What is the best Christian Music Album ever?

[Valpo]

No poll, because I wouldn't be able to think of all the different albums that some may choose, but I throw this question out there just for fun anyway. My personal favorite is dc talk's Jesus Freak, that album is loaded, been listening to it recently again and everything about it is just awesome. But I wanna hear all different opinions on this, so fire away.

[mvdb]

This is very hard to choose one album because there are many that I like. I really like Third Day Offerings because this is the cd that helped me through an accident that I was in almost 7 years ago. I also really like Building 429 Iris to Iris and Space In Between us. I love all three of their cd's, their songs are very powerful.

Marjan:D :cool:

[danbos]

That is quite possibly the hardest question I've ever been asked. :P
I really have no clue...I'll have to think about it...and still might not come to an answer.

[Snap]

There isn't any single objective list of the most innovative and influential Christian albums out there. Everyone responds emotionally to music differently. I suppose you could compile of the best selling albums (but sales are not always in direct correlation to how good an albums is).

For me personally, some of the best produced, most innovative, original and/or progressive christian albums would include:

DC Talk - Jesus Freak (althought technically Supernatural is mixed better)
Jars of Clay - Self-Titled
Delirious - King of Fools
Steven Curtis Chapman - Speechless
Michael W. Smith - Live the Life
Sonicflood - Self-Titled
Caedmon's Call - 40 Acres
Audio Adrenaline - Bloom
David Crowder Band - A Collision
Third Day - Time (although Conspiracy is my personal fav, I think Time is a better overall album)
Jennifer Knapp - Kansas
Switchfoot - Learning to Breathe
Shaded Red - Red Revolution

[EmmoGomer]

For my hubby and I it's gotta be - Third Day 'Wherever you are'.

[markie mark]

Good Monsters by Jars of Clay

Easily the best of all time.

[Sharon]

I have a few:

Petra - This Means War

Rez Band - Between Heaven and Hell

Rez Band - Reach of Love

Stryper - To Hell With the Devil

Rebecca St James - God

Ashley Cleveland - Lesson of Love

Third Day - Offerings

Third Day - Come Together

Third Day - Wherever You Are

DC Talk - Nu Thang

DC Talk - Free At Last

Toby Mac - Momentum


...................... for starters (IMHO)

[Valpo]

I have a few:

Petra - This Means War

Rez Band - Between Heaven and Hell

Rez Band - Reach of Love

Stryper - To Hell With the Devil

Rebecca St James - God

Ashley Cleveland - Lesson of Love

Third Day - Offerings

Third Day - Come Together

Third Day - Wherever You Are

DC Talk - Nu Thang

DC Talk - Free At Last

Toby Mac - Momentum


...................... for starters (IMHO)

nice list, and I like the shout outs to a couple early dc talk albums...anyr eason amidst putting those two up there that you did not include Jesus Freak or a Supernatural?

[Sharon]

nice list, and I like the shout outs to a couple early dc talk albums...anyr eason amidst putting those two up there that you did not include Jesus Freak or a Supernatural?


Supernatural ..... eh ....... Jesus Freak ..... oops ...... forgot.

[Valpo]

Supernatural ..... eh ....... Jesus Freak ..... oops ...... forgot.

oh ok, fair enough, I happen to like Nu Thang and Free At Last a lot as well, was just wondering why you may have left the other two out. Cool though

[Sharon]

oh ok, fair enough, I happen to like Nu Thang and Free At Last a lot as well, was just wondering why you may have left the other two out. Cool though


No worries ..... and I didn't want my list to get too long :P

[Macsbiggestfan]

THIRD DAY-COME TOGETHER!!!:D

[in hiding]

Petra - Beat the System
DC talk - Supernatural
Third day - Conspiracy #5
Rich Mullins - winds of heaven...

[Marmoo68]

No poll, because I wouldn't be able to think of all the different albums that some may choose, but I throw this question out there just for fun anyway. My personal favorite is dc talk's Jesus Freak, that album is loaded, been listening to it recently again and everything about it is just awesome. But I wanna hear all different opinions on this, so fire away.

