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    For our 10th annual Highlighting feature, we split the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December. Each list contains 10 artists/releases for a total of 20 in total for 2016. So, without further ado, we give you Highlighting Second-Half 2016! -- Please keep in mind that any artists that placed in the First Half (like Skillet, Paper Route and winner House of Heroes) won't be re-listed here!



  2 of 10  



Album Cover
#2. NEEDTOBREATHE
H A R D L O V E

Release Date: July 15, 2016
H A R D L O V E is a mixed bag of high quality and standard tunes, but it is nonetheless a fun album that has something for everyone.
        - Christopher Smith

Rivers In The Wasteland was a tour de force of emotion, healing and great songs. “Difference Maker,” “Brother,” “Wasteland,” “The Heart” and “Magnified” were fantastic songs that were as different in tone as they were great in structure. H A R D L O V E finds the boys from South Carolina in a better place as friends and family, and the album has a distinctly lighter feel. Fans may not be as taken with the happy material (see Bruce Springsteen’s “happy phase” in the 90’s), but the soul swing of “Money And Fame” and “Happiness” hint at a funky, soulful and joyful record.
        - Alex Caldwell

It was going to be difficult to replicate the sheer intelligence and sensibility of Rivers in the Wasteland, but then again, is that really what we wanted? H A R D L O V E has noticeably thicker production, which might rub some southern rock purists the wrong way, but I'm willing to entertain the idea of a poppier chapter in NEEDTOBREATHE's journey. At the minimum, it'll sound like nothing else put out this year, and that's a hard goal to achieve by itself.
        - Roger Gelwicks

Six albums in and there hasn't been an album from NEEDTOBREATHE I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. Each album seems to improve upon the last, shaking things up just enough to keep it interesting while continuing to draw inspiration from their roots. H A R D L O V E is a solid contender for album of the year and possibly the Carolina band's best.
        - Lucas Munachen

Who among us has the willpower to ignore new tunes from one of today's most consistent mainstream Christian rock groups? Crafting a worthy follow-up to 2014's Rivers in the Wasteland, perhaps their best work to date, is a daunting task to say the least, but NEEDTOBREATHE have proven time and time again their incredible ability to summon melodies that are borderline irresistible. If paired with measured amounts of creativity and growth, H A R D L O V E could truly be something to admire.
        - Jeremy Barnes

Though I've heard the album already, and it's not their best, new NEEDTOBREATHE never truly disappoints. And H A R D L O V E improves with each listen.
        - Scott Fryberger

  • Visit our NEEDTOBREATHE page for more information about them...

    		•
    2016 Countdown: July to December

    10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1
    Highlighting 2016
    ©January 2016 Jesusfreakhideout.com


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    Music Out This Week


    This Friday, August 21
    ALBUMS
    Band Reeves How To Forgive [Centricity]
    CalledOut Music The Room [Integrity]
    Grace & Xandy Here Again [StowTown]
    Latter Day Exploits Going Home - EP [The Charon Collective]
    Romeo Miller New Lane [SoNo Recording]
    MotionPlus, Braille Still Dreamin' - EP [Gospel Banquet]
    Lauren Talley Walls (Part One) - EP [Horizon]
    Terrian Mad Big World [Gotee]

    SINGLES
    Lady Audri A Lady's Prayer - Single [Syntax]
    Bleach Once Again Here We Are - Single [Residence]
    Chris Caro RESTLE$$ - Single [Syntax]
    Franni Cash Jesus Girl - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Jordan Colle One King - Single [Bethel]
    Dex the nerd who loves Jesus A Sinners Mercy (ft. tonyxtrotter & TNV) - Single [Syntax]
    ELEOS Anchor For My Soul - Single (independent)
    goodwill. CAN'T BE - Single [Syntax]
    Fervor, My Dear Glass In the Sugar - Single (independent)
    Grace Frances Waiting For Me - Single (independent)
    Kingdmusic Never Fail (Live) - Single (independent)
    The Kingdom Heirs Always Get the Grace - Single [Horizon]
    Steven Malcolm Holy Water (feat. Soul-Rebel Marley) - Single [Curb]
    Eddy Mann We Are - Single [MTS]
    Matt Moore Learning to Breathe - Single (independent)
    No Vain Glory TALUKA - Single [Syntax]
    Matthew Plante LOST SOULS! - Single [Dream]
    Marvin Sapp He's Not Finished - Single [Elev8]
    Victory House Worship Rapha - Single (independent)
    WallerCo, John Waller Daddy's Here (Journee's Dream) - Single (independent)
    Matthew West Here and Heaven - Single [Story House / Provident]
    Anne Wilson Who I Am To You - Single [Capitol CMG]

    Next Friday, August 28
    ALBUMS
    Anthem Edition Something's Goin' On - EP [Sonlite]
    Bill B. Niche [Syntax]
    DOE Shiloh [Provident/Sony]
    Every Moment Holy: Prayer Songs, 2026 Q3 Anchoring the Heart in Hope (independent)
    Noah Paul Harrison Do Not Go Gentle (Live) [Bethel]
    I.A.N. I AM NEW [Syntax]
    Prevailer Convalescent [Rottweiler]
    John Van Deusen As Long As I Am in the Tent of This Body I Will Make A Joyful Noise Pt. 2 [Anotherland Records]

    SINGLES
    Tim Hughes Make A Way (Live) - Single [Integrity]
    Katy Weirich & Jake MacAdam Holy Ground - Single (independent)
    John Long Trust In Him - Single (independent)
    John Pape The Road - Single (independent)
    Adam Michael Pass the Parcel - Single (independent)
    Mountain People Worship No Lover Like Jesus - Single (independent)
    Lexly Nirvana True Story (ft. VerbPro 12:4) - Single [Syntax]
    Leslie Perez Waiting For - Single [Gotee]
    Matthew Plante KEEP FOCUS! - Single [Dream]
    Simply Worship & Sam Daniel Lamb of God - Single (independent)
    Ryan Stevenson Eye of the Storm (Anniversary Edition) - Single [Gotee]
    For all release dates, click here!
     

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