Reviewed by Martin I Smith

Similar in appearance to the long-running 'NOW' series that compiles hits from the general charts over the past year, 'WOW' doesn't do much to thwart the stereotype that Christian music thrives off the hits of their "secular" cousins. But in fairness, a compilation like this doesn't have any particularly lofty goals - it's an economic means to a get a smattering of Christian artists in your hands. With that no-nonsense realism in mind, you'll find the compilation a decent chance to sample popular American CCM with acts like Sanctus Real, Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, Josh Wilson, Mandisa, Britt Nicole and Matthew West, amongst others. Most of the selection is broadly pop rock, though some cuts work to expand the pallet, such as Group 1 Crew's more urban "Walking On The Stars" and Skillet's heavier "Awake And Alive".

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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WOW! The proven fall release is back with all the year’s best songs and artists! This is the one CD that everyone wants. And for less than the cost of 4 mochas, how can you turn it down?

The anticipated annual release WOW Hits 2012 promises to be even better than the year before! WOW continues to outperform sales trends in the market and is still the largest brand in Christian music! Same proven formula: 30 Christian radio hits, the best known artists on 2 CDs for a great price. WOW is the perfect gift for current fans and for those new to Christian music and rest assured will find its way into stockings, birthday gifts, and CD players everywhere this autumn and Christmas!