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JFH 25: Top 25 Albums From 1996 to 2020

On August 13th, 1996, The Jesus Freak Hideout began. Ever since that day, the JFH has been bringing the latest in Christian music to you every day. In honor of 25 years of the site in 2021, we're taking a look back over two-and-a-half decades of music. A few of the JFH team rolled up their proverbial sleeves and deliberated over a top album pick for each year from 1996 to 2020. Check out the countdown, starting with 1996, below...



BACK   1996   NEXT


Newsboys
Take Me To Your Leader

Release Date: February 20, 1996


Is this the pinnacle of CCM? I think an argument could be made for just that. While my personal favorite album of all-time also released this year, it wasn't hard to vote for this album as the best of 1996. The Pete Furler/Steve Taylor combo was on point and this album produced some of the biggest songs of my youth. And while there is definitely some 90s CCM cheese here, this album holds up with some really rocking tunes. That and "Lost the Plot" is likely the best Newsboys song ever written.
        - Michael Weaver



The best Newsboys album of any era---yeah, I said it. "Lost the Plot" is worth the entire price of the album alone. Add in the jangly title track, the dancy "Reality" and the youth group staple "Breakfast" and you have an overall great album of the 90s.
        - Josh Balogh



I second Josh's sentiment. This was the Newsboys at the height of their career. It's pop, it's rock, it's accessible yet artistic and even poetic. It's a truly memorable album that still rocks and leaves an impact 25 years later. (And I have to say picking a favorite album of 1996 is super difficult. With other contenders like Audio Adrenaline's bloOm, Common Children's Skywire, PFR's Them, Poor Old Lu's A Picture of the Eighth Wonder, Skillet's debut, and even Eric Champion's Transformation, it certainly says something that Take Me To Your Leader takes the cake!)
        - John DiBiase



Visit JFH's Newsboys page for more information about them.




JFH 25: Top 25 Albums From 1996 to 2020

1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020


 

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This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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