Music Minute: The Golden Age of Contemporary Christian Music

Ok, let's face it: Christian music is hard to define. The book of Psalms, hymnal songs with the notes stacked up like plastic cups, the worship band at your church with two drum sets, three electric guitars and that guy who thinks he's Eric Clapton singing, Keith Green's 70s-style pop-gospel, and Hawk Nelson don't seem like they have a lot in common, but they are all examples of Christian music. Christian music might be defined as "music about Jesus," except that sometimes it isn't. Sometimes Jesus isn't even mentioned. Johnny Cash released songs that could properly be called Christian, but they weren't on a Christian record label—do they count? Worship music differs a lot from most contemporary Christian music.

Christian music is usually a personal expression of Christian faith. It's usually produced by a Christian record label. It's separate from secular music and (usually) their record labels.

That idea of separation probably came from a desire by the Christians who were producing the music to have some artistic control over what the songs said and sounded like. These days, Christian music is very popular and well-established...but it wasn't always that way. In the late 1960s, a group of believers called the Jesus Movement—Christian hippies, more or less—branched out to start their own labels. (The term Jesus freak was originally aimed at—and later embraced by—Jesus movement people.) The contemporary Christian music of the early 70s was a blend of folk music and southern rock. Word Records signed 16-year old Amy Grant to a five-week record contract in 1977. Her album was released in the spring of 1978, a few weeks before her high-school graduation. Christian music in the 80s enjoyed a long run of pop and rock hits.

But contemporary Christian music really took off in the 90s. What I've called the "golden" age of Christian music happened right next to the alternative music explosion we talked about a few weeks ago. Christian music had its own fashion, aesthetic, and sound. These days, Christian music isn't very different from secular music. It's a lot cleaner, but the sound tends to be pretty similar. The mid-1990s were the beginning of that for Christian music...the point where Christian music started to become a serious music market.

Now that you have a little history, here are five Christian albums from the 90s you should check out:

1. dc Talk, Jesus Freak. Yes, we know everyone knows the song. But there are so many good songs on this album, from "What If I Stumble?" to "Colored People."



2. Jars of Clay, Jars of Clay. Four college boys from Illinois won a Gospel Music Association talent contest—and this album shows why. The song "Flood" was a giant crossover hit.



3. Sixpence None the Richer, Sixpence None the Richer. Leigh Nash's soaring vocals shine, especially on Kiss Me and "There She Goes," which have been used in a lot of movie and TV soundtracks.



4. SonicFlood, SonicFlood. Probably the first really big full-length praise and worship album (though I could be wrong about that), this album is not to be missed. Check out "I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever."



5. The OC Supertones, Chase the Sun. These Orange County, California boys mixed rock, soul, ska, and surf sounds into one big happy mashup. Check out "Hallelujah."



Here's hoping you find something new and interesting in the Christian music of the 90s!

Music Minute: An Assignment

Hi y'all! I hope you are enjoying your summer. I hope for everyone's sake you are not out getting sunburned or accidentally bleaching your hair orange or running the lawn mower over your mom's nice flower beds or scratching up Dad's car. :)

This time for Music Minute, I have an assignment for y'all. I know it's summer, so I promise this won't take long — but hopefully you'll enjoy it.

Back in the day, my friends and I used to have a lot of conversations about our 'desert island' music. (I seriously hope people still do this.) The question was something like: If you were stranded on a desert island, possibly for the rest of your life, what music would you want to have with you? Whatever the person listed said a lot about their interests and what was important to them. Sometimes we'd limit it to ten songs, or ten albums.

What I want you to do today is write up a list of YOUR top-10 all-time desert-island songs. You can do your 10 all-time best, 10 that you love right now, 10 from each of the last 3 years, or if you're feeling really ambitious, make your list as long as you'd like. They can be worship songs, classical music, pop music, rock-and-roll, secular music, a song your mom used to sing to you when you were little, or anything else that moves you.

But—and that's the key—each song has to be an important one to you. Was it playing on one of the best days of your life? Does it make you happy every time you hear it? Is it a certain type of music that you just plain love?

Someday you'll think back, and high school will be a complete blur. You'll remember very little (I promise). So take a few minutes to write out your personal soundtrack. Put a date on it and stash it somewhere you'll remember it, like a yearbook or a keepsake box. When your musical tastes change a little, make a new list. Someday, you can read your list again. You might laugh at what you liked, or your might discover an album you used to love and put it on like a comfy old sweater. It will take you back.

You can post your list in the comments section or on our Facebook page. We promise not to laugh—or at least not laugh very much. :o) Make a list of the music you care about, and share it with us if you like.

Music Minute - Soul Music Playlist

Hope y'all enjoyed listening to some of the gospel & soul songs of the Civil Rights Movement last time. This week we're taking a look at soul music, since it's still Black History Month.

Satellite Records was founded in 1957 in a movie theater in Memphis, in just a regular neighborhood. In 1961, they changed the name to Stax Records, and by 1965, Stax would be Motown Records' biggest rival. Specializing in Southern soul music and particularly what was called the "Memphis Sound," Stax (and its sister label Volt) used the movie theater itself, which still had the sloping floor from under the seats, to record some of the biggest hits of the 1960s and 70s. Audio recordings are shaped in part by the acoustics of the room they're recorded in, and the odd shape of the studio helped to give the Stax recordings a great big sound.

