WoW Hits 2006

Track Listing

Disc 1:

Voice of Truth—Casting CrownsHoly Is the Lord—Chris TomlinBrave—Nichole NordemanHomesick—MercyMeMuch of You—Steven Curtis ChapmaYou Are Mine—Third DayLive for Today—Natalie GrantPresence—NewboysHealing Rain—Michael W. SmithHe Will Carry Me—Mark SchultzI Choose You—Point of GraceCarry You—Amy GrantNothing Without You—Bebo NormanKing—Audio AdrenalineAll My Praise—Selah

Disc 2:

Take You Back—Jeremy CampMirror—BarlowGirlHide—Joy WilliamsGone—tobyMacGod Will Lift Up Your Head—Jars of ClayAbout You—ZOEgirlBe My Escape—Relient KStrong Tower—KutlessHere Is Our King—David Crowder BandAll That I Can Do—Bethany DillonThe Space in Between Us—Building 429Pure—Superchic[k]Beautiful Love—The AftersThe Way to Begin—Krystal MeyersYou're Worthy of My Praise—Big Daddy Weave with BarlowGirlSounds like … sample platter of the biggest songs in Christian music from the industry's top artists (and a few newbies) in the pop, rock and worship genresAt a glance … probably the best compilation to date in the series' history, whether for new listeners to Christian music or wanting a recap of 2005's biggest hits

Now in its 10th year, the WoW Hits series has served a few purposes. For new Christian music fans, it's been a two-disc introduction to the genre with a variety of the industry's biggest players. For longtime fans, it's a yearbook of sorts with their favorite songs from the past year in one place. And for record labels, it's been a way to showcase new artists and to encourage fans to buy the full-length album of established musicians.

With more than 15 million albums sold, it's clearly working. This latest collection includes a dozen No. 1 singles and fourteen Top 10 songs from usual suspects Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman, Jeremy Camp, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay, MercyMe, and more. But it also captures the other success stories of 2005 by featuring Natalie Grant's "Live for Today" from her breakthrough album, Awaken, Relient K's crossover hit "Be My Escape," and Chris Tomlin's already classic modern worship track "Holy Is the Lord."

While I'm not exactly sure why an album of hits from 2005 would be labeled WoW Hits 2006, it's still one of the better installments of the series to date, save the fact that Switchfoot, arguably the biggest Christian music success story of 2005, is nowhere to be found—though that likely has more to do with the band's mainstream ties than anything else. Minor quibbles aside, this WoW is ultimately a great value that demonstrates how diverse Christian music is in the pop, rock and worship arenas.