Reviewed by Simon Eden

Since 1996 there has been an annual Wow compilation album, but being a year ahead these are the hits of 2008 on the 2009 double album. The contributing artists of course comprise the best known American CCM artists with a few new faces, but as with any compilation not necessarily with the tracks that you may want. Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Third Day and Chris Tomlin sequentially start disk one, which generally comprises well known tracks from the mainstays of CCM including Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W Smith. The second disk leads out with my favourite version of "Everything Glorious" by David Crowder Band. The compilation introduces less well known names playing in a more indie rock style with the tracks by Fireflight and Red turning the volume up. Every track has earned its place, all worthy of being considered hits so you won't need to skip past any duds. The highlight is Toby Mac's "Love My Soul" with Kirk Franklin which with a touch of gospel in Mandisa's vocals steps out of the constraining mould of the all the other tracks. This album is good stuff though it has to be said it is pretty narrow stylistically as it is almost entirely US based pop-rock.

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