Top 10 New Radio Singles for Fall 2012 Part Two
It's that time again, when I run down the best of the new singles released to radio! As we go deeper into fall and winter, more and more songs are going to be appearing on the charts so stay tuned for more reviews as we enter the homestretch of 2012!
1. Bebo Norman- The Broken
You can always count on Bebo to release a great first single. And you can usually count on Christian AC Radio to ignore it. Or at least this seems to be the unfortunate trend for his last two releases. That being said, "The Broken" is probably his best carrier single since "I Will Lift My Eyes" with its epic chorus, inspiring lyrics and ear-snatching dulcimer infused hook. This is not one to miss!
2. Group 1 Crew- His Kind of Love
G1C has decided to continue down the pop sounding path they started down with their first #1 single, "He Said" (you can't argue with success, right?) with their second single, "His Kind of Love" from their new CD Fearless. The chorus on this one is even more explosive than its predecessor and lyrically it is up their with "Keys to the Kingdom" on spiritual content, yet with a more worshipful tone. This will easily become their 2nd CHR #1 hit and don't be surprised if AC takes it to the top as well!
3. Britt Nicole- Stand
A natural follow-up to her #1 smash "All This Time", "Stand" challenges us to plant ourselves firmly on God's promises and features one of Britt's strongest vocal performances to date.
4. Colton Dixon- You Are/ Never Gone
I must confess, I wish Sparrow/EMI would have released "Never Gone", the song he performed on the American Idol Season Tour, to radio instead of just as a digital download as I feel it reaches more genres (both CCM and mainstream) than his Christian AC focused new single "You Are" but it appears Colton wants to establish himself in CCM first before branching out into the mainstream (a strategy that has paid off nicely for fellow Idol alum turned CCM star Mandisa). "You Are" is an epic ballad but I worry that it will be lost in between all the other songs with the same title being played at radio right now (Kari Jobe and another AI graduate, Jason Castro both titled their debut Christian AC radio single "You Are") that being said, I recommend buying "Never Gone" immediately as it is awesome and to watch out for "You Are" as it deserves to be heard as well!
5. Third Day- I Need a Miracle
It is interesting to note that while 3D had three top 10 hits from their last record, Move, for the first time since 2000's Offerings, they did not earn a #1 single! ("Lift Up Your Head" peaked at #2 on CHR, "Children of God" reached #4 on AC and "Trust in Jesus" barely made it to #10 on the AC charts) "I Need a Miracle" seems as if it was created to ensure that does not happen again. With lyrical similarities to their biggest hit, "Cry Out to Jesus" and musically akin to the singles released from their smash album Revelation, "Miracle" is a perfect set up for their upcoming album of the same name.
7. Newsboys- Your Love Never Fails
Since Michael Tait took over for Peter Furler as the lead singer of the Newsboys, they've been a hit-making machine. The band is only two albums deep with Tait but they've already scored 4 #1 singles at radio (the last time the 'boys had hit #1 before the Tait-led "Born Again" was in 2004 with their cover of "Amazing Love (You Are My King)") and "Your Love Never Fails" seems poised to make it 5 for 5 for Tait & Co.
8. Christy Nockels- Sing Along
I do not understand why radio will not play Christy Nockels! She consistently releases radio friendly singles and properly oscillates between upbeat tunes and ballads; she is a major part of the Passion movement which is known for their radio standard bearers (Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, David Crowder Band) and was 1/2 of Watermark who were radio darlings during their tenure. "Sing Along" is her latest attempt to woo radio (it seems Inspirational radio is biting as "Sing Along" was one of the most added songs last week) and it is once again a solid try. The song was featured on both the Passion 2012 White Flag soundtrack as well as her solo album Into the Glorious so listeners should be familiar with the song and may even be already singing it in their local churches. Here's to hoping that "Sing Along" is Christy's breakthrough much like "10,000 Reasons" was for Matt Redman.
9. Luminate- Banner of Love
This band is slowly moving up my interest meter and this single is a great introduction. Much like mainstream bands Maroon 5, OneRepublic and fun, Luminate incorporates beats and programming in with traditional rock band instruments and infectious pop melodies to create satisfying ear candy with a message.
I fully expected Gotee to promote "Come to Me" at radio after she released a heavily promoted music video featuring Rosanne Cash but after the lackluster reception of "Come to Me" at radio, I guess they've decided to switch gears to the more emotional ballad "Holding On". While I did enjoy the NEEDTOBREATHE meets Nicole C. Mullen sound of "Come to Me", I agree that "Holding On" is a better choice for all radio formats and though I do wish "Show Jesus" would have been released instead of either of the other choices, "Holding On" should serve as a nice final single from a stellar debut.
**Bonus: Jason Castro- Only A Mountain
I love it when American Idol contestants succeed in music. I'll admit, this song's lyrics are a tad cheesy... but I can't get this song out of my head! The hook on the chorus is so catchy and this is easily Jason's best vocal since American Idol so I wish the guy all the success of the world!