In 1962, Otis Redding was signed to the Volt label and was the first of many commercial successes for the label. Stax/Volt also produced records by Booker T & the MGs, Isaac Hayes, Sam & Dave, The Mad Lads, Wilson Pickett, Elvis Presley, and The Staple Singers (remember them?).

So why am I talking about a record label today? A couple of reasons. One is that Stax/Volt was started as an independent record label by two white executives, and featured several bands that were racially integrated. We don't tend to think of this as a big deal now, but back in the day an integrated record label in the South really meant something.

Another reason is that we don't typically think of record labels as specializing in one "type" of music. Hip-hop labels are obviously an exception, but a major label like Warner Brothers Records has artists ranging from Blake Shelton to Seal, a kind of variety that is much more common. And the Stax/Volt label is, like Motown, renowned for their creativity, artist development, historical significance, and social influence.

So what happened to Stax/Volt? It was sold in the 70s, went through some new management, and was forced into bankruptcy in 1975. In 1981, the Stax studio and headquarters was sold to a church for $10. And in 1989, the church tore down the original building, which suffered from years of neglect. But in 2003, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music was built and opened in the same spot, and contains a replica of the original studio, a music school, a museum, and an actual wooden church from the Mississippi Delta that is over 100 years old. In 2006, the label began operating under the Stax name again to bring soul music to a whole new generation of listeners. (If you're ever in Memphis, you should visit the museum. You'll be dancing by the time you leave.)

What should you know about soul music? Modern R&B comes from soul. It has roots in blues and gospel music. Rhythm is a big deal in soul music, and you'll usually hear big productions in the music—multi-piece bands, brass, background singers, pianos, and often a rhythm section. Soul is usually very danceable, emotional music and you might hear what's called a call-and-response structure in it, where the background singers echo the lead singer. Ray Charles is sometimes called the inventor of soul. Aretha Franklin is probably the most famous soul singer, but James Brown, Smokey Robinson, and Marvin Gaye are also names you might recognize.

All right, time to stop talking and get to listening. Y'all grab your headphones and take a musical tour of Ten Soul Songs You Shouldn't Miss. They're in no particular order. They will be probably be familiar songs, but try to listen with new ears. Enjoy!

10. R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Aretha Franklin

9. I Can't Stop Lovin' You, Ray Charles (Probably more R&B than soul, but still a classic.)

8. Soul Man, Sam and Dave

7. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay, Otis Redding

6. Stand By Me, Ben E King

5. Green Onions, Booker T and the M.G.s (This song was apparently named after a cat named Green Onions, for his distinctive walk.)

4. What's Goin' On, Marvin Gaye (This song is a social/political kind of sign-of-the-times song.)

3. The Tracks Of My Tears, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles

2. My Girl, The Temptations

1. I Got You (I Feel Good), James Brown

Music Minute - Freedom Highway Edition

Last time I posted, I talked about a new format for the Music Minute column. I've been thinking and studying and praying, and decided that instead of music reviews, we're going to focus on music in a different way.

Music has always been a huge part of my life. In the last 10 years or so I've been working hard on expanding my musical horizons. Finding a link between the musical past and present is endlessly fascinating, and I've gone through lots of musical "phases" that included everything from Hank Williams to Beethoven. I rarely find music I don't like. Music can trigger emotions, tell a story, encourage you to worship God, make you smile or laugh, take you back to being a little kid, or get stuck in your head and drive you crazy.

I've learned that lots and lots of different kinds of music have value—not just the stuff you like right now. And we're (hopefully) going to take a bit of a musical journey together that will include a lot of different kinds of music. We'll feature a playlist or two based on a particular topic. Sometimes it will be a taste of musical history. It might be stuff you've never heard of. Some of the music will be "Christian." Some of it will be mainstream music recorded and sung by Christians. (I'm also going to try to include some YouTube links to special performances, but I'll do this knowing that the comments section on YouTube isn't always clean—and you should know that while we sadly recognize that stuff is out there, we don't endorse it.)

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That said, our first all-new Music Minute is going to be about...the American Civil Rights movement music of the 1950s and 60s. It's Black History Month, and this music is so good y'all. I think it's a perfect start to our new setup. We're going to talk about black gospel music this time...specifically, the mix of gospel, soul and spirituals that became the anthems of the Civil Rights Movement.

Music is a product of its times. People write songs and sing about what they care about. Historically, the Southern black preachers in the 50s and 60s were community leaders-turned organizers of the Civil Rights Movement—peaceful demonstrations, marches, and protests aimed at bringing racial equality and voting rights and outlawing segregation in the American South. Church music became inextricably entwined in the march toward freedom, and many black gospel, R&B, and soul music stars were church folk who brought their musical and speaking styles to a wider audience.

For instance, Aretha Franklin grew up singing songs in the church her father pastored in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr became pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama at age 25. Sam Cooke was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi (often called the birthplace of the blues), the youngest of seven children of a Baptist minister. All three became pivotal figures in history, two because of music, one because of his preaching style and message of courage, peace and perseverance. (Who says the church doesn't change history?)

