Artist: Me In Motion

Album: Me In Motion

Release Date: March 23, 2010

Me In Motion, a Nashville-based alternative rock trio, bring us something new to the table with their debut self-titled album. Featuring some catchy alt. rock mixed with elements of high energy pop, they really play some great music. Containing many, catchy, radio-friendly song, this album does not disappoint.

Starting off with the alt. rock anthem, as well as the current radio single, "Losers" is for anyone who as ever felt alone or essentially like a "loser". It talks about how Jesus loves everyone and is truly an inspirational song. Following is one of the highlights titled "The God I Know", which is about breaking past fear and letting our Faith show, just like Jesus did. "Gotta Be Something" starts off somewhat darker, spreading a message about not falling into the cultural norm and really pursuing being something more.

The album is slowed down a bit with "Seek Justice, Love Mercy", which has a powerful message about God calling us to seek justice and mercy. A very powerful song if I do say so myself. The upbeat tempo picks up again on "Leaving Here Someday". It tells us the important message that we need to live our lives like God wants us too, since we will all leave here someday. "You Never Fail Me" talks about the importance of trusting in God, who never fails us.

"Back To You" is written about the prodigal son, and pleas "I'm coming home, running back to You". The song "Welcome To Your Life" deals with the power of accepting Jesus, and saying goodbye to the ways of the world, and when you does this, you are a new person. "Here In The Middle" is really about living for God while we are here on Earth. The album draws to a close with "You Move Me", a worship song about how God is our inspiration and that He moves us.

Rating: 9/10 Me In Motion bring us an overall outstanding debut album. Featuring a catchy alt. rock sound layered with high energy pop, Me In Motion really praises God. Ranging from a variety of topics, the music has one sole message that God loves us and will never leave or fail us. Me In Motion shows much potential and will be a breakout band in 2010!

Artist: Hearts of Saints

Album: Hearts of Saints

Release Date: 1/26/10

Label: Revolution Arts/Provident

Hearts of Saints are a four-piece pop/rock band out of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. I would describe their style as more high-energy styled pop/rock. The lyrical themes include and reflect a good relationship with God, as well as the importance of believing in Him.

Well most of the tracks are high energy and upbeat, I find beauty in the album's softer song, a worship tune titled "Recapture Me". It is one of the better worship songs a band has pulled off nowadays, and pleas "Set my heart on fire, oh God". Luckily, this is also the band's current radio single, so listen for it on the radio soon. The other highlight on the album is titled "Over & Over", a great upbeat rocker about the importance of having a relationship with God.

Something that really disappointed me on this album was the song "Monster". In the past year, so many artists have had songs titled "Monster" and now it's just starting to feel like a trend. But the album does still have its high points, but has a bit to work on.

Rating: 6/10 Hearts of Saints brings us an album full of upbeat, high energy pop/rock tunes. They do have a bit to work on, but show great effort. Check out "Recapture Me", "Over & Over" and "Hello Grace".

Lifehouse is set to releases their new album Smoke & Mirrors on March 2nd, but for some reason, it looks like it will release to Christian retailers a week early (February 23rd). The new single is called "Halfway Gone". They will be on tour with Daughtry this spring. Here is the tracklisting:

The Rocket Summer aka Bryce Avary will release his new album titled Of Men and Angels on February 23rd. He recently performed at To Write Love on Her Arms' benefit concert "Heavy & Light 2010". His new single from the album is titled "Walls". He also has an EP titled You Gotta Believe which features three tracks from the album.

Tracklisting:

1. Roses
2. You Gotta Believe
3. Hills & Valleys
4. I Want Something To Live For
5. Walls
6. Pull Myself Together (Don't Hate Me)
7. Of Men and Angels
8. I Need A Break - But I'd Rather Have A Breakthrough
9. Nothing Matters
10. Japanese Exchange Student
11. Tara, I'm Terrible
12. Hey!
13. Let You Go
14. This Is A Refuge
15. Light

These both look like great albums to check out!

Artist: Take It Back!

