Fast forward to the present, and the release of their latest disc, Sunday!, and the lads from South Africa haven't lost their luster. The band still avoids vague lyrics like the plague, professing over and over the place they have found in God and the hope we can all find in Him. John Ellis's vocals still jump from prayer-like to borderline yelping when he tries to hit the high notes, and this three-piece still loves to play their rock ‘n roll for Jesus like he's jumping about in the front row of one of their shows, pumping His fists like it "ain't no thang but a barbecued chicken wang."

What changed my mind?  Britt Nicole's Say It.  At first listen, you'll find yourself bouncing and quickly singing along due to the solid hooks.  Produced by veterans Tedd T. and DoubleDutch, both who have a history of producing danceable, energetic music, this album is just plain fun.  With topical references to Venti Chai and Starbucks in just the first 35 seconds, this CD makes you crank the car stereo, roll down the windows, and sing out loud.

Eight years after releasing goesaroundcomesaround-the coolest title this side of Underworld's dubnobasswithmyheadman-Fono is still rocking it like most other bands only wish they could. Del Currie's lyrics still cut to the heart of deeper matters while his voice reaches for the skies, and the music accompanying his efforts is still possessed by an epic sound that few bands can match, with classic build-ups, swirling guitars and pitch-perfect production guiding their songs into overdrive. Simply put, it's just hard not to like these guys (and girl).

Back with their latest album, Too Broken to Break, the band is poised to take on a new wave of fans while giving their longtime fan base exactly what it wants. From the opening drum beat of the driving "Dangerous" to the Edge-like guitars in "Angels Eyes" it doesn't take long for the band to get your attention. The slow boil of "Still Love?" leads to crashing guitars and drums, and the chorus of "On the Line" feels like a waterfall of sound breaking out of a dam as it drenches you in it's power. Trust me when I say that there isn't a single track on this album that doesn't have some similar effect on your ears by the time the last note is played.

It's hard to believe that This Moment is Steven Curtis Chapman's 16^th studio album.  Even harder to imagine that it's been almost 20 years to the day since First Hand introduced the Christian music world to the steadfast troubadour. 

And upon the first listen, two things become abundantly clear.  One, Bob Carlisle is about to lose his place as the top daddy-daughter wedding dance songsmith in the world.  Two, I know what special music will be played at many churches across the country on Mother's Day 2008.

After establishing a strong rock presence with the first three cuts, "Here To New York" switches things up with a nice country feel, complete with tasty pedal steel guitar. "Mr. Turner", "You Are", and "Well With Soul" bring the volume down nicely, adding to the stylistic movement of the album without sounding like an entirely different band. 

I love KT Tunstall's debut Eye to the Telescope from start to finish. I drive down the highway with it blaring loud, tambourine in hand, singing along confidently in my strongest falsetto. Two catchy singles ("Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" and "Suddenly I See") may have been drilled far into your head, but you may not know that there were 10 other songs just as amazing.   It was because of this that I was skeptical when I first approached her sophomore effort, Drastic Fantastic.

But sometimes a new explorer is needed in the realm to take us to new places. And Michael Gungor (with said band) seems to be that guy. While the musical paths he traverses are hardly original within the scope of the music world, Gungor does bring a sense of freshness to the worship genre.

The past year has been a busy one for folk rock band Jars of Clay.  The release of 2006’s Good Monsters found the band under a deluge of critical acclaim, even garnering CCM’s coveted “Album of the Year” award.  Fans applauded the band’s return to rock that was promised with their debut release.  The return to form did not hamper the band severing ties with longtime label, Essential Records, however.  Now, with their own label imprint, Gray Matters, and a partnership with Nettwerk Music Group, Jars of Clay is set to release their first full-length Christmas album, simply titled, Christmas Songs.