Today I'd like to re-introduce you to some songs about freedom, about courage, about longsuffering. The most famous of these songs is "We Shall Overcome," a song which probably makes you think of people standing in the way of fire hoses and tear gas. Originally titled "I Shall Overcome," this song was based on a gospel song by Charles Albert Tindley called "I'll Overcome Someday" combined with parts of an old spiritual called "No More Auction Block For Me," whose melody you might recognize if you've ever heard the song "Blowin' In The Wind." You'll recognize others, like "This Little Light Of Mine" and "Kumbaya."

So here's some listening, all online, all free:

• Find two free albums' worth of Black American Freedom Songs at emusic. You can preview and download all the songs.

• Go to this link and listen to Martin Luther King, Jr's "I Have A Dream" speech if you want a little context.

• Check out The Staple Singers. The R&B music you're familiar with today has its roots in black gospel music, and The Staple Singers' combination of gospel and soul is as good an introduction as any. In the late 1960s the band stopped recording only gospel songs and started recording protest songs as well. Listen to "I'll Take You There," another big hit from the Civil Rights era. And check out "Respect Yourself." (And for some good old-fashioned church music, listen to their version of "Glory Glory Hallelujah." It will make you want to stand up and praise God.) Their album Freedom Highway is currently on repeat in my iPod.

• Just because it's beautiful and sweet and full of emotion, listen to Mahalia Jackson singing "We Shall Overcome." (Also check out some crazy glasses a minute or two in.)

• And here's Odetta singing "No More Auction Block For Me." If you have time, check out her duet of "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" with Tennessee Ernie Ford.

Now you've had a bit of introduction, and I hope you'll spend a little time digging around on your own. You can put in one of these songs at a site like Last FM or Pandora and you'll find a bunch of related music.

I hope you've had fun during our first musical journey. I'll be back in two weeks with another playlist!

Music Minute

We've got new stuff fresh from Norway today, which makes me happy because my grandmother on my mom's side was Norwegian, and these fellas are from Stavanger, where my gran was born. (Ya.)

Dreampilots were a big hit at GMA week here in Nashville this year, and they've released an album called Comedown that is full of rockin' 70s-style guitar tunes. They're part Switchfoot, part U2, and part Radiohead, but keep listening and you'll hear a lot of pop influence, too. Check out the title track...just don't ask me how to say their names. Karl, Oddi, and Inge I can do, but I've absolutely no idea how to say "Gulliev." The band's name comes from their desire to "pilot people to the Lord." We like that!





And maybe you know by now that Hawk Nelson released a new album last week called Live Life Loud. (To the best of my knowledge, they are not Norwegian.) If you've never listened to Hawk Nelson, you should! We love their philosophy (which is not about volume), their sense of humor, and their name. These fellas give 110% all the time. Bring your 3D glasses to their site and have a little fun previewing their tracks. Then skip on over to iTunes and pick up some tunes for your very own. (Yes, I said "skip." Don't be a hater.) Here's a link to the title track.

Music Minute! Wash Your Hands Edition

Hello, music fans! School's back in session for most of you and TV news keeps saying that H1N1 is out there and making the rounds, so here's a friendly reminder from ec to be diligent about washing your hands. Here's our favorite hand-washing tip:

You remember the alphabet song from being a kid? Turns out that if you wash your hands as long as it takes to sing it through to the end (including the "now I know" part), you'll have washed for about 20 seconds—enough time to get your hands actually clean. (You can also sing "Happy Birthday" through twice.) Scary thought: 20 seconds feels really long, so obviously we haven't been washing our hands enough. So sing while you wash!

For more tips on hand-washing, go here.

Now, for the music. First off, let's talk about an album you're going to hear about. Everybody's been talking this week about the new album from Derek Webb, Stockholm Syndrome. (Stockholm syndrome happens when a kidnapping or hostage victim begins to sympathize with his or her abductors.) You probably know Webb as one of the original members of Caedmon's Call. These songs are all about confronting the realities of the world around us, and how the Church should be making a difference. And he's right, we really ought to be. (Read more about living as a disciple of Jesus in our September cover story.)

Webb's new hip-hop sound, with tasty beats and a pop feel, is a departure from his folk-rock roots. The result is catchy, dreamy, and haunting. The controversial part comes in on Webb's use of "salty" language and topics in some of the songs, particularly "What Matters More," which is meant to encourage believers to examine their attitude toward gay people.

We want to be clear: we are not endorsing this album. But we're not condemning Webb or his work, either. We simply don't want to ignore the album and its controversy because it's uncomfortable to talk about. Webb has strong opinions about issues of injustice and takes them on with his usual brash style in this album. But we're not sure using foul language was the way to go about it. The uncensored version of the album was released via the Internet in July; the censored version (which does not include "What Matters More") was released in stores yesterday.

In other Christian music news, two albums with less controversy that we're really digging are Matt Papa's Your Kingdom Come and Jason Gray's Everything Sad Is Coming Untrue. Like Webb, Matt Papa is a man with things to say to the church. He says the goal of this album is to challenge himself and other believers to leave a lasting impression of God's goodness and faithfulness wherever they may be. Give a listen to "Open Hands.” Jason Gray's album is all about renewal, hope, worship, and sacrifice. Let songs like "More Like Falling in Love" and “For the First Time, Again” challenge and change you.


Next week, Bethany Dillon releases a new album called Stop & Listen. We love Bethany's music and we're excited to pass along this full-album preview from New Release Tuesday. Listen to the whole thing here (signup is free but required) and catch it on iTunes next week.

