Thousand Foot Krutch seems to have “done it again” with the release of “The Art of Breaking” – their third studio release.

Signed to Tooth & Nail Records, these guys seem to have continued in their success due to being backed by arguably the largest “Christian Underground” label to date.

From their website (www.artofbreaking.com) to their album design, these guys are seemingly “larger than life” these days.

Musically they sound very much the same on this album as their last, “Phenomenon”. I would have liked to have heard a bit more maturity in their sound on this album.

My guess is that these guys will continue to make music for a long, long time – plenty of time for me to get my request for “more maturity”!

Matisyahu’s LIVE album, “LIVE @ Stubb’s” is absolutely incredible. After listening to “Shake of the Dust…Arise” a couple dozen times, to listen to a LIVE concert of Matisyahu’s, I’m even MORE intrigued by this guy’s devotion to God of the Old Testament.

Mixed in with a few “song intros”, these tracks speak of God in Old Testament fashion. Songs about Moses, the Israelites, and numerous other OT characters are found within the reggae lyrics makng up this disc.

12-tracks and 5-seconds shy of 1-hour, the disc is SECOND on my “most played” these days, second only to the studio album by Matisyahu.

Track 7 is one of my favorites because of it’s beatbox sounds. My favorite, though, is “Warrior” by Matisyahu both on this album and his studio album!

Again, Matisyahu’s website: www.hasidicreggae.com

For my birthday, Jess purchased Matisyahu’s debut album, “Shake of the Dust…Arise!”, though she couldn’t find it available at Sam Goody or Walmart. She had me buy it for $9.99 on iTunes (before my birthday, even!)

This album has probably been the most played on both my iTunes computer software and in the car these days. I just can’t seem to get enough of this style of reggae/hip-hop.

Matisyahu is NOT a Christian. Matisyahu is a Hasidic Jew with an amazing devotion to God of the Old Testament. His lyrics surround his praise for God the Father, but sadly remain silent about God’s only son, Jesus.

An attempt at contacting Matisyahu Miller has been made after I felt the Holy Spirit’s leading, but has yet to happen.

After listening to this album, a conclusion came to my mind: no matter how “devoted” to God we may “look” or “act” on the outside, we can still be “lost”!

More on Matisyahu at his website: www.hasidicreggae.com

Jess purchased Andy Hunter’s newest album, “Life” for my birthday.

Andy Hunter is “Christian Music’s” Moby in that his music is similar, though I’d say Andy Hunter’s style is more professional!

Andy has been featured on numerous movie soundtracks and trailers. This album’s second track, “Come On” was even featured on the trailer for the film, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”. His other tracks have been in films like “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Italian Job”.

His website, www.andyhunter.com, boasts some “coming soon” music downloads.

Thanks to my buddy and fellow pastor, Glen Robinson, I have been basking in all the goodness that is the “Stonetree” album by Josh Garrels. Twelve-tracks of some of the best “recorded-in-a-bedroom” music I think I’ve ever heard.

Hailing from Indiana, Garrels calls this album an album “which was heavily beat influenced, with elements of folk, spirituals, hip-hop, and spoken word.”

My favorite track is #2 – a continual praise in that it’s only lyric is “Alleluia” over and over again. Surprisingly, Garrels has made this track available for download via this link.

I enjoy track #3 very much because of it’s hip-hop influence.

More on Josh Garrels at his website: www.joshgarrels.com