You've heard of the boys of summer. Well, how about the boys of fall? Christian music fans are welcoming a bushelful of new music this month, and most of it comes from the men. You'll find get-on-your-feet rock, soulful piano-driven ballads, old-school hip-hop, heartfelt worship and heartbreaking story-songs that point to the hope that drives each of these talented artists. Here's the scoop on some of fall's early highlights.Leeland (pictured), Love Is On the Move
Brothers Leeland and Jack Mooring along with Jake Holtz and Mike Smith make up this prog-rock band that sees its music as a means to minister. Past albums drew spiritual inspiration from what they saw happening in their little hometown church, but this album has the Baytown, Tex., boys expanding their horizons to include a broader world view. While they've always been socially conscious, a partnership with Christian relief organization Food for the Hungry, along with outreach trips to Africa and Asia, opened their eyes even further. The music on Love Is On the Move definitely reflects that with call-to-action tracks like "Follow You," featuring friend and Gospel Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year Brandon Heath. The message of this album: don't just sit there, do something!
Mark Schultz, Come Alive
He's a master of the ballads, and his piano-driven pop had earned the Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter platinum sales status. Mark Schultz' Come Alive is his first new album in nearly three years and includes "What It Means to Be Loved" and "He Is," which was inspired by the stories of two families battling cancer. A very personal album, Come Alive features collaborations with Bart Millard and Barry Graul of MercyMe, Matthew West and Joy Williams. Schultz also had an opportunity to win over new fans when he appeared last season on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
Matt Redman, We Shall Not Be Shaken
He's the man behind some of the most popular songs we sing in church each Sunday, including classics like "Blessed Be Your Name," and "The Heart of Worship." Matt Redman's seventh studio release delivers a fresh batch of passionate modern worship that begs listeners to sing along. If you like what you hear (and you definitely will), catch him on tour this fall with Casting Crowns on the Until the Whole World Hears Tour.
Josh Wilson, Life Is Not a Snapshot
Josh Wilson's sophomore release clocks in at a compact seven songs that come at a bargain price. More polished than his first effort, Snapshot features the radio single "Sing" and more of the catchy hooks and meaty lyrics that made his debut a hit.
Hawk Nelson, Live Life Loud
In between promotions with Tom's Shoes and Taco Bell, the fun foursome behind Hawk Nelson found time to release their fourth studio album. The Canadians traveled to Nashville to work with producer Steve Wilson (Leeland) on this new pop-rock collection. The album's dozen songs include collaborations with Chris Stevens, Matthew Gerrard, Toby Mac, Trevor McNevan and MercyMe's Bart Millard.
New Singles
In addition to the new releases mentioned above, there are some notable new single tracks that offer a sneak peek at upcoming albums we can't wait to get our hands on. The most touching of them all is definitely Steven Curtis Chapman's "Heaven Is the Face," from the upcoming collection Beauty Will Rise. This new music emerged in the aftermath of Chapman's young daughter's death, running the gamut from grief to hurt to hope. At the other end of the spectrum, Toby Mac is back with more of the funky hip-hop he's been delivering since dcTalk disbanded. "Show Stopper" lives up to its name and will have fans wondering how this guy manages to never age. Meanwhile, San Diego native Phil Wickham introduces his new disc with the radio single "Eden." At first, it seems like a simple song about love, but as it unfolds, you realize the romantic desire portrayed here is really a longing for the long-lost paradise of Eden.
- Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2008 All Media Guide, LLC.
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