Thanks for reading, and keep your hands clean. Seriously!

Music Minute

So this weekend, I got a lecture from my mom. Let me tell you, getting a mom-lecture at thirty-something years of age isn't any more fun than when you're 16, and I admit I kind of sighed a little when she started talking (sorry Mom!). I have asthma, and my mom not only has it too, she's a nurse. This lecture was all about taking my medicine properly. But it quickly became obvious she was saying something I really needed to hear! (Drat.) I should be taking one of my medicines all the time, not just when I feel bad. Not to get all scientific, but this particular medicine prevents your body from having an asthma attack—if you take it right. Long story short, I'm going to have to keep taking this medicine even when I don't feel sick, because there is a real and tangible health benefit from taking it when I'm well.

And - not to be weird, but hymns are like that. The longer I'm a Christian, the more I realize the value of Christian music—whether it's top-40 pop or from a hymnal. And aren't we always hearing about our "spiritual health"? Knowing and singing hymns are a critical part of your spiritual health.

To begin with, most hymns are based on scripture, so when you sing them, you're really reminding yourself of what God says in His word. Hymns are set to music, which most people find at least as easy to remember as scripture—maybe easier. Now, I'm not suggesting that you sing hymns instead of reading your bible, but you will increase your spiritual knowledge if you know a few Christian songs. And sometimes it's really hard as a weak human being with flesh to make yourself pray. (I say that with sadness; I really wish it was easy for me to spring out of bed every day and pray.)

There's also a structure to hymns that can help you in your prayers. You can pray while singing a hymn, you know. And refrains and choruses serve to bring home the essential point of the song, that God is faithful, or that He is watching over you, or that He is mighty to save.

So are you convinced that knowing some hymns is a good thing? Yay! Now I'd like to introduce you to Hillsong United, a really terrific praise and worship band from Australia's Hillsong Church. Hillsong United is their youth worship band, whose brand-new album Across the Earth: Tear Down The Walls is full of tasty, power-pop worship that will make you hear hymns and praise songs in a whole new light.

To check them out, you can click this link and get a preview of each song AND a lyric sheet. And if you go here, you can listen to the album for free all week!

And if you listen a couple of times and really like them, you can find their album at the iTunes Music Store. We like "You Hold Me Now."



Fill your spiritual toolbox with lots of hymns and praise songs. You'll be amazed at how they just sort of happen to come to mind when you're feeling a bit lost and scared and small. Paul and Silas sang hymns, and the Psalms are full of spiritual songs. Both hymns and scripture readings benefit you when you do them daily—don't wait until you're feeling bad to rely on them. There is a good chance they'll help you long before you think you need them.

I'll leave you with Psalm 59:16:

But I will sing of Your strength
and will joyfully proclaim
Your faithful love in the morning.
For You have been a stronghold for me,
a refuge in my day of trouble.

Happy Wednesday!

Music Minute

During the third week in April, pretty much everybody who works in Christian music is working on the Dove awards in some form or other—publicist, artists, magazine editors, and managers work on artist interviews, showcases, and meet-and-greets—so we're pretty impressed with anybody who also releases an album that week. But that's exactly what Jars of Clay did, and you really need to check their album out.

The Long Fall Back to Earth is full of beautiful, sparkling rock songs. Snappy beats, a lovely, clear electric guitar and stacks of voices make "Heart" an early favorite on this record. And if you picture yourself sitting on a dock down by the lake, with the sun shining on your face and the smell of water and sand in your nose, that's a pretty good picture of how "There Might Be A Light" sounds. Overall, the album reminds us a lot of Sigur Rós—in a good way. Have a listen, y'all! I'll link you to "Hero," but you can find the rest of the album at the iTunes store, too.



It's getting closer and closer to summer. What are your favorite warm-weather tunes? You know, the songs that make you think of summer, even in the middle of winter. Some choices are obvious, like The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, others, not so much. Leave us a comment with your favorite summertime music!

Music Minute

Hey y'all! Jen here with another edition of Music Minute, where I do my best to expand your Christian music horizons and tell you what's going on with it.



Seventh Day Slumber released a new record called Take Everything earlier this month, and we love it. Full of mellow guitar rock, beautiful piano ballads, and even a little bit of power pop, these guys take the term "worship album" to a whole new level. Give it a spin at their MySpace page or pick it up on iTunes. We like "Mighty to Save."



Next up, do y'all remember the band LaRue? Years ago, Phillip and Natalie appeared on an ec poster. Well, Phillip LaRue's got a solo project called Let the Road Pave Itself. And, he's posted a full-album stream of it online! You can find it at his web site. It's got jangly guitars and a nice Coldplay kind of vibe to it. And Phillip has really cool hair. The album doesn't come out till April 7th, so you'll have to be content with the Web release for a bit, but you can find the single "Chasing the Daylight" on iTunes right now.



And last, we're so excited about a new album from Mandisa! We really loved her first album, True Beauty, and her followup release Freedom sounds just as good. How do we know this? Because her upcoming album (releases March 24th) is ALSO available for you to preview online for free! How cool is that? Here's the link. We're really glad Mandisa decided to do Christian music after American Idol. Her blend of soul music and pop makes us want to worship God. We like "He Is With You." (And also, we LOVE her orange coat.) Check out "My Deliverer" on iTunes right now.



