CDs (Rock)

On 2008's I WILL GO, its third album for the Sparrow label, the young Christian act Starfield presents a set of accessible, spiritually yearning rock. Led by brothers Tim and Jon Neufeld, the Canadian group shines brightest on blatantly praise-oriented tunes such as "Reign in Us" and "Holy Is Our God."

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For a band who took their name from their beloved surfing hobby, Switchfoot are anything but posterboys for the slacker mindset. The San Diego quartet spent little time resting on the laurels of their Best Rock Gospel Album Grammy nomination for 2000's LEARNING TO BREATHE, opting for a tireless tour schedule instead. Their first offering with new … (More)

Issued in late 2008, THE BEST YET stays true to its title by presenting 18 of the finest tracks by the esteemed Christian alt-rock act Switchfoot. Led by charismatic frontman Jon Foreman, the San Diego-based band began as a fairly straightforward faith-minded post-grunge group (see "Dare You to Move"), but by the time of its dynamic '06 … (More)

San Diego rock outfit Switchfoot stepped up to the majors with 2003's THE BEAUTIFUL LETDOWN. But prior to their Columbia/RED debut the band released three albums of strong material on Christian rock producer Charlie Peacock's re:Think label. This generous three-disc box collects those albums under one cover, charting the evolution of Switchfoot's … (More)

LEARNING TO BREATHE was nominated for the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album

Alternative CCM group's depressing 1997 release. The actual goal of the album isn't quite clear, nor is there any indication whatsoever whether Chin is a real or fictional person. The pictures of an individual of Asian descent, presumably Chin, seem real enough. Neither liner notes nor the group's two main web sites offer any insight into the … (More)

Introspective, probing lyrics define Switchfoot's sophomore effort, New Way to Be Human, which Charlie Peacock produced for his re: think label. In the 1990s, Peacock was best known for working with Christian rock and pop/rock artists -- he co-wrote Amy Grant's "Every Heartbeat" and had produced Sarah Masen, Michelle Tumes, and other … (More)

Following up 2003's very successful THE BEAUTIFUL LETDOWN is no small feat, considering that it put Switchfoot on the map with a mainstream audience. Clearly up for the challenge, on NOTHING IS SOUND, Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman's combination of self-examination entwined with emotional and social commentary makes for blissfully infectious … (More)

On its third major-label album, 2006's OH GRAVITY, the San Diego-based alternative-rock ensemble Switchfoot widens its musical scope even further than on previous outings, resulting in its most immediately engaging release. Although the band has never completely pulled away from its Christian roots, the record's themes are not blatantly religious, … (More)

Popular Christian rock quintet Third Day has already made a name for itself not just in the world of spiritual-oriented music, but in the halls of modern rock radio. On COME TOGETHER they continue their exploration of their spirituality through the time-tested verities of pop-rock. This band of southern boys has as much in common with Hootie and … (More)

After a busy year that saw the group playing everywhere from The Tonight Show With Jay Leno to the Republican National Convention, Christian rockers Third Day released the two-disc live CD/DVD Live Wire. While heavy on material from the May 2004 release from which the collection derives its name, there are enough classics here ("Sing a … (More)

The pre-release hoopla surrounding Revelation, Third Day's eighth studio album, was eerily reminiscent of the hype behind 2004's Wire, the band's would-be crossover breakthrough. A breathless Billboard cover story even reported Revelation had all the makings of a disc poised for the big leagues, seemingly unaware that a similar machine pushed Wire … (More)

Issued in 2007, this Third Day collection pulls many of the finest songs from the popular Christian rock group's first four albums. Highlights of the set include the grungy "Nothing at All," the gospel-tinged "Have Mercy," and updated versions of "Thief" and "My Hope Is You," two tracks that effectively … (More)

Third Day quickly draws a distinction between entertaining and leading worship on Offerings. "King of Kings" starts the release with a fervent longing to know God. "Who is this King of glory with strength and majesty, and wisdom beyond measure, the gracious King of kings." Mac Powell raises the tune to a fervent pitch as the … (More)

