Best Albums of 2011

Worth Buying:

• A Collection of Favorites Volume One - Gold City 

Well, perhaps not worth buying, but at least worth listening to.  There’s several songs that are especially hearing like “He Hideth My Soul,” “We’ll Soon Be Done.”  Also, don’t miss “Where the Roses Never Fade.”

• Grace Says - Kingsmen Quartet 

You may not want to listen to this album over and over again, but when you’re in the mood for it, it sure delivers!  “He’s Everything I Need (That’s All I Need)” and “If Not For the Love of Christ” are great songs.

• Let it Be Known - Booth Brothers

Even if you don’t want to buy this album, try to borrow it from a friend or find it online.  Great cover art, and good-message songs.  The fast songs weren’t as well done as some older ones like “Welcome to the Family” or “He Saw It All.”  The group made a very professional quality video with their radio single song, “She Still Remembers Jesus’ Name.”  “What About Now” is very good although it’s pretty long.

• More Than Enough - Whisnants 

Good artwork, with a lot of solid songs, make for a great album.  More Than Enough is no exception.  Two of my favorite songs are “I Will Glory In the Cross” and “Burn the Boat.”

• Part of the Family - Collingsworth Family 

There’s a lot of solid songs on this CD, although many of the fast songs could use improving.  I think The Answer was slightly better.  “Just Another Rainy Day” and “Resurrection Morn” were two of my favorite songs from this project.

• Precious Friend - Stetler Trio 

This is a fairly good CD, although you may not want to spend $15+ dollars for it.  It could have definitely been improved with more up-tempo numbers.  The best song, hands-down, goes to “Made Me Glad.”  “More Than Wonderful” could win second place, although it might have a bit of trouble competing with “Total Praise Medley.”

• Songs From the Heart - Triumphant Quartet

Probably the best CD of 2011 if I had to pick one.  Lots of excellent songs.  “Streets of Gold,” “Be of Good Cheer,” “When It’s All Said and Done,” “When the Rapture Comes My Way,” and “Thank You Lord.”

• The Only Way - Greater Vision 

Fans of this award-winning trio have seen better albums, but this is still not a project you’ll want to miss if you’re a fan.  I loved the song “Eternity’s About To Begin.”  “No Longer Chained” would probably take second place.  The CD could have used some big ballads.

• We Will Stand Our Ground - Kingdom Heirs 

This album should be considered when you cast your vote for best CD.  It’s packed with winners.  It could used more than one true ballad, though.  “I’m a Brand New Man” and “Just Preach Jesus” would get my support for best songs, though some of the others follow closely behind.

Worth Listening To:

• A Wonderful Life - Legacy Five

Legacy Five’s last major-label release with all-new material, Just Stand, was much better, IMO.  Still, if you’re a fan of L5, you won’t want to miss this album.  There are several note-worthy songs (not stupendous, note-worthy) such as Living In the Palace, and A Wonderful Life,

• Blue Skies Coming - Perrys 

Perrys fans will want to get at least one listen out of this album.  After several plays, you might not want to hear the CD anymore, but it does have some great songs like “Grace Doesn’t Remember” and “Every Time I Need Him.”

• Somebody’s Coming - Gold City

I know I gave this project a pretty low rating, but I think it a lot of people will like it better than I did.  “Peter, James, and John,” and “Lord of Life” were two very good songs.

• The Waiting Is Over -Tribute Quartet 

This album isn’t one to write home about, but you may want to at least hear it.
“Homecoming Day” wins first place, and several others, such as “More Than Able,” struggle for second.