Craig & Christian Music

Radio Ready: The Sound of Surviving, You're Here, Lean iPod Picks: Dear Me, The Sound of Surviving, You're Here, Every Mile Mattered, Anywhere We Are The Short: What a triumph of an album! Someone please send "Sound of Surviving" to radio (CCM and mainstream), someone else make books out of "Dear Me" and "Anywhere We Are". Perfect balance of honesty and pop relevance. Thank you Nichole. Your voice has only grown stronger with time. After a very long wait, Nichole Nordeman's first full-length album in 12 years proves true talent and insight only grows with time and that the experiences that make us who we are and show us who God is truly can be a blessing to others- no matter how painful they may be. Nichole Nordeman has always been one of those rare artists that simply has a way with words. Her writing has always been thoughtful, thought-provoking and rooted in a deep love for Christ, His Church and His Word. She's always been a

Radio Ready: Bleed the Same, Unfinished, I'm Still Here, Back to Life, The One He Speaks Through iPod Picks: Bleed the Same, Unfinished, Back to Life, I'm Still Here, Prove Me Wrong, Comeback Kid Mandisa has been through quite a few ups and downs in her life and she has never shied away from sharing her personal struggles with her listeners. But after a prolonged bout with depression, after the death of her friend, Kisha, Mandisa has emerged from devastation with a newfound confidence and a matured faith- both of which are on display throughout her comeback album Out of the Dark . The 18-track album (the deluxe edition is a must buy as the bonus tracks are actually some of the best tracks) is interspersed with interludes that give glimpses into Mandisa's personal journey "out of the dark." The album opens with "Voicemail (Intro)" and features various friends' voicemails as they tried to connect with Mandisa during her reclusive depression. T

Chris Tomlin is a force that cannot be stopped in CCM and worship music. He consistently releases album after album of sturdy worship songs that not only dominate radio and retail but are always added to church sing-lists almost immediately upon release. No other artist is so universally accepted in Christian circles (conservative, progressive or liberal). However, not all Chris Tomlin songs are created equally. Some are enduring classics and others are basic copies of his better songs. Some albums were put together with care while others seem to be a thrown together collection of songs that were available at the time. These lists will rank my opinion of both the albums as a whole and of his officially released radio singles (sorry "God of This City" and "Your Grace is Enough" were never officially released by Chris to radio despite his eternal relation to them). I've also left off songs that feature  Christ Tomlin (like Rebecca St James' "Expressio

With the recent release of Mercy Me’s new album, Lifer, I thought it was time to make my lists of the best Mercy Me albums and singles of all time! Do you agree or disagree? Sound off in the comments section below! Mercy Me Albums Ranked Best to Worst: 1. Coming Up to Breathe (2006) The first true artistic statement of Mercy Me’s career and where they jumped from being an AC-pop worship band to legitimate superstars. It was clear they worked very hard on their musicianship to make this album the triumph it was. 2. Welcome to the New (2014) There is a freedom and joy found on this album only rivaled by Lifer but the lyrics on Welcome just have a little more depth and potency and there are simply some classic songs on this record. 3. Lifer (2017) Time will tell whether Lifer rises or falls in this overall list but MM’s newest record is a testament of joy, growth and risk with only one traditional radio ballad (“Even If”) to be found on the 10-song

Best Christian Albums of 2016 1. Unspoken- Follow Through (Deluxe Edition) Best pop album I've heard in years! The Deluxe Edition is a MUST BUY! Spiritual, upbeat, vocally impressive, diverse, creative and relevant. I've just enjoyed this album so much.  iPod Picks: The Cure, Roots, Can't Deny Your Love, Higher, Follow Through, Life in the Death of Me 2. Meredith Andrews- Deeper Intimate, personal, anthemic, biblical. Meridityh has done it again. Not quite the triumph that was "Worth It All" (its a bit bloated with ballads toward the end) but still a truly phenomenal worship album. iPod Picks: Deeper, Sunrise, Soar, I Look to the King, Trusted 3. NEEDTOBREATHE- Hard Love NTB has so many truly classic albums that this middle-discography record can't help but feel like a disappointment, even if its one of the best albums of 2016. There are some classic NTB moments here but also some clumkers that fill out the record. I