Sales Rank:2819 List Price: $13.98 Lowest New Price: $8.72 Lowest Used Price: $2.98 Artist(s):
MercyMe
Tracks:
I Worship You
Here Am I
On My Way To You
How Great Is Your Love
I Can Only Imagine
Bless Me Indeed
Cannot Say Enough
House Of God
Call To Worship
All Fall Down
In You
In today's worship-crazed phase of Christian pop, Mercy Me fits right in with smooth melodies, passionate lyrics, and a vertical focus. Yet the transition from worship band to major-label act demands more. Almost There promises just enough to allow it to rise above its inconsistencies. Prayer of Jabez-inspired "Bless Me Indeed" is a glimmer of brilliance where the group brings it all together, but it's the poignancy and power of "I Can Only Imagine" that testifies to Mercy Me's great potential. The dramatic ballad captures a believer's hope for the afterlife and is fueled by Bart Millard's authoritative vocals. The song will continue to be a staple in church worship services for years to come. Then there are the not so brilliant moments, including the cheesy "House of God" and "All Fall Down." Weak moments aside, Almost There offers enough fireworks to make Mercy Me an act to watch. --Michael Lyttle
Sales Rank:2680 List Price: $13.98 Lowest New Price: $9.78 Lowest Used Price: $8.99 Artist(s):
Bebo Norman
Tracks:
Hear It From Me
Pull Me Out
Britney
White Flag
A Million Raindrops
Remember Me
The Only Hope
Where I Am Saved
I'm Not Living In the In Between
One Bright Hour
Can't Live Without You
Bebo Norman's new album is rooted in the tuneful sensibilities of artists like James Taylor and John Mayer. Further it proves that Bebo is confidently stretching the musical arrangements to his often worshipful melodies.
Sales Rank:2587 List Price: $9.99 Lowest New Price: $6.49 Lowest Used Price: $5.99 Artist(s):
Emery
Tracks:
The Smile, The Face
Edge Of The World
Say The Things (You Want)
Ten Talents
It Always Depends
Thoughtlife
Do The Things (You Want)
In no need of introduction, Emery delivers an EP that proves why they wear the crown of the Rock/Screamo scene. Returning to the spirit of their debut release The Weak's End, While Broken Hearts Prevail has the raw intensity and energy that no amount of production or studio time can imitate. While Broken Hearts Prevail is in some way a return to the roots of the band, balancing their blend of heart wrenching chorus' with chest pounding bridges and awe inspiring honesty. Emery has proven their musical abilities time and time again, and have left no question of who does it best on While Broken Hearts Prevail.
Sales Rank:1217 List Price: $17.98 Lowest New Price: $7.09 Lowest Used Price: $7.07 Artist(s):
Jars of Clay
Tracks:
The Gift Of St. Cecilia
Wonderful Christmastime
Love Came Down At Christmas
O, Little Town Of Bethlehem
Hibernation Day
Winter Skin
Peace Is Here
God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
Evergreen
Christmastime Is Here
Drummer Boy
Gabriel's Message
In the Bleak Midwinter
I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day
2007 holiday release from the Alternative Christian rockers. Their 10th album overall, this multi-platinum and Grammy-winning Nashville-based band serve up a stocking full of traditional and original Christmas tunes. 14 tracks including 'God Rest, Ye Merry Gentlemen', 'Gabriel's Message', 'Wonderful Christmastime', 'O Little Town Of Bethlehem' and more. RCA.
Sales Rank:1601 List Price: $9.98 Lowest New Price: $3.35 Lowest Used Price: $3.34 Artist(s):
Various Artists
Tracks:
Sussex Carol
Angels We Have Heard On High
O Holy Night
In Dulci Jubilo
Christmas is Coming
The First Noel
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Silent Night
Medley: Christ the Apple Tree; Once in Royal David's City
Deck the Halls
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
What Strangers are These
The Holly and the Ivy
Lo, How a Rose
The songs are familiar carols, but A Windham Hill Christmas retains the Windham Hill Winter Solstice series tradition of unusual arrangements and performances that evoke the mood of the season, especially if your take on that mood is a Northeast, snow-covered landscape, like that depicted on the Hallmark card-like cover. The usual bevy of Windham Hill sampler artists are all here, but it's some of the secondary cast that give the most innovative performances. Tracy Silverman & Thea Suits reinvent "Silent Night." With his pizzicato-delay violin, Silverman lays down a 6/8 rhythm while abstracting the familiar hymn across his bowed violin and Suits's flute, turning it into an ethereal instrumental chorale. Barbara Higbie re-ignites "In Dulci Jubilo" as a Celtic reel, overdubbing herself on piano, violin, Celtic harp and synthesizer. And W.G. Snuffy Walden lays some rustic acoustic guitar across a chamber reading of "The First Noel." There's a few clunkers, notably George Winston inflicting his Vince Guaraldi infatuation on us again; Jim Brickman with a rote reading of "O Holy Night"; and an uncharacteristically saccharine arrangement of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" by the usually sublime Tim Story. But Mom and Dad will like them, and they serve to highlight the inventiveness of the rest of A Windham Hill Christmas, which is nostalgic and atmospheric at the same time. --John Diliberto
Sales Rank:2465 List Price: $84.98 Lowest New Price: $57.92 Lowest Used Price: $67.52 Artist(s):
Various Artists
Tracks:
This deluxe 6-CD collector's boxed set contains a 96-page book featuring Harry Smith's original songbook framed by essays by Greil Marcus and other noted writers, musicians, and scholars. Play the enhanced sixth disc on your CD-ROM drive and access historic video footage, rare photos, artist interviews, and additional background information. Edited by Harry Smith. Reissue compiled by the staff of Smithsonian Folkways. Reissue liner notes by Greil Marcus, Neil Rosenberg, Jeff Place, Jon Pankake, Luis Kemnitzer and others. "...the missing link in rock's official history." -Newsweek ***** (five stars) -Rolling Stone