Kim's Christian Music Blog

A lot of new music hit stores today but the two releases that I'm the most excited about are Newsboys Live: Houston We Are Go [CD/DVD] (Compare Prices) and Anberlin's New Surrender (Compare Prices).

"Why those two?" you ask.

Well, Newsboys are just that ... the Newsboys ... and watching/hearing them perform live is one of those treats that makes any day a holiday. (Check out the Top 10 Newsboys Songs)

As for Anberlin, I've been waiting to see if their sound would change since they signed with a major label (Universal Republic Records) with curiosity. If getting even better counts, then they definitely are different! For me, this release was more dramatic than their previous two, but they didn't let themselves become "corporate."

_{Image courtesy of: Inpop. Used by permission.}

Manwell, Blanca and Pablo (aka Group 1 Crew) take the sound that won them the Dove Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year earlier this year and makes it bigger and better on Ordinary Dreamers, while still keeping it roughly the same. Fans will love this release and new listeners will catch up pretty quickly.

_{Image courtesy of Fervent Records. Used by permission.}

In the Christian Music Weekly Top 10, Third Day and Brandon Heath are still holding onto the top slots as they were last week. However, everything is not the same with the rest of the chart because new music comes in this week from Norman Hutchins, Jason Champion and Dorinda Clark-Cole, bringing a mix of R&B and pure traditional gospel to the table.

_{Image courtesy of: Reunion Records. Used by permission.}

Revolve All Access is a two day weekend (Friday night – Saturday) event designed for girls, primarily 6th through 12th grade. This season, Hawk Nelson joins Natalie Grant, Group 1 Crew, Krystal Meyers, Danielle Kimmey, Chad Eastham and Jenna Lucado on the tour.

_{Image courtesy of: Tooth & Nail. Used by permission.}

Rush of Fools may not have re-invented the term "Modern Worship" here, they do have quite a bit to offer on their sophomore release. Stirring music mixed with simple messages that we all need to hear regularly, Wonder of the World delivers both. This young band grows with every passing year and every show that they do. I look forward to hearing what they come up with next.

_{Image courtesy of: Midas Records. Used by permission.}

Third Day and Brandon Heath sit on top with vertical songs to our Creator this week while Skillet, Krystal Meyers, This Beautiful Republic and Capital Lights mix it up with some rock, some pop and some punk.

_{Image courtesy of: Essential. Used by permission.}

Christian singer / songwriter Ray Boltz has come out, shocking the Christian community and his fans with his assertion that God made him gay so he is going to live that way.

_{Image courtesy of: Ray Boltz Music. Used by permission.}

Sara Groves (who will be releasing her first Christmas album next month) will join Brandon Heath, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken and author/artist Charlie Peacock, for her ART*MUSIC*JUSTICE tour this fall, which will benefit both the International Justice Mission and Food For the Hungry.

_{Image courtesy of: INO. Used by permission.}

Bebo Norman, who's new album is a winner from beginning to end, recently wrote a guest blog for my friend Joanne Brokaw over at beliefnet.com. In it, he shares news about his new album and he talks candidly (as he always does) about the battle with anxiety that he has fought over the past four years or so. Bebo has taken his life back through "Faith. Real faith. Not some accumulation of spiritual accolades, or wisdom, or even life experience."

_{Image courtesy of: Essential Records. Used by permission.}

Did you know that there are 7 Christian bands and artists that have released 6 different version of songs called "Forever?" Chris Tomlin and Michael W. Smith are the only ones that have released the same version.

_{Image courtesy of: sixsteprecords. Used by permission.}