And now, on with the countdown

No. 13: Steven Curtis Chapman - Declaration

Let me first say that from here on in, these are albums that I can listen to ANYtime. Sometimes I only listen to certain music when I'm in certain moods, but the final 13 albums on my list transcend mood.

Frankly, I never got into SCC's music all that much...I only own two of his albums. But I guess based on two things I bought this CD. I met him once and he seemed incredibly humble, knowledgeable, respectable, and...normal; and two, a couple songs on this album are written about a missionary martyr I was named after.

Steven Curtis Chapman. Declaration. I hesitate to write about this one because I can't do it justice. Theologically it is probably one of THE best albums I have ever heard. And the production is simply outstanding...I continue to hear little sounds, phrases, layers, instruments...oooohhh, and that is what makes music good to me.

"No Greater Love" and "God Follower" are the two songs about the story of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, and EdMcully. Mincaye, one of the five's murderers who is now converted, chants in his native tongue on "No Greater Love." And that transition from that song and Mincaye's chanting into "God is God" (both musically and thematically) is divine.

"Bring It On" is an incredible flair on something Oswald Chambers wrote, "Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them." And "Magnificent Obsession" is a cry I only wish my heart had for God.

Please, if you're going to buy one album out of all the ones I talk about here, buy this one. Declaration is incredible. I only put it at 13 beacause my musical taste is a little more towards rock than SCC usually does. But for anyone with less of a rock taste than me (which is most of you reading this), this is for you!