So, what's going on with you? What are you listening to these days? Leave me a comment - I'd love to hear!

Music Minute

This morning, I got stuck in traffic AGAIN. I overslept and got out the door as fast as I could, only to be stuck at an almost-standstill on an eight-lane interstate for 30 minutes. I'm really tired, generally. At least five of my friends have a loved one with cancer—not the "we-better-watch-this" kind, but the extra-scary "we'd-better-get-you-in-here-right-away" kind. Lately I've been feeling a bit lonely, scared, and generally frustrated with a lot of things. Sometimes it's easy to feel like God has maybe forgotten about you a little bit. And it seems like one thing that always makes me feel better—but that I often forget—is singing hymns.

OK, I know you're thinking that's kind of churchy and dippy, but I don't think it is. I think if you know some hymns by heart and take time to sing them when you're stressed, angry, and afraid, it's a way you can simply sit before God and be with Him. You don't need to worry about what words to say, because they're already written. And it always seems like music just hits me down deep.

I'm not necessarily talking about singing the hymnal, either. One of my most favorite albums is a Selah album called Press On. There are hymns on it, but there are also spirituals, regular songs, and at least one song sung in Kituba, a Central African language I don't even understand. But somehow, just knowing that they are singing words to praise God makes things a lot better. Your favorite Christian music can help you re-focus on God. It doesn't have to be slow, quiet, or churchy-sounding. Occasionally I'll just start singing old-school Supertones songs (yes, I'm a 90s dork). That also does the trick.

Let's face it. You're busy this week, probably busier than last week, and it doesn't look like it's slowing down any time soon. Do you really have time to listen to or memorize a couple of hymns? I hope you do, and I think you should make a little time for it. To be honest, your life isn't going to slow down. Stress isn't going to stop, and there will always be something you're afraid of or worried about. Finding some favorite hymns is one way you can praise God, calm down, and have a little quiet time all in one go. Take a few minutes this week to think about what music makes you feel better, more worshipful, and quieter. Do you have a favorite hymn? Did something strike you as especially moving this week during worship? Or maybe you find yourself singing a little bit of a Christian song to yourself.

Whatever it is, make a mental or written note of that song, and try to remember to come back to it when you need a few seconds of peace. It's very interesting to me that when Paul and Silas were thrown into prison (and we are really talking about something much more like a dungeon with chains and dripping water and vile food than something like a modern jail), they sang hymns and songs. Remember Psalm 13:6: "I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me."

Next time I'll be back with some new Christian music releases!

Music Minute

Hey music fans! Hope y'all are doing well. Do you know about Twitter? It's a "microblogging" service - you get to enter and publish what you're doing, but only in 140 characters or less, and you can "follow" people you're interested in hearing about - you'll see their "tweets" (or posts) show up on your page. Just like with anything on the web, you should proceed cautiously and use common sense - and remember that EVERYTHING you say is public.

You can find a lot of Christian musicians on Twitter who post little updates about what they're doing. And of course ec magazine has a Twitter feed — which we also publish right there on the left hand side in the blog sidebar. You can follow us - @ecmagazine - and you'll get a daily devotion tweet, plus a glimpse into the production process of ec magazine.

As far as I can tell, absolutely nothing came out this week in Christian music, and of the two albums that were on my list to cover, only one is actually releasing. So here's a preview of what's coming up. It's a little bit of a changeup from my regular format, but here we go!



House of Heroes is a alt-rock band made up of four guys from Columbus, Ohio who signed to Gotee Records in 2005. (Since Gotee usually deals with pop-rock, hip-hop and rap artists, they started an imprint label in 2003 called Mono Vs. Stereo to release indie music — including HOH.) Their sound is full of driving guitars, kicky drums, pretty vocals, and clever lyrics. Best of all, if you put your email address in at Free HOH, you'll get to download three of their songs for free. (Yes, free!) The End Is Not The End hits stores March 3rd. You can already buy some of their new stuff at the iTunes store, though.

"Code Name Raven" leans heavily toward power pop and is so catchy, we can't stop listening. We hope the rest of their album is as much fun to listen to as what we've heard. You can pre-order the album now and you'll get two bonus tracks and a free dog tag (according to Gotee's Twitter feed).



And if you are on Twitter, leave us a comment with your username and we'll follow you! We love you guys and we want to know what you're doing, what you're interested in, and how we can help you live out your faith. The more you talk to us, the more we can do that. So please don't be shy about leaving comments here or at our Facebook page. We really, really want to hear from you!

Music Minute

What's new: Dock me a point for being tardy this week, will you? I've been rushing around trying to finish a project, and...well, first the cat ate my homework, then I got stuck in traffic, and I washed it in the laundry, and I couldn't—

(crash)
(thud)

Ahem. Um, don't make excuses for being late. Most of the time, it doesn't matter why you were late (note: there are times in your life when it WILL matter, and part of your job is figuring out when it does and when it doesn't). It's important to ME to figure out why I was late so I don't do it again, but it's probably not really important to you. Make sense?

(And also, I just remembered that this morning when I left my apartment, I left the dryer door open and I REALLY hope the cats are not asleep in there on my laundry. Maybe I need to get it together this week, huh?)

New stuff this time from Salvador and Julian Drive.

