After mulling it over for a day or two, I’m ready to unveil my Top 10 Albums list. Several of these have already been referenced in the comments section…others will come out of left field. Let me know what you think. Here they are, in descending order.

10. White Ladder by David Gray
A great pop album from a great singer-songwriter. Ladder stands as Gray’s breakthrough album thanks to great tracks like This Year’s Love, Babylon, Say Hello Wave Goodbye and Please Forgive Me. There’s a reason this is the biggest selling album ever in Ireland.

9. A Hundred Highways by Johnny Cash
This album was just released this summer, but it’s already cracked my All-Time Top 10. Recorded just months before his death, Cash has never sounded so vulnerable. His voice, once rife with his trademark rich baritone, now warbles and wavers somewhat erratically. But the Man in Black growls with a palpable pathos on A Hundred Highways, the fifth installment of the American Recordings Series. Once again, Rick Rubin has brought out the best in Cash. God’s Gonna Cut You Down is a prophetic anthem that Cash brings to life with an energy uncommon for most septuagenarians. If You Could Read My Mind is a sweetly lilting ode to love gone by. I Came to Believe, though originally recorded prior to the American V Sessions, is one of two Cash originals sprinkled among the covers. This album gets better with each listen. Get a copy…you’ll be glad you did.

8. The Rising by Bruce Springsteen
Written and recorded in the months following September 11th, The Rising was hailed as the Boss’s strongest record in years. The title track is classic Springsteen: this is rock music you can believe in. There are plenty of other quality songs on this great album, but none are greater than My City of Ruins. “Come on, rise up…“

7. Mockingbird by Derek Webb
A great album with a powerful message. Webb is passionate about social justice and the Kingdom of God. Surprise, surprise, this record resonates deeply with me. Best of all, Webb feels so strongly about the message of this album, he’s releasing it for free to the public on September 1st. I already own a copy, but I strongly encourage anyone to grab a copy in a few days and give Mockingbird a spin. Check out www.freederekwebb.com for more information.

6. Arriving by Chris Tomlin
This album would rank this high for How Great is Our God alone. The fact that the other 10 songs are great is gravy. Before I was turned on to Tomlin, my boy Corey always referred to him as the modern-day David. I couldn’t agree more. With Indescribable, CT gives articulation to the greatness and grandeur of our God. His words and artistry have renewed my passion for worship. For that, I’ll always be grateful.

5. A Rush of Blood to the Head by Coldplay
You either love ’em or hate ’em, I guess. I’m a big fan. I was initially more stoked about the release of last year’s X&Y, but Rush stands as the band’s seminal work to date. I used to wear this one out on my drives to Lipscomb for grad school in the fall of 2002. Great rock music. I could listen to The Scientist all day long.

3 & 4. All That You Can’t Leave Behind and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb by U2
I know, it’s not cool to have two albums by the same band on your Top 10 list, but I don’t care. These two albums are that good. U2’s earlier work has been more critically lauded (and rightfully so — Joshua Tree nearly made this list, too), but these last two offerings are incredibly strong. All That You Can’t Leave Behind marked the band’s return to their classic sound. Rolling Stone hailed the album as the band’s third masterpiece. Walk On ranks as one of my top 10 songs. Dismantle is a bit more reflective but an equally strong offering. Thanks to a cross promotion with Apple, Bono and the boys are always dangerously close to overexposure. But is there any doubt that U2 is the greatest rock band in the world today?

2. A Collision by The David Crowder Band
I’ve waxed eloquent about this album for nearly a year now. You can check out my comments here.
But I’ve never had a longer crush on an album. I continue to return to this one several times a week. Here Is Our King, Come and Listen, I Saw the Light, Foreverandever, Etc., You Are My Joy, Wholly Yours…there’s not a weak song to be found. I love the concept: different genres with a common worshipful theme. A brilliant recording.

1. Michael McDermott by Michael McDermott
I owe this one to Scott. I doubt most of you have even heard of McDermott, but this singer-songwriter’s self-titled album is my all-time favorite. This is a true work of artistry: McDermott wrote each song and recorded each note you hear (with the exception of some strings). Musically, this album is great, but it’s McDermott’s lyricism that makes this one great. Dierdre Dances is the most mournful song I’ve ever heard. The narrative of Say Hey Charlie Boy will rip your heart out. My Own Little World is an ode to introvertism. Wounded stands as an anthem for all who bear scars of pain gone by but not gone away. Finding a copy of this one will be difficult, but if you’re able to track one down, snag it and enjoy. You won’t be sorry.