Best New Artists of 2007

It speaks well of the new artists that debuted this past year considering that we've never wrestled as much in selecting our favorites among them. Of course, that also speaks well of the future of Christian music when there are so many talented new artists emerging on the scene. So after much consideration, here are the twelve best new artists of 2007, listed alphabetically.

Between the Trees

The Story and the Song (Bonded Records/EMI)

The Killers, Anberlin, Interpol, Mae, Franz Ferdinand … we could go on all day listing modern rock acts influenced by the '80s alternative sound of The Cure, The Smiths, and New Order. But Between the Trees impresses with their much buzzed about debut as a young band already on par with their contemporaries. In fact, the quintet from Orlando, Florida, goes one step further by relying on keyboards (not just retro synthesizers) as much as guitars. Melodic hooks help vary their sound from song to song—a rarity among similar styled bands today. All this could help explain why they've gained mainstream credibility through high profile tours like Bamboozle and Warped. Best of all, Between the Trees avoids overly oblique lyricism, maintaining a successful balance of real issues and faith. The trio of "The Way She Feels," "A Time for Yohe," and "You Cry a Tear to Start a River" provides an unflinching look at the issue of cutting, written with boldness and sensitivity. It's this kind of smartly uplifting songwriting that makes this band both relatable and authentic.

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