Jars of Clay

• Good Monsters  
  Jars of Clay… You gotta love ‘em. Even when they miss the moon, they land on the stars. Good Monsters, while not quite the triumph of Redemption Songs, is still a masterpiece of progressive rock with great melodies and lyrics that read like poetry. On this album, the band marvels at the complex depravity of man while putting their own flaws on the table (“I have no fear of drowning / It’s the breathing that’s taking all this work” front man Dan Haseltine sings on “Work”). Although patches of the album are darker than fans may be used to (i.e., the melancholy “Surprise” where he sings, “Love won’t cure the chaos / And hope won’t hide the loss”), the band holds fast to the idea of redemption. Eleventh Hour still stands as their best work but Good Monsters solidifies Jars of Clay as the best thing to ever happen to Christian music. Album Highlights: “Oh My God” and “Dead Man (Carry Me)” - jennifer e. jones
• Redemption Songs  
  It is quite enjoyable and brings a comforting reassurance of God’s presence in our lives. Read the full review...

Jobe, Kari

• Kari Jobe
  Upgrading from worship pastor at the Dallas/Fort Wroth based Gateway Church, Kari Jobe takes a leap of faith in which she decides to spread the hope and healing of God by way of releasing her very own album. Kari Jobe’s sweet, soft, angelic voice pierces the heart of listeners as it creates an aesthetic presence of God’s anointing. Starting off with a praise and worship song, “I’m Singing,” Kari Jobe sings lyrics that are uplifting and heart warming. “Healer” is an intimate song to God, a cry to God that Jobe decides to trust in her Father. “Joyful” brings an acoustic, soft, and soothing sound, while “Beautiful” slowly carries the listeners into a quiet and transcendent form of praise and worship. I found myself aesthetically pleased with every song on the album. - ashley card

Joel, Phil

• the deliberatePeople. album 

  According to Phil Joel, the deliberatePeople. album is the result of time spent locked away from the influences of Nashville. The ten-track CD was composed in his garage, and the sound is still the norm for Christian Top 40. I don’t know how far away he got from Nashville but it wasn’t far enough. The deliberatePeople. album rings of a newsboy turned singer/songwriter with little more than a guitar and a piano. While I wasn’t wowed by anything I heard, the poet in Joel is passionate about the Lord and that is telling on songs like “Time Alone” and “Changed.” The effort is obvious but just not noteworthy. It’s a middle-of-the-road project for Phil Joel, and this entire album still can’t touch the greatness of his former radio hits “Adore” and “The Man You Want Me to Be.” Album Highlights: “Time Alone” and “Awe” - jennifer e. jones

Johnson, Jack

• Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the film Curious George 

  The hippie from Hawaii gives us adorable sing-a-longs and soft lullabies for the new movie Curious George. Kids and seasoned Jack Johnson fans alike will enjoy this playful album. He keeps the melodies simple and upbeat and gets help from a few very special guests including G. Love and Matt Costa. Listeners learn a lot of good lessons like sharing (from “The Sharing Song”), what to do when you’re scared (“Lullaby”), and preserving the planet (from the Sesame Street-esque “The 3 R’s”). By far the best track, written and co-starring Jack’s friend Ben Harper, is where they sing “I can change the world… / Make it a kinder place / With my own two hands.” A good message for any generation. Album Highlights: “Upside Down,” “We’re Going to Be Friends,” “With My Own Two Hands” - jennifer e. jones

Jonah33

• Strangest Day  
  Lead singer Vince Lichlyter’s strong voice and worshipful lyrics command this new release from alternative rock group Jonah33 ("You made yourself an endless maze of love, so I never give up. Don't want to leave this mystery"). The band also got it right in that they put a variety of rhythms on this project. But they didn't go far enough in highlighting original rock sounds, which are already overplayed as it is. This unfortunately drags the album down to an average rating. Album highlights: "This Is It," "Mystery," and "Search Me, Know Me." - hannah goodwyn

Jonas Brothers

• It's About Time  
  If you’ve been looking for something to hold you over in between Jump5 albums, the Jonas Brothers are more than eager to deliver. It’s About Time is boy band pop/rock on overdrive. “Mandy” is already an MTV TRL favorite. The three brothers keep their formulaic music pretty simple with lines like “She walked out of the door / And right out of my life” from “7:05.” The ballad, “One Day at a Time,” is a mildly impressive tale of young unrequited love. They’re not reinventing the wheel by any means but you can’t argue with the powerful preteen population; this is the kind of dreamy pop music that girls across the nation swoon for. Three spins but only if you're under 18. Album Highlights: "One Day at a Time" - jennifer e. jones

Jontez

• And So It Is  
  Jontez comes from Kirk Franklin’s powerhouse God’s Property, and it shows. His beats and flow are hip-hop soul with a latin twist at the end. “Don’t Walk Away” has that contemporary R&B sound that hints at a Diddy/Bad Boy style. He continues to blend different genres into his groove with “Rising Son”; the chorus boasts a sweet Asian flare. What really gives Jontez a unique edge is being not only a talented singer but holding songwriting credits on this CD. A pleasantly surprising debut! Album Highlights: “Don’t Walk Away,” “Rising Son,” and “Can’t Get Enough”- jennifer e. jones

Julian Drive

• My Coming Day 
  New Inpop Records releases their first album, My Coming Day, by song artist, Julian Drive. This acoustic and alternative artist of Georgia roots shows listeners what it means to worship. I found each song soothing and pleasant to the ears. Putting me in a calm and relaxed state; resting in the presence of God. Listeners would consider Julian’s songs to be sincere. Shifting the album in multiple directions, the album starts off with soft rock sounding track entitled, “From Your Hands”.  Then it transitions to an alternative sound throughout the rest of the album, beginning with “Always There”. Then driving it home, song entitled, “The Reason Is You”, causes listeners to engage in an intense praise and worship experience. - ashley card

Jump5

• Hello & Goodbye
  Six years after their debut, the members of Jump5 are bidding their fans farewell with their final album, Hello & Goodbye. Long-term fans will enjoy the typical Jump5 mix of new and remixed originals along with covered classics. The highlight of the latter, of course, is the very popular “Hello Goodbye,” originally by the Beatles. The group also manages to create a very nice barber shop effect for the “Star-Spangled Banner.” As for their new songs, fans know better than to look for a challenge in the group’s feel-good lyrics. Still, the standard messages of faith (“You”), friendship (“Still Got Me”), and seizing the day (“Fly”) ring true on the album and are perfectly formed for in-car karaoke and dancing around the house. Hello & Goodbye is a perfect farewell to loyal fans and an invitation for new fans to look up the songs that started it all. Album Highlights: “Fly,” “Hello Goodbye,” and “Shoot the Moon.” - bethany duval