cues from bands like Copeland, Deas Veil, and Snow Patrol, New Empire boasts a catchy, relaxing, and creative sound with many layers of complexity. Jeremy Fowler, the lead singer, has a beautiful and dynamic voice and the lyrics carry a deep message of hope–delivered in an artistic and even poetic fashion. This new T&N artist is definitely one to keep an eye on.
- Lowborn,Anberlin – The final chapter of Anberlin is the most somber and experimental album we have heard from the beloved alternative rock band. Though they will be missed, I am glad that they decided to put together one more album as a swan song of sorts. Cities remains my favorite Anberlin album, but Lowborn definitely has a high place among a strong discography.
- Blindfold, Canopy Climbers– There are many talented electronic-based indie artists out there, but Canopy Climbers are in a league of their own. They have this amazing ability to pull you into their music with Cory Nelson’s soothing voice (which reminds me of Phil Wickham), intriguing and sometimes convicting lyrics, and musical soundscapes that are a seemingly impossible combination of catchiness and calmness. Each of the four tracks are a gem but my favorite is the title track.
- Aftermath, Fever Fever– This is one of those few new bands that completely shock you with a fresh musical style. Lush ambient instrumentation, a unique and strong vocalist, and excellent musicianship (with some instruments I don’t even recognize) make this a must-have album and a promising start for the band.
- Neon Steeple, Crowder– The mad scientist/worship leader didn’t take much of a break after the end of the DC*B, and that only means good things for worship music. With so many cookie cutter worship bands nowadays, it’s hard to find good artistic worship music and David Crowder is an artist that always delivers. Songs like “Here’s My Heart” really draw me to worship Jesus. Crowder calls his new music “folktronica” but there is a lot more “folk” than there is “tronica.” Either way, this is a phenomenal album that is comparable to the quality of DC*B albums.
Honorable mentions
Unto Us, Aaron Shust – The best Christmas album in Christian music since Phil Wickham’s Songs For Christmas and also Shust’s best album. Check out my thoughts in my review (it was the second one I did for JFH!)
What Was Done, Vol. 1: A Decade Revisited, The Classic Crime – If the new recording “Selfish” and the overly melancholy “The Fight” were not included, this would have been a much stronger release. But man, some of these renditions are killer. “We All Look Elsewehere,” “The Coldest Heart,” “Who Needs Air,” “You and Me Both” and “Where Did You Go?” are all 5-star material that I’ll be coming back to for years to come.
Goliath, Steve Taylor & The Perfect Foil – Goliath is filled with witty lyrics and solid musicianship. There are two reasons this is not in my top ten: first; I only just started listening to it, and second; I am not a big fan of Taylor’s singing voice.
Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong. for King & Country – This stellar sophomore release serves as a big encouragement to live life fully, press on in difficult times, and to have faith in God over an engaging musical soundscape.
And because I can…
Other honorable mentions (in order):
Love Is A Legend EP Copperlily
How Can It Be – EP, Lauren Daigle
Hark! The House of Heroes Sing EP House of Heroes
Becoming Who We Are Kings Kaleidoscope
From Water to War Nine Lashes
Time Stands Still Family Force 5
Man On A Wire Nathan Tasker
Shadow Weaver The Choir
All Sons & Daughters All Sons & Daughters
Time In Place Artifex Pereo