On their seventh full-length album, this Wisconsin-based quartet continues to pursue their heavy, hooky vision of what Christian music can be. Explosive drumming, molasses-thick guitar, and bewitching prog-metal melodies create a highly charged emotional atmosphere from which their lyrical meditations take flight. Even with a lyric sheet, it's hard to distinguish this from good old-fashioned devil's music, as the band probes topics like alienation, longing, and addiction without providing any pat sermons or answers.

This is mature and heady stuff for a musical genre that is still finding its identity in the secular world. This is a melodically stunning record in which instrumentation strikes the disc's first chord. "Rebirthing" is a grand opening statement. Guitarist Ben Kasica cooks a delectable platter of tasty lead fills that are accompanied by orchestral tones all over the disc. The same is true of the title track, "Comatose." Here the band uses a proven recipe -- staccato guitars, piano, and orchestration -- to bring the tune home. "The Last Night" feels like classic Skillet. The tune boasts a feel-good chorus that shouts "radio-friendly." The same can be said for "Yours to Hold," as John Cooper's familiar vocals and warm vibe emanate from the tune.

The same sensation strikes the track "The Older I Get." Here, the tune is once again radio-ready with an infectious, singable chorus. Comatose is a record that sustains on many levels. Cooper is really on target. Quiet moments like "Say Goodbye" are effectively woven with heavier moments like "Those Nights." When guitar progressions meet piano nuances, special things happen with this band. ~ Steven Douglas Losey


  Revelation CD
  by Third Day
Our Price: $15.05 CD / $9.99 MP3
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On its 2008 outing, REVELATION, the popular Christian rock group Third Day continues to expand its stadium-ready sound by enlisting the help of in-demand producer Howard Benson (Seether, P.O.D.). Aiding the Georgia-based band in its secular appeal, Benson brings along two of his previous collaborators for guest appearances--Daughtry, who shows up to contribute backing vocals to the urgent "Slow Down," and Flyleaf's Lacey Mosley, who sings on the melancholy "Run to You." These high-profile moments, however, don't distract from Third Day frontman Mac Powell, a powerful singer who shines brightest on the album's uplifting title track.

Though Powell and company may be courting the mainstream even more than before, the ensemble stays true to its faith-rooted mission with its redemptive lyrics, making REVELATION another sure-fire CCM/pop crossover hit.

Believe the hype: Revelation is the best album Third Day has released this decade, as well as a long overdue return to the unbridled fervor that characterized them in their early years. ~ Andree Farias


  Soldiers Under Command CD
  by Stryper
Our Price: $8.49 CD / $9.90 MP3
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While The Yellow and Black Attack! earned Stryper a fair amount of publicity, it was Soldiers Under Command that put the band on the map commercially. The album went gold, and Stryper became a major hit on MTV without abandoning its Christian message.

Glossy yet intense pop-metal like "The Rock That Makes Me Roll" and "Surrender" definitely promotes Christianity, but does so without condemning non-Christians or pointing the finger at other religions. Ironically, one of lead singer Michael Sweet's influences is Rob Halford of Judas Priest -- although Stryper and the Priest have little in common lyrically. Like The Yellow and Black Attack!

Soldiers Under Command is decent when it comes to up-tempo songs, but weak when it comes to ballads. "First Love" and "Together as One" demonstrate that all too often, Stryper's ballads were much too sugary for their own good. ~ Alex Henderson


  It Is Well CD
  by Kutless
Our Price: $11.79 CD
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In the early aughts, Kutless established itself as the Christian alternative to chart-topping post-grunge bands such as Staind, Creed, and Third Eye Blind. As the group's career progressed. Its music became increasingly radio-friendly, in large part leaving the heavy riffs behind in favor of a smoother, more melodic sound.

"Amazed" is driven by a classically hooky melody, with a loping groove reminiscent of the best `80s lighter-wavers, while "Remember Me" has a bit of a rootsy vibe, sounding at times like Christian southern rock unit Third Day.

Throughout, the members of Kutless profess their faith in no uncertain terms, straddling the line between CCM and praise & worship music with a slick melding of hard rock and contemporary pop.


  Glass Harp CD
  by Glass Harp
Our Price: $9.25 CD
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The debut of Glass Harp is undeniably their strongest work, with a more unified sound and a more polished feel overall than the other records. The group's strongest songs -- "Changes," "Can You See Me," "Look in the Sky" -- appear here, much of it in the vein of Cream and Jimi Hendrix. Gentle "Black Horse" is a nice touch, and the group is not pulling apart so much on the first record.

Keaggy is an amazing guitarist with innovative playing techniques and an ear for texture and tone color, while Sferra stands out as the strongest writer of the group. For any fan of late-'60s classic rock, this will be an excellent addition to your collection. ~ Mark W. B. Allender

Glass Harp: Phil Keaggy, Dan Pecchio, John Sferra. All tracks have been digitally mastered using 24-bit technology.


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