The live album Songs From The Road serves up some all-time favorites, plus some new ones, but the style and texture Steve Angrisano provides worked for me as if I was there live. He shows some wisdom in knowing himself, his voice, and his audience.

Country's finest gather to sing the Grand Ole Opry's best (and some of the Church's finest) hymns. The artists themselves are hit or miss depending on your taste, but overall, again, it's a solid album, and a worthy gift for country-gospel fans.

Overall, the album is different, eclectic even, and serves up something a little different than what the mainstream musical world is pushing. It's full of musings and reflections, loss and hope. Actually, hope probably takes certain stage, and the world would be better for that, wouldn't it?

Jadon Lavik's Roots Run Deep album is simple, but simply put, it's excellent, guitar-driven worship. Taking standard, well-known hymns, Lavik fills forty-plus minutes with well-done worship in his third album.

The sophomore outing by Leeland gets it done, again. It is at least as good as the first, if not better. It's worth buying, burning, replaying in your car, at work, wherever you are, opposite ways and all.

The members of Addison Road lay it all out there for your consideration, tackling world issues, making music and life in a band. "We are not saving the world through music," says Jenny. "We are simply trying to follow the example of Jesus by looking after those around us."

Alyce Metallo shares her story, her music and the responsibility she feels to share her faith at all times, sometimes using words, and whether it's for President Clinton or performing in front of wounded American soldiers at Vice President Cheney's dinner.

P.O.D. rises, reunited and refreshed, with When Angels & Serpents Dance, to rock your stereo. In a world that talks about peace all the time, but is rarely practiced, P.O.D. genuinely pursues it, and genuinely rocks.