Tweet

Comments (0)

 1 of 2

We're already a third of the way through 2005, and we've heard a number of great albums. But what else can we expect in Christian music for the remainder of the year? What are the biggest releases on the horizon?

The annual GMA Week in Nashville, which I recently attended, is always a great time to learn about what's ahead. Below is a list of twenty of the year's most anticipated projects, judging by previous sales, industry buzz, fan expectations, and my own perspectives. This certainly isn't a complete list. Also, note that all release dates are subject to change.

This July release was pushed back from 2004, but word of mouth says it's one of the year's strongest hip-hop recordings.

Look for the next disc from this Christian rock mainstay in August.

Yes, MercyMe's lead singer is releasing a solo project in August. No, you're not being Punk'd, but you will be Hymned.

Reflections of what? We'll have to wait until August to find out, with this rising star's sophomore effort.

The crossover punk rock band is back with a new album in July.

Since he's left Rocketown Records, it'll be interesting to see where this acclaimed singer/songwriter goes with the more general market eb + flo label this October.

She's steadily grown in popularity the last four years, but Joy reinvents her pop/rock sound yet again with this May's appropriately titled CD.

Inspired by The Beatitudes, and perhaps The Beatles, listeners should be pleasantly surprised by the intelligent songwriting and rocking sound of this CD, due in July.

Following the success of 2003's Illuminate, the increasingly popular modern worship band continues to shine their light with this September release.

Currently the most buzzworthy band in Christian music, based on the strong response to their Reset EP. We'll finally hear more later in 2005.

Now that newsboys have left Sparrow/EMI to join their own Inpop label, what can we expect from their next release? Another worship album or the fun and witty rock that made them popular in the first place? The answer is both with a two-disc set on the way this October.

Simple Things wasn't exactly the hit record we've come to expect from Grant, but 2005 is already shaping up be a potentially big year for the CCM innovator. Things kick off with the May release of her 20th recording, Rock of Ages, her second and more rootsy sounding hymns project.

Why must we wait so long for the most popular gospel artists to release new material? Adams was last heard in 2001 with her best-selling album Believe. The wait ends this fall with her next Warner release, although her first single, "Be Blessed," is already making a dent at radio.

Though it certainly didn't do poorly, 2003's relatively softer and more melodic Payable on Death didn't quite live up to this Southtown hardcore band's previous successes. So look for "a more mature, heavy" P.O.D. to revisit their harder hitting, rap-flavored roots with this late 2005 release, and hope that they can "Rock This Party" once again.

Though she's remained highly visible as today's most popular female Christian artist, it will have been five years since her last original studio album when Rebecca's next project releases in October. Word is we can expect a darker rock sound reminiscent of her God album and Evanescence.

next page... |  1 of 2