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Our annual picks for Best New Artists are a high point of the year because it's ultimately about hope and potential for the Christian music genre. With fresh sounds and faith perspectives, it offers a glimpse of good things to come in the years ahead. Presented in the order in which they released over 2004, these are the artists that we can't wait to hear more from and watch how their careers shape up.

Bigger Than My Imagination (Vertical/Integrity)

A young rising talent out of Michigan, Michael Gungor didn't break big in 2004, but he's bound to make a name in time with his artful and creative approach to praise. His own "Friend of God," co-written with Israel Houghton, is one of the year's most added contemporary worship songs. As for talent, Gungor has deservedly drawn comparisons to Phil Keaggy and John Mayer with his skillful jazz-inflected guitar licks and smoky voice; his infectious riff on "Meet with Me" readily evokes Mayer's own "Neon." This is a worship leader with a keen sense of pop culture trends, making good music while putting his own stamp on it. Those who enjoy the sixsteps lead worshippers—Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, David Crowder Band—will also find a lot appreciate in Gungor and his music.
Click here for the original review.

Take Me Away (Gotee)

Sarah Kelly

burst onto the Christian music scene in early 2004 with a lot of buzz surrounding her national debut. And the primary source of that buzz is this Rockford, Illinois native's powerful rock chick voice—easily one of the best to hit Christian music in recent years. Passionate, dark, and warm with just a little bit of scruff, Kelly's singing has often been compared to Janis Joplin's throaty wails, though it's probably closer to beautifully husky tones of Dolores O'Riordan (The Cranberries), Alanis Morrisette, Rita Springer, and Lori Chaffer (Waterdeep). Regardless of who she personally reminds you of, it's a vocal that lends itself well to her worshipful outpourings, which combine contemporary praise with a clear affinity for retro rock. These heartfelt and prayerful conversations are driven home by a stirring delivery that's sure to make Kelly's a voice that brings people's hearts closer to God.
Click here for the original review.
View the artist page.

Bethany Dillon (Sparrow/EMI)

Every year, it seems like there's a new talent that manages to surprise us all with "a maturity beyond her age." That overused saying has never been truer than for Bethany Dillon, who wrote and recorded her debut at the age of 15. This personable singer/songwriter already has the mature introspection and insight of Jennifer Knapp, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, and even a young Amy Grant (she even covers Grant's "Lead Me On" on her debut). Dillon's smartly crafted album is a seamless blend of acoustic folk and multi-faceted pop/rock, with lyrics that don't just speak to Dillon's peers, but also to adults long past their teenage insecurities. Which only begs the question: if this is only the start for Dillon, what's she going to be like at 25 or 30? It's a journey of growth we're eager to take with her.
Click here for the original review.
View the artist page.

There and Then It's Gone (independent)

No, this album title isn't a reference to PFR's on-again-off-again career over the last eight years. It's Patrick Andrew's powerful solo debut—qualifying him as a "new artist" by our criteria—which finds him spilling his emotions in a personal cry to the Lord. The themes are heavy and heart wrenching, yet also comforting and uplifting as Andrew writes about tragedy both personal and public amid apparent silence from God. It's a superb musical prayer journal that holds a lot of wisdom for anyone willing to listen and reflect. Mostly self-performed and produced by Andrew, There and Then It's Gone is the best PFR-related project since 1996's Them, carrying on with Beatle-esque alternative pop in the tradition of Neil Finn (Crowded House) and Michael Penn. As long as the solo efforts are this good, there's less reason to lament the sporadic retirement of PFR.
Click here for the original review.

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