mattHeW West the Story of Your life (Sparrow) FOR FANS OF: Aaron Shust, Brandon Heath QQQQ The narrative movement within Christian circles (i.e. Donald Miler’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years) hits the music world head-on with last year’s most played artist on Christian radio creating an entire album around the idea. Matthew West’s latest, The Story of Your Life, was crafted out of the first-person stories of his fans. With over 10,000 stories pouring in, West’s strong melodic touch, transparent lyrics and crystal clear vocal work results in a deeply personal, moving album that’s an ideal follow-up to 2008’s Something To Say. –Matt Conner WE LIKE: “My Own Little World” tHird day Move (Essential Records) FOR FANS OF: Old Third Day, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Creed QQQ Though Third Day’s often alternated between modern rock, praise and pop, this particular project has a noticeable southern rock undercurrent that recalls 1999’s treasured Time. The dozen track disc is packed with plenty of growling barnburners (“Lift Up Your Face,” “Make Your Move”), along with the bluesy bent of “Surrender” and the gritty “Everywhere You Go.” Power ballads like “Trust In Jesus” and “Don’t Give Up Hope” are a little more trite in the lyrical department, but both come alive thanks to joyous build-ups that showcase Third Day’s continuously expanding musical muscles. –Andy Argyrakis WE LIKE: “Surrender” Kerrie roberts Kerrie Roberts (Reunion Records/Provident Label Group) FOR FANS OF: Natalie Grant, Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks QQQ Newcomer Kerrie Roberts began singing in church at the age of five, and with her debut effort, she shows that she’s come a long way from church solos belted from a milk crate. The pretty brunette delivers an impressive, soulful, ten-song debut that holds its own against mainstream songstresses Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks and, just maybe, Christina Aguilera herself. Lyrically, she is strong, displaying a steady maturity in tracks like “Beautiful to Me” and “Love Comes Down.” While her live show needs some development, there’s plenty more to come from this new artist. Her rich, soaring vocals are simply too unforgettable to fade into obscurity. –Grace S. Cartwright WE LIKE: “No Matter What” adult ContemPorary revieWs All release dates and album titles are subject to change. For the most up-to-date release schedule, visit www.CCMmagazine.com/music/upcoming_ releases. adult ContemPorary neW releases 10.03.2010 DAvID PHELPS CHRiStMaS witH DaViD PHElPS (TK) 10.05.2010 JARS OF CLAY tHE SHEltER (ESSENTIAL RECORDS/ PROvIDENT) POINT OF GRACE HOME FOR tHE HOliDaYS (WORD RECORDS/WORD) MATTHEW WEST tHE StORY OF YOUR liFE (SPARROW RECORDS/EMICMG) PHIL KEAGGY PHil KEaGGY CHRiStMaS (KINGSWAY/EMICMG) LOUIE GIGLIO tHE twElVE wORDS OF CHRiStMaS (TK) THE BROOKLYN TABERNACLE CHOIR a BROOKlYn taBERnaClE CHRiStMaS (INTEGRITY MUSIC/ PROvIDENT) 10.19.2010 THIRD DAY MOVE (ESSENTIAL RECORDS/ PROvIDENT) 10.26.2010 SANCTUS REAL PiECES OF OUR PaSt: tHE SanCtUS REal antHOlOGY (SPARROW RECORDS/EMICMG) adult Contemporary CCM 43