Wow Hits 2001
The folks at Sparrow Records give us the most diverse collection yet in this increasingly popularWowseries. The 30-plus tracks (there are three bonus tracks) testify that contemporary Christian music (CCM) in the first year of the new millennium was worthy. Mainstream acts like Steven Curtis Chapman ("Dive"), Michael W. Smith ("This Is Your Time"), and DC Talk  ("Red Letters") are represented, but so are developing singer-songwriters like Nichole Nordeman ("Every Season"), Ginny Owens ("Free"), and Jennifer Knapp ("Into You"). The praise-and-worship contingent is also covered with Passion's live version of "America," Third Day's "King of Glory," and Delirious's "God You Are My God." You've even got an old-time gospel testimonial in CeCe Winans's moving "Alabaster Box." P.O.D.'s delightful "Set Your Eyes to Zion" and Avalon's pop masterpiece "Always Have, Always Will" never made it to the top of mainstream CCM radio but get their rightful listing onWow 2001, truly a wonderful collection of music and a reason to remain hopeful for the future of CCM.--Michael Lyttle