NEEDTOBREATHE hardly requires introduction to most, as they have been an immensely popular and prolific band over the course of their twelve-year major label career. Newest album Acoustic Live Vol. 1 marks their seventh full-length release, and as the title would indicate, listeners are gifted the stripped down, live concert treatment. The band has delivered on an oft fan requested acoustic album, and it does not disappoint.

Depending on your preference for studio versus live recordings, this album may or may not be your cup of tea. This reviewer typically falls into the "not a fan of live albums" camp for several reasons. However, let it be known that this is the rare exception to that preference. All the common problems of live releases--like crowd noise, singing, clapping, bad sound mix, or in between song banter--are easily outmatched with slabs of NEEDTOBREATHE charm and excellence...

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When considering the juggernaut bands of CCM, Casting Crowns must be foremost in the conversation. Ever since their debut, the band has churned out an impressive catalogue of hit albums and singles. With their latest, Only Jesus, they hope to carry on their success with 12 new tracks, most of which are ready for radio. The record focuses its theme on making Jesus the driving force behind everything a Christian does and tackles different perspectives on this.

Casting Crowns' weakness has always been their music. Their brand of pop/rock leans more toward the bland side as the songs try to court the radio. However, given the blandness of general pop music these days, the group has crafted a sound that comes off fresher than previous works. What helps on Only Jesus is their attempt at varying the arrangements and mixing in different elements. For instance, "Nobody" (which features guest vocals by Matthew West) carries itself with the foot-stomping

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David Crowder is easily one of the most notable artists in today's Christian music and worship scene. Crowder has stood out as being innovative and creative, with each album seeming to have its own musical theme. I Know a Ghost is his newest effort and seems to build off of his last album, American Prodigal, more than anything else. I Know a Ghost has some of that same swamp rock sound ("Wildfire"), but the overwhelming musical theme here is hip-hop. Sure, Social Club Misfits join in for a rather odd number, but the hip-hop correlation has more to do with the beats that are underlying in almost every song.

The album actually has a really strong start with the title track, already released "Wildfire," and an album favorite in "Golgotha Hill (King of Love)." While "Golgotha Hill" has a little of that hip-hop feel, there's no doubting the trap-like beat in "Crushing Snakes." "Red Letters," also previously released, follows and sounds like that typical Crowder radio song -- the "My Victory" of I Know a Ghost so to speak. While the song is not a cover of dc Talk's 1998 hit, the concept is the same as they both focus on the words of Christ from the Bible. Mandissa is featured on the gospel inspired "Let it Rain (Is...

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