Favorite had to be Snakes In The Playground by Bride. Saw those cats live several times including creationfest in PA…great times, even better road trip.
Seven Day Jesus – Self Titled The Hunger was good, but their self titled was a more complete album. For the most part, it's still somewhat relevant sounding today.
Easy: Jesus Freak. I'd also say Steven Curtis Chapman's 'Signs of Life.' His song 'Free' is still one of my favorites:
"Oh, we're free, yeah, oh, we have been forgiven
God's grace has broken every chain and given us these wings
And we're free, yeah, yeah, and the freedom we've been given
Is something that not even death can take from you and me"
I was ushered into 90s Christian music by Michael W. Smith's "Go West Young Man", but my favorite was Jesus Freak. I listened to that on repeat for quite a while.
Had to be Ron Kenoly's Lift Him Up album for me. Rocked my world as a jazz/r&b sax player who loved to worship. Opened my eyes to see what I'm doing today.
Favorite CCM record was probably Jesus Freak. Such a departure for them and a really great record.
My top five:
1. Audio Adrenaline // Bloom
2. DCTalk // New Thang
3. Andrew Peterson // Carried Along
4. Michael W Smith // Go West Young Man
5. Steven Curtis Chapman // Heaven In the Real World
dc talk 'Jesus Freak' (most groundbreaking), Steve Taylor 'Squint' (most subversive), Charlie Peacock 'Everything That's On My Mind' (most intelligent & best artist website circa 1994).
well i was a kid in the 90's (born in 86) but I do remember going to see mylon lefevre and the broken hearts in concert a lot. I think my parents still have their tape.
Another guy that i remember a lot is rich mullens. Great artist.
I remember going over to my grandparents house and listening to his newest CD because they were the only ones we knew who had a CD player
DDC and a Plate Fulla Funk. MC Moses, "I parted the Red Sea. I parted the Red Sea!"
No Room to Breathe and 40 Days in the Wilderness (both by Dynamic Twins).
But I gotta go with Jesus Freak. Would also put King of Fools (Delirious?) and Jars of Clay (Self-Titled Debut) up there as well as the one and only Burlap to Cashmere album, "Anybody Out There". B2C is the one I still listen to the most. The sound is timeless.
DC Talk's "Jesus Freak", The 0.C. Supertones "Supertones Strike Back", Five Iron Frenzy's "Upbeat and Beatdowns", Burlap to Cashmere's album, Audio Adrenaline's "Some Kind of Zombie"… those are some of my then favorites.
I have a few –
Pedro the Lion – Whole EP was my very first Christian album – got it on vinyl actually.
Stavesacre – Speakeasy
Five Iron Frenzy, Supertones, The W’s, etc
Is it really safe to talk about 90's Christian rock, or is this a set up? Is someone waiting to jump out and make fun of us, or what?
I'm still a big Supertones fan. I have a poster of them right behind me in my office as I type this. I think Supertones Strike Back is probably still my favorite from then. I still listen to it, along with Jesus Freak and Bloom.
bleach all star united, dc talk jesus freak, supertones strikeback, newsboys take me to your leader/step up to the microphone, dc talk supernatural, larue selftitled and transparent… so many!
STOP FOR A MINUTE. hands down the best 90's Christian pop album was "Heart In Motion" by Amy Grant. However, I would argue it's unholy to say anything besides Jesus Freak, that album changed the game..period.
well i fought a good fight. i thought the battle had been one. I thought that it was over, until you came along. sweet as candy, sour as a lime. you rattled my cages…and took me for a ride!
love plankeye. I once saw that in concert with 6 other bands for $3.50
That's a toughy. Chris Rice, "Past the Edges", Fernando Ortega "Breaking the Dawn", Salvador's first album….Not sure if this is late 90s or early 00s. Cause I became a Christian in 97 but didn't discover Christian music till 98. When I came to Christ, I worshiped him though early Steve Wonder.. Serious.
JESUS FREAK. And I absolutely love that there are so many other freaks out here! My students make fun of me for listening to it because it's so "old". I loved it so much, i got the words "Jesus Freak" tattooed on my arm. extreme, maybe… and that was what – 12-13 years ago? HA.
How is it even POSSIBLE that no one has even mentioned Rich freaking Mullins?
"A liturgy, a legacy, and a ragamuffin band" is the best Christian album of the 1990s and it isn't even close. An incredible, annointed, work of genius!
I read this as favorite "Christmas" album instead of Christian… and I immediately thought of Barneaked Ladies, Barenaked for the Holidays which I don't even think was from the 90's but it was what came to mind and is so much fun to listen to…. so to NOT answer your question that would be my favorite Christmas album, well of course that would be after yours!!!
that'd be either The Violet Burning "Strength", Johnny Q. Public "Extra*Ordinary" or The Prayer Chain "Shawl". Commonwealth was great also and Plankeye rocked in concert.
