With the passing of the holidays and the Christmas season is also a reflection on what state the world is in.  What better way to do this than with inspirational music?

This genre is consistently increasing in popularity and Kelly McAnly has a way of bringing home the point without being overbearing.

Musically, Kelly has a alternative / folk sound, one that has great harmonies and a softer approach to cross over between ideas of Christian rock and a completely independent sound.

Her new CD, released in 2005, is called complete.  For a shift in music to something softer and inspirational in your musical library, this is a great choice.

With the bringing in of the New Year is a look at artists that are working towards a transition to inspirational sounds that can help to uplift.

You can support Kelly by visiting myspace.com or her website at kellymcanly.com.

Anyone familiar with the triple hit of legendary Christian indie label Tooth and Nail record might be able to hazard a guess as to where Anberlin fits into the musical spectrum. The label has always put out an eclectic mix of great punk (MXPX) hard rock (Plankeye) and alt rock (Poor Old Lu). Anberlin fits right into the hard rock label, with brilliant driving guitar, fiery solos and choppy beats underneath a (by turns) melodious and shouting vocals by singer Stephen Christian.

The Orlando based band was formed in 2002 and has released two full length albums so far (Blueprints for the Black Market, Never Take Friendship Personal). Their third album, Cities, is slated for release in February of 2007. Produced by Aaron Sprinkle (one of the creative forces behind Poor Old Lu, who has also produced records by MXPX), the third album sounds like a real step forward over their first two, based on the first single entitled “Feel Good Drag”. The song builds on the successful formula of the single “Paperthin Hymn”, which hit #38 on Modern Rock charts in the United States. Christian’s voice certainly portrays a significantly more developed level of angst than on the 2003 hit “Readyfuels.”

Anberlin sounds like a band that has found the sound that is right for them, so look for Cities to build on the success of the first two albums and maybe put the band squarely in the spotlight.