Jon’s List: Top 25 Best of the Year

2011 was another big year for Christian Music, several groups returned to the scene after hiatuses, big names released new music and bands that had been panned by critics were once again welcomed with open arms when their new albums dropped. The Rap industry released a couple good albums and a few mediocre ones and for the first time in almost twenty years Third Day didn’t release anything at all (not even a single).

So here’s the breakdown based on these bands placing from earlier lists:

All ten of the Top 10 so far list made this list, several bands moved down including the formerly No. 1 Falling Up, which means there’s someone new there, 3 of the 4 honorable mentions were included in this list, the fourth is still an honorable mention though there are none listed. Red dropped the most from No. 4 to No. 10 and Owl City gained the most moving from No. 10 to No. 7. Switchfoot and Blindside were the only bands to retain its spots at No. 6 and No. 8.

Seven Artists made my top 15 pre-altrocklive.com most anticipated of the year list. Brandon Heath was anticipated at the highest of those at No. 2.  Switchfoot was the closest to holding serve on all three lists, it was rated No. 9. After Edmund was the only comeback band to make the most anticipated list, they were No. 7.  Lecrae’s overdose made the most anticipated, it made the 10 ten so far but is included only in the deluxe edition that didn’t make the previous two lists.

There are two Rookies on this list, Aaron Gilespi who some might say isn’t a rookie, but with a freshman solo project it certainly qualifies him.  Former Newsboys leader singer Peter Furler makes his first appearance on this list and though they are not Rookies, Needtobreathe makes their first appearance.

So who’s number 1? And where do your favorite bands fall? Take a look and find out.

25. Casting Crowns: Come to the Well – Not Casting Crowns best album but certainly worthy of mentioning.

24. August Burns Red: Leveler – I’ve always been amazing by ABR’s ability to put out new material that sounds different from the last album

23. Showbread: Who Can Know It – No screaming? The first time I think I’ve ever heard that on a Showbread Album. Another good stage in musical evolution for a great band!

22. After Edmund: Times Have Changed EP – One of my comeback bands of the year! Congrats guys, good to see you guys put out a Christmas EP as well!

21. Peter Furler: On Fire – I still miss him as Newsboys Frontman but I can’t complain about his first solo project, we wish you luck on your own Peter!

20. Oh Sleeper: Children of Fire – Good job Oh Sleeper on releasing the best Metal album of the year! Keep it up, you may end up in my album hall of fame!

19. Brandon Heath: Leaving Eden –So what if the album didn’t live up to all the hype surrounding it, it’s still a step in the right direction and deserving of a spot on this list.

18. Laura Story: Blessings – This probably should have been rated higher, but for a newcomer this isn’t a bad spot to be, plus the album showed strong staying power with her sophomore project!

17. Shawn McDonald: Closer- He’s always there, Shawn McDonald releases another great worship/inspirational album!

16.Wavorly: The EP – A four song EP with the promise of a new full-length album after four years? Yes please!

15. Josh Wilson: See You – Not many artists can produce back to back top 15 albums, but Josh Wilson has two now!

14. I Am Empire: Kings – The sophomore release of the Christian Punk Rock band I Am Empire (IAE) certainly made its mark with 3 radio singles, two being major hits.

13. Mat Kearney: Young Love – Kearney proves he can still put out a solid collection of songs and stick to a theme without being too cheesy or predicable. And as always he gets better the slower he goes!

12. Emery – We Do What We Want – Not entirely sure fans were expecting a heavier Emery, but that’s exactly what they got, and the Emocore band pulled it off well, even if Devon Shelton is no longer with the band.

11.Aaron Gilespi: Anthem Song – Aaron’s departure from Underoath may have been a sad day for Christian Metal but it has allowed him to produce some of his best work to date.

10. Red – Until We Have Faces – Red’s always been good at putting music together and their third studio project is no exception to that rule.

9. Tedashii: Blacklight – Thank you to Christian Rap for at least producing two albums worth mentioning this year. The industry didn’t do much but Blacklight is certainly a good chapter in both the artists and the industries book.

8. Switchfoot: Vice Verses – The long awaited second-of-four Switchfoot albums came out this year and it certainly didn’t disappoint showing why the band is a staple in the Christian Music industry.

7. Owl City – All Things Bright And Beautiful – Here’s one of the great artists of the last ten years, Adam Young’s sophomore release shows a great deal of maturity in both his sound and songwriting.

6. Blindside: With Shivering Hearts We Wait – The best comeback of the year with a solid album showing growth and hopefully ushering in another decade of Blindside music for fans old and new.

5. Needtobreathe: The Reckoning – Of all the albums to come out this year this one spoke very clearly to me, everything from the music and the content proved the bands got something to say and knows how to say it.

4. Abandon : Control – This album continues to be one of my favorites, I think I’m on about the thirteenth listen, And certainly one of the best albums of the year and maybe even one of the best albums of this next decade.

3. Lecrea: Rehab – Deluxe Edition – It’s always good to be able to get all the bonus content in one box, if you missed it, this Deluxe Edition includes the original album, The Overdose, A DVD and two new songs. Certainly the best Deluxe Edition to come out in the past few years, and it will give fans what they want…more Lecrae.

2. Falling Up: Your Sparkling Death Cometh – The best independently released album of the year should defiantly go to Falling Up. They may not have made the biggest comeback but this was certainly one of the best albums both of the year and in their discography.

1. Downhere: On the Alter of Love – If you haven’t heard what will be one of Christian Music’s Gems then you’re missing out. Downhere delivered another powerful and thought provoking, Ministry based album that is certainly deserving of a place in every Christian Music Collection.

Live Album of the Year:

Thousand Foot Krutch: Live at the Masquerade.

Best New Song of the Year

Thousand Foot Krutch: “Shook” from: Welcome to the Masquerade Fan Edition.

Tags: Aaron Gilespi Anthem Songs, Abandon control, After Edmund Times Have Changed EP, alt rock live, Alt Rock Live Christian Music Group, Alt Rock Team, AltRockLive.com, ARL, ARL CMG, ARL CMG Christian Music Group, August Burns Red Leveler, Blindside With Shivering Hearts We Wait, Brandon Heath Leaving Eden, Casting Crowns Come to the Well, Downhere on the alter of love, Emery We Do what we want, I am Empire Kings, Jonathan Faulkner, Josh Wilson See You, Laura Story Blessings, Lecrae Overdose Deluxe Edition, Mat Kearney Young Love, NEEDTOBREATHE The Reckoning, Oh Sleeper Children of Fire, Owl City All Thinks Bright And Beautiful, Peter Furler On Fire, RED Until We Have Faces, Shawn McDonald Closer, Showbread Who can know It!, Switchfoot Vice Verses, Tedashii Blacklight, Thousand Foot Krutch Welcome to the Masquerade Fan Edition Live at the Masquerade, Wavorly The EP