When Brian Wilson turned 60 this year, Silent Planet Records had the perfect gift: Making God Smile, a tribute CD from a number of Christian artists – including Phil Keaggy, Jason Harrod, Brooks Williams, Randy Stonehill, Sixpence None the Richer, and Kevin Max.

In recent years, several wonderfully innovative bands have cropped up playing traditional Celtic music in non-traditional ways. Peatbog Faeries stands out as one of the best: if you’re out for something different, and have open ears for good music, plop down the hard sterling and get this CD.

Some may find her high-octane cheerfulness annoying, but in my mind that’s the best thing about her. If only we all had her joy of living!

Most bands fail to shine on sophomore releases, but A Rush of Blood to the Head, Coldhead’s second release, is a bull’s-eye for the British quartet.

Far too many country artists are simply depressing in their music. The tales of lost love and the lonely life are often impossible to listen to for long. But while Julie Miller’s songs are full of such sorrow, through each there runs a thread of hope.

Rarely is genius, beauty, and greatness recognized in its own time - it’s usually stoned, actually. But in pop music, you get instant classics. Radiohead’s 1997 release, OK Computer, is one such example.

Imagine Braveheart without Horner’s bagpipe-driven score. Contemplate Chariots of Fire without Vangelis’ rhythmic theme. Going through the exercise of imagining movies without music teaches us a worthwhile lesson, for it is all too easy to forget the music playing in the background.

Music is intended to convey certain emotions - we have music to dance to, music to fight to, music to make love to, and music to worship to. Problems begin when people think that any style of music is appropriate for worship.

The critics called it stunning, brilliant, a masterpiece and said you’d be hard-pressed to find a more adventurous and rewarding release this year. They’re right: the album is a masterful blend of innovation, prophecy and obscurity, both musically and lyrically.

Forget the Shakira of today - a Britney Spears clone of dyed hair and provocative attire. Go back to her earlier music, and you’ll find she has something worth listening to.