Train Wreck
Artist: Caspar McCloud and The Ministry of Three
www.myspace.com/theministryofthree
Label: The Living Word
Caspar McCloud's testimony would overshadow the artistry of a lesser guitarist. Fortunately, McCloud's chops can more than stand up to a secular fame/failure paraboula  (a, a sudden death/revival experience, a conversion experience heavily influenced by his friend Phil Keaggy, a stint on Broadway, and, apparrently, much practicing. McCloud shreds like a classic rock god, easily sliding into blues licks and fanciful prog just to prove his versitility and has a versitile voice as well. 

The lyrics of this third album will fit any fundamentalist's theology--a good thing for straight ahead Christian rock--but could stand a defter, lighter touch from time to time. Probably a treat to see live. (Linda LaFianza)

Close Your Eyes
Artist: Close Your Eyes
Label: Independent
Time: 6 tracks/21:25 Minutes
Close Your Eyes were voted the "best new band" at the Phantom Tollbooth stage at this year's Cornerstone Festival, by readers of this very webzine. They have now independently released their surprisingly well-produced debut EP. Six songs that, as the band says, "melt faces for Jesus." The best way to describe the music is Panic! At the Disco getting in a fight with a death metal band at a Dance-punk club. Some songs are catchy and danceable, some are mosh-inducing frenzies, and some are both. The band is a bit derivative of current trends, but they have the chops make it their own. Considering the quality of these tracks, the band could do amazing things with some label support and a decent budget. Keep your eyes on them; after all, they were your choice for best new band. (Noah Salo)

Let's Come Together
Artist: Kevin Levar & One Sound
URL: www.myspace.com/kevinlevar
Label: Habakkuk Music
A lush, melodic collection of inspirational gospel. Kevin Levar's honey-soaked tenor smoothly lilts over the tight harmonies of One Sound as the project rotates through classical gospel, Caribbean, calypso and big band styles. Expect to see a lot of this rising star. (Linda LaFianza) 

Superhero
Artist: Mission Six
Label: Bema Media
Time: 12 tracks/27:42 Minutes
Mission Six is made up of five 12-14 year old boys. They consider God to be their sixth member, since they have put him "first in their lives." If they were any older I'd call them pretentious, but I'll consider it youthful ignorance. Their music is standard fare pop punk, catchy, but not particularly interesting. Even though the album derivative and bland, I'm still impressed that a band this young both wrote and played the whole record, which is very well played. The vocals are a bit low in the mix but that is hardly the band's fault. This will definitely appeal to the High School Musical and Hannah Montana audience (that is, 10-12 year old girls), but others will find little to enjoy.  (Noah Salo)

Alarm 1 Alarm 2
Artist: RadioRadio
Label: Independent
Time: 4 tracks/14:44 Minutes
RadioRadio, hailing from Tulsa describe themselves as "Modern-Retro rock," surprisingly this contradictory title fits the band's new four song EP. It is short and direct, packing a punch. The songs are upbeat and super catchy, bringing to mind artists such as Radiohead, Coldplay, and the Tragically Hip, all with a pop sheen these other band's lack. I find myself wishing the record were longer, as these songs are so good. I hope to hear more from RadioRadio in the future. Somebody better sign these guys. (Noah Salo) 

New Life Worship: Counting On God
Artist: Ross Parsley and The Desperation Band
Label: Integrity
This is a live recording featuring New Life Church's worship pastor Ross Parsley and their worship team, known as The Desperation Band. You may recall seeing New Life Church located in Colorado Springs, Colorado,  in the news in 2006 when their founding  pastor Ted Haggard resigned in disgrace, or in 2007 when a gunman opened fire, hitting four people and killing two before being felled by a volunteer church security woman. Despite these setbacks, this 10,000+ member fellowship is moving ahead and, as evidenced by this project's title, "Counting on God." This is not Nashville worship-by-the-numbers. The time signature is much faster, and the main inspiration appears to be U2's wall of harmonious power and soaring inspirational choruses. Worship leaders & bands interested in the latest developments in mega-church will want to study these original songs and incorporate some of them into their sets. (Linda LaFianza)