For our 7th annual Highlighting feature, we split the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December. Normally, we select our top 25 most anticipated releases for the whole year, but we realize that it's tough to really gauge EVERYTHING that may release throughout a given year when we're making the list in January. So, for 2012, we split the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December, and we're using this format again for 2013. Also, each list contains 15 artists/releases for a total of 30 in total for 2013. So, without further ado, we give you Highlighting First-Half 2013!

	14 of 15   #14. Spoken Illusion Release Date: February 12, 2013 With unique vocals and heavy chords, a new Spoken album always grabs my attention and I'll be grabbing this one the day it drops.         - Kevin Hoskins I have been unimpressed with Spoken in recent years and honestly thought these guys were done. Instead, the 17-year veterans, with vocalist Matt Baird as the only original member now, have returned with one of their best outings to date. Baird's vocals, which have been a point of contention, are at their best and they have managed to grow and change with a music industry that is completely different than when the band launched in 1996.         - Michael Weaver I'll never forget watching Spoken--perhaps for the first time live--on tour with Disciple when the Disciple guys had carried Spoken's merch table onto the stage during their set and then proceeded to toilet-paper it. I've seen the band live several times since then and have come to just really appreciate the live energy and the powerful music. Illusion is a catchy and vicious rock record releasing in a time when albums seem to either be just one or the other.         - John DiBiase Visit our Spoken page for more information about them... 2013 Countdown: 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 ©January, 2013 Jesusfreakhideout.com