It's Launch Day

Welcome to the official launch of Christian Music Discovery!  I'm so honored that you took the time to our site.

As you look at what's already been posted, feel free to download a song, leave a comment, or send a suggestion.

Just this week, we have some hip-hop, some metal, and some jazz lined up, so, as you can see, there's a whole lot of good Christian music out there to be heard, and I'm going to do my best to bring it all to you.

Thanks again for visiting, and enjoy Christian Music Discovery, the place for good Christian music.

Artist of the Week: Sanctus Real

Well, what can I say? When Sanctus Real started making a splash on the national scene with the hit single "Everything About You" from their second major release, "Fight The Tide," it seemed that they would have a relatively small impact as moderately successful Christian rock band. Of course, that was before having five successful single releases from that album. Sanctus Real was now well on it's way.

Ultimately, 2 songs would catapult Sanctus Real new levels: "Whatever Your Doing" took the group from the middle of the pack to the forefront, especially given the timing of the song (the recession having started toward it's worst point), and “Lead Me,” which gave them a permanent place among the most important Christian songs of all time, even if the group were never to release another song

Those two songs lead me (no pun intended) to the two topics that Sanctus Real seems to speak to best: the Christian growth process, and relationships (of all kinds.)

In terms of our growth process, SR speaks well to different parts of the matter, from the breaking of pride (“I'm Not Alright”) to re-asserting ones dedication after wandering away (“Closer.”) Whenever Matt Hammitt sings one of these ballads, you immediately sense two things: 1) he's been there, and knows what he's talking about, and 2) the emotion that he communicates is genuine. I don't think SR's music would be nearly as impacting if anyone else were singing it, but Matt does a great job of showing that he feels and has felt the same feelings that you and I do.

Now, you may be surprised that I said that Sanctus Real speaks to relationships well, but think about it: “The Fight Song,” “Don't Give Up,” “We Need Each Other,” and “Lead Me” all speak (very well) to issues in relationships. Honestly, the first time I heard “Don't Give Up,” I thought to myself, “Wow, he took the words right out of my mouth.” A lot of other people must have thought the same thing, and I'm sure that most of them were glad that someone actually said something. In a similar fashion, “Lead Me” spoke to something that many people were already feeling as well, the difference being that most of the people who heard it didn't know they needed to. All that, and Hammitt had the courage to share that he wrote it from his own marriage struggles. Wow.

For all these reasons, and more (including their continued emphasis on love, which the Bible calls the greatest of “these things”), Sanctus Real has become, and always will be, one of my absolute favorites.

Favorite Album: “Fight The Tide”

Favorite Songs: “Don't Give Up”                 (from "The Face Of Love)
                        “Where Will They Go"       (from "Fight The Tide")
                        “We Need Each Other”     (title track)
                        “The Show"                      (from "Fight The Tide)
                        "Whatever You're Doing"   (from "We Need Each Other")

You can three of these songs on the right.

You can listen to "Where Will They Go" using the YouTube below:

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more weekly artist spotlights on Christian Music Discovery, the place for good Christian Music.

“Cross The Line (Box Office Blockbuster Remix)” - Superchick

If P. Diddy invented the remix, Max Hsu of Superchick perfected it, and this remix of the hit “Cross The Line” proves it.

Whereas the original version of the song was simple, tight, driven rock, the Box Office Blockbuster Remix comes from a completely different angle.

Here we have a super-expansive, even explosive, alt-metal-ish sound laced with just enough electronic backing as to add the superbly blended background noise.

The guitars have a completely different attitude from the first version: whereas, with the original cut of “Cross The Line,” you got the impression of a group of twenty Gen X-ers running through the city streets, yelling at the top of their lungs at the establishment, the Blockbuster Remix paints the picture of a crowd of twenty-thousand marching into the city, ready to break down the walls and take it over. From the get-go, you'd almost assume that it's a different song, if you didn't know better, which only serves to reinforce Hsu's gift for remixing Superchick's music.

In a word, lead singer Tricia Brock's vocals on “Cross The Line” can be described as “genuine.” The listener can completely relate to her cries as the leader of a movement of people who are willing to take the demonstration of their faith to the next level, and, most importantly, she's believable as the driving force behind such an idea.

I loved the original of “Cross The Line,” but the Box Office Blockbuster Remix took me to a whole new place with the idea.

You can listen to the remix on the YouTube video below:

I hope you enjoy the remix (and the original), and keep coming back for more great music at Christian Music Discovery, the place for good Christian Music.

“Grace” - Ed Kowalczyk

Just in case you didn't know, Ed Kowalczyk, the former frontman of Live, went solo, and with a holy vengeance at that.

On his debut single, Ed shows a passion that we've never heard from him before. Ed works hard to get his message across, that, no matter what you look at or what you have to say, his faith is real. It's the kind of intensity that makes you want to stand up and shout “Yeah, that's right, I do still have faith; so put a sock in it!”

