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    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!



  9 of 15  




#9. The Choir
Shadow Weaver

Release Date: Sometime 2014
Historically speaking, any time Christian alternative music is discussed, this band's name inevitably comes up. And rightly so. As almost passé as it may seem to those who have spent the majority of their music-buying years in the shadow of landmark alt-pop releases like dc Talk's Jesus Freak or the self-titled Jars of Clay album, there was once a time when such decidedly left-of-center fare was all but unheard of. Indeed, at a time when Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Sandi Patti, alone, accounted for six of the top ten albums on the Christian charts, The Choir's debut 1985 EP, Voices in Shadows, created, if not a full-blown flood (pardon the pun), at least a ripple in the waters ruled by soft-pop and classic rock artists who, looking back, seemed hopelessly unhip by comparison. Just like the their '80s contemporaries, The Cars, who were embraced by those in both the punk and classic rock camps, drummer Steve Hindalong, guitarist/vocalist Derri Daugherty and their frequently-changing roster of fellow musicians, have managed to craft poignant and thought-provoking music that speaks to those both inside and on the fringes of that which we now label as alternative pop. Here's hoping their upcoming record continues to build on their long, proud, and well-deserved legacy.
        - Bert Gangl

The Choir's Kickstarter campaign (one of quite a few featured on this list) netted them more than twice what they asked for, and will make possible a new record, and the killer live album this veteran band has wanted to make for a long time. This band has been on an absolute roll the last few years, and the creative partnership of drummer and lyricist Steve Hindalong and guitarist and lead singer Derri Daugherty continues to shine. The Choir has been making beautiful and heartbreaking alternative music since before the term was coined. Two albums in one year makes for a good musical year indeed.
        - Alex "Tincan" Caldwell

If not for The Choir, we might not have such beloved bands as Jars of Clay or Sixpence None The Richer, who were greatly influenced by their alternately dreamy and melancholy alt rock. As if we weren't indebted to them enough for that fact alone, their consistent delivery of high-quality and compelling projects (particularly in the new millennium) make it almost a foregone conclusion that any future release will be equally high-quality and compelling.
        - Mark Rice

The Choir is one of those bands that I can use as a bellwether to test someone's knowledge of and history with Christian music. If they're familiar with Daugherty, Hindalong, and company, then we can have a nice long conversation. This is a band that's been together nearly 30 years, and I look forward to hearing their latest chapter.
        - Mark Geil

  • Visit our The Choir page for more information about them...

  • 2014 Countdown:

    15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1
    Highlighting 2014
    ©January 2014 / June 2014 Jesusfreakhideout.com




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    This Tuesday, June 3, 2025
    SINGLES
    Sixpence None The Richer The Needle and the Damage Done - Single [Flatiron]

    This Friday, June 6, 2025
    ALBUMS
    CCV Hollow (Deluxe) (independent)
    Ben Fuller Walk Through Fire [Provident]
    Hopeful. The Wild One - EP (independent)
    Christy Nockels King Who Never Sleeps; Anthems for Rest [The Fuel]
    Pastor Mike Jr. God Showing Out - EP [Rock City]
    Isaiah J. Thompson The Book of Isaiah: Modern Jazz Ministry [Mack Avenue]
    Chris Whittington Bright Portal 2025 Remastered Version - EP (independent)

    SINGLES
    7eventh Time Down My Will - Single [BEC]
    Pat Barrett Praise The Lord Forever - Single [Capitol]
    Bill B. & Cyrus Sonata Kevlar - Single [Syntax]
    bodie whisper and the wind (b+CL version) - Single [Provident]
    Burial Extraction The Overseer - Single [Charon Collective]
    Elan Brio I'm Satisfied (ft. Henry Israel) - Single (independent)
    Aaron Cole NOBODY BUT GOD (ft. Parris Chariz and Jon Keith) - Single [RCAI]
    Equippers Worship Living in Freedom (Live) - Single [DREAM]
    Kirk Franklin Do It Again - Single [Fo Yo Soul]
    Good Weather Forecast Pray - Single [DREAM]
    Ic3rd & EJ Swavv Woke Up (ft. CJ Emulous & George.Rose) - Single [Syntax]
    King David tha Vessel Consistant - Single (independent)
    The Kingsmen Wish You Were Here - Single [Horizon]
    Brandon Lake Daddy's DNA - Single [Provident]
    Myles Maestro Flood (ft. Ace Savage & Shruumi) - Single [Syntax]
    Mell Omii Wave - Single [Syntax]
    Kevi Morse Mr. Pilot - Single [Syntax]
    River Valley Worship Time For Revival - Single [BEC]
    Sleeping At Last The Piano (Original Score) - Single - Single (independent)
    Roy Tosh Everything's Gonna Be Alright (feat. PEABOD) - Single [RMG Amplify]
    Solachi Voz All I Need - Single [Syntax]
    Emilie Weiss Genesis (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]
    Ayiesha Woods I Have Hope - Single [Backsider]
    Megan Woods I Believe You - Single [FairTrade]

    VINYL
    Ironwrath Master Storyteller Vinyl [Girder]

    Next Friday, June 13, 2025
    ALBUMS
    Coqui Death to Your Ego [DREAM]
    King's Hammer To Speak In Tongues - EP [Rottweiler]
    Brandon Lake King Of Hearts [Provident]
    Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]
    War of Ages Eternal (15th Anniversary Edition) [Facedown]

    SINGLES
    CalledOut Music Worthy of It All - Single [Integrity]
    Equippers Worship Garment of Praise - Single [DREAM]
    Mainstream Worship Near - Single [DREAM Worship]



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