My Best Music Album Experiences of the 2010’s

My Best Music Album Experiences of the 2010’s

As another decade winds down, it’s time to take a look back at the Christian music albums that have stood out above the pack, both in the industry at large, and in the eyes of this music-lover.  It is with a bit of bittersweetness, melancholy, and uncertainty that I write, wondering just how much the “art of the album” will be received in the next decade.  As many musicians have retreated from full-length albums to just singles and EP’s, in tandem with the closure of most brick and mortar Christian bookstores, along with the removal of compact discs in most big box department stores, the 2010’s may very well be the last decade of widely released ‘albums’ as it would.   Nevertheless, there have been some amazing releases over the last 10 years, and I am excited to share with you the joy that I have had in discovering and listening to these exceptional music compositions.  

Best Band Reunion Album:

“Say Hello” - Smalltown Poets (2018)

I was a fan of Michael Johnston’s former band Villanelle and their awesome album “Pinwheels and Orange Peels (1995).”  Later, after Johnston formed the new band Smalltown Poets” with several members of Villanelle, I was equally as excited to hear what new tunes they would produce.  Their self-titled debut in 1997 didn’t disappoint, making a significant impact in the CCM industry.  Since then the band released a few more albums, but little by little began replacing old members with new ones, eventually falling off the radar altogether for a long time.  This all changed when Smalltown Poets began releasing new Christmas Music in the first half of the 2010’s.  By the time “Say Hello”came out, the original 5 band members from the original self-titled album had come back together again and produced one of the 2018’s strongest albums.  

Favorite songs:  “Say Hello,” “Middle of a First Love,” “Are You With Me?”  

(Honorable Mention:  Self Titled - Burlap to Cashmere 2011)

(Not a bad album for a 13 year hiatus)

Best One-two Combination Live Acts of the Decade:  

Owl City and Mat Kearney -  All Things Bright and Beautiful tour

“All Things Bright and Beautiful” - Owl City (2011)

“Young Love” - Mat Kearney (2011)

An unusual pairing...one that I simply could not pass up when Adam Young’s Owl City concert came to Seattle on an unseasonably chilly and cloudy July evening in 2011.  Both artists released their new albums that summer.   Mat performed many of his hits from his first two full length albums “Nothing Left to Lose” and “City of Black and White,”  as well as a new song “Hey Mama” from the upcoming “Young Love” album.  Mat even adding a “Seattle exclusive” third verse of his hit “Undeniable,” listing several prominent Seattle neighborhoods.   Adam Young of Owl City continued the evening’s festivities with a several instrumentalists, music from his brand new album, and of course “Hello Seattle” from his platinum “Ocean Eyes” album.  It was rumored that Owl City fans Bill Gates and his children attended the concert.   

Favorite Songs (Owl City):  “Kamikaze,”  “Alligator Sky,” “Galaxies” 

Favorite Songs (Mat Kearney):  “Hey Mama,”  “Sooner or Later,” “Learning to Love Again”  

 


(At Owl City/Mat Kearney/Unwed Sailor with my friend Peter Gattata)

Best Comeback:  Needtobreathe

“Rivers in the Wasteland”  - Needtobreathe (2014)

“Hardlove” Needtobreathe (2016)

Dissension within the band after 2011’s “The Reckoning” album came out, resulted in a few-year absence and one less band member.  2014 saw a resurgent and reenergized band release “Rivers in the Wasteland” ; the band was quickly welcomed back into the music industry, with hits like “Brother,” without missing a beat.  “Hardlove” in 2016 was an even stronger offering, the band having solidified their new lineup and signature sound.  

Favorite Songs (Rivers...):  “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now,”  “The Heart,” “Where the Money Is,” “Brother”  

Favorite Songs (Hardlove):  “Money & Fame,” “Happiness,” “Hardlove”  

Most Underrated Album:

“Innova” - Fireflight (2015)

Many critics panned this band’s release, which many felt was too much of a departure from their signature rock sound, as led from the beginning by female vocalist Dawn Michelle.  As a whole, however, this release turned out to be their best album to date, a well-rounded mix of their old and new sound, borrowing from pop, rock and electronica influences.  

Best Songs:  “Keep Fighting,” “Fallout,” “We Are Alive”   

Most Personal-to-my-situation-at-the-time Album Of The Decade:

“Crave” - For King and Country (2012)  

For me, For King and Country’s debut album was a welcome and refreshing release, an album of which to me sounded like a hybrid of INXS and Tears For Fears, a throwback to music I listened to in my youth.  It also however came at a time of personal frustration, a dissolution of a friendship of almost 20 years.  The “I threw your picture in the fire” lyric was a symbolic, albeit not literal, feeling that consumed me for over a month.  Each single from that album seemed to have some sort of lyrical connection to that incident.  The pain has eased since then, but it still serves a reminder of what was lost, and a friendship that I still yearn to piece back together.  