Funny, that as I read the title of this thread, the first album to pop into my head was dc Talk's "Jesus Freak". (So I had to grin when I read that it was your pick!) It is a timeless CD. I'm a "Jesus Freak" from way back, and until I just saw 3D in Charlottsville on 8/26, the Freak Show was the best tour I had ever seen too!! (Those 2 shows are running neck and neck!) Opening act was Audio Adrenaline!!!!! Totally got the crowd rocking, and then dc Talk entered the stage and floored me!!!!!!! Still love to pull out that CD from time to time.:D :D

[clemsontigers23]

If you're talking best ever, it's probably the most infuential. dc Talk's Jesus Freak is the most influential because it's influenced so many bands and it's made Christian music into what it is today. It's also one of the few albums to cross over into the mainstream. Their album Supernatural debuted as a top 5 rock album in between Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson based on the success of Jesus Freak. dc Talk got people to care about Christian music. Also, Audio Adrenaline's had some pretty influential albums, and I'd say most influential new band is Casting Crowns because they just debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts.

[Valpo]

Funny, that as I read the title of this thread, the first album to pop into my head was dc Talk's "Jesus Freak". (So I had to grin when I read that it was your pick!) It is a timeless CD. I'm a "Jesus Freak" from way back, and until I just saw 3D in Charlottsville on 8/26, the Freak Show was the best tour I had ever seen too!! (Those 2 shows are running neck and neck!) Opening act was Audio Adrenaline!!!!! Totally got the crowd rocking, and then dc Talk entered the stage and floored me!!!!!!! Still love to pull out that CD from time to time.:D :D

oh yeah no doubt a great album. i'm holding out for an eventual dc talk reunion, I gotta see them. unfortunately never have

[Marmoo68]

oh yeah no doubt a great album. i'm holding out for an eventual dc talk reunion, I gotta see them. unfortunately never have

I've got my fingers crossed too!!! So sorry to hear you never had the chance to see them in concert. I saw the Jesus Freak tour 3 times, but the best was 7th row at Liberty University in Lynchburg Va!! There is a VHS video of that tour.If you can get your hands on one you should. It's called "Welcome to the Freak Show", and it does capture the show as I remember it. It's the next best thing to being there!! :D

[larryl]

michael roe - safe as milk
the choir speckled bird
caedmon's call - my calm// your storm
the lost dogs - little red riding hood
over the rhine - drunkard's prayer
jars of clay - who we are instead
adam again - homeboys
ben harper (with the blind boys of alabama) - there will be a light
vigilantes of love - audible sigh
the 77s - pray naked
the violet burning - the violet burning

that's for starters...

[hochspeyer]

D&K- DeGarmo and Key and Petra Praise are two of my favorites.

[middletree]

"War", by U2. Or perhaps "The Joshua Tree."

[clemsontigers23]

"War", by U2. Or perhaps "The Joshua Tree."

Well if you're gonna do that, then I'd have to say "Human Clay" and "Weathered" by Creed are two of the most influential albums of the past decade. Think about it...we could probably name hundreds of Christian bands who have based their sound on these two albums, just as we could name quite a few bands who based their sound on U2.

[middletree]

Well if you're gonna do that, then I'd have to say "Human Clay" and "Weathered" by Creed are two of the most influential albums of the best decade. Think about it...we could probably name hundreds of Christian bands who have based their sound on these two albums, just as we could name quite a few bands who based their sound on U2.

I wasn't naming the U2 albums because of the sound, but because the songs are, in my opinion, just as Christian as anything on the CDs mentioned earlier.

[seeker]

I think that DC Talk's Jesus Freak paved way for a lot of Christian bands, and showed that you didn't have to have the "Christian" sound to your music.

Best Christian Album of all time for me is Jars' first album. Worlds Apart is still my all time favorite song for any genre and you can listen to that entire album because every song is just that good. For me it was almost like a Beatles thing, music that was waaaay ahead of it's time, and will remain one of the greatest Christian albums ever made. And it's not just about empty filler "christian" songs, they each have a deep truth to them that goes beyond your average "I love Jesus" type song.

[markie mark]

Well if you're gonna do that, then I'd have to say "Human Clay" and "Weathered" by Creed are two of the most influential albums of the best decade. Think about it...we could probably name hundreds of Christian bands who have based their sound on these two albums, just as we could name quite a few bands who based their sound on U2.

I agree that U2's The Joshua Tree should be considered in the 'best ever Christian category' (although Achtung Baby was their best album - wonder what category that fits into?)

might as well include Creed when someone mentions U2?:confused:
who are the Christian bands who have been influenced by Creed? I can only assume that those are the bands that suck then?

The Joshua Tree was not only written by a Christian band, but it had Christian themes throughout and it influenced band members in Jars of Clay and Third Day - arguably the two biggest Christian bands out there right now.

TJT would have been my second choice. Good Monsters by JOC being my first as start to finish, it's a better album. Hard to believe that it only sold 130,000-ish units.

[Jason]

I'll just echo some previous choices:
U2, Joshua Tree
Jars of Clay, Jars of Clay
Caedmon's Call, 40 Acres
Third Day, Time

And add:
Bebo Norman, Ten Thousand Days
Rich Mullins, The World As Best As I Remember It, Vol. 1
Jeremy Camp, Live >> Unplugged >> Franklin, TN

[Valpo]

Jeremy Camp, Live >> Unplugged >> Franklin, TN

yeah, great album indeed!

[middletree]

(although Achtung Baby was their best album - wonder what category that fits into?)

Achtung Baby has several songs with biblical themes, as do 95% of U2's songs. In the case of that CD, Mysterious Ways is about God (referred to as She for metaphorical purposes). Specifically, about communicating with God through prayer:
To touch is to heal, to hurt is to steal.
If you want to kiss the sky, better learn how to kneel
On your knees, boy!

And "Until the end of the world" is as told by Judas.

Actually, I don't think there is such a thing as secular music. It's all either Christian music or it's music which glorifies darkness. But 90% of so-called music falls into the former category.

[clemsontigers23]

I agree that U2's The Joshua Tree should be considered in the 'best ever Christian category' (although Achtung Baby was their best album - wonder what category that fits into?)

might as well include Creed when someone mentions U2?:confused:
who are the Christian bands who have been influenced by Creed? I can only assume that those are the bands that suck then?

The Joshua Tree was not only written by a Christian band, but it had Christian themes throughout and it influenced band members in Jars of Clay and Third Day - arguably the two biggest Christian bands out there right now.

TJT would have been my second choice. Good Monsters by JOC being my first as start to finish, it's a better album. Hard to believe that it only sold 130,000-ish units.

12 Stones, Fighting Instinct, P.O.D., Big Dismal, Kutless...you might not have heard of them, but doesn't mean they don't exist.

Creed is Christian, as well. Look at the lyrics to nearly every song on Human Clay and Weathered and you will see Christian themes all over the place. Stand Here With Me, Signs, My Sacrifice, One Last Breath, Weathered on the Weathered album all have Christian themes that can easily be interpreted when one looks at the lyrics. On the Human Clay album, look at Are You Ready, Higher, With Arms Wide Open, FACELESS MAN, Inside Us All, etc. On the My Own Prison album, the title song features some of the most overtly Christian themes you'll hear in mainstream music. Also look at One for the Christian theme of unity.

Like it or not, Creed definied the post-grunge rock sound.

[markie mark]

Achtung Baby has several songs with biblical themes, as do 95% of U2's songs. In the case of that CD, Mysterious Ways is about God (referred to as She for metaphorical purposes). Specifically, about communicating with God through prayer:
To touch is to heal, to hurt is to steal.
If you want to kiss the sky, better learn how to kneel
On your knees, boy!

And "Until the end of the world" is as told by Judas.

Actually, I don't think there is such a thing as secular music. It's all either Christian music or it's music which glorifies darkness. But 90% of so-called music falls into the former category.

Bono describes U2's music as either running to or running away from God - God being central to the music.

I really enjoyed that album (and Zooropa) because it showed their experimental side and that they were willing to push their creative boundaries (something that 3D needs to do).

Jars of Clay are doing this now which is the reason why they've bumped 3D out of my car cd player.

[Mr.Elwood]

I really enjoyed that album (and Zooropa) because it showed their experimental side and that they were willing to push their creative boundaries (something that 3D needs to do).


I believe they did do that with 'WIRE'.
and promptly got shredded for it.

