Released 15 years ago today, this is the tenth album of new songs by British worship leader Matt Redman. Matt Redman has been leading praise and worship at churches and around the world for over 30 years now, and with this album and all his albums since, he has recorded his albums live with an audience singing along to the songs, whereas many of his previous albums were recorded in a studio in a more traditional manner. This album is full of quality songs of worship and praise to God by this artist who has written some of the most popular modern songs sung by churches today. "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)", is still a top song sung in churches around the world, and the chorus of worshipers singing behind Matt and the band creates a nice vibe. I really enjoy the mix of styles of songs here, as the title track and "Holy" are more mid-tempo, but songs like "Here For You", "We Are The Free" and "We Could Change The World" are upbeat, driving praise songs. At an hour long it's by no means a short album, but it doesn't really drag on like some of today's modern worship albums. This is one of my favorite and most-listened-to releases from this long-time Christian artist, and you might want to give it a listen and be blessed by the lyrics.

Release Year: 2011
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Released two weeks ago today, this is the seventh album by South African rock band Tree63 and their first album in over a decade. About 30 years ago, John Ellis started the band Tree, which would be renamed to Tree63 a few years later. The band has been mostly inactive for the last 16 years but had a few reunion shows and one album, and now Ellis has formed the band again with new bandmates and the blessing of the other former members. As with many of their previous albums, this is an arena rock band with a sound something like U2 and just three members, John Ellis doing lead vocals with Angus Warden on drums and Deon Knipe on bass. And like their music in the 1990s and early 2000s, especially, this is quality rock 'n' roll with hopeful, original Christian lyrics. The production may not be as polished as previous albums, but it's still well-done and adds a more indie rock vibe. This album hasn't immediately blown me away like 63 and The Life And Times Of Absolute Truth did, but it's a good start for what is somewhat a new band, and I expect I will like it more with more listens. It's great to have Tree63 back unexpectedly! I hope they keep putting out new music and can make it as a band for many years to come.

Release Year: 2026
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Released 20 years ago today, this is an album of songs that Johnny Cash recorded at 71 years old, just months before his death, though it was not released until a few years after his death. His iconic bass-baritone voice is a bit more ragged than it was in the decades before, but it's still beautiful, and star Producer Rick Rubin helps Cash craft a beautiful, timeless country instrumentation for these songs. Only a few of the songs, "Like The 309" and "I Came To Believe", are written by Cash and the rest are covers. Some of these songs like "Help Me" and "I'm Free From The Chain Gain Now", Cash had originally recorded 30-40 years before, but these are new recordings. And all of the covers, from songwriters such as Hank Williams, Gordon Lightfoot and Bruce Springsteen, are remade into Cash's own, classic country style. Johnny Cash talks about his faith in God and his struggles through these songs, and like he has always done, brings that back-woods, southern vibe to the world's listening audience. This album is one I've only started listening to in the last few years, but it is a striking collection of some of the final recordings from this American icon. Thank you, God, for Johnny Cash and happy Independence Day to those who celebrate.

Release Year: 2006
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