Zao – “Where blood and fire bring rest” still to this day when i listen to “ravage rituial” I get goose bumps. I have never heard anything like that before or since. Awesome use of “The Prophecy” sound bits
P.O.D. – “Brown” come on people we still all know the acapela part of “Full Color”
Unashamed – “Reflection” Awesome God imo the single most covered song in all of underground metal
RAIN IT DOWN
Besides Jesus Freak, you mean? Take Me To Your Leader was pretty awesome, too.
Michael W. Smith: Change Your World
"God is in Holy Temple….let us all be silent!" loved that cd. Wore it out commuting back and forth to grad school.
I was really into Vineyard worship CDs back then, especially the Winds of Worship series.
Seven Day Jesus – The Hunger
Such a sweet, sweet album.
Wasn't Mental Jewelry by Live considered Christian? I liked that.
Jars of Clay: Frail
Easily
One of the best.
Favorite had to be Snakes In The Playground by Bride. Saw those cats live several times including creationfest in PA…great times, even better road trip.
I LOVED CreationFest in PA – I grew up not too far from there and went there often!
Seven Day Jesus – Self Titled The Hunger was good, but their self titled was a more complete album. For the most part, it's still somewhat relevant sounding today.
Easy: Jesus Freak. I'd also say Steven Curtis Chapman's 'Signs of Life.' His song 'Free' is still one of my favorites:
"Oh, we're free, yeah, oh, we have been forgiven
God's grace has broken every chain and given us these wings
And we're free, yeah, yeah, and the freedom we've been given
Is something that not even death can take from you and me"
I played a gig with Seven Day Jesus in the 90's. Great guys.
I wasn't a Christian in the 90's so this is totally funny to read about the hot 90's Christian bands
Huckleberry, self titled.
I was ushered into 90s Christian music by Michael W. Smith's "Go West Young Man", but my favorite was Jesus Freak. I listened to that on repeat for quite a while.
I'd either agree with you on Plankeye or go with Mortal – Fathom
plankeye was awesome
For me it was SCC "The Great Adventure".
Gotta go with some Bleach or All Star United.
Hands down, Jesus Freak!
Had to be Ron Kenoly's Lift Him Up album for me. Rocked my world as a jazz/r&b sax player who loved to worship. Opened my eyes to see what I'm doing today.
Favorite CCM record was probably Jesus Freak. Such a departure for them and a really great record.
Toss-up between Snakes In the Playground and Scarecrow Messiah, both by Bride.
My top five:
1. Audio Adrenaline // Bloom
2. DCTalk // New Thang
3. Andrew Peterson // Carried Along
4. Michael W Smith // Go West Young Man
5. Steven Curtis Chapman // Heaven In the Real World
Jesus Freak totally. LOL
OK now I'm reading other replies, I really liked Go West Young Man too… but Jesus Freak still wins. I miss youth group now.
Charlie Peacock's The Secret of Time. I still love it.
that was so good
Has to be Jesus Freak. By FAR the best CCM album of that decade.
Going Public – Newsboys. So legit.
satellite soul and caedmon's call first album.
Like to see some Seven Day Jesus here. Great group!
Acappella Vocal Band – Song in my Soul … Look it up. Acappella greatness.
Simple. "Against the Law" Stryper.
NO. DE. BATE.
Audio A–Bloom
dc talk 'Jesus Freak' (most groundbreaking), Steve Taylor 'Squint' (most subversive), Charlie Peacock 'Everything That's On My Mind' (most intelligent & best artist website circa 1994).
Guardian – Miricle Mile.
that is a great album…but I also love Driver Eight's, Watermelon…
but my favorite by far…Black Eyed Sceva, Way Before the Flood
4Him – The Message
DC Talk – Free at Last
switchfoot: new way to be human
77's;The Choir; Altar Boys;Mike Stand;Utanda; Violet Burning; Lost Dogs;Michael Roe;Jars of Clay;Black-Eyed Sceva;Plankeye;Lifesavers Underground
great list.
This was my muzak!! I love those bands…
hmmm either the 1st third day cd or evolution from geoff moore and the distance
I remember Geoff Moore and the Distance. I remember seeing them in concert and loving the song "HomeRun"
well i was a kid in the 90's (born in 86) but I do remember going to see mylon lefevre and the broken hearts in concert a lot. I think my parents still have their tape.
Another guy that i remember a lot is rich mullens. Great artist.
I remember going over to my grandparents house and listening to his newest CD because they were the only ones we knew who had a CD player
JESUS FREAK!
DDC and a Plate Fulla Funk. MC Moses, "I parted the Red Sea. I parted the Red Sea!"
