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Truth, Soul, & Rock 'n' Roll
- The Elms
This is what I call a "spring album", one that is perfect for when it is 70-80 degrees outside and you're cruising around in your car with the windows down. Just fun, "airy", rock-pop.
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Achtung Baby
- U2
U2 has always been a band that is willing to sometimes "throw a curveball" and change their sound. This early 90s album was a major sonic shift for them, one that (I feel) was ahead of it's time. I remember some "old fans" freaking out and getting upset, but I think it is one of their greatest albums.
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Who We Are Instead
- Jars of Clay
Such a great album. The song "Trouble Is" has to be my favorite song ever done by them, with its' bluesy feel and lyrics that challenge us Christians to try and figure out, "If we aren't supposed to be like everyone else in this world, then who are we to be instead?" GREAT question for us to ask...how often do we not even try to figure that out?
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I See Things Upside Down
- Derek Webb
From a former member of Caedmon's Call; more of an acoustically-based cd. The lyrics are excellent, revolving around how modern Western Christianity has often seen things "upside down" from what Jesus really intended...On a side note, someday ask me (Ben) about a funny Derek Webb story involving Pepto Bismol and various gastro-intestinal disorders that I was a direct witness to...
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Day of Fire
- Day of Fire
A basic, good rock album. Nothing groundshaking musically (I hear shades of Nickleback, etc.), but fun to listen to nonetheless. The frontman used to sing for a band called Full Devil Jacket until he became a believer.
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Satellite
- P.O.D.
This is a "rock your face off" cd. They have made other good albums, but I think this is their most groundbreaking. Just listen to "The Messenjah" and tell me if you feel fired up to take your faith to the death or not...
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Welcome to the Rock and Roll Worship Circus
- The Rock and Roll Worship Circus
One of those "no one else in Christian music is doing ANYTHING like this"-bands...I hate comparisons, but if I must, think Pink Floyd-Beatles-80s new wave hybrid. I have met these guys (and gal) and they are the real deal.
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Reset
- Mute Math
Just like The RnRWC above, a band with a sound that is unique. The song "Control" gives me chills every time...
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A Liturgy, a Legacy, and a Ragamuff
- Rich Mullins
One of the few "old school Christian" artists I can really get into. His lyrics are pure poetry, and from what I've read about his life (he died in a car wreck a few years back), it was truly inspirational and "gutsy". Simply, he broke the mold...
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First Circle
- Enter the Worship Circle
Some of my favorite "worship" songs came from this album. Very organic, acoustic; apparently the musicians just threw a mic in the center of a room, grabbed a bunch of instruments, and hit "record". "I Will Not Forget You" is one of the best, most honest worship songs I know.
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How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
- U2
I must confess, I am a bona-fide U2 freak. Their newest album does not disappoint. It may be one of their most overtly "Christian" ones, too.
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Much Afraid
- Jars of Clay
I have recently gained a new appreciation for this band. I have always liked them somewhat (and loved certain songs), but over the past year I have learned to love all their music. This is their second album (the follow up to the one that had the hit "Flood"), and while some folks consider this their "weird" album, I think it is their most unique and courageous.
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A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Vince Guaraldi Trio
Gotta love the Charlie Brown specials. This album jsut puts me in a festive, happy mood, whatever time of year. If I had to choose one song to represent "me", "Linus and Lucy" would have to be it.
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The Joshua Tree
- U2
U2's classic 1987 album. They were good before, and they've been good since, but this was the one that made people worldwide go "whoa". I don't know which U2 album is my favorite (changes all the time), but this is definitely top 3.
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The Lime CD
- David Crowder* Band
Ah, Crowder...you have to listen to these guys. Maybe the best true worship band out there. This is a mostly "live" collection.
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A Beautiful Glow
- The Rock and Roll Worship Circus
Their second album, a return to the 60s-70s vibe in their first album. Good stuff.