Once they recovered monetarily from that disaster, I think you'll see then try again to reach a broader audience than CCM. Musically, I think 'WIRE' is their best CD. I'm still partial to 'Time' as my favorite though.

my initial response to this thread was DC Talk 'Jesus Freak', Audio Adrenaline 'Underdog' and Third Day's 'Offerings'. I add in 'Offerings' because it so dominated the market place that every CCM artist since that release has tried to duplicate its success with their own live CD

[rossid]

TJT was a great tour. Saw it in Chicago and Iowa City.

Bono said something in an interview about how a band is always one bad album from packing it in. They followed Achtung baby with Zooropa(yuck). This didn't wreck their huge career and Mark said he even liked it. Then they came back with Pop which I dislike too. But then ATYCLB(All That You Can't Leave Behind).

[in hiding]

I believe they did do that with 'WIRE'.
and promptly got shredded for it.

Once they recovered monetarily from that disaster, I think you'll see then try again to reach a broader audience than CCM. Musically, I think 'WIRE' is their best CD.

i have to agree, i really like the mix and vibe of wire; i may be biased b/c Brendan Obrien has mixed some of my favorite albums, but I love the sound tehy got on that album and it was a shame they got ripped for not doing a "christian enough" album.

[markie mark]

I believe they did do that with 'WIRE'.
and promptly got shredded for it.

Once they recovered monetarily from that disaster, I think you'll see then try again to reach a broader audience than CCM. Musically, I think 'WIRE' is their best CD. I'm still partial to 'Time' as my favorite though.

my initial response to this thread was DC Talk 'Jesus Freak', Audio Adrenaline 'Underdog' and Third Day's 'Offerings'. I add in 'Offerings' because it so dominated the market place that every CCM artist since that release has tried to duplicate its success with their own live CD

I would not say they were pushing themselves artistically rather they were sounding more 'pop radio' mainstream and they added a little more guitar and uptempo songs. It was an attempt to get out from under the Christian umbrella. I really did enjoy Wire though. It was nice to hear the guitars come forward and it reminded me of why I started listening to them - the song Consuming Fire was one of the first songs that I heard from the band. I wanted to hear 3D rock like they did in that song, so I was pretty happy to hear the opening chords of 'til the day i die.

3D was 'shredded' by long-time fans who didn't like change just as U2 was shredded by their 80s fans when Achtung Baby was released. It's still referred to as 'U2's weird stage' by many of the over 40 set who I know (and a lot of Christians for that matter) who take achtung baby and zooropa at face value and refuse to dive deeper into the lyrics. what a shame, it's great stuff!

[OnceDead]

I refuse to call any album the best ever. There are so many albums that offer so much musically, vocally, etc.

Here are a list of a few of my favorites:

Living Sacrifice: Im Memoriam
Demon Hunter: The Triptych
Dizmas: On a Search in America
Ultimatum: Into The Pit
Stryper: To Hell With The Devil
Mortification: Hammer of God
Third Day: Everything they've ever released
Disciple: s/t

[Howlin' Wolf]

jars of clay "redemption songs"

no other cd can compare. christian music does not age well and most of it is cheesy to begin with. hymns are like wine. they get better with age.

[markie mark]

jars of clay "redemption songs"

no other cd can compare. christian music does not age well and most of it is cheesy to begin with. hymns are like wine. they get better with age.

They also reworked those old hymns exceptionally well. They were able to put a new creative spin on them which made the hymns even more appealing.

Go on their myspace page and listen to a few of their new songs that will be on their upcoming Christmas record (I know, I know, another Christian record). But the Jars boys are in a zone right now and it started around the time they released redemption songs and its continuing into this next album. Its refreshingly creative. A song like Hibernation Day is waaaaaaaayyyyyy outside their original sound (and likely comfort zone). I guess that's what makes the song, and this band for that matter, so appealing.

[Evanescence]

Voice in the Light?

[Gandalf]

jars of clay "redemption songs"

no other cd can compare. christian music does not age well and most of it is cheesy to begin with. hymns are like wine. they get better with age.
I've been wondering whether that album was any good - hadn't gotten around to checking it out yet. If you say it's that good, I just may have to order it when I get home!

[bajagill]

Audio A -- Bloom
DC Talk -- Jesus Freak
3Day -- Offerings & Come Together
Casting Crowns -- self titled( I think)

...it's a good thing you said fave album and not song or else the length of your thread would end up rivalling one from the Loons :rolleyes: LONG LIVE THE KING!! errr long live the king....

[Mr.Supervious]

Third Day- Offerings 2
Mercy Me- Almost There
Jeremy Camp- Beyond Measure
Aaron Shust- Anything Worth Saying
DC Talk- Jesus Freak
Third Day- Time
Third Day- Wherever You Are

[Unstereotypical]

Well, in the number of sales. I would have to say it was DC Talk's "Jesus Freak" CD.

But my favorites are, in no particular order:

Living Sacrifice - Self-Titled CD. (Almost exactly like sLaYeR)
Believer - Extraction from Mortality. (Almost exactly like sLaYeR)
TourniqueT - Pathogenic Occular Dissonance.
TourniqueT - Microscopic View of a Telescopic Relam.
DeliverancE - Weapons of Our Warfare.
MorTifIcaTioN - World (I love this CD).
Saviour Machine - Legend Part 1
Saviour Machine - Legend Part 3:1
Third Day - Conspiracy Theory # 5
DC Talk - Welcome to the Freakshow
SonicFlood - SonicPraise
Deliriou5? - King of Fools (Very similar to U2 on this CD)
Michael W. Smith - I'll Lead you Home (Very similar to Bryan Adams).
Narnia - Desert Land (Similar to Malmsteen)
Seventh Avenue - Gateway (Similar to HellOweeN)
Balance of Power - Perfect Balance (Similar to Dream-TheateR)
Jacobs Dream - Theater of War (Similar to Iron Maiden)
Jacobs Dream - Self-Titled CD (Similar to Queensryche)

[Howlin' Wolf]

I've been wondering whether that album was any good - hadn't gotten around to checking it out yet. If you say it's that good, I just may have to order it when I get home!

Gandalf, you know that i am not a fan of "christian" music at all. but this cd has always broken me because hymns contain spiritual meat very very seldom found in ccm. couple that with jars' amazing talent, and i guarantee the first track will bring either tears or the "god" goosebumps

[clemsontigers23]

Gandalf, you know that i am not a fan of "christian" music at all. but this cd has always broken me because hymns contain spiritual meat very very seldom found in ccm. couple that with jars' amazing talent, and i guarantee the first track will bring either tears or the "god" goosebumps

I liked it pretty good, too...of course, I usually like anything by Jars of Clay.

[Ehud Elijah]

Stryper - Soldiers Under Command

Believe it.

[clemsontigers23]

I can't believe I didn't mention this one..."Satellite" by P.O.D.

No Christian album has ever had more crossever success than this one did.

[jumpingmaniac]

YESLY OFFERING 1!....I never get tired of it:D

[catman]

Casting Crowns -- Lifesongs
Third Day -- Wherever You Are
Michael W. Smith -- Worship
Leeland -- Sound of Melodies

[rossid]

SoM was $5 at Family Christian yesterday, today, and I think tomorrow too. My son almost bought it.

[TN3Dmom]

SoM was $5 at Family Christian yesterday, today, and I think tomorrow too. My son almost bought it.

Go back and get it! Those boys are incredibly talented. The whole CD is great. I can't believe they are still basically kids???

[TShafer]

i honestly don't hang out in christian music that much (outside of 'praise & worship' ... and that's almost exclusively an occupational hazard), but the best i've heard (more-or-less) would be

DC Talk, Jesus Freak
Third Day, Conspiracy No. 5
David Crowder*Band, A Collision

i liked Kevin Max's first record as well, but i'm not sure i didn't like it more because it was different than because it was actually good...

[Valpo]

i honestly don't hang out in christian music that much (outside of 'praise & worship' ... and that's almost exclusively an occupational hazard), but the best i've heard (more-or-less) would be

DC Talk, Jesus Freak
Third Day, Conspiracy No. 5
David Crowder*Band, A Collision

i liked Kevin Max's first record as well, but i'm not sure i didn't like it more because it was different than because it was actually good...

love your short list, and I gotta agree

[Genna14]

Oh my! Where to begin....

All Star United: self-titled and Love & Radiation
Third Day: Conspiracy No. 5 and Time
Tony Vincent: One Deed and Love Falling Down
Caedmon's Call: self-titled and 40 Acres
Dead Poetic: New Medicines and Vices
Michael W. Smith: I'll Lead You Home
Burlap to Cashmere: self titled
PFR: Goldie's Last Day
Newsboys: Not Ashamed and Going Public
Asight Unseen: Hollywood Proverbs
Whitecross: High Gear
Bride: Snakes in the Playground
The Kry: I'll Find You There

I believe that's it! And no, I didn't forget Jesus Freak. It just didn't quite impact me the same way it did many of you. The ones I just listed are the albums that impacted my childhood and adolesence the most.

[truster]

they get better with age.

Amen to that! There's a CD that I'm thinking about trying to find... It's a Chris Rice CD where he's doing exclusively hymns, all on a piano, with no vocals (at least I think the whole CD is like that.) I bought one song on iTunes (The Church's One Foundation), and I absolutely love it. It actually has direct modulations every phrase. Very nice.


Anyway, I'm a young 'un when it comes to Christian music. The only dcTalk cd I own is their Greatest Hits cd. :o But anyway, let's see...


Third Day- Time. My overall favorite 3D CD.
Third Day- Offerings. Seems to be the trend-setter for many bands' worship and live albums.
DC*B- A Collision.
DC*B- Remedy. (how 'bout this: pretty much anything DC*B's ever done, I'm a fan of. Besides "Sunsets and Sushi." That, I didn't like.)
Jonny Lang- Turn Around. C'mon, how often do you get Christian blues? Very good.
Shane & Shane- Pages. Great vocals coupled with great guitar work.
Caedmon's Call- Overdressed. I don't have any of CC's stuff besides this and their first worship cd, but this one is exceptional. Definitely worth a listen, if you haven't yet.
Chris Tomlin- Arriving. I don't particularly care for this CD, but it has provided what is currently some of the most popular P&W material (How Great is Our God, Holy is the Lord in particular).


There it is. And my opinions will probably be completely different this time next year. :)

[TN3Dmom]

Based on the songs I have heard so far, I have some very high hopes for Revelation by Third Day.

[ExtravagantlyLoved]

As many times as Jesus Freak has been mentioned, I have to mention it again. It's been a big influence in my life, and it's been my favorite since the first time I heard it.

I also want to mention Downhere's So Much for Substitutes. It's meant a lot to me personally. Most people would say that Wide-Eyed and Mystified has been their best so far, and musically I would have to agree. But the overall theme of So Much for Substitutes had a bigger impact on my life than any of their others.

[Healing Oil]

I can't believe I didn't mention this one..."Satellite" by P.O.D.

. Though Im sure many disagree with this, I dont. I often stick in "Satellite" to get my Jesus adrenaline going. Nothing gets me pumped up for 'battle' or spreading the love of Jesus quite like "Set it off". I'm not sure why...

As for me at this moment, I will have to say Sound of Melodies, by Leeland.

[rocker]

I love Third Day Chronilogical Volume 1! I also like anything by BarlowGirl, tobyMac, or Casting Crowns.

[princess1087]

Tough call...
I'd have to chose these in no particular order

Caedmon's Call - In The Company Of Angels
Third Day - Come Together
Michael W. Smith - Live The Life
Michael W. Smith - This Is Your Time
Red - End of Silence
Michael W. Smith - Freedom
4Him - hymns
4Him - Encore For Future Generations

[sandyandporter]

Without a doubt.... REVELATION!!! WOO HOO!!!

[MBishop08]

For me:-

DC Talk - Supernatural and Jesus Freak (Some songs from both)
Delirious - Mission Bell
Steven Curtis Chapman - Declaration
Audio Adrenaline - Hit Parade
Third Day - Wire
Third Day - Wherever You Are
Third Day - Come Together
Third Day - Third Day
Third Day - Time
Third Day - Chronology Volume 1
Third Day - Chronology Volume 1
Switchfoot - Learning to Breathe

But those are absolutely no match for:
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
Third Day - Revelation