Okay, maybe holy vengeance was the wrong term to use. How about a holy passion? Yes, that will work.

This is quite the contrast from his days with Live. I went back and listened to two of Live's most loved songs: “I Alone” and “Heaven,” songs of similar tempo where Kowalczyk sings in a similar range, and I was shocked at the difference in the intensity of his voice on “Grace.” Whereas, with Live, it almost sounded easy (even on “Heaven,” which is another faith declaration), Kowalczyk works hard to make sure that you know that he means and believes every word he's singing.

Now, if a line a ever existed between alt-rock and alt-metal, EK sure found it on “Grace.” The song starts out nice and easy, and doesn't immediately give the impression of a smashing power-song, but once the drums and EK's voice kick in, you get the impression that you're in for something good, and something intense. The chorus rolls along nicely until the whole song finds a new level when, on the bridge, we get some distortion scratching and those metal-esk guitar riffs. The change is subtle, though, and only serves to tie the whole song together into one extremely heartfelt message.

In four words: “I love this song!”

In three more words? “You will too.”

You can listen to "Grace" using the YouTube video below:

Like what you've heard so far? Stay tuned for more great finds at Christian Music Discovery, the place for good Christian music.

Don't like what you've heard so far? Let me know! Click my profile link on the right, and shoot me an e-mail to let me know about an artist, album, or song that you think we should feature at Christian Music Discovery.

Afterthought: After hearing this song, my wife better understood what many of Live's songs were about. I'm sure some of you can appreciate her epiphany.

"You Were There" - Norman Hutchins

This has simply got to be one of my favorite black gospel songs of all time.

I remember very distinctly, as a child, listening to this song over and over and over again after the passing of my father. The message of this song is so simple: “God, you said you would never leave me or forsake me, and you stayed true to your word.”

The music, as black gospel goes, is relatively simple, but the progressions are skillfully written so as to help take the listener on the same journey down memory lane that Norman Hutchins takes, citing the general idea that, through it all, God was there. It also serves to take the listener back through their own personal experience with God, putting you in remembrance of all the times that God has shown Himself faithful. The addition of that strong mass choir sound after the bridge drives it home, and really serves to bring comfort to the listener. Wow!

Honestly, I'm totally thrilled to be able to share this song with you. It's been extremely helpful to me, and I pray that it is the same with you.

You can listen to "You Were There" on the YouTube video below:

Stay tuned for more great Christian music @ Christian Music Discovery, the place for good Christan Music.

"Finder Of The Lost" - Dorothy Savage

Ok, so I've already let you know that I love the alternative sound with female vocals, so it's no surprise that my first plug would fall into the category.

Dorothy Savage has one of those voices that could fit with so many different styles of music. As a matter of fact, the Christmas Album that she just dropped has a lot of that lounge/jazz/pop sound to it.

Here however, we have a powerful ballad that expresses perfectly what it means to be found in Christ. Against the driving pulse and electric guitar riffs, Dorothy's voice cuts through and delivers this message with great clarity, expressing oh so clearly that there is hope even in what seems to be the darkest of times. That message is perfectly summed up in the key line of the chorus: "At the very moment that we're breakin' is the very moment that you breakthrough, and this is how we know we're found."

I also love how the music and the progressions are intelligent and well thought-out, which are elements that tend to get short-changed on songs with powerful messages (this is the musician in me talking.)  Without being overdone, there's enough variety and demonstration of instrumental skill in the music to really reinforce and drive home the point, which is what it's supposed to do.

I hope you enjoy "Finder Of The Lost," and stay tuned for more great music discoveries!

You can listen to "Finder Of The Lost" on the YouTube video below:

Welcome to Christian Music Discovery!

Well, it's official: a place now exists on the web where you can discover all sorts of great Christian music. The best part is that you're already here!

I created Christian Music Discovery to present great Christian music that you may not ever discover in your regular course of living. I work to identify music that is not only great Christian music, but great music, period. In following this blog, you'll get to be party to all of the great discoveries I come across. That means new songs for you to download, new albums for you to add to your library, and new artists for you to follow!

Together, you and I are going to look at all varieties of Christian Music, new and old(er); from indie to major label, from heavy metal to electro-pop and all that lies in between.

Why cover so many bases? Because there is (and has been) a whole lot of good Christian music, and you deserve to know about ALL of it!

I also feel that it's important for us to see all that God has done in the lives of people who have been willing to give their lives to preaching the Gospel in music, and leading His people in worship. It can only be beneficial to see what God has done through so many singers and musicians!

With all that being said, I know you'll find something here that moves you. If you have any artists you'd like to recommend, or any suggestions, feel free to let me know. Enjoy all your new finds @ Christian Music Discovery, the place for good Christian music!