Swap a CD: 15 Recently Posted CDs

Signature Songs - Wayne Watson

Wayne Watson — 2009-11-18T13:06:36-05:00

Signature Songs - Kim Hill

Kim Hill — 2009-11-18T13:06:01-05:00

Cheapskates Softer Side - Various Artists

Various Artists — 2009-11-18T10:32:56-05:00

Inside Out - Robert Pierre

Robert Pierre — 2009-11-18T10:21:48-05:00

After the Rain - Aaron & Jeoffrey

Aaron & Jeoffrey — 2009-11-18T10:19:29-05:00

The duo Aaron Jeoffrey, composed of father and son Jeoffrey and Aaron Benward, released their sophomore album, After the Rain, in 1996. The project, which is upbeat ccm and adult contemporary in style, is made strong by the vocals. Both Aaron's and Jeoffrey's deep voices, Jeoffrey's being the lower of the two, are comparable to fellow gospel artists Russ Taff and Russ Lee. Songs include the moderately paced title track and the rhythmic album opener, "Wait for the Promise." ~ Ashleigh Kittle, All Music Guide

Salvador Sony - Salvador

Salvador — 2009-11-18T10:05:11-05:00

Combining all the energy of today's best Latin rock fusion music with powerful spiritual messages and sweeping pop hooks, the Austin, TX-based Salvador makes a case for Christian music being too appealing to not hit the pop charts. The smoking, brass-splashed fire rock of "Lord I Come Before You" is part alt-rock, part pop/Latin and even features a dash of blues. Nick Gonzales' raspy, Bob Carlisle-like vocals sing simply of the worship of the Lord but so emphatically that even the skeptic's heart will agree. It's interesting to catch the Biblical passages and references here, too, and marvel at how Salvador brings them into such an exciting context. As Latin jazz piano pounds in the background and trumpets sound all around, "David Danced" recalls the imagery of Israel's foot-happy king and his celebration of God's love, making it hard not to boogie right along. The intense ballad "Crucified" is not simply about Christ but also the way Christians share in that as they give their lives to Him. "Ain't It Good" is an anthemic declaration of the joy of worship that is also impossible to resist as the bluesy keyboards bounce, the horns explode, and the guitars crackle. Flamenco also plays a part in Salvador's vibe, as quick-strummed guitars form the harmonic backdrop of "Montana." ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide

WideEyed and Mystified - Downhere

Downhere — 2009-11-18T09:51:27-05:00

Wide-Eyed and Mystified is a line in the infectious track "The More," referring to the awe with which we look at God. But it could just as easily denote the reaction of fans who first become familiar with this Canadian-bred Christian band on this third effort and wonder how they lived so long without this masterly crafted melodic rock. Vocalist/guitarist Marc Martel fronts the band with a deeply mature tenor that bears the rare fortune of being compared to Kevin Max. Exhibit A: his soaring chorus on "Remember Me" makes Coldplay's Chris Martin take a backseat. Fellow guitarist Jason Germain takes lead vocals on several ballads that could have been lifted from the band's debut. The theme is uplifting, but you never feel like the guys are talking down to you. There is passion without angst, healing without being dragged through the mud. Can one band truly possess the passion of Casting Crowns, the rock of Sanctus Real, and the melodic wonders of Coldplay-like vocals? Mystifying, indeed. ~ Jared Johnson, All Music Guide

Arriving Enhanced - Chris Tomlin

Chris Tomlin — 2009-11-18T09:49:46-05:00

Passion for Praise Vol 1 - Carman

Carman — 2009-11-18T09:36:51-05:00

Passion for Praise, Vol. 1 is a decently executed album of its type. The choir is nicely balanced and lends a "live" feel to the album, especially with their moments of spontaneous praise. The album includes several standard worship songs: "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High," "Give Thanks," "Shout to the Lord," and "Awesome God." "Shout to the Lord" and "Awesome God" have been done far better on other worship albums. Carman's "I Feel Jesus" is nicely performed, as is his "Now's the Time/Hosanna" combo. When compared to the glut of worship albums on the scene at the time of this album's release, this one is average at best. It's definitely one of Carman's best albums, though; it's nicely arranged with a consistent, full sound. ~ Melinda Hill, All Music Guide

Hope - Michael English

Michael English — 2009-11-18T09:15:52-05:00

Michael English traded the sophomore slump for a scandal, as his second solo album, Hope, made him even more popular, taking home the Dove Award for Artist of the Year in 1994. Only a week later, he left gospel music as a result of an extramarital affair, after which his label dropped him from its roster. ~ Thom Granger, All Music Guide

Sanctuary - Twila Paris

Twila Paris — 2009-11-18T08:52:35-05:00

Produced by contemporary instrumentalist Richard Souther, this album set new musical standards in the inspirational field for arrangement and production ideas. ~ Thom Granger, All Music Guide

Mix of Life - ZOEgirl

ZOEgirl — 2009-11-18T08:50:49-05:00

Beautiful EP - Jamie Rowe

Jamie Rowe — 2009-11-18T00:42:27-05:00

Jeremy Camp Live - Jeremy Camp

Jeremy Camp — 2009-11-17T23:47:04-05:00

Portable Sounds - Tobymac

Tobymac — 2009-11-17T23:45:37-05:00

Take this any way you want, but the fact is that Tobymac is pretty much the Justin Timberlake of the Christian pop set. A refugee from a successful boy band, he is jaw-droppingly talented, with a gift for both butt-kickingly funky grooves and irresistible hooks. Like Timberlake, he also knows how to distribute his hooks, doling them out carefully so as to keep your attention focused; he also possesses the admirable ability to work in a wide variety of styles without ever sounding like a panderer or a dilettante. On his third solo album, he opens with the fun and funky "One World," then settles into a pretty neo-soul groove on "Made to Love" before jumping into a rock-ish hip-hop mode on "Boomin'," and then lapsing into straight-up rock & roll on "I'm for You." Every one of those tracks feels perfectly natural -- though he does sound a bit too much like a Sting imitator during the reggae interlude near the end of "Made to Love." "Ignition" and the embarrassingly titled "Feelin' So Fly" both invoke the glory days of '70s soul. Almost everything here rises to an almost amazing level of musical quality and pure pop joy; the only flies in the ointment are the between-song sketches (please, someone pass a law against between-song sketches) and the obligatory track featuring his son, Trudog -- who seems like a genuinely nice and even talented kid, but whose appearances on his dad's records are just too cloying to be enjoyable to anyone outside the family. Highly recommended overall. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide