. . . new Christian pop releases.
It’s been a bit of a dark day in my world: Both my computer and the office coffee maker are on the fritz.
But, I have a new Pillar CD to write about, so things aren’t so bad. 
Chances are a lot of original Pillar fans were somewhere in the 13 to 16 range when they latched onto the quartet around the turn of the century. (I think we have enough distance to start calling the late 1990s, early 2000s that, now.) Those original pillars of the fanbase have grown since those dial-up days, and so has the band. The Reckoning is a muscular, mature effort by a group that is exploring its sonic palate and diversifying its subject matter. This disc can be as raw as the opening track, Everything, or poignant as Angel in Disguise, a tough song about sexual abuse. The latter tune shows the band has the courage to navigate into treacherous waters, and in doing so they explore a songwriting style we are not used to from Pillar. We highly recommend the deluxe edition, particularly if you are a musician. The bonus DVD includes two hours of concert footage and a segment with each member of the band talking about their respective contributions to the album. As a budding guitarist, I really liked Noah Henson’s segment, even if I’m not quite prepared to tune my Strat to Drop-C and play his licks.
The big message here, if we haven’t gotten it already, is Pillar is here to stay, and its fanbase should grow with this impressive effort.
Also looking to grow their fanbase today is Skillet, which releases Comatose, and Todd Agnew offers a Christmas effort, Do You See What I See. Considering what Agnew has done with classic hymns such as Amazing Grace and Come Ye Sinners, it should be cool to hear his take on the Yuletide season. 
We don’t trumpet too many “various artists” releases here at Copious Notes, but WOW is the major franchise of Christian pop and WOW Hits 2007 drops today, along with greatest hits CDs from Michael W. Smith, Rich Mullins, T.D. Jakes and Twila Paris.
~ Check in later this week, Ichthus fans and other cCm lovers with good taste. We had a little sit down with Shake Anderson of the Ascenxion Band last week, and we'll bring you the highlights of that chat before the group's Saturday night gig at Asbury. Also Saturday, the print edition of rc talk will be in YOUR Herald-Leader's Faith & Values section.
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