Spring Showers

Compilations usually don't make for exciting reviews. However, this spring comes with a shower of extraordinary collections. These compilations offer a wide variety of music/artists that can give the cautious buyer a chance to sample before they invest. Compilations such as these also make for great gifts!

The first one I wish to talk about is "X 2003 - Experience the Alternative." This is a two CD set packed with the extreme of Christian music. The first CD starts off with TobyMac's "Get This Party Started," which sets the theme of the entire collection. Other party songs include "Superfly" by the O.C. Supertones, "Speaking In Tongues" by the Elms, and "Lift Me Up" by The Benjamin Gate. The art work and selection of artists almost purposely seems to be chosen for its ability to slip under the radar of the mainstream; in essence planting small seeds into an unsuspecting purchaser.

www.x2003.com

Secondly, we have "WOW Worship" (Yellow) which is by far the best WOW collection I've experienced. Out of two CD's you get seven new exclusive recordings including Jars of Clay on "Be Thou My Vision," Caedmon's Call singing "Majesty," and Mark Shultz on "Shout To the Lord," and all together there are over 30 praise and worship hits on these two CD's. Best of all there seems to be a finely-tuned mix of modern worship tossed in with worship classics.

www.wowworship.com

"DOVE Hits 2003" brings you up to speed with 18 songs from the latest Dove nominated artists and songs. This collection is shorter than the WOW collection but someday when they put all these together it will make an awesome box set. One specific thing about "Dove Hits 2003" is the multi-artist tribute to Michael W. Smith titled "Friends 2003."

www.dovehits.com

- Ken W.