WOW Hits – ’20th Anniversary’ album review

Believe it or not, it’s been twenty years since the WOW compilation series came as Christian music’s answer to the general market’s NOW blueprint. And given the momentous occasion, it’s only fitting to find this two disc compilation chronicling the best of the CCM scene from the past two decades, including such cross genre landmarks as DC Talk’s “Jesus Freak,” Jars Of Clay’s “Flood,” Switchfoot’s “Dare You To Move” and MercyMe’s “I Can Only Imagine.” Along the way, there are also career-defining smashes from Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, TobyMac, Casting Crowns, Francesca Battistelli and Brandon Heath, though not every selection is quite as spot on. Amy Grant had mounds of ‘90s hits, yet is oddly represented by a 2005 remake of “El Shaddai,” while Michael W. Smith also penned countless chart-toppers throughout the same time frame, yet is simply shown covering “Above All.” Those choices may leave more dedicated aficionados scratching their heads (especially considering Amy and MWS were unquestionably two of the most influential artists during this range), though it’s not enough to spoil the otherwise sensible and celebratory overview.