As you know, I love music. And this has been a great year with some excellent albums by some of my favorite artists. Without adieu, here’s my Top 10 for the year.

10. B Collision – David Crowder Band. Only 8 tracks on this one, but Crowder could sing the phone book and I’d buy it. The lack of new material warrants a lower ranking, but live versions of Be Lifted and I Saw the Light help this album make the cut. Best track: I Saw the Light (live).

9. Under the Iron Sea – Keane. This album makes the list on the basis of Is It Any Wonder? alone. Throw in Crystall Ball, Hamburg Song and Nothing in My Way and Under the Iron Sea is my favorite rock album of the year. Best track: Is It Any Wonder.

8. Christmas Offerings – Third Day. I know it’s a seasonal record, but this is far and away my favorite new Christmas album. No Frosty or Rudolph here; each song focuses on the Christ-event. Mac’s never sounded better. Best track: Merry Christmas.

7. Taking the Long Way – Dixie Chicks. Although I’m still partial to the bluegrass sound of Home, the edgier feel of Taking the Long Way works, thanks in large part to producer Rick Rubin (see Cash’s American Recordings). The live show’s pretty good, too. Best track: Lullaby.

6. See The Morning – Chris Tomlin. I was eagerly anticipating this one all year and when it arrived, I wasn’t disappointed. Tomlin seems to turn up the juice a bit compared to his previous albums. But this one is dedicated to the miraculous God of the morning. Best track: Glory in the Highest.

5. Good Monsters – Jars of Clay. I’ve been a fan of these guys for years. Dan & the boys followed up the brilliance of last year’s Redemption Songs with a louder, catchier sound and the change of pace is a welcome one. Catchy hooks, power riffs and Hasltine’s traditional lyrical depth are the hallmarks of Good Monsters. Best track: Oh My God.

4. Big Iron World – Old Crow Medicine Show. I only got into OCMS a few months ago, but I’m already a huge fan. Their sound is vintage, a throwback to the bluegrass music of yesteryear. Best track: New Virginia Creeper.

3. We Shall Overcome – Bruce Springsteen. The Boss goes folk, ladies & gentlemen. Recorded in 3 one-day sessions, this album contains material popularized by folk singer and political activist Pete Seeger. Spontaneous, fun, poignant…everything you want in a great album. Best track: Old Dan Tucker.

2. Mockingbird – Derek Webb. Technically, this one was released in 2005 (Dec. 27th), but this record has been foundational for me in ’06. Webb writes and sings with conviction and his prophetic voice is a breath of fresh air for the Christian music landscape. This record will challenge you to re-evaluate your discipleship. Best of all, Webb made his album available for free to the public in September. That’s how much he believes in the message of Mockingbird. Best track: A King and a Kingdom.

1. American V: A Hundred Highways – Johnny Cash. Hands down album of the year, in my opinion. Released posthumously, A Hundred Highways is the fifth installment of Cash’s critically acclaimed American Recordings Series. Cash’s voice has never sounded more vulnerable or more accessible. Truly a masterpiece. We still miss you, John. Best track: If You Could Read My Mind.