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.

PLEASE NOTE:
We've already selected the first fifteen artists, so please click here to check those out. If you think an artist may be missing on this list, please keep in mind they may have made our list for the first half of the year before their release date was pushed back to the latter half of the year (like Switchfoot, Five Iron Frenzy and Relient K, for example). Without further ado, we give you Highlighting Second-Half 2013!

	5 of 15   #5. Newsboys Restart Release Date: September 10, 2013 Four years on from replacing Peter Furler, Michael Tait is still looking to make a definitive statement with his new band. 2010's Born Again was a pleasant, if unspectacular, opening bow for the former dc Talkster, and the follow-on Christmas! EP and worship covers album seemed, more than anything else, like mere stopgap measures. Those most familiar with Tait & Co. know they have talent to spare when it comes to delivering the goods. Here's hoping that, this time out, they make good on that potential.         - Bert Gangl With so much talent contained within this incarnation of the Newsboys, they've only scratched the surface of their creative abilities and can afford to do something crazy. If Tait's soaring on vocals on "Live With Abandon" are any indication of what's to come this September, there's the open possibility that Restart could be the step up we're itching for.         - Roger Gelwicks One thing that is as true about the Newsboys now as it was in the mid 90's is that they are without a doubt one of the top pop-rock acts in CCM. Of course, few other things are similar (three longtime members notwithstanding), but anytime a band with this type of legacy releases an album, it is cause to get excited.         - Mark Rice After making a seamless transition to new front man Michael Tait, the Newsboys have put out three and a half (including a live album and Christmas EP) records in four years and show no signs of taking their foot off the gas pedal any time soon. The new single "Living With Abandon" sounds like classic, bouncy Newsboys, but doesn't stray too far from the proven formula. It would be nice to see the boys branch out a bit, but for dancy, uplifting music it's hard to bet against the Newsboys.         - Alex "Tincan" Caldwell Visit our Newsboys page for more information about them... Second-Half of 2013 Countdown: 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 ©January, 2013 Jesusfreakhideout.com