Mike Rimmer and Tony Cummings choose their favourite songs from their favourite 2006 albums

The Newsboys - Your Love Is Better Than Life
From 'Go' (Inpop)
After those rather dull worship albums the Boys are back with 'Go', their rockiest and wittiest release for years. And with the addition of Paul Colman they've added a new songwriting and vocal talent to their armoury. This song has, I believe, lead vocals from Mr Colman as he intones in a spoken monologue some of the numerous things he doesn't know. With the thick Australian accent resembling, to these ears at least, Cockney the whole thing almost has a Chas & Dave flavour while the repeated "I dunnos" take us hilariously into the telling chorus "Your love is better than life/Without your love it's all a mindless routine," it soars and then builds into overlapping passage of chorus and monologue with scintillating electronic effects. One of the cleverest cuts you'll hear this or any year.
Tony Cummings
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)

The 29th Chapter - This Little Gangsta
From Underdogz' (OTR)
Let's get real about this, the faux gangsta culture that is part of hip hop is more than pathetic especially when the impressionable start trying to live out their musical fantasies in real life. Gun crime is a growing problem that Christian hip hoppers have started to address in their music and here's The 29th Chapter's take on the issue. They've taken an ironic humorous approach to stop people in their tracks and make them think about things. It's a clever move and the song's jerky groove and perky rhymes hit home harder than some of the more serious attempts at making a statement.
Mike Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)

The Burn Band - Joy
From 'All From You' (Vineyard Music UK)
Unexpectedly, I have to admit, my trip to St Albans Vineyard to see this album launched proved to be one of the most exhilarating musical experiences of the year. Here was a church band who could truly rock out yet whose powerful songs engaged all who heard them to go beyond the shallow community singing that passes for worship in many a church. "Joy", penned by The Burn Band's singer/guitarist Sam Lane, was a big turntable hit on Cross Rhythms radio - a rare feat indeed for a church ministry band - and a song that asks the most pertinent of questions, "Have you felt his life within you?/Have you felt the truth release you?" before its anthemic chorus declares that it's the Lord who's the love, the hope and the joy. Rock worship of passion and power.
Tony Cummings
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)

Leeland - Tears of The Saints
From 'Sound Of Melodies' (Essential)
Teenage prodigy Leeland Mooring has had a busy year with the release of his 'Sound Of melodies' debut album and co-writing half of Michael W Smith's 'Stand' album. "Tears Of The Saints" is a stunning stirring song that captures a heart to reach out beyond the walls of the church and see a generation come to Christ. Whether it's prodigals returning to their first love or others discovering Christ for the first time, this is a moving prayer for God to move, the church to wake up and things to change. The swirling strings, the passionate vocals and the build up from where he sings "sinner reach out your hands." after about four minutes, sends shivers down my spine every time!
Mike Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)

John Cox - Wash Them Away
From 'Sanctuary' (Kalibone)
It's one of those CCM mysteries why this acoustic singer/songwriter from Chico, Texas has only released three CDs in a decade. What I can say is that John manages to achieve that most difficult of tasks, writing songs that speak direct spiritual truth that, on the one hand, avoid the irritating contrivance of obscure metaphor yet on the other resist those tried-and-tested clichés which clog the lyric writing of so many Christian songwriters seeking to minister. Like many of the songs on 'Sanctuary', John effortlessly finds the middle ground. This haunting song ponders the staggering truth that all memory of our sins has been washed away from the divine mind. The production, by Zodlounge, is inspired too with an eerie electric guitar similar in sound to that extraordinary Twin Peaks soundtrack from a while back.
Tony Cummings
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)

Candi Staton - His Hands
From 'His Hands' (Honest Jons)
I don't know whose idea it was to get the legendary R&B and gospel diva to apply her delicious vocal talents to Will Oldham's "His Hands" but it was a decision made in Heaven. Will's dark narratives of brokenness and hurt probably aren't for mass tastes but here his classic song - recounting first the pleasure then the pain caused by the hands of an abusive lover and then, in the song's unforgettable climax, the consolation and healing wrought by the hands of the Lord himself - make it one of the most creatively daring songs penned for many a long year. The arrangement is perfect too - old school Southern soul recreated effortlessly by a bunch of hand picked Muscle Shoals session musicians with Barry Beckett's B3 giving just the kind of sonorous underpinning to bring out all the world-weary pathos of Candi's vocal.
Tony Cummings
(£11.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)

Verra Cruz - Guns In The Distance
From 'Emancipation Day' (Fierce!)
A taut, throbbing rock song that stands at the thematic heart of their 'Emancipation Day' album, "Guns In The Distance" stares into the face of the rotting human condition and dares to hope that there's a brighter alternative. And the lyric "lately I've been hoping or dare I say praying, about heavy chain breaking, emancipations and revelations." sums up a yearning desire for spiritual change and impact that drives Verra Cruz forwards. The fact they've said it in such a forceful fashion stirs the listener every time.
Mike Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)