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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