Album: Atrocities

Release Date: 11/10/09

Label: Facedown Records

Atrocities, Take It Back!'s sophomore album features many changes. A new lead vocalist, bass player and certain other things. Now, Take It Back! is a hardcore punk band, which we don't see much of in the Christian scene nowadays. They blend yelling with some great clean vocals along the way, leading to an album that overall may sound great. Now, featured on the album is two songs from the EP "Rumors of Revolt", released last August. Personally for me, the EP showed much hope and anticipated me for Atrocities.

Now, get this straight, the album isn't exactly an instant classic on first listen. The yelling loses me somewhat along the musical journey. There is really no actually "hardcore" screaming until the album's highlight "What We're Fighting For", which also features some powerful clean vocals. The clean vocals are also heard on various parts on the album, but would be much better if they were on about 50 percent of every song.

Now to the lyrical content. The album is not your typical punk styled album with songs about girls and love, but actually features some thoughtful lyrics. The main lyrical message is that the church and Christian body does have problems, and needs to improve on certain aspects. In "What We're Fighting For", it talks about how Christians can get in fights with each other, even though they are on the same side in reality. A great message if you ask me.

Rating: 6/10 Atrocities will not be an instant classic on first listen, and has some things to work on, but shows hope in its message. TiB! will have a big future ahead of them, but they could use a little less yelling and more clean vocals.

Acoustic-pop duet Poema made up of sisters Elle and Shealeen will be releasing their debut album (or EP) on March 23rd, 2010 on Tooth & Nail. There will be a review up of their demo EP from last year as well coming soon.

Queens Club will be releasing their debut full-length album as well on March 23rd on T&N. I wasn't the biggest fan of their "Nightmarer" EP last year, but I have to admit, it was an entertaining listen. I'm excited to see what will come of this album.

Me in Motion will be releasing their new debut album in stores on March 23rd on Centricity. I saw them live back in October and it was a great show! There will be a review of this album very soon as well. I will also be putting my long awaited concert review from them as well up at Rock the Cross soon.

Pop/rock band Luminate will be releasing their new self-titled EP on Sparrow on March 23rd. They have a new fresh take on worship. For the meantime you can go check out their new single "Shine (Love Is An Action)" on iTunes right now.

The yearly rock compilation, X2010 will be releasing on April 6th, stay tuned for the tracklisting.

Possibly my biggest anticipated album of 2010, The Classic Crime will be releasing their new album titled "Vagabonds" on April 6th. Who's excited? Thoughts?

Pushed back yet again, Secret & Whisper will finally be releasing their sophomore album "Teenage Fantasy" on April 6th. These guys have a Saosin-like sound to them and are great!

Tooth & Nail will be releasing yet another anthology, this time for Emery. It is titled "Are You Listening?" ("Walls" anyone?) and will be releasing April 6th. It will feature "The Weak's End", "The Question" and "I'm Only A Man".

Unfortunately, The Letter Black's new debut full-length album was pushed back to a release date of March 30th.

So looks like March and April will be big release months! Get excited!

For those of you Fair fans out there, their new single for "Disappearing World" released today to iTunes and AmazonMP3. Go check it out. Their new album titled Disappearing World releases in stores and online February 9th. You can pre-order it currently right here bundled with a Fair t-shirt. The album is one to get excited for and sounds great!

The Letter Black will be releasing their debut full-length album on February 23rd titled Hanging On By A Thread on Tooth & Nail Records. The first single off the album is the self-titled track. It will feature three songs from their debut EP which released last September. Here is the tracklisting:

Sanctus Real will be releasing their new album titled Pieces of A Real Heart on March 9th. It features their single "Forgiven".

Tracklisting:

Adie Camp, otherwise known as just Adie will be releasing her new album Just You and Me on BEC Recordings on March 9th. The radio single is titled "Where Could I Go".

Tracklisting:

Demon Hunter will release The World Is A Thorn on March 9th. The first single is titled "Collapsing".

Tracklisting:

1. Descending Upon Us
2. LifeWar
3. Collapsing
4. This Is The Line
5. Driving Nails
6. The World Is A Thorn
7. Tie This Around Your Neck
8. Just Breathe
9. Shallow Water
10. Feel As Though You Could
11. Blood In The Tears

What releases are you excited for?