1. Bebo Norman- The Broken
You can always count on Bebo to release a great first single. And you can usually count on Christian AC Radio to ignore it. Or at least this seems to be the unfortunate trend for his last two releases. That being said, "The Broken" is probably his best carrier single since "I Will Lift My Eyes" with its epic chorus, inspiring lyrics and ear-snatching dulcimer infused hook. This is not one to miss!
2. Group 1 Crew- His Kind of Love
G1C has decided to continue down the pop sounding path they started down with their first #1 single, "He Said" (you can't argue with success, right?) with their second single, "His Kind of Love" from their new CD Fearless. The chorus on this one is even more explosive than its predecessor and lyrically it is up their with "Keys to the Kingdom" on spiritual content, yet with a more worshipful tone. This will easily become their 2nd CHR #1 hit and don't be surprised if AC takes it to the top as well!
3. Britt Nicole- Stand
A natural follow-up to her #1 smash "All This Time", "Stand" challenges us to plant ourselves firmly on God's promises and features one of Britt's strongest vocal performances to date.
4. Colton Dixon- You Are/ Never Gone
I must confess, I wish Sparrow/EMI would have released "Never Gone", the song he performed on the American Idol Season Tour, to radio instead of just as a digital download as I feel it reaches more genres (both CCM and mainstream) than his Christian AC focused new single "You Are" but it appears Colton wants to establish himself in CCM first before branching out into the mainstream (a strategy that has paid off nicely for fellow Idol alum turned CCM star Mandisa). "You Are" is an epic ballad but I worry that it will be lost in between all the other songs with the same title being played at radio right now (Kari Jobe and another AI graduate, Jason Castro both titled their debut Christian AC radio single "You Are") that being said, I recommend buying "Never Gone" immediately as it is awesome and to watch out for "You Are" as it deserves to be heard as well!
5. Third Day- I Need a Miracle
It is interesting to note that while 3D had three top 10 hits from their last record, Move, for the first time since 2000's Offerings, they did not earn a #1 single! ("Lift Up Your Head" peaked at #2 on CHR, "Children of God" reached #4 on AC and "Trust in Jesus" barely made it to #10 on the AC charts) "I Need a Miracle" seems as if it was created to ensure that does not happen again. With lyrical similarities to their biggest hit, "Cry Out to Jesus" and musically akin to the singles released from their smash album Revelation, "Miracle" is a perfect set up for their upcoming album of the same name.
6. Capital Kings- I Feel So Alive
These guys are responsible for every awesome remix found in Christian Music over the past two years! They've finally decided to make their own music and it is just as great! Check these guys out if you enjoy dance/electronic/dubstep/party music!
7. Newsboys- Your Love Never Fails
Since Michael Tait took over for Peter Furler as the lead singer of the Newsboys, they've been a hit-making machine. The band is only two albums deep with Tait but they've already scored 4 #1 singles at radio (the last time the 'boys had hit #1 before the Tait-led "Born Again" was in 2004 with their cover of "Amazing Love (You Are My King)") and "Your Love Never Fails" seems poised to make it 5 for 5 for Tait & Co.
8. Christy Nockels- Sing Along
I do not understand why radio will not play Christy Nockels! She consistently releases radio friendly singles and properly oscillates between upbeat tunes and ballads; she is a major part of the Passion movement which is known for their radio standard bearers (Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, David Crowder Band) and was 1/2 of Watermark who were radio darlings during their tenure. "Sing Along" is her latest attempt to woo radio (it seems Inspirational radio is biting as "Sing Along" was one of the most added songs last week) and it is once again a solid try. The song was featured on both the Passion 2012 White Flag soundtrack as well as her solo album Into the Glorious so listeners should be familiar with the song and may even be already singing it in their local churches. Here's to hoping that "Sing Along" is Christy's breakthrough much like "10,000 Reasons" was for Matt Redman.
9. Luminate- Banner of Love
This band is slowly moving up my interest meter and this single is a great introduction. Much like mainstream bands Maroon 5, OneRepublic and fun, Luminate incorporates beats and programming in with traditional rock band instruments and infectious pop melodies to create satisfying ear candy with a message.
10. Jamie Grace- Holding On
I fully expected Gotee to promote "Come to Me" at radio after she released a heavily promoted music video featuring Rosanne Cash but after the lackluster reception of "Come to Me" at radio, I guess they've decided to switch gears to the more emotional ballad "Holding On". While I did enjoy the NEEDTOBREATHE meets Nicole C. Mullen sound of "Come to Me", I agree that "Holding On" is a better choice for all radio formats and though I do wish "Show Jesus" would have been released instead of either of the other choices, "Holding On" should serve as a nice final single from a stellar debut.
**Bonus: Jason Castro- Only A Mountain
I love it when American Idol contestants succeed in music. I'll admit, this song's lyrics are a tad cheesy... but I can't get this song out of my head! The hook on the chorus is so catchy and this is easily Jason's best vocal since American Idol so I wish the guy all the success of the world!
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