Wow Hits 2013 2CD Deluxe Edition

Only 1 record a year brings you the biggest Christian artists & songs! Featuring your favorite artists and their best songs of the year, WOW Hits 2013 captures the songs impacting our world.

With songs about finding strength, placing your hope in Jesus, and the promise of everlasting life, WOW Hits 2013 includes 2 CDs filled with 30 uplifting songs and 3 bonus tracks from up-and-coming artists.

The deluxe edition includes a further SIX deluxe tracks, from artists including Kutless, Dara Maclean and David Crowder*Band.

WOW is a Christian music brand that has been hugely popular with listeners. Since their first release back in 1995 - ‘WOW 1996’ - the WOW brand has gained a reputation for releasing excellent compilation albums that sample the best new releases in Christian music. As of 2012, there are four different types of WOW album on sale: WOW Hits, WOW Gospel, WOW Christmas and WOW New & Next. This album is the deluxe version of the latest in the WOW Hits series.

WOW Hits selects radio chart hits from across the world - artists from the US to Britain to Australia are featured. The genre can vary quite widely, but tends to centre around a pop-rock feel.

SELECTED SONGS:

In this part, I’ll briefly examine some of the songs featured:

‘The Hurt and The Healer’ by MercyMe is the title track of their fantastic album ‘The Hurt and The Healer’. The song has an anthemic sound, with heavy synth and backing vocals accompanying Bart Millard’s soaring lead vocals. There is a great bass line too, which I particularly appreciate (being a bass guitarist myself). The lyrics describe the meeting between ‘The Hurt’ - broken human beings - and ‘The Healer’ - Father God - and the renewal of life that that meeting brings.

‘Hold Me’ by Jamie Grace featuring TobyMac is an acoustic-driven track with a simple melody and a catchy chorus. Jamie Grace is a really inspirational artist: aged only, she has overcome Tourette’s syndrome to earn a Dove Award for 2012 New Artist of the Year. In this song she describes her personal relationship with Jesus, and how he never fails to brighten her day.

Casting Crowns could be considered veterans of the Christian music scene; their popularity continues to grow, and their songs never disappoint. Their tune ‘Courageous’ makes for a perfect opening track to this Deluxe compilation album. The song is sung powerfully by front-man Mark Hall as a prayer: ‘Lord make us courageous’. Excellent musicianship combines with an  inspirational message to make this a great track.

‘Let Me Feel You Shine’ is a more conventional rock tune from the widely-loved David Crowder*Band. The only Christian I know who plays the Theremin (Google it), David Crowder’s perpetually high voice pleads for God to bring his warmth and presence, shining on those He has saved. Listening to the song, a genuine need for God’s presence is communicated - this refreshingly focuses on God’s power and goodness, shifting the spotlight away from ‘me’ or ‘I’. This may be the last David Crowder*Band track on a WOW Hits CD as the band have gone their separate ways. 

SO WHAT?:

So... I only described four of the 39 fabulous tracks that will have you singing away your house, church or car. There is such a lot of great music here, which is massively reassuring because most of it was produced recently by artists who continue to bless listeners with their songs.

If you don’t listen widely to Christian music, this will give you a taste of some of the artists that are out there, who you could listen to further. Eye (or perhaps more accurately, ear) opening, WOW Hits 2013 continues the WOW trend - it’s a truly great compilation album.

There’s something for everyone on Wow Hits 2013. Here’s a break-down of this 39 track compilation, highlighting chart positions (on Billboard.com), genres and why they made it on to the album:

DISC 1:

1. Courageous - Casting Crowns
•    Genre: Contemporary Worship
•    Chart Position: #2 on release
•    Why: Inspiring story blended with immense guitars

2. 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) - Matt Redman
•    Genre: Contemporary Worship
•    Chart Position: #1 on 6/092012
•    Why: Easy piano, catchy lyrics and loveable worship leader

 3. Overcome - Jeremy Camp
•    Genre: Contemporary Worship
•    Chart Position: #12 on 6/09/2012
•    Why: A passionate song that captures emotion

4. Blessings - Laura Story
•    Genre: Pop
•    Chart Position: #1 on 25/06/2011
•    Why: Solid piano ballad with gorgeous harmonies

5. My Hope Is In You - Aaron Shust
•    Genre: Christian Rock
•    Chart Position: #1 on 3/12/2011
•    Why: It rocks!

6. I Lift My Hands - Chris Tomlin
•    Genre: Contemporary Worship
•    Chart Position: #1 on 21/08/2011
•    Why: Biggest Worship name in America, and rightfully so

7. The Hurt & The Healer - MercyMe
•    Genre: Christian Rock
•    Chart Position: #10 on 6/09/2012
•    Why: Bestselling album, awesome title track

8. Forgiveness - Matthew West
•    Genre: Pop
•    Chart Position: #5 on 6/09/2012
•    Why: Based on a Mother’s forgiveness that’s inspired many

9. We Are - Kari Jobe
•    Genre: Pop
•    Chart Position: #8 on 21/01/2012
•    Why: Angelic vocals and upbeat chorus

10. Live Like That - Sidewalk Prophets
•    Genre: Christian Rock
•    Chart Position: #13 on 6/09/2012
•    Why: They capture the gospel with beautiful melodies

