| March
and April 2002: How do they look?
Well last time we took a
look at January and February 2002. Now we are back for a second time around,
and we are taking a look at two more big months for Christian Music fans,
March and April. Again, these aren’t all of the albums releasing in March
and April. I’m just covering the better known releases, keeping it short
but sweet. as of February 22, 2002. They are subject to change without
notice.
March 5, 2002:
1. Jars Of Clay The Eleventh
Hour
Essential
Records
With The Eleventh Hour
releasing on March 5th, Jars of Clay will be going back to the sound of
their first two albums (as opposed to the more contemporary sound in If
I Left The Zoo). Jars fans and newcomers will no doubt enjoy this 11-track
album.
2. Rachael Lampa Kaleidoscope
Word
Records
Nominated for four Dove
Awards in 2001, seventeen year old Rachael Lampa is releasing her sophomore
album, Kaleidoscope, come March, no doubt as good [if not then better]
than her debut self-titled album.
3. Nichole Nordeman (Currently
Untitled)
Sparrow
Records
It’s been almost two years
since her last album, and you can count on this as being another winner
for Nichole Nordeman fans.
March 12, 2002
4. Brother’s Keeper
Cover Me
Ardent
Records
One of the best releases
of March and April. Brother’s Keeper is back, with an amazing must have
for any pop fan. An eleven track album that has something for everyone;
rock, ballads, and even some rap on one track.
5. Ill Harmonics Take
Two (Note: This album may get pushed back to March 26)
Uprok
Records
Any fan of John Reuben,
Mars ILL, and the first Ill Harmonics will love this album. With catchy
hard rock/rap and acoustic tracks, a live song with Earthsuit, guest guitar
from Marcos of P.O.D., and a hilarious music video for the title track,
Take Two will be a winner for all hip-hop and rap fans.
March 26, 2002
6. Avalon 02 Avalon
Remixed
Sparrow
Records
Avalon is doing something
new on the Christian music scene. They are releasing an album of catchy,
upbeat remixes of their number one hits. There are a few guest singers/groups
on the album, including Andy Hunter, Out Of Eden, Stacie Orrico, and ZOEgirl.
7. Jeff Deyo Saturate
Gotee
Records
Jeff Deyo, former lead singer
of SonicFlood, has brought the SonicFlood sound to his highly anticipated
album of 16 tracks (plus a hidden one) full of popular praise & worship
songs with a modern edge. Also on the album are guest vocals by Rebecca
St. James and tobyMac.
8. Geoff Moore A
Beautiful Sound
ForeFront
Records
Geoff Moore’s second solo
album features that gravely voice his fans think makes such a beautiful
sound. A thoughtful mix of introspective ballads and meaningful worship,
you can count on Geoff doing another great album!
9. Newsboys Thrive
Sparrow
Records
Finally! A new Newsboys
album that isn’t disco or a greatest hits. Steve Taylor returns to produce
Thrive and co-write a few songs. In 10 amazing tracks, the Newsboys
have done it once again with their best album to date. This is no doubt
one of the best releases of the month, if not then the year.
10. The O.C. Supertones
Supertones Live! (Vol. 1)
BEC Recordings
Ever been to a Supertones
concert? No? Yes? Supertones Live! captures 13 of their best songs,
plus 4 worship songs, all recorded live. Whether you are just getting acquainted
or reliving a past concert experience, this is another must have album.
April 2002
April 2, 2002
1. Phil Joel (Currently Untitled)
InPop
Records
Newsboys’ bass player Phil
Joel furthers his solo career with another solo album.
2. Kung Pao Fugitives (Currently
Untitled)
ForeFront
Records
These guys haven’t really
been talked about much, but Kung Pao’s Jamie Rowe is no stranger to the
Christian music industry. He was a leading member of Guardian, has a song
on the albums Prayer of Jabez and Extreme Days, done background
vocals on albums of bands like Petra and Raze, written many songs for others
including tobyMac. Not much is known about Kung Pao Fugitives, but Rowe’s
background makes it interesting to see how it turns out, especially with
a name like Kung Pao Fugitives.
3. Luna Halo (Currently Untitled)
Sparrow
Records
Come April, Luna Halo, will
be releasing their follow-up album.
4. Brent Jones and the T.P.
Mobb Beautiful
Holy
Roller [Records?]
The next album in the Brent
Jones and the T.P. Mobb series, Beautiful, like the debut album,
is full of Gospel goodness. With 9 tracks, this album will get fans of
the first album back for some more, as well as bring some new fans who
like Gospel music.
April 23, 2002
5. All Together Separate
Unusual
Ardent
Records
The third release from All
Together Separate is due out this April.
6. God of Wonders
(Various Artists)
Essential
Records
Much like Essential Records
other worship series, City On A Hill, this new worship album will have
some top artists including Third Day, Michael W. Smith, Caedmon's Call,
Sarah Sadler, and more. 13 contemporary renditions of popular worship songs
include "All in All," "Your Love Oh Lord," "He Is Exalted, " We Sing Alleluia,"
and the title track.
7. Bob Smiley I’ve
Got A Funny Feeling About This
InPop
Records
Christian comedian Bob Smiley
has recently been signed to InPop Records. The album was taped before a
live audience. As Smiley puts it “Inpop Records is working on the album
cover and correcting my spelling mistakes on the ‘thank you's’ and will
be releasing it on April 23rd. You can buy it in Christian bookstores and
in Walmart...and then probably in Goodwill the next week. Hope you guys
like it.”
8. 38th Parallel
Turn the Tides
Squint
Entertainment
At the end of 2001, Squint
Records signed a hard rock band called 38th Parallel. They sound along
the lines of Thousand Foot Krutch, kind of a hard rock/rap group. The debut
album from this group is a definite one to watch as it sounds like a good
one!
Josh’s top picks of March
and April 2002 (in alphabetical order):
Brother’s Keeper Cover
Me
Jars Of Clay The
Eleventh Hour
Jeff Deyo Saturate
Newsboys Thrive
Rachael Lampa Kaleidoscope
The O.C. Supertones
Supertones Live! (Vol. 1)
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