What we like: Julian Drive released My Coming Day last month, and you should check it out. If you like Coldplay, JD's lovely mix of power pop, guitar, and vocals will make you happy. There's a lot to like on this album (last time we mentioned "Cry"). A standout is "The Reason" - yes, that's a cover of Hoobastank's hit! These guys add emotional depth, sparkle and power to an already-cool song. Check it out.



Nashville-based jam band Salvador released Aware on February 3. (A jam band is a band who doesn't really have a set list for playing live - they just "jam" or improvise, and it's different for every show. Even the band doesn't know what's next. One classic example is The Grateful Dead.) Salvador's pop-worship sound will stay with you long after the record stops spinning. We like the title track.



PS: you can follow them on Twitter, too - just look for @salvadormusic.

What's coming up: New stuff from Decyfer Down is due out next week. Fans of Skillet, POD, and U2 will like their sound - it's big, heavy rock music with substance. We've listened to a little at their MySpace page and what we've heard, we like. Check out "Crash," the title song from their upcoming album.



What we don't like: Valentine's Day jewelry ads on TV, meatloaf (SORRY MOM), and uh, forgetting things.

Music Minute - Holiday Shopping Rush Edition!

Well, here we are again! Y'all, I don't know about you but I cannot *believe* it's already December 10th. I've only bought one gift, I haven't bought Christmas cards...at least I have my tree up. (I have two cats who love Christmas like you wouldn't believe. Their holiday rule is "One kitty must be sleeping under the tree at all times.") Things are hectic. So maybe you're looking for some tasty holiday music to put you in the Christmas spirit, and I'm here to help with two new releases. And next week I'll be back with an extra column about some unusual (for you, probably) Christmas music and why you should check it out.

DecembeRadio released a Christmas EP called Comfort & Joy. And wow, their acoustic-rock version of "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen" is amazing. If you haven't already heard it on the radio, check out the myspace link for a preview. Layers of vocals and instruments make this often-overlooked-as-stuffy hymn come alive with a gorgeous, full sound that will put you in the holiday spirit. We hear there's also a cover of Chuck Berry's classic "Run Run Rudolph" on the album, so be sure to check it out!



And for everybody who loves the sound of BarlowGirl's harmonies, there's Home for Christmas, an album of traditional Christmas carols. Minimal arrangements, string accompaniment, and soaring vocals combine to make you hear these carols in a whole new way. We like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," because, well, as Christmas carols go, we think it's one of the best.



There are so many things to love about home, family, and friends at Christmas. When you're decorating the tree, smelling the cookies baking, saying grace with your family, singing Christmas hymns and carols, or throwing snowballs at your brother, take a second to remember a little child in Bethlehem sleeping in a manger. I am pretty old compared to y'all, but I never get used to the idea that of all the ways God could have come to earth to show Himself to us, He decided to become a baby. Let Christmas remind you that God loves you. And have yourself a merry little Christmas.

Music Minute: World-Series Pinch-hitting Intern Edition!

Hey guys, Jen here! I've been in a bit of a panic these days to get some things caught up around the ec hallways. Luckily our awesome intern Chansin has agreed to pinch-hit for me. So without further rain delay, here she is!

What’s New: Screamo fans will be happy that Emery releases While Broken Hearts Prevail today. Andrew Peterson’s mellow tunes on his recent release, Resurrection Letters, Vol. II, reached No. 3 in the iTunes top downloaded Christian albums chart. For fans of Switchfoot and Relient K, you’ll also like Portland band Ruth. They just came out with their sophomore album, Anorak.

What We Like:

Perhaps you’ve heard of Hillsong, Australia’s largest evangelical church. They’ve produced top-selling worship albums of the music they use in their services. Yesterday a sister church in England, Hillsong London, released its fourth album, Hail to the King. With thirteen new songs (two of which were co-written with Israel Houghton), you can bet some of these tunes might be sung in American churches pretty soon. If you like contemporary worship music at all, this CD is for you. You Are Here is one of my favorites because it’s a simple reminder that God is near, even at this very moment. Check it out.



Shane & Shane released their first-ever Christmas album a couple weeks ago. Halloween hasn’t even happened yet, but who can help but be excited about Christmas music … especially from this awesome acoustic duo? The album features your favorite Christmas songs like "O Holy Night," "White Christmas," and "It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas." I love it that they didn’t feel they had to only sing Christian carols. On Glory in The Highest the guys sound the same as they always have – which means you’re going to love them. Our ec pick? "It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas."



What we’re looking forward to: Jeremy Camp is releasing an album called Speaking Louder Than Before. He says it’s specifically aimed at youth … that means you! Maybe you’ve already heard one of the album’s songs, "There Will Be A Day," on the radio. You can download this inspiring, melodic song on iTunes right now and then get the entire cd on Nov. 25.



What we don’t like: Lukewarm coffee, hand-washing dishes, and too much homework.

Music Minute

I don't know about y'all, but I can REALLY relate to Emily's post below. I'm the total polar opposite of her working style - total right-brainer - but I still have a lot of trouble dealing with change. (Not the "coin" variety, either.) So don't be thinking "that's not me" just because you aren't a planner. Unexpected events seem to be part of the way God works. Run with it!

So what's new? I became a Christian back in the 90s, and I get easily distracted by bands that I've been listening to for ages.