With their husky vocals and uplifting roots-rock anthems, Third Day come off as post-Hootie heartland rockers before the faith-based aspect of their sound even comes up. WHEREVER YOU ARE lacks in neither the surging tunes that made the band Contemporary Christian Music's premier rock band, nor the devotional, spiritually inspirational lyrics that … (More)

On 2007's THE FLAME IN ALL OF US, the Canadian Christian rock act Thousand Foot Krutch offers up a dynamic and accessible collection of faith-based tunes. While "What Do We Know" carries a light, poppy vibe, songs such as the driving title track and the stomping "Falls Apart" showcase the Toronto-based band's metallic edge. … (More)

Devoted headbangers the world over welcomed the arrival of CCM nu-metal groups like Thousand Foot Krutch with open arms. With the crunch but without the sludge, the trio of Trevor McNevan (vocals/guitar), Joel Bruyere (bass), and Steve Augustine (drums) pack condensed enlightenment into the thrashing song form of the 21st century. As suspected, … (More)

With the latest craze of Christian hardcore bands hitting the scene, it's sometimes difficult to make the distinction between the pretenders and the contenders. Set It Off, the debut from Thousand Foot Krutch, is a release that vies for the heavyweight title. Whether it's a frontal rap assault or a sung vocal melody, the grooves on this disc pack … (More)

Todd Agnew is serious about his Christianity, and he's serious about prodding his co-religionists to move beyond what he calls the "everything is fine" attitude and start truly engaging with some difficult questions about their place and proper function in a corrupt world. Hence, the album's title. But while his heart is obviously in the … (More)

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Blessed Be Your Name – The Hits includes thirteen tracks highlighting the band’s successful 10-year career and is a must-have collectible item for every Tree63 fan

A shameless shift in direction from worship back to rock makes Tree63's fifth release a tour de force. Raw stadium-ready riffs permeate nearly every track, with some sensational ballads thrown in as well. Experimental and true to their roots at the same time, the bandmembers give a shout-out to their '80s influences, ranging from the Police and U2 … (More)

On this collection featuring half live tracks and half new material, John Ellis and company showcase their trademark alternative worship with a glimpse into the energy that packs their live shows. Only the right combination of stadium rock and chemistry with their audience could fit so well between the studio cuts. On-stage, the trio takes some of … (More)

Underoath stands at the heavy metal crossroads on Changing of the Times, a hardcore album that parallels classic arena rock. Though vocalist Dallas Taylor spits out dark lyrics of doom and gloom ("The romance has been dead for years/But I've been afraid to dig the grave" from "When the Sun Sleeps") with a screeching, screaming … (More)

After overcoming some critical personal shakeups to produce 2004's excellent THEY'RE ONLY CHASING SAFETY, Florida's Underoath fulfilled the immense expectations set by that album--to transcend their audience's demands and still uphold their Christian metal roots--with 2006's DEFINE THE GREAT LINE. The Band undertakes this follow-up effort with … (More)

Very rarely does a monumental record find itself matched with the promise of commercial success. But the strength, intensity and explosive lure of Define The Great Line Underoath’s follow up to its over 420,000 selling 2004 breakthrough They’re Only Chasing Safety--is undeniable. With over 98,000 units scanned first week at charting at … (More)

Any listener still under the impression that Christian music is strictly light and positive need only listen to a few moments of Underoath's THEY'RE ONLY CHASING SAFETY before realizing that the Lord works in mysterious, and in this case, uncompromisingly rocked-out, ways. The first and most obvious clue that indicates a break with the original … (More)

Ironically, the Mississippi-based Christian rock band's claim that they don't advertise themselves as "some crazy, new thing" was precisely what made their debut album stand out. Wavorly didn't set out to change the world, and yet had they been just slightly more aspirational they may have been within a stone's throw of doing just that. … (More)