The World According To Chris Brewer

Here’s the quick list of the top five Christian albums I’ve ever heard in my life. From rock to southern to contemporary, it’s all down here. Some of the choices may surprise you!!!

Without further adieu, here they are, my good people:

5. “Free At Last,” DC Talk
DC Talk had a couple albums before this one, and they were rather crappy save for a couple good songs (specifically “Nu Thang” and “Walls”). I remember hearing this album on the way to church one night when I was 8 or 9, and I loved it. Especially “Word 2 The Father” and “That Kinda Girl.” Now when I listen to it, I think it’s one of those albums of the early 90s that made the world take notice that Christian music in the very near future was to be taken seriously. Deep lyrics, profound expressions of their faith in Christ and a general good flow to the album make “Free at Last” number 5 here.

4. “Carman LIVE - Radically Saved!”, “The Champion,” “Addicted To Jesus,” “Revival In The Land” by Carman
Even though Carman’s career declined rapidly with the release of “Mission 3:16,” he still gets my nod as #4 for a double tag team of wonderful albums that packed a huge punch in the late 80s to early 90s. “The Champion” has one of my favorite songs of all time, “Prepare to Die,” to kick off an album that is probably one of the most bold expressions of Christian faith I’ve ever heard on a CD. “Carman LIVE - Radically Saved!” shows him at his heyday when he regularly packed out arenas with free concerts (the only thing he would ask for in return is an offering if everyone so chose to give)…it’s awesome to hear how the crowd gets involved with “No Way, We Are Not Ashamed.” I don’t remember much of “Revival In The Land,” but what I do remember of it, “God’s Got An Army,” was a powerful anthem that found its way into many churches and I still hear it sung today. Finally, “Addicted to Jesus” was a very short album, but every song on that CD spoke to me, even if a couple of them were pure cheese (such as “1955″ and “Our Turn Now”). Great list of albums and no CCM collection would be complete without at least one of them.

3. “The Great Adventure,” Steven Curtis Chapman
I absolutely hated this CD when it first came out; granted, I was only a kid, but still I hated it. I even think Dad played it in the car to spite me (nah, he actually loved it a LOT). Now, fast forward about 13 years from its initial release, and I find myself listening to it and being ministered to by the poignant words of songs such as “Walk With The Wise” and “Still Called Today.” What a classic CD, and it was the one that defined SCC’s career as well. Every song on this CD has special significance…who cares if I heard it over and over and hated it as a kid…I listen to the words now and it gets me every time. None of SCC’s later work even comes close.

2. “Vertical Reality,” Eric Champion
Eric Champion was never a major player on the Christian music scene. In fact, hardly anyone really ever knew about him until he came out with “Transformation” in the late 90s. But one of his earlier releases, “Vertical Reality,” is so underrated, almost more underrated than Joe Namath’s Jets that went on to win the Super Bowl. It relies on synths and drum machines for the most part to carry its sound, but the lyrics and just overall sound of the songs make it a winner. It was definitely ahead of its time in the CCM world because there had never been a Christian album that was so danceable and that well-thought out (VR was a concept album, each one of its tracks tying into a main theme). Not only that, but on a personal note this CD is solely responsible for my interest in house/dance music.

1. “Go To The Top,” DeGarmo & Key
DeGarmo and Key’s “Go To The Top” takes the cake as #1 in my book because it is so simple yet powerful, rock-oriented yet soft, and has a key message they repeat over and over — keep focused on God and strive to know Him more. Tracks such as “Against The Night” and “March On” fit my life personally, especially “Against The Night.” Lyrics such as “The power to stand firm / lies within His word / I pray to God that He will keep you strong” provide such an encouragement, with such a simple message. “Family Reunion” speaks of when we all get to heaven, we’ll be “home forevermore.” D & K split ways in 1994, but their legacy within the CCM community will never die, and “Go To The Top” is a prime example of why.

Honorable Mentions:
“Different Lifestyles,” BeBe & CeCe Winans.
“Highlands,” WhiteHeart.
“Jars of Clay,” Jars of Clay.
“Soul,” Margaret Becker.
“You,” The Kry.