So I'll get that out of the way first - new stuff from Sixpence None the Richer hit the stores last month, and I've gotta give them a little shout-out. The Dawn of Grace is a Christmas album - both traditional and original songs - and Christmas is my favorite time of year, so I like this a lot. The simple arrangements and Leigh Nash's clear voice make this album a tasty musical treat. And check out Mere Christianity if you've never read it; it's where the band gets its name. We like Silent Night.



Orlando rockers Anberlin range in age from 16 to 26 and bring all kinds of musical influences to the table - The Smiths, The Cure, Jeff Buckley, and a little dose of Southern rock thrown in for good measure. Their latest album, New Surrender, is a mash-up of these influences, combined with an indie-rock attitude. We like Breaking.



What we're looking forward to: Screamo fans will like Emery - definitely harder than your typical Christian rock, but not punishing. If punk is your thing, check these boys out. On October 28 they release While Broken Hearts Prevail. Fans of My Chemical Romance will like Edge of the World. We're hoping the rest of the album is as good as this song.

Mandisa releases a Christmas album November 20.

What we don't like: Raking leaves, pumpkin guts, and having to wake up before sunrise.

Music Minute: Extra-Speedy Deadline Edition

Wow, can you believe September is half over already? I can't - I feel kind of like Rip Van Winkle. We are finishing up a mad, mad rush to get the January issue of ec on press, so I'll have to be quick. But I did want to point out a couple (meaning, just two!) things you ought to check out in Christian music this week.

What's new: New stuff from Bebo Norman, Rush of Fools, Group 1 Crew and Nevertheless.

What we like: Chattanooga boys Nevertheless released In the Making, which is chock full of mellow rock tunes, sparkly piano and soaring vocals. Fans of Coldplay should check it out. We like 'It's True.'



• Group 1 Crew's mix of hip-hop, funk, and soul is so, so catchy, y'all! Check out their new album Ordinary Dreamers - you won't be disappointed. 'Keys to the Kingdom' had me walking around all day singing it!



What we're looking forward to: Making this deadline. :o)

What we don't like: Stinky gym bags, pop quizzes, and those cold, cold metal bleachers at football games.

(PS: If you have an iPod or use iTunes for your music, update to iTunes 8 and be sure to check out the Genius feature. It suggests custom playlists made from your own music (just pick a song), and will reintroduce you to tunes you forgot all about!)

Music Minute

I don't know about y'all but I'm exhausted. Summer is almost over. We had the Olympics, the Democratic National Convention, Hurricane Gustav, part of the Republican National Convention...and suddenly August is over and everybody is back to school. And I need some new music, so let's check out what's going on this week!

What's new: Remedy Drive's new album Daylight Is Coming came out August 26. New releases are also out from DecembeRadio, Chris Tomlin, GRITS, This Beautiful Republic, underOATH, and Jimmy Needham.



What we like: It's no secret the ec staff are fans of indie rock cool-boys Remedy Drive. Daylight Is Coming somehow manages to be both rockin' and mellow at the same time. There's plenty to like on their latest (including "Daylight," the song Mandy mentioned earlier). Check out "What Happens at the End." Snappy drums and a great hook will give you some motivation to get through the day.



(Note: MySpace pages for the next two bands crashed, so I am linking you to their websites instead. You can still preview their tunes; that's one of my conditions for reviewing a band here.)

You gotta love a band that describes itself as "Rock / Rock / Rock." Florida metal band underOATH is definitely not typical Christian music, but so what? We like it! And if big, loud metal is your thing (I confess to owning a few Metallica albums back in the day), you'll like what these boys offer up on Lost in the Sound of Separation. Check out "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures."



And finally, This Beautiful Republic released Even Heroes Need a Parachute. You'll find lots of power-pop goodness on this album - not to mention a super-cool album cover. If you kind of imagine crossing Jars of Clay with My Chemical Romance, you're getting close to their sound. We like "Fears and Failures."



What we're looking forward to: Rush of Fools delivers Wonder of the World on September 16. And GRITS releases Reiterate September 30.

What we don't like: Stinky gym bags, assigned seats, and why doesn't newspaper ever tear in a straight line? (Actually, I can answer that one. Because of the structure of the paper, the fibers lie in one direction. Tear it that way, and you'll get a reasonably straight line. Tear it the other way, across the fibers. and it will look like your six-year old brother did it.)

Music Minute: 100-Degree-August Pre-Olympic Edition

(Yes, I know that title is dorky.)

Jen here with another Music Minute - I'll do anything to stay inside this week, where the heat index in Nashville has been around 110 degrees every day! The way I see it, when it's this hot you've got two choices: stay inside with the air conditioning turned on or kick it by the pool. Either way you'll have plenty of time for some new tunes, right? Right! (Also try to catch some Olympics action...in college, I was on a rowing crew so I'll be watching that event for sure.)

What's new: Big Daddy Weave, Francesca Battistelli, Nicole C. Mullen, The Classic Crime, Third Day, and The Wrecking all released new albums since we last talked, and Corey Crowder released a great southern-rock single on iTunes.

I'm going to keep things simple and pick three, in no particular order:

What we like:



• Alternative/Indie Rock fans will love the latest release from The Classic Crime. We're not sure what the classic crime is or who committed it, but we like what we've heard of The Silver Cord, especially "Abracadavers."



