MATT CONNER, CONTRIBUTOR

1. Jars of Clay, The Long Fall Back To Earth (Gray Matters/Essential)
The best get better with stronger pop sensibilities than ever before.

2. David Crowder Band, Church Music (sixstepsrecords)
Crowder continues to defy genre boundaries.

3. Philip LaRue, Let the Road Pave Itself (BEC)
Honest songwriter effort proves itself to be surprise of the year.

4. Falling Up, Fangs (BEC)
Concept album raises Oregon act to new levels.

5. Steven Curtis Chapman, Beauty Will Rise (Sparrow)
Chapman saves his best for last with this career highlight.

6. MuteMath, Armistice (Warner Bros.)
The long-awaited second effort is better than advertised.

7. Thrice, Beggars (Vagrant)
Dustin Kensrue & Co. continue to create some of rock's most inventive moments.

8. Jason Gray, Everything Sad Is Coming Untrue (Centricity)
Most unheralded songwriter in the entire industry shines again.

9. Tal & Acacia, Wake Me (Essential)
Dynamic quirk-pop effort that delivers year's strongest debut.

10. Derek Webb, Stockholm Syndrome (INO)
Relentlessly explores sonic and lyrical turns like none other.

ANDREW GREER, CONTRIBUTOR

1. Sara Groves, Fireflies & Songs (INO)
With so much emotion in a single phrase, Groves' latest catalogs more impeccable heartache hymns in yet another installment of her personal discography. For the good days, and the bad, Groves is a best bet.
 
2. Switchfoot, Hello Hurricane (Atlantic/lowercase people/Credential)
I've never been a big fan of Switchfoot. Honestly. But this record, lyrically and musically, packs more punch per track than most rock records dare. It's official: these guys are around for good.

3. Sara Watkins, Sara Watkins (Nonesuch)
Former Nickel Creek-er Watkins' plaintive originals make perfect dance partners for her impeccable cover selections on a record that captures the essence of folk.

4. Steven Curtis Chapman, Beauty Will Rise (Sparrow)
Never at the top of my list, this is not a sympathy card. Chapman has laid his heart on the line, and we listeners are all the better for it. Thank you, Steven.

5. Skillet, Awake (Atlantic/Ardent/INO)
With major label pop accessibility, hardcore tendencies, schmaltzy tunes and penetrating heavy hitters, I can't help but love these guys. Awake was the record Skillet was born to make.

6. Jason Crabb, Jason Crabb (Spring Hill)
Every note this guy sings has a teardrop. With such a moving set of pipes and an equally stirring set list, everyone should introduce themselves to this country gem.

7. Lanae Hale, Back & Forth (Centricity)
Creative production. Unique voice. Stellar songs. Loads of talent. The best new artist debut of the year by far.

8. Derek Webb, Stockholm Syndrome (INO)
This was the record to love or hate. But wading through its thick production and Webb's meaty lyrics was more eye opening (and fun!) than I had assumed.

9. BeBe & CeCe, Still (Malaco)
C'mon y'all. Considering two gospel greats reunite after 15 years, I was tempted to put this record at No. 1.

10. Phil Wickham, Heaven & Earth (INO)
To quote my own review: "If Heaven & Earth is indicative of the music of heaven, then I can't wait to die." Sums it up, don't you think?

To read reviews of these albums, visit CCMmagazine.com/reviews/music.

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**This feature first published on January 21, 2010.