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Edison Glass
Credential Records

You've heard plenty of modern emo-rock bands like Edison Glass before—Denison Marrs, Sleeping at Last, and House of Heroes come to mind (all of whom made our Best Albums lists in previous years). The difference is that this one does it better than most, favoring clear-cut artistic expressions of faith over vague references that are open to broader interpretation. The songwriting is smart enough to be appreciated on an intellectual level, yet transparent enough to touch the soul. Though A Burn or a Shiver represents their national debut, this New York quartet has been playing together for seven years and it shows in the tight musicianship, which at times reaches progressive-rock proportions. What happens when a rock band aspires for something higher than a trendy sound? You get a stimulating, faith-fueled rock experience such as this. "Inventive composer" indeed.
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Delirious?
Furious Records

For a band that's demonstrated consistent growth and excellence since their Cutting Edge days in the early '90s, Delirious has nevertheless long wrestled with competing identities as both a modern worship band and a stadium rock act. Here they prove those qualities need not be mutually exclusive, and can instead work together to fuel each other. With so many other strong albums under their belt, it's hard to decisively call The Mission Bell their best work, but it ranks up around the top with a broad stylistic range confidently rooted in the grand Brit rock tradition of U2, Radiohead, and Coldplay. The album is also successful in introducing new worship songs for the church that simultaneously call it to action with an eye toward compassion and social justice. Delirious does seem to be getting stronger every day with no signs of aging—it's entirely possible that their best days are yet to come.
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Derek Webb
INO Records

We can definitely use a few more like Derek Webb, a modern day street preacher of a songwriter who carries a fire with as much zeal and humility as Keith Green 25 years ago. As the new social conscience of Christian music, Webb is unafraid to channel his passion into seeking God's ways by addressing the topics that most other artists are afraid to touch. Yet he does so without self-righteous condemnation or polarizing agendas, instead singing about ethics, politics, and poverty through the filter of Scripture, the goal simply to start discussion and challenge what we truly believe as followers of Christ. Though Mockingbird is not his strongest effort musically, it's still strong enough an alt-folk album in its own right for fans of Wilco, Elliott Smith, and Bob Dylan. And here's a first for our Best Albums list—like Keith Green, Webb's has allowed free download of this album over the Internet (until December 1, 2006). Assuming that you're reading this online, you've little excuse to miss this one, but it's still well worth your money.
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