GuideReviews Index

Betsy Walker - "Come By Here"
This is an interesting mix of musical styles and lyrical magic. Betsy manages to take you through a wonderful journey of melodies mixed with excellent harmonies while delivering a down to earth message.

Rebecca St. James - If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something
If you are expecting this release to be perky and upbeat, without even a hint of a dark moment, you're in for a surprise. In the past six years Rebecca St. James has lived ... and life, even Christian life, has rough spots.

Fred Thomas - I See You
I See You starts out strong with the title track and keeps up the pace of excellence throughout the rest of the album. This well-produced worship/pop experience will make you a Fred Thomas fan within minutes.

Starfield - 'Beauty in the Broken'
There is some good music on Starfield's sophmore release, just as there are some good vocals... However, to my ears, there just isn't much in the way of growth.

Jerimae Yoder - Vertical
Reviewer Kevan Breitinger says, “Vertical” is a breath of fresh air, and by breath I mean a howling glorious wind of creative passion, Yoder-style, not to be missed.

Michael W. Smith - It's A Wonderful Christmas
In his long and notable career, Michael W. Smith has made a lot of great music and he hasn't been afraid to take chances, doing things a bit differently from everyone else. It's A Wonderful Christmas is certainly no different from the "Smitty-norm" in that respect.

This Beautiful Republic - Even Heroes Need A Parachute
Modern guitar power-pop/rock is the plane that This Beautiful Republic lands in and, for the most part, their landing into the genre is good with a few spectacular moments following them down the runway. Honest and innovative lyrics experience a bit of turbulence with when they bump into cliché-type phrases, but sometimes simply put can be the best way to say something. Bottom line ... this is a slightly better than average debut, but there is a ton of potential for greatness here.

Third Day - Chronology: Volume One
Being from Georgia myself, I've always loved Third Day and their southern rock roots, so I was really looking forward to their first anthology. I wasn't disappointed ... well ... for the most part anyway. The excellence of Third Day is absolutely there, but I felt a bit let down by the redone/remixed songs.

Gregory Paul Smith - I Can Live Again
Former frontman of the Christian rock band, Mars Hill Band, Gregory Paul Smith, has been signed with the newest face on the Christian record label block, KTC Music. His debut 5-star release, I Can Live Again, will hit stores on May 29, 2007.

The Violet Burning - Drop Dead
Guest reviewer Aaron Hollis says, "This album is more similar to The Violet Burning's earlier material than some of their later releases. It's a solid alternative/ new wave album that should please fans of that kind of music."

Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives - Souls' Chapel
Think delta blues, meets Grand Ole Opry in an old-timey tent revival atmosphere and you'll begin to get the picture of this release.

Music Inspired By The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The artists featured on this project inspire a unified feeling of wonder and magic, making it something special.

Joy Williams - Genesis
Reviewer Kevan Breitinger says, "Only 22, Williams is coming off a year jam-packed with a new management company, a new booking agent, a new record, and most significant, a new husband. The latter is evidenced by the standout track, “I’m in Love With You,” passionate and personal."

USMA Cadet Glee Club at West Point - Stand Ye Steady
Maybe it's because my oldest son is in the U.S. Navy's basic training program. Maybe it's because I'm more patriotic than I thought. Either way, even though glee club style music is not normally my cup of tea, I was touched deeply by this release.

Arnold Wong - Solo Hymns
For a quiet devotional tool, I can't imagine a more helpful and perfect recording than Wong's.