Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

This mix of current Christian Rock bands is quite a collaboration. All these performers are live on one album, and each is capable of carrying the whole thing. Chris Tomlin has a very catchy hit with Let God Arise that starts the ball rolling. He has a deep voice and he can really play, there is no question about that.  His voice is so strong it carries his meaningful words of praise.  My favorite song of his has to be Sing Sing Sing because the guitar is so much fun; there’s almost a punk edge to it.

Charlie Hall takes over with his lyrics of truth. In You Are God he testifies about what he believes: “You’re the joy of man’s desire.” That has to be my favorite aspect of Christian Rock: there is always going to be quotable lines that you can’t get out of your head. It sounds the same as regular Rock but there is substance and tranquility in the praise -- we get to witness them and their beliefs right there up on stage. And since God of this City is live, we got to hear it exactly the way it was laid down as the artists tell the world where they're coming from.

The David Crowder Band has an amazing guitarist. He reminds me of Gary Hoey. Christy Nockels has a deep range and we get a perfect example of what she’s capable of in Hosanna. There was a line there that stuck in my head: “I see a generation rising up to take their place with simplest faith.”

Kristian Stanfill is another appropriate artist to add to this album. He blends right in with these other powerful voices and makes his place with Beautiful Jesus.  The words are like the rest of the spiritual messages we’ve been absorbing thus far: “Nothing is greater beautiful creator, friend of mine.”

My favorite track on the entire album is We Shine by Fee. The words just keep coming over with the beat of the drums and the guitar non stop. The musical power of We Shine is intense, as is the meaning of the words -- with both together you're hit twice as hard!

Matt Redman brings a softer sound, adding a nice balance to the compilation. In God Of Our Yesterdays he sings about God’s strength, staying with his people throughout time: “We were in the darkest night and wondered if we’d ever see the light.” It’s a thank you for the patience He has bestowed on them. He rocks it out a little more with Shine which throws in some base to the mix. In the most fun song on the album, Dance Generation, Redman kicks the beat up and the crowd really gets into it.

The lyrics are inspirational; the artists know how to get their message to sink in. They have a very talented group of musicians working together, which is always a good sign, when talented people collaborate for a good cause. They all believe in what they are doing and you can hear that clearly in their songs, every one of them.