By Kevin Pollard

• Switchfoot: Hello Hurricane, EMI

AFTER a multitude of cross-over hits and platinum album sales, Switchfoot took a step back from it all in 2006. Frontman Jon Foreman did some solo projects. The guys broke ties with Columbia, did some soul searching, and ended up writing almost 80 songs. These were ultimately honed down to 12 solid guitar crunching rock tracks for Hello Hurricane. 

The hardest hitting rockers here are the album opening ‘Needle in a Haystack,’ the high-octane ‘Mess of Me’ and the edgy ‘This is the Sound.’ Those who enjoyed the glimpses of Foreman’s faith on his solo efforts will like ‘Free’ – which calls for the Saviour to free us from ourselves.

Switchfoot will be making a stop in Vancouver on their small venue/club tour, at the Commodore Ballroom January 13.

• Leeland: Love is on the Move, Essential

Leeland made it a hat trick, as they garnered their third career Grammy nomination for this recording, in the Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category. The band’s first two albums, Sound of Melodies and Opposite Way, were previously recognized in this category.

Once again, they offer songs with strong melodies and spiritually challenging lyrics – as heard on ‘The Door’ and ‘Carry Me on Your Back.’ The current single, ‘Follow You,’ features Brandon Heath.

• Steven Curtis Chapman: Beauty Will Rise, Sparrow/EMI

Whether you have seen Chapman on CNN, in People magazine or in concert, the depth of pain and loss is etched on his face, in his words and through his voice.

After 20 years in music ministry, he questioned whether he would sing again after the death of his daughter. Throughout this heartache and healing, he wrote 12 new songs.

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I’ll admit I set this album aside at first. I knew, as a father of three girls, it would be a heart wrenching listen.

As I listened, though, I found myself drawn in for a glimpse of both darkness and hope.

On ‘See,’ he writes: “This night of weeping seems to have no end / But when the morning light breaks through / We’ll open up our eyes and we will see . . .  The Lord is good.”

This CD is unlike any other Chapman album, as he shares his sorrow and hope through these simple acoustic offerings.

January 2010