For Immediate Release

Newcomer Tops Christian Music Today List of Best 2007 Albums

CAROL STREAM, Ill., Dec. 13 — Christian Music Today, the online music magazine for ChristianityToday.com, has published its selections for the Best Christian Albums of 2007, an annual list that is regularly one of the year's most-read articles on the website.

"It was a tight race with no clear front-runner," said editor Russ Breimeier, "with all the finalists placing within a few points of one another."

The list reflects changing times in the music industry. "Our previous lists have generally included established artists," said Breimeier. "But this year we have a truly diverse mix of names both familiar and unfamiliar. Some are on Christian record labels, some operate in the mainstream, and some are unsigned—but they all express their faith in their unique way."

The number one selection is a prime example. Mike Farris was a mainstream rock artist in the '90s (The Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies). He released his first gospel project in 2007. "This is an album everyone seems to love—old-time gospel with classic blues-rock and contemporary production values. The music bridges genres, cultures, generations, and denominations," said Bremeier. Other finalists include singer/songwriter Sara Groves, rock band Switchfoot, 68-year-old gospel legend Mavis Staples, and Adam Watts (who contributed songwriting to the blockbuster High School Musical).

2007 Top Christian Albums:

Salvation in Lights - Mike Farris
Overdressed - Caedmon's Call
Tell Me What You Know - Sara Groves
Recovery - Jeremy Casella
Okay - Jeff Caylor
Oh! Gravity - Switchfoot
Sleeping Fire - Adam Watts
Remedy - David Crowder Band
We'll Never Turn Back - Mavis Staples
Five Score and Seven Years Ago - Relient K
The Ringing Bell - Derek Webb
The Heat - Need to Breathe
You will find the full list with commentary and honorable mentions here.

Christianity Today International was founded by Billy Graham in 1956. The publisher now produces 13 publications, an award-winning website with more than 30 online-magazine channels and 2.3 million unique visitors per month, and a wide array of Internet resources for people of faith. Christian Music Today was started in 2000 as the online music magazine for ChristianityToday.com, offering weekly album reviews, interviews, and other features.

For more information, contact:
Russ Breimeier
Phone: (630) 260-6200 x4390
E-mail address: rbreimeier@christianitytoday.com