50 Greatest Christian Albums of All Time...

I have always liked Undercover and can remember playing songs off "God Rules" and "Boys And Girls Renounce The World" at the radio station of the Christian college I was attending at the time.

But as for "Devotion"- that is when Undercover took things to the next level songwriting wise (IMO). Yes, the group moved in a more alternative and upbeat direction but the songs are just awesome- one of the few 10/10 albums in my collection.

BTW, I have enjoyed reading your reviews from your top 50 countdown- brings back a lot of good memories.

For some reason I get the feeling that there probably won't be any repeat artists on the list (based on some of his comments).

I'm almost having as much fun reading your guesses as I am writing the reviews. Some of the above artist will make it though it may not be the right album. the guess of Straight On was spot on! I know there will be soke great disappointment but remember I started this project project with over 500 artist and 4,000 records...

Leaving some amazing records off was really hard. Add to this the attempt to be fair to different genres with Christian music. Think about it this way, most similar countdowns are based on a genre (rock, metal, pop, country)...I had to do my best to include many genres within the scope of Christian Music. I'm not looking to explain as much as i want people to understand that albums left off are still amazing for my consideration. That is why I will be working on two different blogs after this...

Albums You Should Own But Probably Don't - focusing on rare or underrated albums...

and

Top 100 Artist in Christian Music History - where the focus would be on the artist and their achievements and input into the industry. There someone like Michael Omartian shows up because of his impact as writer, artist, producer...

I will saythat three albums mentioned above were right on and a few artist guesses are right as well ...

The Top 10 starts tomorrow with something those on this board will love ... Easily the most powerful picture of inner city life with really loud guitars...

Definately come back and let us know when you start the other blogs, many of us would love to read them as well.

My guesses are Apostle, Crystavox.

rockerVu2 wrote:

My guesses are Apostle, Crystavox.

Oh so close, but they were edged out by Holy Rite and Stryken!

But Number 10 is now posted...

Numbers 9 and 8 have now been posted

I am going to guess that in the last 7 places we will see:

Amy Grant and/or Michael W. Smith (the two are too close to call for cross-over potential and CCM development)

Larry Norman

Keith Green

Phil Keaggy

Saviour Machine

Daniel Amos

Randy Stonehill

I'm really digging the inclusion of the you-tube vids, as much of this music I have never heard. Listening/watching Steve Taylor right now, what a fantastic wit he has.

nazpastor wrote:

I am going to guess that in the last 7 places we will see:

Amy Grant and/or Michael W. Smith (the two are too close to call for cross-over potential and CCM development)

Larry Norman

Keith Green

Phil Keaggy

Saviour Machine

Daniel Amos

Randy Stonehill

4 out of 7 ain't bad ... a friend texted me last night with what he thought would be my top 8...he got them all right and in order

OK, I guess Saviour Machine didn't make the list. I included them in my guess because they define the Goth genre

But I don't know which other two from my list wouldn't make it.

nazpastor wrote:

OK, I guess Saviour Machine didn't make the list. I included them in my guess because they define the Goth genre

But I don't know which other two from my list wouldn't make it.

I don't want people to miss "the big picture" or say that I just "lead them on" but I guess i will have to follow the number one post with a post on why certain major releases were not included...

The three artist you didn't guess though I think you will recognize as deserving...hey, I could have done a Top 100 and left deserving artist off

Don't freak out...Number 6 is up

This lists are always a bit subjective.... Especially is the list for Historic content or Musical content or some blending of both...

There are a lot of phenominal albums that didn't sell squat...

Chagual Guevara comes immediately to mind....

Awesome! someone besides me thinks that Colours was/is the high point of the Rez discography.

Got a few others right/close as well.

Colors was the Rez album that really turned me on to them.

N.Y.C. anyone????? how 'bout American Dream????


one of their top five

I'm Done


Time for a nap

Thanks for the list, but moreso for the insight you have shared into the development of the Christian music industry. Truly a great read from start to finish. I just need to go back and read the entries before I started keeping up with your list.

I gotta catch up on reading the last few entrys, but it has been one great musical history lesson.
Definately let us know when you get started on the other blogs.

A cool read, but a little to 'artsy' in that the vast majority of stuff is New Wavey.....

I worked in a Christian bookstore in the San Francisco Bay Area.... Most of the albums listed didn't sell in our area which was too bad.... Tonio K.... I never sold one.....

again it's a fun list and his favorites so more power to 'em....

What Bookstore in the Bay Area and what years?

Good stuff

Fundy

I have 21 of these albums. Great list.

DLowman wrote:

What Bookstore in the Bay Area and what years?

It was Dearborns Bible Bookstore in Hayward... I worked there from 1986 to 88/89.... It was probably the biggest store in the East Bay at the time. Especially for music. It was almost like the place to go for hard rock/alternative stuff....

The last year or so I worked there I worked with Sean Doty from Veil of Ashes... cool guy and we're still in touch. I met a lot of Bay Area Musicians who all should've done more than what they did.... Even then as well as today, The Bay Area is pretty much a black hole for Christian Artists... No major radio of any kind.... Then and Now....

I was the Benson and later Frontline rep for the store...went there many times...then Western. Known Sean forever...