11. Fall Apart - Josh Wilson
•    Genre: Acoustic Rock
•    Chart Position: #6 on 17/12/2012
•    Why: Incredibly likable, catchy and right-up-your-street song

12. Angel By Your Side - Francesca Battistelli
•    Genre: Pop
•    Chart Position: #19 on 30/06/2012
•    Why: Honest lyrics that speak to the heart

13. Trust In Jesus - Third Day
•    Genre: Soft Rock
•    Chart Position: #10 on 19/11/2011
•    Why: Reminds me of ‘The House of the Rising Sun’

14. Do Everything - Steven Curtis Chapman
•    Genre: Poppy Worship
•    Chart Position: #3 on 1/10/2011
•    Why: Pure bop pop, with Godly words

15. Someone Worth Dying For - MIKESCHAIR
•    Genre: Emo Worship
•    Chart Position: #11 on 10/09/2011
•    Why: Snuck in the down door, but worth a listen

16. BONUS: Only A Mountain - Jason Castro
•    Genre: Pop
•    Chart Position: Didn’t chart
•    Why: Well produced song, biblical and smiley

17. DELUXE: Love Come To Life - Big Daddy Weave
•    Genre: Christian Rock
•    Chart Position: #6 on 10/03/2012
•    Why: Set to hit big! Worshipful and catchy

18. DELUXE: Carry Me To The Cross - Kutless
•    Genre: Heavy Worship
•    Chart Position: #8 on 12/05/2012
•    Why: Very calm for Kutless, lovely lyrics

19. DELUXE: Free - Dara Maclean
•    Genre: Pop
•    Chart Position: #16 on 28/4/2012
•    Why: The Christian ‘Katie Perry’, she’s good.

DISC 2:
 
1. God's Not Dead (Like A Lion) - Newsboys
•    Genre: Soft Rock
•    Chart Position: #8 on 6/09/2012
•    Why: Title track from bestselling album

2. Me Without You - TobyMac
•    Genre: Hip Hop
•    Chart Position: #3 on 6/09/2012
•    Why: Edgy, popular tune and let’s not forget his DC Talk history

3. Where I Belong - Building 429
•    Genre: Christian Rock
•    Chart Position: #4 on 6/09/2012
•    Why: 4-piece band with long hair and strange name, perfect!

4. All This Time - Britt Nicole
•    Genre: Pop
•    Chart Position: #3 on 12/05/2012
•    Why: Christian answer to ‘Taylor Swift’

5. Lift Me Up - The Afters
•    Genre: Christian Rock
•    Chart Position: #3 on 31/12/2012
•    Why: Solid track with inspiring lyrics

6. Busted Heart (Hold On To Me) - for KING & COUNTRY
•    Genre: Pop
•    Chart Position: 1st single #11 on 6/08/2012
•    Why: They’re the Aussy Christian heart-throb brothers

7. Hold Me - Jamie Grace (feat. TobyMac)
•    Genre: Pop
•    Chart Position: Didn’t chart
•    Why: Chirpy tune for a hot summer day

8. Strong Enough To Save - Tenth Avenue North
•    Genre: Christian Rock
•    Chart Position: #2 on 6/09/2012
•    Why: Hottest band of 2012, could become the new Casting Crowns

9. He Said - Group 1 Crew (feat. Chris August)
•    Genre: Pop
•    Chart Position: Didn’t chart
•    Why: This frizzy haired duet knew how to make a catchy song

10. Center Of It - Chris August
•    Genre: Pop
•    Chart Position: #6 on 6/09/2012
•    Why: All-year-round tune, it’s here to stay

11. Good Morning - Mandisa (feat. TobyMac)
•    Genre: Hip Hop
•    Chart Position: Didn’t chart
•    Why: Powerful voice with solid beat

12. One Day Too Late - Skillet
•    Genre: Christian Metal
•    Chart Position: #28 on 7/04/2012
•    Why: This tune rocks. A must listen

13. The Redeemer - Sanctus Real
•    Genre: Christian Rock
•    Chart Position: #7 on 2/07/2012
•    Why: The replacement 'Switchfoot’

14. The Light In Me - Brandon Heath
•    Genre: Pop
•    Chart Position: #9 on 5/11/2012
•    Why: Foot-stomping fun!

15. Make A Move - Royal Tailor
•    Genre: Christian Rock
•    Chart Position: #25 on 3/03/2012
•    Why: Funk-tastic!!! Best song by far

16. BONUS: Banner of Love - Luminate
•    Genre: Boy-Band Pop
•    Chart Position: #17 on6/09/2012
•    Why: Like you’re listening to ‘Westlife’

17. BONUS: When Mercy Found Me - Rhett Walker Band
•    Genre: Folk Worship
•    Chart Position: #15 on 6/09/2012
•    Why: Rhett is a poet, and sounds like Johnny Cash

18. DELUXE: Let Me Feel You Shine - David Crowder Band
•    Genre: Christian Rock
•    Chart Position: Unreleased
•    Why: Rhythmic anthem that’s totally toe tapping

19. DELUXE: Down - Mat Kearney
•    Genre: Acoustic Rock
•    Chart Position: #21 on 21/01/2012
•    Why: Wonderful achievement and credit to the guitar

20. DELUXE: Feel It In Your Heart – Abandon
•    Genre: Electro Rock
•    Chart Position: #35 on 9/04/2011
•    Why: Fun-loving sounds, completely different to everything else.