SOUL P.
The Premiere
Beatmart Recordings
Basics: While not a straight-up gospel disc, fans of the hip-hop genre will appreciate Soup P.’s artistry and outreach.
Sounds Like: Any track from The Premiere would blend in seamlessly on Top 40/R&B stations.
Noteworthy: Soul P. has performed with the likes of KJ-52, Ohmega Watts and LA Symphony.
Standout Songs: After an “all eyes on me” opener and hands-in-the-air anthem, The Premier gets bolder with talk of “clashing with sin” and being “focused on Christ” (“Step Clap”). He blasts materialistic rappers in “Money More.” The love song “You Make Me” shows respect for a virtuous woman.
Soundbyte: “I'm here to give a message of hope to those like me who've dealt with their own struggles. It's like Allen Iverson finally getting the chance to play pro ball. To those who are going through something, keep believing, 'cause you will have a premier." — Soul P.
Shuffle: Soul Plasma (Soul P. for short) grew up among gang bangers and crack cocaine—a lifestyle he sampled and found empty. Now he’s an emcee for the Lord, reaching into that urban quagmire with bombastic hip-hop that examines familiar struggles while rationing out God references without being preachy. Fans of the genre will appreciate Soul P.’s artistry and outreach.
JACKSON WATERS
Come Undone
Word Records
Basics: Coldplay-style instrumentation and hopeful lyrics fuse to form a disc that soothes any musical déjà vu this disc might induce.
Sounds Like: Occasionally similar to Maroon 5. Musical influences apparently range from Keith Green and Steven Curtis Chapman to Black Crowes and Boyz II Men.
Noteworthy: Music from Come Undone was featured in a Thanksgiving-day episode of The WB’s “One Tree Hill.”
Standout Songs: Lead singer David Leonard praises God for taking away sorrow (“Who I am, who I used to be are more than worlds apart”). Then he tries to persuade others to find similar peace in surrender (“Give It All Away,” “Let It Fly”). Songs also urge a frazzled friend to hold on “One More Day.”
Soundbyte: “We all have a past and things we’ve done wrong, but we have a Father who loves us despite our imperfections. I
think that’s the beauty of Christianity.” —David Leonard
Shuffle: Darkness. Rain. Clouds. They’re common symbols of pain and discouragement on Jackson Waters’ empathetic Come Undone. The disc extends an outstretched arm to those tossed about and drowning in the sea of life. Come Undone is a musical life preserver of mercy for fans caught in the world’s undertow.
TOBYMAC
Portable Sounds
ForeFront Records
Basics: Leave it to tobyMac to transition seamlessly from aggressive rock to reggae to jazz to opera—all in the same song.
Sounds Like: Sting-meets-Jack-Johnson-meets-Black Eyed Peas.
Noteworthy: The final track, “Lose My Soul,” offers guest vocals from Kirk Franklin and "American Idol’s" Mandisa.
Standout Songs: These songs are heaven-bent on declaring the eternal hope of the Most High, even through hardships such as divorce (“Suddenly”), lost friendship (“Face of the Earth”), apathy (“Ignition”) and desolation (“I’m For You”).
Soundbyte: “I do believe that grace comes suddenly. It might not happen immediately, but when grace does come, you know it. And in an instant, you’re free.” —tobyMac on the song “Suddenly”
Shuffle: Throughout his career, tobyMac has topped charts with a radio-friendly message of both sonic and social fusion. Tracks on Portable Sounds range from mall-rock to groove-pop, proving that Mac isn’t through dishing out musical diversity.
AFTER THE SIRENS
What I Have to Give, Let It Be Enough
Blue Duck Records
Basics: This Boston-based indie band seamlessly traverses brazen, prophetic alt-rock anthems, acoustic love songs and ethereal ballads depicting our longing for heaven.
Sounds Like: Varies from minute to minute. Fans of Emery and Skillet will enjoy the tone.
Noteworthy: Garimpeiro Records in Japan will be releasing What I Have to Give, Let It Be Enough this summer with two bonus tracks.
Standout Songs: On “The Song That Holds Us Still” the singer recognizes God’s marvelous handiwork. Apathetic believers get more than a wrist-slapping on several tracks, as do those who cheapen Christ’s sacrifice (“How vaguely we eschew complicity with You”).
Soundbyte: “You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your friends’ noses. Well, I guess you can if you really have the desire to. But you might get whatever sickness your friend has.” —bassist Jonny Misarski in a Dec. 11, 2006, AftertheSirens.com journal entry
Shuffle: Eclectic, deep and addictive. With song titles such as “White Noise with Grace Notes,” “We Buy Jewelry When the Love Runs Out” and “The Lights at Nero’s Party” and lyrics to match, What I Have to Give is an English major’s dream. 
