For our 7th annual Highlighting feature, we split the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December. Normally, we select our top 25 most anticipated releases for the whole year, but we realize that it's tough to really gauge EVERYTHING that may release throughout a given year when we're making the list in January. So, for 2012, we split the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December, and we're using this format again for 2013. Also, each list contains 15 artists/releases for a total of 30 in total for 2013. So, without further ado, we give you Highlighting First-Half 2013!

	3 of 15   #3. Audio Adrenaline Kings & Queens Release Date: March 12, 2013 In all honesty, I haven't been very enthusiastic about continuing the "Audio A brand" like this. Bassist Will McGinniss aside, this just isn't the band we know. But I'm discovering more and more reasons to stay excited about Kings & Queens, and it's truly fun to see Kevin Max return to making fun music again. I'm liking the title track better with every listen, and the full album will likely boast the same appeal.         - Roger Gelwicks OK, so anyone who's followed JFH for a while knows that Audio Adrenaline has long been my favorite band of all time. With the 2012 rumors, and then official announcement, that the band is alive and well once again, many have wondered (and some have asked), "So John, are you excited??" Well, while it's exciting to have the 'idea' of "Audio Adrenaline" back in the spotlight, the band I fell in love with is not the same band masquerading as "Audio Adrenaline" today. However, considering the fact that dc Talk's final member to not be fronting a major stage show in the Christian music world is the face of AA's resurrection--and that voice, c'mon!--it's more than intriguing to see where "Audio Adrenaline 2012" will be going this year. Early demoes have proven to be easy on this guy's ears, but Audio A as I've known and loved is still no more (You are missed, Sir Stuart). But this new rock band with Kevin Max and AA's Will McGinniss among its ranks (including a member from Bleach and one from Church of Rhythm/Superchick) have me eager to hear what will be produced on Kings and Queens.         - John DiBiase It's always unique to have a band come back after such a long absence, and even more so when there is a completely new singer. Kevin Max (formerly of dc Talk) will take the lead for this band, which he used to share the limelight with in the mid-90s. It makes for an interesting combination, although after hearing the single, "Kings & Queens," it seems there could be some good potential...         - Wayne Myatt I'm a bit conflicted about this one. On the one hand, there is the propensity of bands to continue on with the same name and a totally different line-up, different vocalist or radically different sound (see the Newsboys, Sonicflood, Petra). And on the other hand you have the fact that Audio A called it a day because of vocal stability issues, and that the great Mark Stuart is involved in this incarnation of the band behind the scenes. Add to this that the first single (and title track) scores a win in the melodic and convicting columns (the video is also great), and Kings and Queens is one to look forward to.         - Alex "Tincan" Caldwell It's pretty hard not to anticipate this album. It's an odd world when dcTalk has turned into a solo act, the Newsboys, and Audio Adrenaline. I don't expect this revised version of Audio A to sound like the classic version, but K-Max in a rock band again is an exciting prospect. I fully expect this album to be one of this year's best.         - Michael Weaver Visit our Audio Adrenaline page for more information about them... 2013 Countdown: 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 ©January, 2013 Jesusfreakhideout.com