Rating:
Genre:
Gospel
Release Date: 10/04/2005
EMI Christian Music Group's compilation of "
worship with an edge" capped a period of breakout growth for
gospel's modern
rock subgenre. A handsome cross-section of artists contributed tracks including standard-bearer
Switchfoot (although it's disappointing that the group didn't release anything newer than
"Spirit," which appeared seven years prior on
Sparrow Records'
Listen: Louder sampler). The sounds on
X Worship 2006 target the 21-and-under crowd, leaning heavily toward variances of
post-punk, nu-
metal and
emo. Only three
ballads infiltrate the ranks -- the aforementioned
"Spirit," Thousand Foot Krutch's
"Breath You In," Showbread's
"Matthias Replaces Judas" -- leaving the album with a high pace and an impacting energy. Think
Angels and Airwaves,
Linkin Park, and
Foo Fighters with uplifting lyrics -- a result for the most part rather enchanting. Tracks by
Underoath and
the Showdown try a little too hard to push the boundaries of
worship music with sudden mid-song breaks into incessant
Pantera-esque screaming. Regardless,
X Worship 2006 is the pride of every
Tony Hawk-era believer who has no intentions of "selling out" with lighter alternatives.
~Jared Johnson, All Music Guide