you chills, check to see if you have a pulse. Keith Green- # 12 For Him Who Has Ears To Hear( 1977) and # 14 No Compromise( 1978): The first two albums from this piano-based prophet ran a near dead heat, simply because they are both that good, with unforgettable tunes and lyrics that challenge and haunt the conscience, delivered with a seemingly inexhaustible passion.
The 77’ s- # 10 The 77’ s( 1987): A perfect balance between pop and Smiths-influenced rock on a now-legendary set of songs including the anthemic“ Do it For Love,” chilling“ I Could Laugh,” and oft-covered“ The Lust, the Flesh, the Eyes, and the Pride of Life.” Their legacy would have been secure even if no further albums had followed, but happily that was not the case, as they continued in a more guitarheavy vein to become one of the most critically acclaimed Christian bands of the 90’ s.
Phil Keaggy- # 9 Love Broke Thru( 1976), # 11 Phil Keaggy and Sunday’ s Child( 1988): The world’ s greatest guitarist, caught twice in a late 70’ s jazz / rock mode and once in a noholds-barred Beatles homage.“ Ph’ lip Side” took advantage of the LP format to showcase one side of gorgeous and mellow acoustic guitar, and one side of scorching electric leads, with Keaggy’ s clear McCartneyesque vocals soaring above.“ Love” has Keaggy’ s signature rock track“ Time” and a medieval musical setting of C. S. Lewis’ poem“ As the Ruin Falls.”“ Sunday’ s Child” includes guests Stonehill, Taff, and Rick Cua.
Russ Taff- # 8 Russ Taff( 1987): Backed by guitarist James Hollihan, Taff’ s powerhouse howl propels pop masterpieces from ace songsmiths like Charlie Peacock, The Call, and Chris Eaton. Includes classics“ I Still Believe” and“ Walk Between the Lines.”
WhiteHeart- # 7 Freedom( 1989): Famed pop producer Brown Bannister coaxed a perfect rock performance out of this band’ s most distinguished line-up. Vocalists Rick Florian, Mark Gershmehl, and Tommy Sims take full advantage of their different styles to cover hard rock, blues, ballads, and country without losing album cohesion.
Randy Stonehill- # 6 Welcome to Paradise( 1976): Norman’ s protégé was all-killer, nofiller on this collection recalling The Eagles and James Taylor by turns. His angelic falsetto break and fingerstyle acoustic guitar rhythms draw the listener into songs about sin and redemption. Includes“ Puppet Strings” and the satirical“ Lung Cancer.”
Petra- # 4 More Power to Ya( 1982), # 18 Beat the System( 1984), and # 24 Not of This World:“ Power” and“ World” blend late 70’ s arena rock dashes of Styx, Boston, and Doobie Brothers, wedded to challenging lyrics replete with Scripture.“ System,” a swan song for departing vocalist Greg X. Volz, adopts a New Wave rock approach with never-ending harmonies and hooks.
Amy Grant- # 3 Lead Me On( 1988): An acoustic turn for the queen of CCM yielded the U2-inflected title track and confessional country-pop ballads like“ Saved by Love” and“ Faithless Heart” along with superb covers of Janis Ian, Jimmy Webb, and The Innocence Mission.
Steve Taylor- # 2 Meltdown( 1984): Putting aside the rap / New Wave hybrid of his debut EP, the clown prince of Christian music still took no prisoners with his satirical highenergy pop / rock, skewering the absurdities of modern culture within and without the Church. Influences range from Devo and Bowie, to Springsteen and The Doors.
Larry Norman- # 1 Only Visiting This Planet( 1972) and # 5 In Another Land( 1976): Trenchant lyrics challenging the church and the world alike to follow Jesus better, in styles from Young / Dylan folk rock to Stonesy blues to ELO orchestral rock to Tin Pan Alley. Big budgets and brilliant production give these albums, two out of Norman’ s classic 70’ s trilogy, a musical depth that rewards repeat listening.
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