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2008 Music Awards: Our Suggestions
An examination of the year in Christian music, highlighting the artists and songs most likely to earn nominations, along with some other worthy contenders.
By Russ Breimeier
posted 10/09/08
After the Storm
Based on responses to concerts in Atlanta and Chicago, fans are profoundly affected by Steven Curtis Chapman's moving testimony, sharing his grief over his daughter's tragic death.
posted 08/11/08
Modern Worship Is Going Nowhere
After ten years, modern worship music has become an established genre that's likely be a part of Christian music for generations to come, though it's in serious need of creative spark.
By Russ Breimeier
posted 07/29/08
Modern Worship Turns 10
A list of the ten most influential modern worship albums from the last decade, offering new songs that changed the way we worshipped the Lord through music.
By Andree Farias
posted 07/29/08
No Egos Required
11 of today's top Christian artists and songwriters put aside their egos—and royalties—at the Compassionart songwriting retreat, united in their effort to make a tangible difference in poverty-ravaged countries around the world.
By Christa Banister
posted 03/03/08
Remastering: Revisiting or Redundant
Amy Grant's extensive 30-year catalog gets a re-release, prompting discussion over the perks and problems of remastered albums and whether fans should take interest.
By Andy Argyrakis
posted 12/17/07
Defining? Or Discerning?
When trying to define "Christian music," perhaps it's best to look beyond simple labels and look instead to individual discernment.
By Russ Breimeier
posted 08/20/07
Idol Worship?
Christians continue to shine on American Idol even as Christian alternatives to the popular show crop up. Can they co-exist? Can both bring glory to God?
By Russ Breimeier
posted 03/19/07
Another Re-Release? Enough Already!
With CD sales on the decline, record labels are always looking for new ways to sell albums. But is the constant flood of re-releases really doing anyone any favors?
by Christa Banister
posted 12/11/06
Those Bleeping Lyrics
Christian artists have occasionally used strong language, and even the rare profanity, in their songwriting. Can that form of self-expression be reconciled with our faith?
By Russ Breimeier
posted 09/11/06
Curses! The Readers React
We've recently reviewed some CDs by Christian artists who happened to include profanity in their lyrics. We asked readers what they think … and here's what they said.
posted 09/05/06
He Gives, and Takes Away
You're probably familiar with the Casting Crowns hit single "Praise You in This Storm." In this excerpt from his new book Lifestories, frontman Mark Hall tells the story behind the song.
by Mark Hall
posted 08/14/06
How to Fix CCM
Mute Math sued its record company for marketing them as a "Christian band." Producer/author Mark Joseph says that's just one symptom of a broken industry… and he's got some ideas how to fix it.
by Mark Joseph
posted 07/17/06
Worship Music Overkill?
The praise-and-worship music craze has apparently worn out its welcome with many of our readers, who definitely agree that record labels shouldn't require their artists to do it.
posted 03/28/06
Ready to Exhale
Life's pace rarely gives us pause to look deep inside ourselves. Forget finding the answers … for now. I'm just giving myself permission to stop and ask the questions.
by Margaret Becker
posted 03/20/06
No Stones for Stapp
When a few of our readers bashed Scott Stapp for his recent alleged bad behavior, many other readers came to his defense. And no one seems to want to cast the first stone.
posted 12/20/05
Extreme Makeover—from the Inside
I had hoped our "Christian Music Makeover" would make me look a little more like Lindsay Lohan. I did lose 25 pounds, but I learned a whole lot more about true transformation.
by Heather King
posted 08/08/05
Finding the Real Africa
On a recent tour of Africa in conjunction with the release of their debut album, Christian band Chronos found the heart of the continent in the form of an infant orphan boy.
posted 08/01/05
Sticking Up for Crossover Artists
In an ongoing discussion/debate regarding Christian artists who "cross over" to the mainstream, many readers added their two cents worth—and more—to the conversation.
posted 07/25/05
Have Crossover Artists Sold Out?
"They're more carnal than spiritual," one writer claims in a response to our recent commentary about the crumbling divide between secular and sacred music.
by Jim Pruitt
posted 07/18/05
Secular, Sacred, or Both?
Some Christian artists "cross over" to the mainstream, and some have been there all along. They might argue that the line between the secular and sacred is a blurry one—if it exists at all.
by Kate Bowman
posted 07/11/05
On the Horizon
Looking ahead to some of the most anticipated Christian albums for the rest of this year.
by Russ Breimeier
posted 04/25/05
My Rant Against CCM
I was so busy bashing the state of contemporary Christian music that I almost forgot to point the accusatory finger at myself. Then God stepped in … with conviction.
by Dick Staub
posted 04/18/05
The Gospel Truth
In the last 20-something years, black gospel music has experienced phenomenal growth, even becoming a big part of the mainstream scene. But is all that growth necessarily a good thing?
by LaTonya Taylor
posted 04/11/05
Taking Back the Music
Black women are questioning mainstream hip-hop portrayals of them in new ways. But the discussion isn't limited to African-Americans, women or even to hip-hop lovers. So how can we redeem the genre?
by LaTonya Taylor
posted 02/14/05
Best Gospel Albums
Representing a diversity of styles and sounds, these 10 rose to the top of the list for our gospel writer.
by LaTonya Taylor
posted 01/31/05
Learning from the Masters
The modern worship movement, with its me-focused lyrics and shallow choruses, could take a cue from some of the great hymn writers of yesteryear.
by Steven Gertz
posted 01/17/05
The Otherness of God
God is so immeasurably beyond us that we must not be guilty of dumbing down our efforts to worship him.
by Matt Redman
posted 09/07/04
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