• Big Daddy Weave's new release What Life Would Be Like. It's full of sparkling, mellow pop tunes that will take the edge off any hot summer day. We like the title track. (Also, if you're a fan of Coldplay, you should check these guys out.) Big Daddy Weave is playing a lot of concert dates this summer so you might want to catch a show - find tour dates at their website.



• We have to admit this is a teeny bit different for Music Minute, but we LOVE Francesca Battistelli's new album, My Paper Heart. A little jazz, a little rock, a little pop, some songs remind us of Feist and Fiona Apple, and others sound just a little bit like Taylor Swift. It's a crazy-sounding mix but sometimes crazy can be good. This is definitely not an album to miss. We like "I'm Letting Go."



What we're looking forward to: Call us cheesy, but we're really looking forward to the new Jonas Brothers record, which is supposed to release August 12. I mean, Camp Rock, cool hair, great tunes - what's not to like?

What we don't like: The end of summer break, mowing the lawn when it's 95 degrees, and chopping onions.

Music Minute: Deluxe Birthday Edition!

Jen here, with another Music Minute! (Today is my birthday and I'm trying to get some mileage out of it. Wish me a happy birthday!)

Special thanks to Mandy for pinch-hitting for me last time. I've been buried up to my neck redesigning ec, but it's finished now and we think you're going to love it! You'll find an all-new magazine starting with the October 2008 issue. 

What's brand new: It's a big week in Christian music! There's a new album from Kutless, one from Superchick, a new EP from rock worship group Fee, Canadian rapper Manafest, new wave duo Bon Voyage, indie rockers Seabird, and a 20th-anniversary disc from Amy Grant.



What we like: 

• Confession time here at ec: I loves me some Superchick. Not only do they consistently produce catchy records full of awesome messages, they are some seriously great people. (A few years ago I got to spend the day with them out in L.A. for an ec photo shoot and y'all - they are super cool and fun in real life.) Rock What You Got is their first album in three years. You'll find plenty to like on this album; our favorite is "Hey Hey," a sonic, guitar-filled power-pop tune with a funky beat. Check it out! 



• If you're a fan of Coldplay and U2, you're going to dig the new album from Kutless, To Know That You're Alive. We like "Complete," which features strings recorded at the historic Abbey Road Studios in London. And according to a recent press release, "After a summer of key music festivals, Kutless will headline the first ever Creation Tour, which will be a rock replica on wheels of the 30-year-old summer festival." Fun!



• Now for something a little different. Growing up, my family went camping every summer in Canada, and honestly, "Canada" and "hip-hop" are not two things I'd naturally put together. But Canadian hip-hop artist Manafest has totally proven me wrong with his new album, Citizens Activ, which is about people taking action in their own lives. If you're into TobyMac, you should definitely check this out. We like "Steppin Out,"  a totally awesome song featuring ska guitar thrown into an irresistible dance track.



• Fans of new wave music will love Lies, the new release from Bon Voyage. It's mellow, happy pop with ever-so-slightly mechanical singing and beats in the spirit of the best 80s new wave music - but it's not campy, just good fun! (For example, "Monster" talks about wanting to be a monster under the stairs.) Anyway, check out "Wake Up Make Up" and you'll see what I mean - this stuff is seriously catchy, and I'm not just saying that because I grew up in the 80s!



What we're looking forward to: the new Nicole C. Mullen album releasing July 22. If you want great, uplifting R&B-style tunes, look no further!

What we don't like: Getting a farmer's sunburn (worse than a farmer's tan!), perfume addicts who leave a little trail everywhere they go, and getting a flat tire.

Music Minute

So, usually it's ec's trusty graphic design guru and lover of all things musical, Jen, who drops by twice a month to write the Music Minute. . . but right this minute, she's working furiously on ec's redesign, set to find its way into your hands in October. That girl has been working around the clock, and we can't wait to see what you think about ec's new look, focus, and feel!

So in the meantime, let's take a look the new releases this week in the realm of Christian music! Ready, set, go!

What's brand new:
(and we're really excited about—well, at least I am)
• Jon Foreman's release of Fall and Winter, the first of his seasonally themed solo series of EPs. The Spring and Summer 2-disc set will release on June 24. Foreman, the frontman of Switchfoot, knows these songs are a departure from the band's style, but says they're also another side of him. The music is stripped down, mostly acoustic, deeply personal and introspective. The whole series moves listners from themes of depression, death, and darkness to reflections on growth and rebirth. These are personal songs for Foreman, highly autobiographical and, therefore, too personal for a band to release. The solo albums won't distract from Switchfoot, even though Foreman is currently working on another side venture called the Real SeanJon with Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek. Why we like it? It's beautiful in its simplicity, full of poetic lyrics, and in the end, brings us to a place of worship. Give a listen to "My Love Goes Free."


• Need something a little harder? Try Inhale/Exhale's release I Swear. The group is often described as Christian metalcore, and the album testifies to that with big guitar riffs and screaming vocals. Need a release for stress or anger? Listen to a few of these tracks and dance it out! Check out "No One Is Invincible."


• Anthony Evans also brings something new to the table this week with his gospel album, The Bridge. It's a worship-based project, full of songs you probably know in Anthony's unique style. Play it while you're cleaning up your room. You'll make your mom happy and worship God at the same time!


What we're looking forward to:
Kutless and Superchick both release new albums on June 24. We can't wait to see what these two Christian superbands have to say this time!

What we don't like: close talkers, Debbie Downers, and humidity