Best Christian Albums of 2016

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. Its fun to see NTB experiment with new sounds.

iPod Picks: Happiness, Money & Fame, Hard Love, Be Here Long, Testify

4. Tenth Avenue North- Followers

The natural progression from their excellent album "Cathedrals", "Followers" is hook-filled, electronic, current and chock full of honest and heartfelt lyrics. While some tracks are a bit formulaic, this is one of TAN's most cohesive albums to date.

iPod Picks: Afraid, I Confess, What You Want, I Have This Hope, Control

5. Britt Nicole- Britt Nicole 

Britt went away for far too long but has come back with the exact album she was supposed to make. While the spiritual side is toned down a bit, this album does give a fairly full picture of the Christian life of a married woman. Upbeat, modern and made for radio (CCM and mainstream).

iPod Picks: Through Your Eyes, Better, Be the Change, All the Money, Pave

6. Passion- Salvation's Tide is Rising


A truly surprising favorite worship album! Anthems for our generation and surprisingly well produced!

iPod Picks: Salvation's Tide, Simple Pursuit, My Victory, Remember

7. Switchfoot- Where the Light Shines Through


Switchfoot always falls in the middle for me. I can only take so much but what I take I do enjoy. This is one of their best records.

iPod Picks: Live It Well, Bull in a China Shop, I Won't Let Go, If the House Burns Down Tonight

8. Audrey Assad- Inheritance 


Hymns are tricky to do but Audrey is perfect for this. While the album as a whole is a bit of sameness, its a beautiful sameness and one that I enjoy. 

iPod Picks: Even Unto Death, Be Thou My Vision, Abide with Me, New Every Morning

9. Jason Gray- Where the Light Gets In


Music born out of heartbreak and loss is usually amazing and this is no exception.

iPod Picks: The Wound is Where the Light Gets In, I Will Rise Again, Sparrows, Learning to be Found

10. Casting Crowns- The Very Next Thing


Easily one of their best releases, this is cohesive from start to finish and contains some powerful challenges to be obedient to Christ. Oh My Soul is a classic!

iPod Picks: Oh My Soul, One Step Away, What if I Gave Everything, When The God Man Passes By

11. David Crowder Band- American Prodigal


Still not the biggest fan of Crowder's voice but this is a triumph of an album replete with risks and rewards.

iPod Picks: My Victory, Run Devil Run, Forgiven 

12. Chris Tomlin- Never Lose Sight


Tomlin albums have to grow on you and I'm sure this one will as we begin to sing more of these songs in church. I found it to be quite inconsistent and lacking in theme but then again, this album contains one of the best songs of Tomlin's career (IMO): God of Calvary.

iPod Picks: God of Calvary, He Lives, Impossible Things, Home, Good Good Father, Jesus

13. Hillary Scott & the Scott Family- Love Remains


A beautiful family record filled with meaning and inspiration.

iPod Picks: Thy Will, Still, All We Sinners

14. Steven Curtis Chapman- Worship & Believe


One of a very few SCCs album not to make a top 10 list :(  I just didn't find this to be anything special. SCC thrives on songs about the Christian life. This album was lacking lyrically and melodically. However, SCC's lacking is still better than most everyone else!

iPod Picks: Amen, One True God

15. The Afters- Live On Forever 


If the whole album was as strong as the first two songs and the title cut, it would easily be a top 10 album. Overall, its a good but not great release but a big improvement from their last album!

iPod Picks: Shadows, Battles, Live On Forever

16. Phil Wickham- Children of God


I miss the depth of his first three albums, something we saw glimpses of in "The Ascension" but I feel is lacking here. Its a great standard P&W record but its missing that artistic touch that I love Phil for.

iPod Picks: Your Love Awakens Me, Doxology//Amen, Body, Mind & Soul

17. Newsboys- Love Riot


Just not as good as their last few releases but still a solid collection of Pop-Rock. Not even close to topping "Restart."

iPod Picks: Love Riot, Hero, Crazy

18. Hillsong United- Of Dirt & Grace


Beautiful reinterpretations of past songs set to amazing scenery!

iPod Picks: All of them in their own way if you watch them with the DVD.

19. Jordin Feliz- The River


Good radio pop

iPod Picks: Never Been a Moment, Beloved, The River

20. Beckah Shae- Mighty


Not as eclectic as I was expecting but still a great indie record from this diva.

iPod Picks: It'll Be Alright, Mighty, Wolves

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