By Kevin Pollard

• Starfield: The Saving One, Sparrow/EMI

B.C.’s own Starfield follow up their successful I Will Go (2008) with a stunning worship album. It captures the vulnerable heart of their music, and their passion for Christ. Their first single, ‘Rediscover You,’ is an honest plea for self-revival. This stark authenticity continues with ‘Something to Say,’ which questions where God has gone in times of spiritual drought.

But also found on this disk are songs of hope, such as ‘No Other Savior’; and the soaring, anthemic title track.

The two standout tracks are the guitar driven ‘Declaration of Dependence’; and ‘Top of My Lungs,’ which has a fun 80s sound. Once again, Starfield offers up instantly singable melodies and honest expressions of praise that should see plenty of radio play – and will undoubtably be sung in churches across North America.

You can catch Starfield at this year’s massive May 21 – 23 HistoryMaker youth conference in Langley.

• Skillet: Awake, Atlantic/Ardent/INO

Hard rock combo Skillet has been one of the top selling bands in Christian music for 10 years now. Their latest release should continue to draw in fans, thanks to the slick production of Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, P.O.D., Daughtry) – which features driving guitars with orchestral backing. This symphonic rock sound continues where they left off on their successful 2006 release, Comatose.

Highlights include ‘One Day Too Late’ and ‘Don’t Wake Me.’ But overall, I found too many dark and angry songs here, like ‘Never Surrender,’ ‘Monster’ and ‘It’s Not Me it’s You.’ The latter is your stereotypical angst-laden relationship song, with some unimpressive lyrics:“Let’s get the story straight: you are a poison, flooding through my veins. You’re driving me insane.”

• Thousand Foot Krutch: Welcome to the Masquerade, Tooth & Nail

These Canadian hard rock veterans are back with a brand new set of fist-pumping originals – including ‘Bring Me to Life’ and ‘Forward Motion.’ According to frontman Trevor McNevan , “the main concept is that we all hide things and wear masks at certain places in our lives. The longer we hide things, the more they eat away at us. The closer you get to knowing the truth, the harder these things are to hide.”

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The band recently got some mainstream exposure when country superstar Carrie Underwood gave props to two tracks from this album on her iTunes Celebrity Playlist. One track, ‘Fire it Up,’ drew these comments: “I love love love this band. They can do it all! Awesome. Trevor has amazing vocals, paired with giant guitars. Makes me jump around the room!”

Both Thousand Foot Krutch and Skillet will be at Rock the River in Cloverdale August 7.

• Tim Hughes: Happy Day (Live Worship, London), Survivor

Worship Central’s first events in Canada touch down in B.C. this month. The hosts will be worship leader Tim Hughes – and Ben Cantelon, originally from Vancouver, who is now working with Survivor Church in Watford, England.

These worship events launched in 2006, and have helped thousands around the world to encounter God,  and have empowered churches. Hughes will be featuring songs from this latest CD/DVD, including well known favourites like ‘Beautiful One,’ ‘Consuming Fire,’ ‘Here I Am to Worship’ – and of course, ‘Happy Day.’

New songs on Happy Day include the high energy ‘Dance’; the powerful anthem, ‘Jesus Saves’; and ‘Give Us Your Courage,’ which is sure to be the highlight of the event.

Worship Central will be at Christian Life Assembly in Langley, May 12; and Vancouver’s Coastal Church, May 13.

• Point of Grace: No Changin’ Us, Word/Curb/Warner

After 27 #1 singles and more than six million album sales, this female supergroup has decided to make a change.

They’ve left behind their signature contemporary pop sound, and traded it in for a banjo and pedal steel. The transition to country started with 2008’s How You Live, but this is their first studio album devoted to the new sound.

Although this new direction fits these women like a glove, it was disappointing that they could not feature at least a couple of their career hits in March, at their first concert performance in the Vancouver area; instead, they opted to play tracks from the new record.

Highlights include the up-tempo ‘He Holds Everything’; the radio hit, ‘Come to Jesus’; the playful take on motherhood, ‘Love and Laundry’; and the catchy title track.

May 2010