What’s Hot in Rock
The album Hello, which earned After Edmund a 2009 GRAMMY nomination for “Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album," is also a favorite amongst other Christian rock artists.
By Andy Argyrakis, senior music editor, GospelMusicChannel.com
With the door having just been shut on 2008, the critics’ year-end picks lists are flooding the internet faster than the snow is falling in chillier terrains. And while it’s always interesting to hear what writers feel are the best tunes of the past 12 months, very rarely do artists get a chance to weigh in on their top picks. But we’re about to change that with our poll of several Christian music rockers, who not only offered what ruled their stereos and iPods in ‘08, but also what they’re excited about at the tip of 2009.
All for one, one for all…in ’08
In some respects, the Christian music talent pool is becoming as vast as the list of American Idol alumni, so why not start with the opinion of a top finalist from that very show? Chris Sligh was no stranger to critical acclaim this past year as his solo CD Running Back To You hit streets, though there are also two other discs he’d recommend. “I think that Remedy Drive’s Daylight Is Coming and Downhere’s Ending Is Beginning tie for my personal favorites of the year,” the singer/songwriter shares with GospelMusicChannel.com. “Both bands write great pop/rock hooks and have an interesting way of looking at matters of faith, life and love.”
Another buzz band of the past year was Disciple, who shifted members and its sound to incorporate elements of southern rock, but maintained an essence of unrelenting riffs and spiritually centered reflections. That being said, singer Kevin Young knows how to spot a record that really rocks, and in this particular case, he agrees with GospelMusicChannel.com editors with his top pick. “I would have to say Fireflight’s new album Unbreakable,” he echoes. “As a band they have taken it to the next level in songwriting. Their songs are very passionate and God-centered. I love it!”
Family Force 5’s guitarist Derek Mount chatted over several choices with his bandmates before checking in, and the results were too close to call. Still, there was one runaway favorite for the group, which just so happens to be nominated for a 2009 GRAMMY Award in the “Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album” category. “After Edmund’s debut album Hello is incredibly hooky and trippy, and it tops the pile for us,” he unveils. “But we’ll give honorable mention to Jonezetta’s Cruel To Be Young, Seabird’s ‘Til We See the Shore, House of Heroes’ The End Is Not the End and The Classic Crime’s The Silver Cord. We’re also pretty confident that Norma Jean’s new record rules, and we’re even more sure Mute Math’s live [DVD] is amazing, but we haven't gotten to check either of them out yet.”
The race is also incredibly tight for punk newcomers Capital Lights, though rather than picking a definitive title, the band tossed together a list of most frequently played collections. “The CDs I probably listened to most in the van were Relient K’s B sides album [The Bird and The Bee Sides], Hawk Nelson Is My Friend, Children 18:3’s self-titled, and Run Kid Run’s Love at the Core,” reveals frontman Bryson Phillips. Though he’s clearly excited when rattling off those powerful projects, Thousand Foot Krutch frontman Trevor McNevan is quick to pass on the props back to the new kids. “I don’t necessarily have one fav., but a strong newcomer is Capital Lights’ This Is An Outrage!”
