X 2009: Christian Rock Hits

😎

Very good various christians rock.

Great songs like "To Know that Your Alive" by Kutless and "Outrage" by Capital Lights are enough to make the album worth buying, but there's also "Friend Like That" by Hawk Nelson, "Awakening" by Switchfoot, and "Ignition" by TobyMac (a guitar riff of which was played in Super Bowl 2009 as the Arizona Cardinal's entrance music).If for nothing else, this album earns an extra star for including a bonus DVD comprising eighteen music videos, a first for the standard X albums. With this come a couple of shortcomings though. (1) The highlighting of a selection (as of song) could be done better; I could see it just fine on my PC but for some DVD players--mine for instance--the coloring difference is pretty subtle. (2) Not all music videos show up in a widescreen format.If those two drawbacks can be overlooked however, it's a fine collection for a bonus disc. Some of these music videos, such as "Outrage" and "Radiator" are also in the audio CD, but there are a good number of new songs here also. Notables in that department include "Lose My Soul," by Tobymac featuring Kirk Franklin and Mandisa, "Comatose" by Skillet (performed live), and "Carry Me Down" by Demon Hunter.

Pardon my corny review title, the CD...well, there's nothing corny about it. I have personally fallen off the Christian rock bandwagon since the late 90's, and I have to say, listening to this album, I've jumped back on.I like traditional Gospel African American gospel and sometimes the Praise and Worship genre. But after trying to satisfy my secular rock fix with bands such as Muse, the Clash, Nirvana, Coldplay, and others I can't even recall, I wanted to find music that was on a different level, a deeper spiritual level and of course, glorifying G-d above all else.I was pleasantly surprised by this album. I will never be a fan of screamo (provided by Underoath), Chrisitian or secular, so I have to skip over those tracks. But the stand out ones on the album are definitely:1. 'We Need Each Other' (Sanctus Real)talks about friendship, family and relationships that we all need in life at some point.2.'Southern Weather' (the Almost, I liked this song IMMEDIATELY)3. 'The Difference' (Philmont)...the song is talking about seeing a difference in our lives as followers of Christ. Great harmonies, great words.4. 'The Flame in All of Us' (Thousand Foot Krutch) Awesome melodies, reminds me of a Kurt Cobain-esque rock ballad.In addition, the DVD is a nice bonus. My favorite videos were 'Southern Weather' by the Almost, and a track that didn't make the audio cd, 'Back to the Five' by Ruth. Amazing, beautiful song.If you are looking for hard rock with a real message and some meaning, this would be a great album for you.