Jesusfreakhideout.com: Staff Pick Their "Top 15 Albums Of All Time" (2008)

This list is in order by the year in which each album was originally released...


	Petra, *Beat The System* (1984) - "Given to me by a kid in my school named Rich Jones. He had no idea that this one cassette tape would change my world forever. This was the last studio release featuring Greg X. Volz as lead singer. A perfect snapshot of 80s Christian Rock."

	Amy Grant, *Unguarded* (1985) - "The beginning of Christian crossover as we know it from the biggest name in "Christian Rock," as the entire genre was called back then. Featuring one of Amy's signature songs, "Find a Way," and the classic pose of Amy in the leopard print jacket on the cover. Still a great listen more than twenty years later."

	Stryper, *To Hell With the Devil* (1986) - "From the controversial original album art to the videos getting airplay on MTV, Stryper was one of the most talked about bands of its time. After years in retirement, they released Reborn in 2005, but this was their greatest acheivement. The first CCM record to go platinum."

	Steve Taylor, *Squint* (1993) - "Released five years after the infamous I Predict 1990, this was the final studio record from one of Christian music's greatest contributors. From the first guitar riff of "The Lament Of Desmond R.G. Underwood-Frederick IV" to the final notes of "Cash Cow," this is one amazing journey."

	The Choir, *Speckled Bird* (1994) - "One of great under-appreciated bands in Christian music, The Choir reworked their independent project Kissers and Killers and released Speckled Bird on the short-lived R.E.X. label. Not really "Jesus music" but an exploration of love and life, this record was ahead of its time, both in lyrics and production."

	DC Talk, *Jesus Freak* (1995) - "Simply put, Jesus Freak is the most important record in the history of the genre. No single record legitimatized an entire "industry" the way that this one did. Though some believe that their follow-up disc Supernatural was sonically better, there is no questioning the importance of Jesus Freak in the fabric of CCM."

	Newsboys, *Take Me to Your Leader* (1996) - "Without question, the greatest collection of songs in the history of one of Christian Music's biggest bands. Perfect production by Steve Taylor, great writing by Taylor & Furler, and a consistently great record from start to finish."

	O.C. Supertones, *Supertones Strike Back* (1997) - "There was once a time in Christian music when swing and ska ruled the land. Bands such as Five Iron Frenzy, The Insyderz and The W's were must-haves for every youth group leader. No band made a larger impact than The O.C. Supertones, however, and Strike Back is the ultimate Supertones release. This was also the first release on the newly formed BEC Recordings label."

	Various Artists, *Happy Christmas* (1998) - "Ska version of "Joy to the World?"...check. Creepy electronic version of "Winter Wonderland?"...check. Frenetic, ska/swing take on "Mele Kalikimaka?"... you betcha! This is also the record that introduced a lot of people to a young San Diego three-piece singing "Evergreen."

	Shaded Red, *Red Revolution* (1999) - "Another great record that the masses missed out on due to the demise of the record label. Featuring great percussion, trumpets, jangly guitars, and unique vocal stylings, this is a hard-to-find classic. If you can get your hands on one, grab it."

	Various Artists, *City On a Hill* (2000) - "This is not the first collaborative worship record, but it is the one that launched not just a series, but one of the most loved songs in the genre. The Mac Powell/Caedmon's Call track "God of Wonders" has become a mainstay in worship sets and on iPods alike. There have been numerous records that have copied the formula, but none have connected in the same way."

	P.O.D., *Satellite* (2001) - "Maybe the biggest crossover record in the genre. Embraced by Christians and non-Christians alike, the record released on 9/11 and quickly became a record of healing with songs such as "Alive" and "Youth of the Nation," as well as the sports arena mainstay "Boom."

	Jennifer Knapp, *The Way I Am* (2001) - "Brokenness and introspection has never sounded better. The least popular (by sales total) of her three studio discs, Ms. Knapp puts her black-but-still-beating heart on display for all to see... and hear."

	Switchfoot, *The Beautiful Letdown* (2003) - "With the 1997 release of The Legend of Chin, I doubt that anybody thought that this band would go on to become one of the biggest names in the genre. Featuring the mainstream anthems "Meant to Live" and "Dare You to Move" as well as the moving closer "Twenty-Four," this is the must have CD in all of Christian music."

	David Crowder Band, *A Collision or (3 + 4 = 7)* (2005) - "An incredible musical journey that features spacey rock, pure bluegrass, modern worship, and thoughtful pop sensibilities. A Collision can only be appreciated by listening from start to finish, allowing tracks to blur into one another and become one single production. Not to be listened to on shuffle."