The Best Albums of My Favorite Musicians

(in no particular order)

Films for Radio by Over the Rhine: I have followed this band for over 15 years; I am always attracted to artists who are open about their spiritual journey. Linford Detweiler, the creative force of Over the Rhine, says, “Spiritually, I’ve been a little bit all over the map. I’ve certainly abandoned my childhood faith, and then have struggled to come back to a place that makes sense to me. (Still) I personally can’t rule out the idea of a benevolent, supreme creator: an artist, a conflicted, creative force. Every time I see the night sky, flung full of stars, something awakens in me.” They have never had a top 40 hit but have a dedicated following, including Steve Beard of the website www.thunderstruck.org. Karin, Lindford’s wife, sings lead and her voice is as pure as Allison Krauss’, even though at times Karin’s voice slips into almost a yodel.

Best of the Rest by Over the Rhine: Till We All Have Faces, particularly the tracks, “Fly Dance” and “If I am Drowning.”

Blister Soul by the Vigilantes of Love: My sentimental favorite all time band. They are from my favorite city I have ever lived in: Athens, Georgia. When these guys were good, they were phenomenal! Blister Soul captures them at their zenith! In the early 90s they kept my faith in music alive with their raw sound and honest lyrics when contemporary Christian music was so melbatoast. Regrettably, when Bill Mallonnee decided to change bands, religions and his wife, I think the quality of his music tanked, in spite of Paste Music’s best efforts to promote him. I don’t even listen to his new stuff anymore.

Best of the Rest by Vigilantes of Love: Welcome to Struggleville

How to Dismantle an Atom Bomb: by U2. Bono’s influence on the world cannot be denied. When most mega rock stars use their fame selfishly, Bono at least attempts to use his fame toward the glory of God, reaching audiences that would not give most evangelicals even a hearing. Says Bono, “I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge... I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity.” With the exception of a few bad albums like Zooropa and Achtung Baby where they experimented with Euro Techno, {say it isn’t so, Bono!} Bono and “the boys play rock and roll” unlike few others ever have! Age only makes these guys better. And Atom Bomb is proof! Listen to the tracks “All Because of You” and “Love and Peace or Else” at full volume.

Best of the Rest by U2: All That You Can’t Leave Behind. The track “Elevation” is my favorite U2 song. However don’t overlook Boy (1980) and October (1981). They are still singing tracks from these early relatively unknown albums in their live concerts.

Beautiful Letdown by Switchfoot: Man, these guys have talent! Their lyrics are creative and genuine. They are young, still in their 20s. Therefore they should be making music for many more years; unless pride gets in the way, which has “dismantled” plenty of great bands, even so called “Christian” bands.

Best of the rest by Switchfoot: Nothing is Sound. Real close but not quite as good as Beautiful Letdown, even though Nothing’s title track is Switchfoot at its best.

Hotel California by the Eagles: I remember the day in 1976 on KY102 out of Kansas City when this title track was first played. I immediately asked my mom to drive me out to “Peaches” so I could buy the vinyl LP. Little did I know that 32 years later I would still be jamming to those guitar rifts. How can you measure a classic? Here is one way: My children have tracks from this album on their ipods!

Best of the rest by the Eagles: Lets try something similar. Since we are already back in the 70s, I recommend Bob Seger’s Night Moves. I’m still “waiting on the thunder” after 30 years!

Christmas by Mannheim Steamroller: For our family it isn’t Christmas until the Mannheim Steamroller starts rolling through our speakers. My children don’t know Christmas without this album; I believe it is the best Christmas music out there, period. Chip Davis, Mannheim’s creator, calls his music “18^th Century classical rock.” It is hard to believe this is from the same guy who gave us the 1975 Redneck anthem, “Convoy.”

Best of the Rest by Mannheim Steamroller: Fresh Aire Christmas, of course!

The Wind by Warren Zevon: When a man knows he is dying, you listen intently to what he has to say. Warren Zevon had inoperable lung cancer when he appeared on the David Letterman show. He was prompted by David to say something about life that his fight with cancer has revealed to him. Mr. Zevon answered, “Enjoy every sandwich.” Cute but totally missed the opportunity to give glory to his Creator. He did go out with a bang and his final album was fantastic. On one track, “Disorder in the House,” he receives some incredible guitar help from Bruce Springsteen.

Best of the Rest by Warren Zevon: Since I mentioned Springsteen, I’ll recommend his “Born to Run.” But I have vowed to never spend another dollar on Bruce because of how belittles my politics and worldview. But if you still have this album, I encourage you to blow off the dust and give it another spin.

A Liturgy, A Legacy & A Ragamuffin Band: Rich Mullins, who gave us such classics as “Awesome God” and “Step by Step” was a breath of fresh air back when contemporary Christian music was just terrible. I believe this was his best album ever and I wish he wore his seatbelt so we could probably still be enjoying more music from Rich.

Best of the Rest by Rich: This is the World As Best As I Can Remember It, Volume 1.

O Brother Where Art Thou (soundtrack): After I moved to Europe I started listening to Bluegrass, Country and Gospel because it reminded so much of what is great about America. Watching the movie helped expand my musical horizons. The movie was great, the sound track was better! As one critic said, “There is something missing in one’s childhood if he grows up not knowing the words to 'Big Rock Candy Mountain.’” Even if Allison Krauss isn’t a Christian I will continue to be a fan of hers, in spite of the unsolicited advice given me by an employee at an Atlanta Christian bookstore.

Best of the Rest of the Soundtracks: Cold Mountain. Enjoy the music but skip the movie.

A Hundred Highways by Johnny Cash: Johnny Cash’s life is a testimony to the grace of God. His recent biographical movie, Walk the Line, made me a big fan of his music. Unlike Warren Zevon, before Johnny died he got right with God and sang about the glories of his Creator and Redeemer. As one critic put it, “The Man in Black” wrote music that revolved around the themes of prison, trains, death and faith. Another critic beautifully noted that while entire bands revolve around music about death, Johnny Cash sang about grief. If the track “On the Evening Train” on this album doesn’t make you cry, you ain’t alive.

Best of the Rest by Johnny Cash: The Man Comes Around. But watch Walk the Line before you download this album.

Highway Companion by Tom Petty: His face has deep lines and he can’t hit the high notes he once did on songs like Woman in Love and Refugee. But the man from Gainesville is still crankin’ it out. He inadvertently wrote some spiritually insightful lyrics into the track “Saving Grace” that I use whenever I give my testimony of how I came to faith in Christ.

Best of the rest by Tom Petty: I haven’t heard it yet but I need to purchase and download Tom’s latest with Mudcrutch.

Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Look, I know these guys’ lifestyle is inconsistent with most of what I believe. And honestly, I keep ‘em at arms length because of it. But there is a creativity, a sense of humor and an energy that draws me to this album. A great combination of the funk that made RHCP famous with some great guitar rifts and classic rock sound.

Best of the rest by Red Hot Chili Peppers: I am waiting to see if their next album is a continuation of the cleaner act they displayed with Stadium Arcadium.

Live Wire by Third Day: A lot of their fans were disappointed in this album, so I am told. However, Live Wire made me a fan of Third Day. Has anyone else been able to bring the Southern Rock genre to Christian music? If they have, they haven’t done it like these guys have. There is also a Biblical depth to these guys’ music that I appreciate. Keep going Mac! I’m listening!

Best of the rest by Third Day: Their accompanying concert DVD of Live Wire is the best live concert footage I have seen; I think it is even better than U2’s Vertigo Tour.