No Room to Breathe and 40 Days in the Wilderness (both by Dynamic Twins).
But I gotta go with Jesus Freak. Would also put King of Fools (Delirious?) and Jars of Clay (Self-Titled Debut) up there as well as the one and only Burlap to Cashmere album, "Anybody Out There". B2C is the one I still listen to the most. The sound is timeless.
Oh, man…bringin' back some memories!!!
Hmmm, maybe Jesus Freak? No, wait – Big Tent Revival – the first album. Oh, but I truly loved Burlap to Cashmere's only album, too.
Gospel Gangsta's w/ DJ Dove on the 1's & 2's.
I rocked that cassette hard in my '84 Honda Accord's boomin two speaker sound system
Wasn't 90s christian rap AWEsome???!!!!
Ha!
77's: Pray Naked.
A few favorites (hard to pick just one): Jars of Clay – Self Titled, Five Iron Frenzy – Our Newest Album Ever, and Switchfoot – New Way to Be Human.
Jars might be a winner.
Jars is most def the winner
That album was so sick that even the hidden track which was nothing but rehearsal was moving!
Another Jesus Freak lover here…though I also think Supernatural was just as good.
And Charlie Peacock everything…
OK – Jesus Feak was ground Breaking, but I wore out Geoff Moore and the Distance’s Pure and Simple
DC Talk's "Free At Last"
I still remember the concert.
Me I liked Dime Store Prophets, Mortal, Dryve, Shindig. Local bands that not many probably have heard of. I still like local music of all stripes.
I never thought in my life that I would ever hear someone reference Plankeye again. I loved them. 'spill' gave me hope for Christian music.
for me it was
Dogwood :: Through Thick and Thin
SDXC!
Audio A – Bloom
Smalltown Poets 1st cd. I had it stolen 3 times out of my car and I kept having to go rebuy it. Still listen to it today.
Wow, no Pedro the Lion….
Fred Hammond, Spirit of David
DC Talk, Jesus Freak & Free At Last
Crystal Lewis, Beauty For Ashes
Jars of Clay, Jars of Clay. Still great!
Frail—Jars of Clay
I loved Poor Old Lu in the mid 90's, Plankeye was a favorite and in the late 90's I was rocked by Delirious Cutting Edge!
Jesus Freak – DC Talk, no doubt about it,
Great Big Universe: Satellite Soul
Daniel Amos – Kalhoun and Motorcycle
Speechless by Steven Curtis Chapman.
Awesome list down memory road….How about the first Sonic Flood cd?
Steven Curtis Chapman-Great Adventure. I bought the tape when I got my first car and listened to it over and over and over…
DC Talk's "Jesus Freak", The 0.C. Supertones "Supertones Strike Back", Five Iron Frenzy's "Upbeat and Beatdowns", Burlap to Cashmere's album, Audio Adrenaline's "Some Kind of Zombie"… those are some of my then favorites.
SCC – "Speechless" – that thing still chokes me up all the way through
#1 Fav = JARS OF CLAY /// Self Titled ("Rain, rain on my face")
#2 Fav = DELIRIOUS /// Cutting Edge (Epic Groundbreaking Worship Music)
#3 Fav = DC TALK /// Free At Last ("She's That Kinda Girl")
What a Great blog topic – totally took me down Memory Lane!
the first Jars of Clay cd is still one of my favorite cds of all time
Zao – “Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest”
That CD revolutionized the entire metal scene. Amazing.
Johnny Q. Public – “Extra*Ordinary”
Really liked these guys. And their secret track was awesome – “Father Abraham”!
The Prayer Chain – Mercury
Seriously amazing. Get it and listen. Ahead of it's time.
Agreed.
Finally something decent on this list.
(though my fav was "neverland sessions".)
amen. this album still blows me away. the guitar playing is just ridicilously original, especially the last song. and what songs!
How has no one said MxPx? MxPx – Let it Happen. There, I said it. That and O.C. Supertones – Adventures of the O.C. Supertones.
Forgot to enhance my cred by saying: I had the cassette!
1. Plankeye – 'CommonWealth'
2. Dakota Motor Company – 'Welcome Race Fans'
3. PFR – 'Great Lengths'
Umm … I wasn't a Christian in the 90's. But my first Christian CD was Dogwood and I'm pretty sure they're from the 90's. I <3 Dogwood.
The Prayer Chain – Shawl. Saw them 6 or 7 times in one year…those guys were amazing.
You in So-Cal? If so I was probably at a few of those shows!
favorite "Christian" album? – King's X: Faith, Hope, Love
Stavesacre – Speakeasy
Common Children-Skywire
Lost Dogs – Scenic Route. Wore out the tape by playing it too much – anyone got the CD for sale?
same – loved Plankeye. Bleach was a close second
I have a few –
Pedro the Lion – Whole EP was my very first Christian album – got it on vinyl actually.
