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Our annual list of the year's most impressive worship albums often reflects a trend in worship music over the months represented, and this year is no exception. In 2005, we saw renewed interest in hymns, emphasizing the importance of arrangements in giving fresh performances to old favorites. The 2006 list called attention to many of the best songwriters who are crafting music for the church today.

Between October 2006 and September 2007, our two worship leaders on staff with Christian Music Today kept a lookout for the albums offering the most to worshippers around the world. New albums with fresh accessible songs for the majority of churches were somewhat scarce in those twelve months. But 2007 proved a particularly strong year for alternative worship projects—albums that wouldn't necessarily work as well in a corporate setting, but still very effective for personal listening, youth worship services, and informal settings. Read on for a mixed list of selections ranging from rock and pop to gospel and jazz.

Read the original review here.

One of the smoothest entries in our list comes from Jonathan Butler, a light jazz artist who's already made a name for himself in gospel/worship through collaborations with Israel & New Breed, Juanita Bynum and Kirk Whalum. Brand New Day isn't necessarily the type of album that blows people away, but it's all so delicately handled, so inspirationally rendered, it has the potential to usher you into an intimate time of worship. All of this through Butler's expressive voice, soulful arrangements, prayer-like sentiments, and the occasional moment of celebration. For proof: the Maranatha! classic "O Magnify the Lord," which sizzles like no other.

I'm one of those people that wasn't blown away initially, but the album really has grown on me for the reasons you've indicated. At times, I imagine it as the worship album Stevie Wonder could have made, it's so smooth and joyous. I only wish that some of the songs were less repetitive ("I Love to Worship" gets monotonous in its simplicity). Yet Butler makes up for it with the bouncy title track, the driving "Gonna Lift You Up," and the sweetly acoustic ballads "Mercy" and "You Are My Everything." Brand New Day is a perfect combination of stellar musicianship with accessible melodies, engaging the worshipper in both heart and mind.

Read the original review here.

Some have expressed disappointment that David Crowder Band's follow-up to A Collision isn't as inventive. But without the right creative inspiration, any attempt would have sounded like a forced imitation. So instead, Crowder and band didn't try to top it. Offering ten songs inspired by God's comforting presence, Remedy can be interpreted as a response to the death of their friend and pastor Kyle Lake, or as its own worship service, complete with introit, praise, prayer, and message. A simpler album, yes, but taken on its own merits, Remedy remains a well-crafted effort that sparks worship out of its musical excellence.

Not just that, but I think the less is more approach really works in the band's favor. Collision was so grand in every sense, it was best enjoyed as a whole, rather than in parts—certainly not an iPod-friendly album. Remedy is the opposite: taut, concise, and to the point, without silly interludes or Sufjan-Stevens-styled song titles. Everything is in its right place. Simpler, sure, but in a way it feels like the group is coming full-circle, creating an album that's the closest to the identifiable Passion sound, yet with a voice of its own to unmistakably recognize it as a David Crowder Band creation.

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