Back for Four

Wow, that was a break...vacation to Illinois will do that!

No. 4: DC Talk - Jesus Freak

How can you not include the most influential, ground-breaking, and significant Christian album of all-time? (Yes, and I DO still put three albums on top of this!)

DC Talk had already made a name for itself as a Christian rap group. With Jesus Freak, however, they turned the Christian music world on its ear. The bevy of talents and strengths of Toby McKeehan, Kevin Smith, and Michael Tait exploded into a style NO ONE has EVER reproduced, Christian or mainstream. The resulting album established DC Talk as the most influential group in Christian music and also helped open the door for Christian crossover music (which was later blown open by Jars of Clay with "Flood.")

Let me list off the names involved with the Jesus Freak album - some were big names when the album came out in 1995, some used it as a springboard. Aside from the three members of DC Talk there was Mark Heimerman (song writer and producer), Charlie Peacock (song writer and Christian music extraordinaire), Billy Graham (evangelist with "audio cameo"), Todd Collins (future Gotee Brother and producer), Otto Price (stud bass player and future producer), Jerry McPherson (guitars and future lead of Seven Day Jesus), Chris Rodriguez (solo Christian artist), and Zilch (backing band with later turned into Sonicflood.) Wow, that is THE most heavy weight list of names I have ever seen.

The artistry and poetry of the album are rarely duplicated in Christian music. And the single "Jesus Freak" has to be one of the best songs in Christian music ever.

What can I say?...Jesus Freak was just an outstanding album. Just outstanding. Hail to the Chief(s).