Rank/Describe what music you bought in 2013
Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 11:28 am
Albums that I bought (or were bought for me) in 2013 ranked from worst to best:
13-Casting Crowns - Acoustic Volume 1 (This was bought for me and isn’t something I would buy myself since Casting Crown’s regular albums are already fairly mellow.)
12-Jars of Clay – Inland (I’m a big Jars fan, but I’ve only listened to this one once and haven’t felt the need to put it back in the cd player – too melancholy. I’m sure I’ll give it another try later. It may grow on me. Websites have given it high marks.)
11-Building 429 – We Won’t Be Shaken (This was bought for me. There are a few good tracks on this one, but even those seem either uninspired or forced.)
10-Jeremy Camp – Reckless (This one was bought for me. A few good songs. His heart seems to be in the right place. This album lacked some originality. He’s “been there and done that.”)
9-The Advice - The Advice (I bought this album because they are from my home state and my wife went to high school with them. They used to be known as Jethro’s Advice. This group has potential. They have a unique sound.)
8-NewSong - Swallow the Ocean (I bought this album after attending a Winter Jam concert. This album is not as good as Give Yourself Away or even One True God, but still worth a listen.)
7-Newsboys – Restart (This was bought for me. This one is too electronic for me, but I surprisingly like some of it. Nonetheless, I miss the Peter Furler years.)
6-John Schlitt - The Christmas Project (Christmas albums are hard to critique because they are usually made of classic songs that you have heard many time previously. However, being that it’s John Schlitt and this album was done in a unique way, I enjoyed this album a lot. I look forward to listening to it next year.)
5-Scott Stapp - Proof of Life (This album was bought for me, but I was going to buy it anyway. This album is very catchy and has some good messages behind it. It’s also very biographical. (You should also read his book, Sinner’s Creed.) It’s downfall is the second track has the word ‘dammit’ in it. At least that’s what some reviews say. I can’t tell on my copy. I bought it at the Christian bookstore and it’s blurred out. Also, some also may not like his use of words, such as “I had to go through hell to get to heaven” and they may not like the track, “Jesus was a Rock Star.” The track is just an analogy though, and may get some people thinking about Jesus that normally wouldn’t.
4-Chris Tomlin - Burning Lights (This album is very uplifting. My favorite track is “Awake My Soul” with Lecrae. My least favorite track is “God’s Great Dance Floor”, but even that one can draw you in. I especially like the use of the trumpet on that song.)
3-Skillet – Rise (This album is just as good as “Comatose” and better than “Awake”. Many of the songs are like battle cry anthems. My biggest complaint about this album is the song, “My Religion.” I understand what it’s trying to say, but others may perceive it as saying that church is not important.)
2-Steven Curtis Chapman - The Glorious Unfolding (This album is very good, though it seems to fizzle out on the second half of the album. I would also like to have had more electric guitar. Nonetheless, the lyrics make up for any of my opinionated musical shortcomings.)
1-Sanctus Real – Run (This band has mellowed with age, as we probably all have. Nonetheless, they are great in concert and still deliver a sonic and spiritual impact. The lyrics on this album hit to the core.)
Feel free to share your list and comment on mine.
13-Casting Crowns - Acoustic Volume 1 (This was bought for me and isn’t something I would buy myself since Casting Crown’s regular albums are already fairly mellow.)
12-Jars of Clay – Inland (I’m a big Jars fan, but I’ve only listened to this one once and haven’t felt the need to put it back in the cd player – too melancholy. I’m sure I’ll give it another try later. It may grow on me. Websites have given it high marks.)
11-Building 429 – We Won’t Be Shaken (This was bought for me. There are a few good tracks on this one, but even those seem either uninspired or forced.)
10-Jeremy Camp – Reckless (This one was bought for me. A few good songs. His heart seems to be in the right place. This album lacked some originality. He’s “been there and done that.”)
9-The Advice - The Advice (I bought this album because they are from my home state and my wife went to high school with them. They used to be known as Jethro’s Advice. This group has potential. They have a unique sound.)
8-NewSong - Swallow the Ocean (I bought this album after attending a Winter Jam concert. This album is not as good as Give Yourself Away or even One True God, but still worth a listen.)
7-Newsboys – Restart (This was bought for me. This one is too electronic for me, but I surprisingly like some of it. Nonetheless, I miss the Peter Furler years.)
6-John Schlitt - The Christmas Project (Christmas albums are hard to critique because they are usually made of classic songs that you have heard many time previously. However, being that it’s John Schlitt and this album was done in a unique way, I enjoyed this album a lot. I look forward to listening to it next year.)
5-Scott Stapp - Proof of Life (This album was bought for me, but I was going to buy it anyway. This album is very catchy and has some good messages behind it. It’s also very biographical. (You should also read his book, Sinner’s Creed.) It’s downfall is the second track has the word ‘dammit’ in it. At least that’s what some reviews say. I can’t tell on my copy. I bought it at the Christian bookstore and it’s blurred out. Also, some also may not like his use of words, such as “I had to go through hell to get to heaven” and they may not like the track, “Jesus was a Rock Star.” The track is just an analogy though, and may get some people thinking about Jesus that normally wouldn’t.
4-Chris Tomlin - Burning Lights (This album is very uplifting. My favorite track is “Awake My Soul” with Lecrae. My least favorite track is “God’s Great Dance Floor”, but even that one can draw you in. I especially like the use of the trumpet on that song.)
3-Skillet – Rise (This album is just as good as “Comatose” and better than “Awake”. Many of the songs are like battle cry anthems. My biggest complaint about this album is the song, “My Religion.” I understand what it’s trying to say, but others may perceive it as saying that church is not important.)
2-Steven Curtis Chapman - The Glorious Unfolding (This album is very good, though it seems to fizzle out on the second half of the album. I would also like to have had more electric guitar. Nonetheless, the lyrics make up for any of my opinionated musical shortcomings.)
1-Sanctus Real – Run (This band has mellowed with age, as we probably all have. Nonetheless, they are great in concert and still deliver a sonic and spiritual impact. The lyrics on this album hit to the core.)
Feel free to share your list and comment on mine.
