On 2006's PRECIOUS MEMORIES, country superstar Alan Jackson ventures into gospel territory, offering up a set of warm and inviting faith-themed songs. These spare tracks feature no percussion and rely almost solely on piano and acoustic guitar, allowing the focus to remain on Jackson's resonant vocals and the songs' devoutly Christian lyrics. Although praising Jesus is clearly the core of this album, the beautifully minimalist renderings of spiritual classics are so soothing and pleasant that the disc's appeal is sure to extend to fans of Jackson's secular music, particularly on "Softly and Tenderly," which is enhanced by gentle organ lines, and "I'll Fly Away," here given a light, jaunty bluegrass feel. The resulting atmosphere evokes images of the Georgia-born singer/guitarist sitting in on a friendly, open-air church service, leading a sing-along of traditional numbers such as "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "I Want to Stroll Over Heaven with You."

  Until The Whole World Hears CD
  by Casting Crowns
Our Price: $11.39 CD / $10.99 MP3
Usually ships in 1-2 days

Recording information: Eagles Landing First Baptist Church, McDonough, GA; Little Big Sound Studios, Nashville, TN; Ocean Way, Nashville; Ocean Way, Nashville, TN; Zoo Studio, Franklin, TN

  Awake CD
  by Skillet
Our Price: $11.69 CD
Usually ships in 1-2 days

With a Grammy nomination and the sales figures to back it up, Skillet have merged as one of the most successful Christian rock bands of the `00s. Their 2009 effort, AWAKE, is a return to the harder-edged rock sound of the band's 2006 album COMATOSE. Melding raw, dissonant riffs with a soaring, anthemic builds and harmonizing, Skillet's passionate message is relayed in progressive-tinged rock that, while faith-based, is not lacking one bit in its sheer visceral power.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.


  Sound CD
  by Mary Mary
Our Price: $11.29 CD / $9.99 MP3
Usually ships in 1-2 days

R&B-influenced gospel duo Mary Mary return with the tremendous THE SOUND, a rollicking modern pop record that sounds in spots (especially on the excellent title track) like what would happen if Amy Winehouse found the gospel spirit.

The songs are uniformly catchy and inventively produced and arranged, making THE SOUND a record likely to appeal to a secular audience as well.

Personnel: Mary Mary (background vocals); Karen Clark-Sheard, Daryl Coley, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Joe Ligon, Andraé Crouch, Rance Allen, Tramaine Hawkins, Walter Hawkins (vocals); Michael Thompson, Eric Walls (guitar); Jamar Jones (strings); Gilad Ronen (flute); Dontae Winslow (horns); Warryn Campbell (piano, bass guitar, programming); Derrick "Swol" Ray (bass guitar); Teddy Campbell (drums); Baby Drew (scratches); Onitsha Shaw, Eric Dawkins, Mary Mary Girls, Thomassina Atkins (background vocals).


  What Have You Done, My Brother? CD
  by Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens
Our Price: $11.89 CD
Usually ships in 1-2 days

From the label that brought you the old-school R&B/funk of Sharon Jones comes some classic-sounding gospel soul, with roots in the recordings of artists like The Staple Singers and The Soul Stirrers. Sixtysomething singer Naomi Shelton has been testifying in song for decades, but this is her first widely available album. Bandleader/keyboardist Cliff Driver oversees a group largely composed of Jones's Dap-Kings, with the rich, resonant backup vocals of the Gospel Queens achieving the perfect blend with Shelton's raspy, emotive voice. The tunes are a mix of originals composed by bassist/Daptone founder Gabe Roth and gems like Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come," all delivered with the kind of fire that is the essential element in making any true gospel music move.

Down Beat (p.57) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "What marks Shelton out from the leading blues singers of the current time is a passion that she has for the Man Upstairs."


  Murder By Pride CD
  by Stryper
Our Price: $10.65 CD / $9.99 MP3
Usually ships in 1-2 days

After the original Stryper lineup (minus bassist Tim Gaines) reunited for 2005's somewhat alternative/nu-metal tinged REBORN, the band made a stylistic return to form with MURDER BY PRIDE. Brimming with harmonized twin guitar leads, big hair metal-approved shout-along hooks, and Michael Sweet's trademark soaring, Dennis DeYoung-esque vocals, the album rivals the best of Styper's `80s output, including the genre-defining TO HELL WITH THE DEVIL. Even casual fans who only know the band's mega-hit power ballad "Honestly" will find a lot to like in the piano-driven, Beatles-reminiscent "Alive." Elsewhere, songs such as the pounding, shred guitar solo-laden "4-Leaf Clover" and the head-banging title track manage to recapture the exciting essence of group's MTV heyday without ever sounding retro or dipping into self-parody.

  Billy Gilman CD
  by Billy Gilman
Our Price: $13.15 CD
Usually ships in 1-2 days

The Aaron Carter of Nashville country, Billy Gilman had a fairly successful career as an adolescent country singer, the biggest since at least Tanya Tucker, if not Brenda Lee. This self-titled album, released just as the singer turned 18, is a clear attempt to reintroduce Gilman as an adult singer, without the novelty quality of his early hits or the Christian rock approach of his more recent albums. Gilman finds his adult voice here, as well as a new facility for romantic ballads that serves him well, making this reintroduction a welcome one.

  Christmas Collection CD
  by Amy Grant
Our Price: $12.49 CD / $10.89 MP3
Usually ships in 1-2 days

THE CHRISTMAS COMPILATION is a best-of anthology that combines material from Christian pop singer Amy Grant's three previous Christmas albums, along with four newly recorded songs. The track selection features Grant's secular pop material over traditional hymns, focusing on holiday standards like "Sleigh Ride," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "Winter Wonderland," and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," alongside newer songs such as "Count Your Blessings," "Grown-Up Christmas List," and "I Need A Silent Night."

  20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection
  by The Oak Ridge Boys
Our Price: $7.45 CD / $9.99 MP3
Usually ships in 1-2 days

Reissued on the same day as the far more expansive two-disc set GOLD, this 12-track anthology is for the casual fan who wants only the high points. All those are present and accounted for, including the band's pair of 1950s doo-wop flavored crossover hits from the early '80s, "Bobbie Sue" and the massive "Elvira." The rest of the album is more traditional mainstream Nashville country, featuring the band's trademark close harmonies on hits such as "Leavin' Louisiana in the Broad Daylight."