Stavesacre – Speakeasy
Five Iron Frenzy, Supertones, The W’s, etc
Good call. I loved Five iron and the tones.
White Heart – Tales of Wonder, 1992
Seven Day Jesus – self titled. No doubt.
I also had a secret love for Bryan Duncan's Mercy record…
Is it really safe to talk about 90's Christian rock, or is this a set up? Is someone waiting to jump out and make fun of us, or what?
I'm still a big Supertones fan. I have a poster of them right behind me in my office as I type this. I think Supertones Strike Back is probably still my favorite from then. I still listen to it, along with Jesus Freak and Bloom.
Sticks and Stones – the 77s
FREE AT LAST WAS THE GREATEST CHRISTIAN ALBUM EVER MADE! PERIOD.
bleach all star united, dc talk jesus freak, supertones strikeback, newsboys take me to your leader/step up to the microphone, dc talk supernatural, larue selftitled and transparent… so many!
STOP FOR A MINUTE. hands down the best 90's Christian pop album was "Heart In Motion" by Amy Grant. However, I would argue it's unholy to say anything besides Jesus Freak, that album changed the game..period.
Audio Adrenaline's 1996 album: Bloom. Even in my iTunes now.
Didn't listen to X'n music in the 90's – the 80's did me in!
Listen Closely – Smalltown Poets (Yes, I'm biased.) and "The Waiting" – The Waiting – both in 1998.
I loved Step Up to the Microphone for some reason.
I think it would be a tie between Amy Grants The Collection and Jesus Freak by DC Talk.
in god we trust – or does mc hammer count? cause "pray" was legit.
well i fought a good fight. i thought the battle had been one. I thought that it was over, until you came along. sweet as candy, sour as a lime. you rattled my cages…and took me for a ride!
love plankeye. I once saw that in concert with 6 other bands for $3.50
God's Property – God's Property and Kirk Franklin
The Nu Nation Project – Kirk Franklin
Shawl – The Prayer Chain
steve taylor: squint
third day's first cd
smalltown poets' first cd
DCTalk – New Thang
That's a toughy. Chris Rice, "Past the Edges", Fernando Ortega "Breaking the Dawn", Salvador's first album….Not sure if this is late 90s or early 00s. Cause I became a Christian in 97 but didn't discover Christian music till 98. When I came to Christ, I worshiped him though early Steve Wonder.. Serious.
JESUS FREAK. And I absolutely love that there are so many other freaks out here! My students make fun of me for listening to it because it's so "old". I loved it so much, i got the words "Jesus Freak" tattooed on my arm. extreme, maybe… and that was what – 12-13 years ago? HA.
Well, leaving Jesus Freak aside, since it has no equal in the last 2 decades, then I would say…
Whiteheart – Highlands
How is it even POSSIBLE that no one has even mentioned Rich freaking Mullins?
"A liturgy, a legacy, and a ragamuffin band" is the best Christian album of the 1990s and it isn't even close. An incredible, annointed, work of genius!
Wow Plankeye Commomnwealth! I forgot about that album! I gotta listen to it again
Thanks for reminding me.
I really liked Third Day's self titled debut in 1996. Those are still some of my favorite songs 13 years later.
I read this as favorite "Christmas" album instead of Christian… and I immediately thought of Barneaked Ladies, Barenaked for the Holidays which I don't even think was from the 90's but it was what came to mind and is so much fun to listen to…. so to NOT answer your question that would be my favorite Christmas album, well of course that would be after yours!!!
PFR – Great Lengths.
Waterdeep – to chase away the birds
Rich Mullins and Plank Eye were the two I was listening to the most.
Just found this post, Plankeye was my favourite Christian Band from the 90's. You've just gained a ton of cred with me los. Good job.
Steve Taylor – Squint
The Finish Line is still one of the best songs in existence
Carman
that'd be either The Violet Burning "Strength", Johnny Q. Public "Extra*Ordinary" or The Prayer Chain "Shawl". Commonwealth was great also and Plankeye rocked in concert.
There’s probably not an album in all these comments that I didn’t own or at least listen to.
Love JF. And anything by jars.
I was also super addicted to all things tooth and nail.
Joy electric
stavesacre
Pedro
supertones
mxpx
Juliana theory
danielson
Zao – “Where blood and fire bring rest” still to this day when i listen to “ravage rituial” I get goose bumps. I have never heard anything like that before or since. Awesome use of “The Prophecy” sound bits
P.O.D. – “Brown” come on people we still all know the acapela part of “Full Color”
Unashamed – “Reflection” Awesome God imo the single most covered song in all of underground metal