Once a niche category, Christian music is shifting from Christian bookstores to Virgin MegaStores. Many of the big labels–EMI, Sony BMG, the Warner Music Group–are buying small Christian labels. And groups such as Relient K are following, and jumping over, the footsteps of Michael W. Smith and dc Talk. Here’s a rundown of some of the bigger acts.
Relient K
Sounds like: A Blink-182 punk-pop edge, minus the whole “running around naked in music videos” thing.
Trivia: Runner-up for “best album name ever”: “Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right … But Three Do.”
Casting Crowns
Sounds like: Praise music with big choruses and earthy rock-guitar edge.
Trivia: “Lifesong,” the band’s latest CD, debuted at No. 9 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart.
Jars of Clay
Sounds like: Alt-rock.
Trivia: The group’s latest disc, “Redemption Songs,” gives traditional hymns a rock edge.
Donnie McClurkin
Sounds like: Warm, soulful voice, in the vein of Luther Vandross.
Trivia: Again won the Grammy for best contemporary soul gospel album in 2003.
Nicole C. Mullen
Sounds like: Alicia Keys with a funky hip-hop twist.
Trivia: She wrote Jaci Velasquez’s hit, “On My Knees.”
Newsboys
Sounds like: Backstreet Boys. Maybe even Duran Duran. Definitely not ‘N Sync.
Trivia: Hands-down winner for “best album name ever”: “Hell Is for Wimps.”
tobyMac
Sounds like: Blend of hip-hop, rock, dance and rap with a spiritual message.
Trivia: Before solo discs, tobyMac was one-third of the ’90s mega-trio dc Talk.
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Edited by Curt Wagner (cwwagner@tribune.com) and Victoria Rodriguez (vrodriguez@tribune.com)
