Chapman, Sanctus, tobyMac named among Top Albums of 2004

BRENTWOOD, TN. (Sparrow Records) - As the year ends, the year-end lists begin! Based on such factors as originality, message, and musical growth, ChristianMusicToday.com and Christianity Today International journalists have named new discs by Steven Curtis Chapman, Sanctus Real, and tobyMac among their dozen Best Christian Albums of 2004.

Heaping praise on Steven Curtis Chapman's ALL THINGS NEW for its mix of classic and contemporary influences, Five For Fighting and Coldplay among the latter, they declare, 'His songwriting is as thoughtful and heartfelt as ever, and he's revitalizing his sound with age. ALL THINGS NEW...once again establishes the artist as one of the best in Christian music...and still getting better.'

Looking at Sanctus Real's FIGHT THE TIDE, featuring the No 1 hit 'Everything About You,' they ask, 'Why can't more modern rock bands be this good, especially in Christian music?...The band is louder, punchier, more aggressive, and more slammin' while remaining as melodic and catchy as ever. Chris Rohman offers some playfully acrobatic guitar riffs, and Matt Hammitt has got to be one of the best rock vocalists around today.
The lyrics strike a nice balance of real and straightforward—neither too cheesy nor too vague. It's clear that Sanctus Real aspires to clearly communicate their faith walk while aspiring to become one of the premier rock bands of their time. They're one step closer on both counts.'

Summing up tobyMac's long-awaited second solo album, the writers say that WELCOME TO DIVERSE CITY is, 'In a word, fun—a straight-up par-tay complete with silly rhymes, shout-along choruses, funkafied grooves, a disco ball, and a whole lot of confetti. As suggested by the title, tobyMac brings an eclectic mix of hip-hop, rock, pop, vintage '70s funk, R&B, and soul, doing it with creativity and credibility—all the while reflecting (his) passion to bridge together cultures and race under Christ.'

In the honorable mention category, alternative rock worship band Something Like Silas is singled out for its ultra-creative debut, DIVINE INVITATION. 'If one record rose above the glut of worship releases this year in terms of musicianship, originality, and lyrical freshness, it's DIVINE INVITATION...' states contributing writer Andree Farias.
Read the entire ChristianMusicToday.com Best Christian Albums of 2004 wrap-up at ChristianityToday.com.