Favorite Songs:  “Proof of Your Love,” “People Change,” “Sane,” “Pushing on a Pull Door”  

 

(Photos from "Road Show 2018" - For King and Country)  

Best Dance Album:

“II” - Capital Kings (2015)

Although World Wide Message Tribe’s “We Don’t Get What We Deserve” (1995), still remains aguably the quintessential Christian dance album of all time IMO, CK’s final full-length album release certainly makes its case on why it should be considered for the honor.  It has that “Steampunk” feel to it, modifies its sound from single to single without becoming repetitive, and ends with an inspirational nod to spreading the Great Commission all over the world.  

Best Songs:  “Live for the Drop,” “Satellites,”  “Upgraded”  

Best Pop Album:  

“Riley Clemmons” - Riley Clemmons 2018

Having released one of the decade’s great radio hit standouts right from the first listen (“Broken Prayers”), Riley Clemmons later went out to release one of the best (but most under-appreciated) pop albums of the last 20 years.  “Honest,” “Broken Prayers,” and “Drop Everything” is one of the strongest 7-8-9 album track lineups out there, but the entire album radiates with young confidence and memorable music.  

Best Songs:  “Remember,” “Broken Prayers,” “Drop Everything”   

(Honorable Mention:  Hollyn - One Way Conversations (2017))

(Another under-appreciated pop album, too good not to get Christian Radio air-play.  Her singles have shown up over the airwaves at Michaels Crafts however.)  

Most Original Album:  “Call of the Sea” - Coastalrise (2013)

I was browsing around the New Release Today website (!!) a few years back, stumbled the main singers’ nautical promo shot, and was compelled to investigate further.  What resulted was what I consider one of my favorite albums of all time, and one of the most original.  The accompanying Oz-themed music video “Lovely Avenue” showcases everything great about this former band; it’s a shame they were not able to remain together and continue this trend of original and amazing-sounding Christian music.








Favorite songs:  “Lovely Avenue,” “Of the Light,” “Beach Bike Bandit”.

International Album of the Decade:

“Doze” - Daniela Araujo (2017) 

I recently discovered this album at the twilight of 2019 and I have to say....this Portuguese album from Brazil is incredible.  12 tracks, each track a title of a month of the year, plus a bonus track, the love-at-first-listen “Sejo O Centro.”  Squarely falling on the pop side, but also heavy on the electronic sound mixes, and glimpses into the popular praise & worship enjoyed in Brazil, this album draws you in from the first track and never lets you go until the tender conclusion.  

Favorite Songs - “Seja O Centro,” “Fevereiro,” “Julho” 

(Honorable Mention - “Genesis” - Cass (New Zealand - 2017)

(You'll never get track one out of your head)

Best Overall Artist of the decade:  JJ Heller

"When I'm With You" - JJ Heller (2010)

"Loved" - JJ Heller (2013)

 

There were several candidates for best all-around performance:  V Rose, Fireflight, Group 1 Crew.... I chose JJ Heller, because I’ve always had a soft spot for perky folk music, and Heller provides all that, plus a active and engaged presence in the Christian music across the entier decade.  “When I’m With You,” agruably Heller’s signature album, crossed my radar with “Boat Song,” a tender love song dedicated to her husband.  Heller continued the decade with several more mainstream, children and Christmas albums to again prove that she is the complete package, and my pick for the 2010’s.  

Favorite Songs (When I’m With You):  “Boat Song,” “Tell It Again,” “Control”  

Favorite Songs (Loved):  “If You Fall,”  “Loved”, “Better Things”  

Other Great Albums of the 2010’s:  

Group 1 Crew - Outta Space Love (2010)

The Martins - New Day (2011)

Nick Flora - The Reintroduction of Nick Flora (2013)

Seth & Nirva - Never Alone 2016

Mankind Must Create

(Posted on Social Media 10/4/2019):

Evening FB friends. So it would seem we would have a little while longer before
Mac Catalina takes over and iTunes is retired for good. It sure kicked my new music discovery reflex in overdrive though, with some unexpected results. Many people know that I have a passion for playing and listening to music. I’m sure most people aren’t really phased by the end of iTunes, based on the numerous “streaming” alternatives. For me it’s more impactful. It’s hard for me to fathom a world where we I can’t directly purchase a single or album and support an artist monetarily (short of purchasing a hard copy of their music online or when they come through town). Whatever happened to the days when I would wait tables at Izzy’s and try to earn enough in tips so I could walk across the parking lot after work to the open-late Tower Records and purchase the album that I had my eye on? Is the art of the album dead, has it been dethroned by the song single, the single’s remix(es) a week later, maybe an EP every other year?

I sometimes worry about a coming “dark ages” in the creation of art, dance and music. That is, until I remember that passionate men and women will continue to be driven to create beautiful works of art that brings glory to God. It’s just in our nature: we must create. For those individuals God has gifted with the passion and creation of the vocal arts, I believe there will continue to always be a collective response: a passionate audience of seeking listeners. From the large arenas to the small house concerts, from the music sharing friends in the coffee shops to the music-loving teen in their bedroom, there will always be a need.

One of my goals is to continue to share music on social media that I think points to a loving Creator God. I must trust God’s timing and trust that the right people are reached at just the right time. If you are blessed with the music that you hear, thank and give praise to your Creator, the giver of all manner of good gifts. I pray you a good evening, surrounded with good blessings.

In Christ, Christopher