My Top 10 for 2010 Nate Watts, Music Editor
It was a tough year to whittle the top choices down to only ten, but after much contemplation and many repeat listens, here, for the newsletter edition of my Top 10 list, are my top three:
3. Band of Horses- Infinite Arms
I called this disc one of my favorites of the year back in May, and I still hold to that, as each progressive listen has deepened my respect for this band. This may have pushed them a little more mainstream, but the transition sounded so good. More polished vocals and a fuller sound expanded their listening base, and should prove to be an excellent move toward growing musically with each new disc. Try This Track: "Infinite Arms"
2. Lecrae- Rehab With incredible beats and gospel truth in every verse, this legit rapper has become a favorite of mine and a source of strength through listening to his lyrics. The man behind the 116 Crew has started a huge movement, and with accountability and the talent to back it up, he still gives everything up to God and knows where he stands in the grand scheme of things. Try This Track: "Divine Intervention"
1. Linkin Park- A Thousand Suns I would never have guessed these guys were able to put out a record like this, back when they first started. With rap-metal a thing of the past, LP continued to evolve into an incredible powerhouse that kept pushing the boundaries of what they were able to release. After Minutes to Midnight expanded their sound tenfold, the creativity and diverse influences of the thematic Thousand Suns made for an excellent disc from start to finish. Try This Track: "Waiting for the End"
Click through for the whole list...
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Featured Review Click Through for More Details at HJ Live!
My Chemical Romance
Far From The Black Parade
Four years since The Black Parade, Gerard Way and his posse return for a fantasy-inflected battle royale against The Man, representative of commercialism and public perception, apparently.
With Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, My Chemical Romance gets all apocalyptic and returns to belting out anthemic rock music. It's not so emo anymore, but more defiant and aggressive... just as Way reportedly warned that it would be.
If you're into the Romance, then you probably won't care, but if you're casually checking it out... Well, it's like a mashup of the crazy themes that MCR has thrown out there in the past plus Jet meets Green Day.
Way's lyrics note some irritation with those who would tell them (or anyone) what to do, and it's that punk mentality that made them attractive to me in the first place. It's probably why I like "Sing" more than much of the other stuff that's on here, but there's enough defiance to go around here... Click through for the full review...
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Also Reviewed Click Through For More Details At HJ Live
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Planning for Next Christmas Click Through For More Details At HJ Live
We reviewed a LOT of Christmas discs this year... and it would be a shame not to put all that work to future use! Browse through this list for some great ideas on stocking up for next year's musical celebration...
Bethlehem Skyline, Vol. 2
A few bright spots on the horizon
Bethlehem Skyline didn't pull in quite as a big of a hitmaker parade to it, and the CD doesn't shine quite as bright. Not saying you need serious star-power to sell a legit Christmas album, but a few of the artists brought the overall album down a few pegs in my opinion.
O Come All Ye Faithful: A Christmas Album Sincere holiday collection from CCM hitmakers
Released in late September, O Come All Ye Faithful hopefully won't slip through the cracks, because it is actually a stellar CD, full of CCM's top artists doing renditions of their favorites.
Future of Forestry
We wish you an indie Christmas...
After an interesting three-year career that followed a big debut album and three Travel EP's, Future's newest disc is the bookend to their first Christmas EP, which breathes new life to the original songs, but also stays true to them as well.
Various Artists
Rockin' Christmas 4 Your Listen Ears
Relient K headlines a Gotee album that will have you singing Christmas carols in a whole new, rocking way.
Various Artists Third Day, Jars of Clay, Michael W. Smith, and more...
Christmas carols get done up Provident-style, with a host of artists headlined by Third Day, Michael W. Smith, and Casting Crowns.
Dustin Kensrue Early contender for favorite Christmas album of the year
After proving his folk sensibilities, in 2008, Kensrue originally released This Good Night is Everywhere in only digital format. This year, the album has been rereleased in limited edition red vinyl format, and added to bonus tracks to boot.
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