CCM Professor with Greg Rice

Tag: 1980s Christian Music

U2 - The Joshua Tree | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

#6: U2 — The Joshua Tree (1987)

Desert spirituality meets rock grandeur—an album of searching, lament, justice, and transcendent beauty.

Intro

Appearing in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, The Joshua Tree (1987) stands as a deeply influential

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Leslie Phillips - The Turning | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

#8: Leslie Phillips — The Turning (1987)

Art-rock reinvention—dark-hued textures, poetic lyrics, and the seismic shift that marked Phillips’ transformation into Sam Phillips.

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Appearing in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, The Turning (1987) stands as a

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Russ Taff - The Way Home | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

#11: Russ Taff — The Way Home (1989)

Americana gospel at its finest—earthy acoustics, soulful grit, and a return‑to‑roots testimony from one of CCM’s greatest voices.

Intro

Appearing in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, The Way Home

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Steve Taylor - Meltdown | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

#18: Steve Taylor — Meltdown (1984)

Satirical new wave with a prophetic edge—razor-sharp lyrics, angular riffs, and fearless critique of church and culture.

Intro

Appearing in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, Meltdown (1984) captures an artist at

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Phil Keaggy - Crimson And Blue | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

#20: Phil Keaggy — Crimson And Blue (1993)

Guitar virtuosity in service of worship—blues, rock, and devotional lyrics delivered with jaw-dropping musicianship.

Intro

Appearing in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, Crimson And Blue (1993) captures an artist

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Michael W. Smith - The Big Picture | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

#21: Michael W. Smith — The Big Picture (1986)

Synth-driven pop with prophetic punch—’80s sheen carrying songs about culture, compromise, and courageous faith.

Intro

Appearing in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, The Big Picture (1986) captures an

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Bruce Cockburn - Humans | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

#28: Bruce Cockburn — Humans (1980)

A turning point of honesty—urban folk textures carrying lament, longing, and hard-won spiritual clarity.

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Appearing in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, Humans (1980) stands as a defining statement for its

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Amy Grant - A Christmas Album | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

The Greatest CCM Christmas Albums — CR1: Amy Grant, A Christmas Album (1983)

A genre-defining Christmas release that blended pop warmth, orchestral sparkle, and heartfelt faith—and helped introduce CCM holiday music to the mainstream.

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Crowning the list at CR1

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Russ Taff - Medals | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

#36: Russ Taff — Medals (1985)

Gritty CCM rock forged with vocal fire—bold declarations of faith wrapped in radio-ready intensity.

Intro

Appearing in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, Medals (1985) represents a pivotal moment in the evolution

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Bebe & Cece Winans - Heaven | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music — #37: BeBe & CeCe Winans, Heaven (1988)

Sophisticated gospel-pop—silky harmonies, crossover-ready grooves, and songs that brought sanctuary hope to mainstream ears.

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Landing at #37 in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian

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