The Lime Awards 2009 – “Music”

We’re proud to present to our readership our picks for the year’s best albums. From soaring acoustic worship to straight-ahead rock & roll, we’ve done our best to choose albums that did well in the market as well as pushed the envelope of creativity for the artist and the genre they represent (if they can even be categorized). Let us know your thoughts. Agree? Disagree? Did we miss something? Let us know your picks!

#1. NEEDTOBREATHE’S The Outsiders showcases a band that has found its identity: outsiders who don’t fit neatly into anyone’s boxes, but can connect with most. Masterfully blending earnest lyrics with elements of southern rock and a modern rock sound all their own, Needtobreathe has produced easily their finest work to date, and our choice for best album of the year.

#2. Relient K’s Forget and Not Slow Down is everything an album should be and the vast majority of albums are not. It has a cohesive concept and tone without the filler songs most albums cling too. It doesn’t feel like a collection of singles with a few B-sides thrown into the mix, and yet every song is worthy of radio airplay. While not overly experimental the album has clear inspiration that it builds from and does not mimic.

#3. Decyfer Down’s Crash rocks my face off. From the opening track “Crash” with its crunchy guitars and raspy vocals to the album’s melodically pensive closer “Forever With You,” this is simply a solid effort that can be enjoyed by people who love rocking out without having to have their sense assaulted by so much of the garbage that accompanies rock music today. And while Decyfer Down skimps on the sex & drugs part of the equation, they will melt your face off with their go-ahead rock sound. They leave nothing to be desired, grinding out their music with the verve and dedication of a band 10 years their senior.

#4. Israel Houghton’s The Power of One bursts at the seams with visions of victory in Jesus, awe in worship, and a reverent respect for a holy king. It is very clear that while Houghton knows that we are now each considered a “friend of God,” there is still an awe and respect with which we must approach the throne of grace. Additionally, the victorious songs never get mired in the idea that it is our victory (but rather victory belongs to Jesus) and the somber songs never get stuck in a “woe-is-me” attitude.

#5. Kutless’ It Is Well is the new worship album from Kutless, a group typically known for their rock style. The album has both covers and originals that blend the edge they are known for and the music of today’s typical contemporary worship service. This is Kutless’ second worship release. Their first, Strong Tower touted the single of the same name that made its way up the Christian music radio charts. As a result, expectations were. In my opinion, they exceeded those expectations.

#6. Shane & Shane’s Everything Is Different will put a smile on your face. With any luck it will bring you to a place where you can pause and come nearer to our God and King. Shane and Shane put all they have into writing and producing songs that will stir and inspire us, and they don’t miss a beat with this album. If you want to experience lyrics that draw you to God in an intimate way, this album has the power to do just that.

#7. Skillet’s Awake builds on the foundation laid by Collide and Comatose and delivers more of what fans have come to know and love from the foursome. Is it more of the same? Sure. But, their current formula has built them a solid fanbase that will certainly be pleased with this latest offering.

#8. Thousand Foot Krutch’s Welcome to the Masquerade is a nearly perfect album, it is filled with a few simply wonderful and noteworthy songs. As an album, it might just be superior as individual songs. Fans should love this album. It doesn’t suffer in terms of quality of sound. A surprisingly hard album, it fundamentally is an excellent work that has stunning production and a crisp rich sound.

#9. Mat Kearney’s City of Black & White has the opportunity to take the airwaves by storm. Kearney’s music has always been hard to describe, but easy on the ears. Think of his earlier work in terms of Coldplay reinvented as a hip hop act.

#10. Flyleaf’s Memento Mori isn’t something new, and it isn’t drastically different. But it is a good album, and shows the talent this young group of people have. Flyleaf has successfully avoided the dreaded sophomore slump, and this release is a worthy chapter in their short career.