ChristRock - The Christian Alt-Rock WebZine

Definition: Mainstream, radio friendly music for the masses.
Some of the best artists in CCM.

Artist: Caedmon's Call
CD: 40 Acres
Label: Essential
Released: 1999
Buy It

This sophomore release from Caedmon's Call is so good I'm not even sure where to begin. Should I talk about the excellent songwriting, both from lead vocalist Derek Webb and "non-touring band member" Aaron Tate? Or how about the acoustic pop sounds courtesy of jangily guitars, B3 organ, and catchy harmonies? Well, it might be easier to just start at the beginning.

Formed in 1992, Caedmon's Call set the CCM market on fire with their self-titled debut, which has sold 250,000 copies. Songs like "Hope to Carry On" bridged the gap in all Christian markets, and the album earned them a Dove award for "Album of the Year." This is more than just your ordinary college band (although several members met - and even wedded - during their college days). Suffice it to say, this is one of my all-time favorite bands.

That said, it's amazing to think that the band could top their debut - but they have in every way. "40 Acres" is filled with rock solid biblical references, infectious hooks, and brilliant vocal arrangements. The first track (about how God turns our filthiness into holiness) "There You Go" is getting almost constant airplay on Christian radio stations across the country. And, the second track on the disc "Thankful" (about how our frailty makes us depend on God) is also starting to get a lot of airplay. But this is a deep album, and just about every one of them is good.

"Faith My Eyes" is another radio song, but you'd never know it from the way it starts. Just Derek Webb singing and playing guitar, it's appropriately weak and fragile. When the chorus starts, he sings "keep me responsible," knowing that only God can hold us accountable to our actions.

One other song really grabbed me, too. The story of Jonah, "Where I began" has an incredible line: "Give me purity and give me continence, but oh no, not yet." That's such a telling statement, about how as Christians we sometimes desire to be pure but often want to spend a good amount of energy sinning first. As the song concludes, it's nothing but God that propels us past the sin and into holiness.

My favorite song is actually the last, "40 Acres." A song about hope and opportunity, it reels you in when the chorus starts: "There's 40 acres and redemption to be found" sings Derek, the whole song lifting with hope to match the theme. It's a fitting end to an album that hits on every cylinder and reaches higher than most CCM releases this year. Makes me wonder how they can top themselves in the future...but I bet they will.

Artist: Cheri Keaggy
CD: There is Joy in the Lord
Label: Sparrow
Released: 1999

How do you start a review of a perfect record? No other artist in Christian music has released an album with so many incredible songs; one after the other has some of the best writing in CCM, a melodic sense, and just overall appeal.

This collection of songs was written during Keaggy's early days as a worship leader. Some have appeared on other albums, so just about every one could work well in a church service. However, the real benefit of having a CD like this is the fact that it leads you to personal praise without needing the official church setting.

"There is Joy in the Lord" is one of my favorite songs of the year. It strongly emphasizes the words "joy" and "hope" in the chorus in a way that makes you want to jump out of your seat in praise. "Humble Me" is another quiet medatative song, and "You Oh Lord Are My Refuge" stands as one of the best praise songs ever. Yes, ever.

If you are unfamiliar with Cheri Keaggy this record serves well as an introduction to her abilities as a songwriter and, more important, God-focused message.

Artist: Watermark
CD: Self-titled
Label: Word
Released: N/A
Buy It

With frequent radio airplay on just about every CCM radio station on the planet, this slightly folky, mostly stripped down mainstream CCM disc is certainly notable for its powerful lyrics and vocals. What's even more impressive is the general spirit of the music, which is wonderfully worshipful and serene.

As a husband and wife duo, the Nockels (Christy on vocals, Nathan on piano and harmony vocals) have found an interesting niche. It's not quite Sierra, although the guitar parts sound strickingly similar. And other duos like Out of the Grey just aren't this quirky. Thankfully, there isn't a rhythm and blues or Gospel bent to the songs, and each one could stand on its own regardless of the slick production and multi-track instrumentalism.

That folkiness grabs you right away. The big standout is, of course, "Gloria" - a song that starts so slow and unpretentious you think it might have been recorded in a basement and not a million dollar Nashville studio. Following close on the heels of that hit is another CCM-radio ready song, "Everything," which has that same impressive spiritual dimension. Not only do I believe the songwriter would give everything to God, but the music and vocal delivery sound equally honest.

Some songs are a little silly. "Welcome to Deleware" may have an underlying spiritual message, but it seems to get lost in the "coolness" of the song. For me, it took the "stranger in a strange land" theme a bit too far into "metaphor land" and sort of stripped it clean.

Christy's angelic voice combined with some really crafty songwriting should help Watermark find a solid place on the CCM landscape, and I'm really looking forward to what they come up with next.