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The Beauty of Simplicity
- Telecast
Think "Coldplay/David Bowie/The Verve"-worship.
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Fight the Tide
- Sanctus Real
These guys rock, both musically and personally (I had a chance to hang out with them at a retreat a couple years back). Just good, fun stuff.
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Exodus
- Andy Hunter
I am VERY picky when it comes to electronica, but this guy is amazing. One of the best of the genre.
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World Service
- Delirious?
I just thought Delirious? was "ok" until I a) heard this album and p) saw them live. WOW.
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Your God is Too Safe
- Mark Buchanan
I cheated this week: Adam Samuels (our Music Minister) recommended this book. Stay tuned for his "mini-review".
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God.Net
- James Langteaux
This book (actually the sequel to "God.com" that I have yet to read) is a profound journey through Langteaux's struggles and triumphs as a child of God. Very gutsy and "confessional", and you'll know what I mean if you ever finish the book...
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Praise Habit
- David Crowder
(Yes, the musician.) Simply, one of the most refreshing, funny, quirky, and profound things I've read in a long time. Crowder challenges us to truly let our whole lives be worship (not just when we sit in the pews, on Sunday morning, on mission trips...). He then takes us on a journey through his favorite Psalms, sharing us his insights into achieving this goal of whole-life-as-worship. Be sure to check out "Nunzilla"...read the Appendicies and you'll see what I mean...
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The Gospel Reloaded
- Chris Seay and Greg Garrett
This book looks at “The Matrix” movies and dissects the spiritual (specifically Christian) messages we might gain from them.
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The Narrow Road
- Brother Andrew
A collection of stories from all over the world about faithfulness in the face of hard times.
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Pray
- Tony Jones
A neat little book to challenge our “ways of prayer”.
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Walking in the Way
- Joe E. Trull
A collection of essays on various Christian ethics issues.
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Spiritual Journeys: How Faith has Influenced Twelve Music Icons
- Various
I love reading about stuff like this! You might be surprised who has some roots in Christianity…
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Generation Hope
- Mark Matlock
A great resource for parents; looks at today's teens and how we can be vitally involved in their lives.
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Jesus Freaks
- dc talk and The Voice of the Martyrs
A collection of stories of martyrdom (giving of one's life for their faith).
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The Book of God
- Walter Wangerin, Jr.
This is a “novelization” of scripture. Not to be confused with modern-English translations like “The Message”, this is more worried about the story.
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Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2
- Steve Stockman
I can't help it; I love U2. This book helps one understand the “purpose” behind their songs, stage shows, and lives.
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You Set My Spirit Free
- John of the Cross
One of the ancients; a great devotional.
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Son of a Preacher Man
- Jay Bakker
Yes, THAT Bakker. Jim's son. He has a great story.
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Dangerous Wonder
- Mike Yaconelli
Challenges us to live out our life and faith in a free, playful, “unworried” way.
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The Book of Uncommon Prayer
- Steven Case
A fun, unique set of “prayer tools”.
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Relevant Magazine
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I LOVE this mag. Looks at life, the world, music, movies, (basically, culture) from a Christian lens, but not afraid to admit that we are all “part of this culture”, whether we like it or not…
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Wild at Heart
- John Eldridge
A challenging book for men (and women). Encourages us guys to not be ashamed of who we are…
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Adventures in Missing the Point
- Tony Campolo and Brian McLaren
One of my absolute favorites. Looks at various “hot buttons” in American/Western Chritianity and takes turns discussing (and at times “rebutting”) where we may have missed the intended point of Jesus in them.
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Messy Spirituality
- Mike Yaconelli
One of my “faith heroes” (RIP, Mike). This book is so great…reminds us that a “messy” faith is still a REAL faith! (Praise God for that!)
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The Screwtape Letters
- C.S. Lewis
One of the most clever works of literature I know. Confusing until you realize what C.S. is up to: These are “letters” written from one “devil” to his apprentice concerning Christianity.
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