Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

    For our 8th annual Highlighting feature, we split the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December. Each list contains 15 artists/releases for a total of 30 in total for 2014. So, without further ado, we give you Highlighting First-Half 2014!



  1 of 15  


 

JFH's Highlighting 2014 Winner!

#1. Steve Taylor and the Perfect Foil
Goliath

Release Date: April 2014
Forget dc Talk, Steve Taylor fans have been waiting 21 years for a brand new studio album from the acclaimed singer/songwriter/producer/director/etc. But not only is Taylor back with a brand new album this year, his band, "The Perfect Foil" stars CCM legends John Mark Painter, Jimmy Abegg, and Peter Furler! Yup; this'll be good.
        - John DiBiase

What do you get when you mix a former Newsboy, a former Ragamuffin, half of Flemming & John, a Christian music pioneer, and a highly successful Kickstarter campaign? Apparently, Steve Taylor and the Perfect Foil, possibly the oldest, most accomplished "new" group to hit the scene in decades. It's hard to imagine anything less than excellence from these guys.
        - Mark Rice

In the past few years, I've come to appreciate the multi-talented Steve Taylor a lot for his incisive way of seeing the world, though my knowledge of his past music is limited at best. But man, how could you not be intrigued by this project? Steve Taylor and Peter Furler collaborating again? Can't wait to hear what comes of this.
        - Jen Rose

As inconceivable as it may seem, it has been two decades and change since Taylor last put out a studio album under his own name. Of course, he's been more than busy during the extended stretch between albums, writing and producing for everyone from Guardian to the Newsboys, and even trying his hand - quite successfully, as it turns out - at movie direction and production. Still, as much as he placed his inimitable stamp on other artists' recordings, his fans are rightly excited to have him once again take his rightful place behind the microphone and serve up an album's worth of his typically witty and incisive ditties as only he can.
        - Bert Gangl

I'll admit it... I didn't expect this at #1. Nor did I expect Peter Furler to appear on this list twice. But indeed, we at JFH are united around utter excitement about Steve Taylor's return to music. I first heard about this project from my 2011 interview with Peter Furler, so it's been a long time coming to see this oft-rumored collaboration actually happen. Steve Taylor and his friends are shaking things up this April, and 2014 is already an exciting year for music.
        - Roger Gelwicks

If you haven't seen Steve Taylor's Kickstarter video where he reapplies for his "license to rock" at his local DMV (Department of Music Veterans) and goes through a hysterical lead singer test, then you need to go there right now and see it. Taylor has not lost a step humor-wise, and Christian Music is all the better for having his wit and cultural commentary back in full swing,
        - Alex "Tincan" Caldwell

With a clever and astoundingly successful KickStarter campaign, Steve Taylor has forced his way back into the forefront of the music scene. After decades of virtual silence, fans are preparing for what may well be the most anticipated album of the year - and all of this even without a christening title.
        - David Craft

$40,000 Kickstarter goal, $121,197 raised. Enough said. It's been twenty years since Steve Taylor has made his own unique brand of music. Two decades = anticipation to spare.
        - Mark Geil

  • Visit our Steve Taylor and the Perfect Foil page for more information about them...

  • 2014 First-Half Countdown Recap:

    15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1


    HONORABLE MENTIONS: Here are a few other artists that made our staff's individual lists that didn't quite make the top 15... Demon Hunter (who announced their release date AFTER we made our list), Guardian, For Today, Michael W. Smith, Rend Collective, David Ian, Family Force 5, Abandon, Paul Wright, Sarah Kelly, Shonlock, Kari Jobe, Manafest, Rapture Ruckus.
    Highlighting 2014
    ©January 2014 Jesusfreakhideout.com



     

    Leave a Comment


                     
    Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

    Search JFH



    This Wednesday, October 29, 2025
    ALBUMS
    Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]

    SINGLES
    Tikae Maestro Dwell (ft. Kingdmusic) - Single [Tribe Rua]

    This Friday, October 31, 2025
    ALBUMS
    1K Phew What's Understood 3 [Reach]
    Sherwin Gardner Christmas Glow [Wings]
    Hope Deferred Darkness Remains [The Charon Collective]
    Vic Lucas The Journey [Syntax]
    MORIAH Nice Life - EP [F2]
    Amanda Nolan Wait For The Dawn - EP [Lula Street]
    River Valley Worship First Light / Last Word - EP [BEC]
    SEU Worship What A God [Live at JOGS] (feat. Abbie Gamboa) - EP [Provident]
    Testimony of Apocalypse Agony in the Garden [Roxx Records]

    SINGLES
    Alphein Working - Single [Syntax]
    Chris Caro It's Okay - Single [Syntax]
    Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Still - Single [Syntax]
    Dreamers My Heart His Home - Single [DREAM]
    Dust and Grace He Made It All - Single [MTS]
    Emery Civil Wars - Single (independent)
    Roxanne Grace Try Again - Single [DREAM]
    HolyName Ritual - Single (independent)
    Jericko Skeletons - Single [Syntax]
    Kingdmusic Speed Dial (ft Mégan Rose) - Single (independent)
    The Light Superior Ghost - Single [Rottweiler]
    Lock & Chi Do To Me - Single (independent)
    John Long Simple Pursuit - Single (independent)
    Steven Malcolm Lean On You - Single [Curb]
    My Place Was Taken Rude Awakening - Single [Rottweiler]
    No Vain Glory ROYALTY (CHOSEN) - Single [Syntax]
    Polished Arrow Music LOTW - Single [Polished Arrow Music]
    Poor Old Lu The Hurting - Single (independent)
    Razzie & Joz NEW PETRO (ft. 4KL) - Single [Syntax]
    Saints in Exile Pain is My Best Friend (At My Best) [ft. THE EXILED] - Single [Syntax]
    Jordy Sam Hard Days (ft. IAN) - Single [Syntax]
    Silent Reflection The Air - Single [Syntax]
    Still Remains The Wound and the Weapon - Single (independent)
    Warren Zeiders How Great Thou Art - Single [Warner]

    This Saturday, November 1, 2025
    SINGLES
    Relentless Pursuit He Is Coming - Single (independent)

    Next Friday, November 7, 2025
    ALBUMS
    Biscuits Country Fried LoFi - EP [Circle Back]
    Jekalyn Carr JEKALYN X LEGENDS [WayNorth]
    DAMIAN DAMIAN [DREAM]
    Josh Garrels Peace To All Who Enter Here, Vol. 2 (independent)
    Amy Jay Mnemonics (independent)
    (UN)WORTHY From the Belly of the Beast - EP (independent)

    SINGLES
    Gracie Binion Gunpowder - Single [BEC]
    Damian If I Should Fail - Single [DREAM]
    Good Things Collective Rejoice! - Single [Real Fun]
    Hillside Recording Everlasting Father - Single (independent)
    Ian Austin, Heather Suzanne Somewhere Far - Single (independent)
    Tasha Layton Christmas All Year Long - Single [BEC]
    Life.Church Worship Tanto - Single (independent)
    Sacrificial Betrayal Take Risk - Single (independent)
    Zane Walls YOU ARE THE FIRE (feat. JontheKid) - Single (independent)
    Rhett Walker Carol of the Bells - Single [BEC]


    For all release dates, click here!
     

    Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
    Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
    Check out depositphotos for royalty free images