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    For our 10th annual Highlighting feature, we split the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December. Each list contains 10 artists/releases for a total of 20 in total for 2016. So, without further ado, we give you Highlighting Second-Half 2016! -- Please keep in mind that any artists that placed in the First Half (like Skillet, Paper Route and winner House of Heroes) won't be re-listed here!



  2 of 10  



Album Cover
#2. NEEDTOBREATHE
H A R D L O V E

Release Date: July 15, 2016
H A R D L O V E is a mixed bag of high quality and standard tunes, but it is nonetheless a fun album that has something for everyone.
        - Christopher Smith

Rivers In The Wasteland was a tour de force of emotion, healing and great songs. “Difference Maker,” “Brother,” “Wasteland,” “The Heart” and “Magnified” were fantastic songs that were as different in tone as they were great in structure. H A R D L O V E finds the boys from South Carolina in a better place as friends and family, and the album has a distinctly lighter feel. Fans may not be as taken with the happy material (see Bruce Springsteen’s “happy phase” in the 90’s), but the soul swing of “Money And Fame” and “Happiness” hint at a funky, soulful and joyful record.
        - Alex Caldwell

It was going to be difficult to replicate the sheer intelligence and sensibility of Rivers in the Wasteland, but then again, is that really what we wanted? H A R D L O V E has noticeably thicker production, which might rub some southern rock purists the wrong way, but I'm willing to entertain the idea of a poppier chapter in NEEDTOBREATHE's journey. At the minimum, it'll sound like nothing else put out this year, and that's a hard goal to achieve by itself.
        - Roger Gelwicks

Six albums in and there hasn't been an album from NEEDTOBREATHE I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. Each album seems to improve upon the last, shaking things up just enough to keep it interesting while continuing to draw inspiration from their roots. H A R D L O V E is a solid contender for album of the year and possibly the Carolina band's best.
        - Lucas Munachen

Who among us has the willpower to ignore new tunes from one of today's most consistent mainstream Christian rock groups? Crafting a worthy follow-up to 2014's Rivers in the Wasteland, perhaps their best work to date, is a daunting task to say the least, but NEEDTOBREATHE have proven time and time again their incredible ability to summon melodies that are borderline irresistible. If paired with measured amounts of creativity and growth, H A R D L O V E could truly be something to admire.
        - Jeremy Barnes

Though I've heard the album already, and it's not their best, new NEEDTOBREATHE never truly disappoints. And H A R D L O V E improves with each listen.
        - Scott Fryberger

  • Visit our NEEDTOBREATHE page for more information about them...

    		•
    2016 Countdown: July to December

    10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1
    Highlighting 2016
    ©January 2016 Jesusfreakhideout.com


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    Music Out This Week


    This Tuesday, October 20
    SINGLES
    Philip Anthony Mud - Single (independent)

    This Thursday, October 22
    SINGLES
    NEEDTOBREATHE Never Gonna Deserve Ya (feat. Evan Honer) - Single [UMG]

    This Friday, October 23
    ALBUMS
    Bleach The Fox Den Sessions Vol. 1 [Residence Music]
    Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Miami Live [StowTown]
    Alex Henry Foster The Fragile Beauty (Of New Morning Hopes) [Hopeful Tragedy]
    Future of Forestry untitled (independent)
    Galactic Cowboys What Planet Are You From? (independent)
    m1L The Prelude EP [Polished Arrow]
    Myles Maestro IDENTITY CRISIS [Syntax]
    Procyse I’ve Never Been Here Before [Polished Arrow]
    QEW & Cyrus Sonata Chamber Saga EP [Syntax]
    Josiah Queen Damascus Road [Capitol CMG]
    The Sean Coleman Project Apropos of Nothing (independent)
    We The Kingdom Soon The Streets Of Gold [Capitol CMG]

    SINGLES
    Dave Barnes Christmastime - Single (independent)
    Biscuits x albion. dawn - Single (independent)
    Elan Brio Airplanes - Single [Polished Arrow]
    Chris Caro Hannah's Song - Single [Syntax]
    Hillside Recording & Addy Prado Joyful Joyful - Single (independent)
    Keep Warm Like You (feat. Relient K) - Single [Real Fun]
    LOUDWERX Bass Go Boom (feat. Magic & Bird, Andy Mineo) - Single [Artist Influence]
    Mountains in the Sea My Burden Is Light - Single [Dream]
    Naveszn Meadow - Single [Syntax]
    No Vain Glory MOVE YOUR BODY (PT2) - Single [Syntax]
    Jordan Rowe If Jesus Lived In My Hometown - Single [Tape Room / Capitol CMG]
    Saints in Exile Haunted Nobody - Single [Syntax]
    Tommis & Company Your Name Is Jesus (Acoustic) - Single (independent)

    Next Friday, October 30
    ALBUMS
    Beach Chapel A Special Place In Heaven (independent)
    Kirk Franklin I Am What I Am [Uptown]
    The Oak Ridge Boys Buried Treasures [Lightning Rod]
    The Hyssongs We've Got a Song to Sing [Horizon]
    Various Artists Songs Inspired By The Chosen: Season 1-5 [Capitol CMG]
    Vomitorial Corpulence Martyrdomical Symphonanthem [Rottweiler]

    SINGLES
    Gracie Binion & Mitch Wong Gloria - Single [BEC]
    Will Ellis My Yesterday’s Are Gone - Single (independent)
    Leem of the Earth The Cavern of Dark - Single [Velvet Blue]
    Hunter Plake It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas - Single [BEC]
    Jordan St. Cyr Guide Me Home - Single [BEC]
    ZOEgirl I Still Believe - Single (independent)
    For all release dates, click here!
     

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