TOP 30 CHRISTIAN ALBUMS
[ 1969-1989 | Robert Berman ]
The Facebook group, “Jesus Music 1969-
(1984): John and Dino Elefante produced the
final Myrrh Records album for his future wife,
1989”, polled its members to submit lists of their
final (for a while) album for Bryan Duncan,
delivering a Beatlesy collection worthy of
favorite Christian albums within that date range.
Randy Thomas, and company, setting aside
Liverpool. Phillips achieved spooky effects by
Lists of up to 100 albums were accepted, and
SCB’s soul boogie origins for straight-on arena
pitching her voice half an octave lower than the
over 850 individual albums were submitted.
rock in the vein of the Elefante’s previous work
Quarterflash/Lauper squeak of her previous
Twenty separate artists appeared in the albums
with Kansas. Not the most typical SCB album,
albums. This album predicted the rise of AAA
comprising the Top Thirty albums of that list,
to be sure, but rockers like “Sing for the Melody”
radio in the 90s almost ten years ahead of time.
and here they are. Purists may quibble over the
and ballad “You Led Me to Believe” justify the
exact order of the rankings, the other worthy
experiment.
Daniel Amos - #16 ¡Alarma! (1981), #25
albums not listed here, and the very definition
Horrendous Disc (1981), #27 Shotgun Angel
of “Christian music.” Still, few will disagree that
Kerry Livgren - #20 Seeds of Change (1980)
(1977), and #30 Vox Humana (1984): Christian
all these albums deserve serious attention from
and #26 AD – Art of the State (1985): With
music’s most versatile band transitioned from
any fans of the genre.
“Seeds,” the former Kansas guitarist lined up
Maranatha-style country-rock to classic rock to
vocalists from Ronnie James Dio to Mylon
New Wave over the course of this quatert of
LeFevre to realize his vision of epic rock set to
albums. Terry Scott Taylor’s witty lyrics reward
Mark Heard - #29 Victims of The Age (1982):
biblical themes. “State” showcases a stable
the careful listener with too many quotable lines
Poetry worthy of Leonard Cohen or Bob Dylan
band splintered from Kansas with dueling
to count. “Angel” includes a song-suite based
graces every song from the pen of this singer/
vocalists Warren Ham and Michael Gleason
on the book of Revelation.
songwriter who left a brilliant legacy before his
delivering a combo punch of tuneful pop with
untimely death. The most quotable Christian
progressive rock elements.
The Choir - #15 Chase the Kangaroo (1988):
singer this side of Rich Mullins. Listen for Leslie
Phillips on BGVs.
Echoing, ambient guitar rock with thoughtful
Michael W. Smith - #17 I 2 eye (1988) and
singer-songwriter lyrics delivered by Derri
#22 The Big Picture (1986): Smitty followed up
Daugherty’s
Matthew Ward - #28 Toward Eternity (1979):
the NYC power-pop dynamo of “Picture” with
Includes “Clouds,” “Children of Time,” and
Stepping away from his sisters in 2nd Chapter
the quieter, more acoustic “Eye.” Both albums
Steve Hindalong’s acoustic tribute to life on the
of Acts for a rock-oriented moment, Ward’s
cemented co-writer Wayne Kirkpatrick’s place
road, “Everybody in the Band.”
supple tenor was backed by a crack team of
as a fixture in the Christian scene, while fueling
singers and players including legends like Keith
a “Which album is better?” debate that rages to
Resurrection Band - #13 Colours (1980)
Green, Phil Keaggy, and Ray Parker, Jr. Every
this day in the fan community. But either way,
and #21 Awaiting Your Reply (1978): The
song sounds like a potential hit in the style of
we all win!
trailblazers of heavy Christian music offered
Stevie Wonder or Elton John.
Sweet Comfort Band – #23 Perfect Timing
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sweetly
dispassionate
tenor.
socially conscious songs drawn from Jefferson
Leslie Phillips - #19 The Turning (1987):
Airplane, Rush, The Who, and Led Zeppelin
Super-producer T-Bone Burnett helmed the
influences. If “Broken Promises” doesn’t give
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Nov Dec 2016
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