As the year comes to a close, here are favorite Pop/Contemporary Christian albums of 2015.
moreThe titular of Grace Chapel Worship's latest EP "Songs of Incarnation: Ever With Us" is most telling. This is not one of those Christmas albums where the artist in an effort to appease both the secular as well as the religious folks, throws in a few Christian-themed carols to keep everyone happy. The titular "Songs of Incarnation: Ever With Us" blueprints the record: this is worship album with a singular focus. It is to give exposition to what the Apostle Paul calls the mystery of God; the grand truth that our God has come amongst us in Christ Jesus.
moreAs the year comes to a close, let's look back at the Southern Gospel releases this year. Below are our top 10 favorites.
moreIf Alison Krauss is the angel of Roots and Bluegrass music, John Bowman is the male counterpart. With his light and earthy tenor that calls to mind the late John Denver, Bowman emotes an organic serenity in the notes he articulates. Try listening to Bowman's tunes after a trying and stressful day at work, and you will feel that his voice not only has a therapeutic effect but it functions like a mighty vessel of the Holy Spirit to comfort our souls.
moreOn Dec. 12, Dolly Parton's TV-movie Coat of Many Colors brought hope and inspiration to many fans. A story loosely based on Parton's life and her #1 hit song of the same name, the movie speaks of how obstacles can be overcomed with perseverence, prayer, faithfulness and love. In celebration of Parton's inspirational movie, we want to re-visit some of Parton's most inspirational and spiritual songs she has had recorded. Here are our Top 5 favorites, check them out, and be inspired.
moreGinny Owens may have been blind since she was two, but when it comes to message of Christmas she has 20/20 vision. While many of us may have been blind sighted by the commercialism of Christmas where words like "gift" and "peace" have been lampooned to become advertising rhetoric, Owns' title track "The Greatest Gift" overturns such blatant clichés.
moreAs 2015 comes to a close, here are our favorite Gospel albums of the year. Below are our top 10 with an excerpt and link to our reviews.
moreIt's easy to misinterpret the titular of Kirk Franklin's new album "Losing My Religion." For starters, Franklin is not abandoning his Christian roots. Neither is he eskewing his references to God and faith on this album. In fact, there's nothing on this new record that suggest any crossover hints.
moreT. Graham Brown celebrates a few firsts this year in 2015. Despite having recorded 14 albums, scored 3 #1 hits, 8 Top 10 hits, and more than 20 charted singles, 2015 marks the first time ever Brown received a Grammy Award nomination. Earlier in year, Brown was nominated for Grammy's Best Gospel Roots album for his Gospel project "Forever Changed."
moreWhen Rhonda Vincent recorded her first Christmas album nine years ago, she approached it like a she was on the ice skating ring for the first time. She sold her "bluegrass" soul and ditch her regular band in favour of making an album that tries to imitate the classic Christmas sounds of Frank Sinatra and Bing Cosby. But that was not enough.
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