This week we have some of the best releases of these couple months,
including a great preview of the future of dc Talk. But first, we
have a review of a good book by science fiction writer Timothy Zahn
and the Star Wars universe.

DARK FORCE RISING - TIMOTHY ZAHN (2000)
by Josh M. Shepherd
The fictionist who's written a staggering 800,000 words in the Star
Wars universe retaliates with Dark Force Rising, the second volume in
the trailblazing Thrawn Trilogy. It canvasses atypical facets of the
saga's adventurers and occurrences, adding human struggle to the
alien landscape. After regrouping subsequent to the Battle of Sluis
Van, Luke, Han, and Leia follow individual leads to defend Admiral
Ackbar's integrity against baseless arraignments and upbuild the
fledgling New Republic.

A follow-through on a promise made in the previous Thrawn book, Leia
Organa Solo accompanies a Noghri commando to his isolated homeworld,
vying to wrest away their Imperial loyalties and give them freedom.
Inseparable Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and Chewbecca gamble not with
credits, but their lives on an evidence hunt seeking the perpetrator
of illegalities attributed to Ackbar. Jedi Skywalker fronts a morbid
challenge in the form of insane dark master Joruus C'baoth, an
unstable clone whose condescension and severity rouse Luke to the
man's allegiance. Subplots tangle the action and plot progression
into a complex, suspenseful work of guile and idealism.

The novel is centered on the long-sought Katana Fleet--an abandoned
armada of Dreadnaughts whose discovery could mean victory for either
side in the looming Empire/Republic affray. Runagate Talon Karrde is
liberated from Imperial interrogation in a narrow, frantic attempt by
Skywalker and Karrde's associate Mara Jade, whose checkered past and
caustic bearing are all the more forefront in this book. A cosmic
sequence of moments has Luke, Han, and Lando fighting time--and half
the entire Imperial navy--as they hotwire the Katana leadship and
abet Rogue Squadron in their most heated attack yet. Like the film
Episode V--Empire Strikes Back, Dark Force Rising terminates on a
disconcerting revelation, orbiting the ultimate resolution of this
thoroughgoing series.

Find out more about Dark Force Rising at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/books/starwars/darkforcerising.shtml


AVAILABLE TODAY (on cMusicWeb.com or at your local store)

CADET (self-titled)
This new band brings a good rock sound to BEC Recordings, and they
also helped out on the Any Given Day: Earth to Heaven release, and
check them out a festivals this summer!

FACE THE CROWD - SPINAROUND
SpinAround has been an indie band for a couple years, and recently
signed to Pamplin. Their rock music with a good amount of keyboards
is very good, and brings the message nicely.

FULL PLATES: MIXTAPE 002 - DJ MAJ
Some of the best Hip-Hop/Rap music on the planet, including new
recordings and remixes, made by one of the best Christian DJs, to
create a good sampler and a professional version of your friend's
mixtape.

HERO - ALL WOUND UP
Umm, they're Tooth and Nail. That's about all I know, but that's
probably all people need to know.

LIFE OUTSIDE THE TOYBOX - JUSTIFIDE
A hard rock band sounding like some of the harder sounds of CREED
(without Scott Stapp's stellar vocals), this is a good band for those
hard rock fans.

OVER UNDER EVERYTHING - CIRCADIAN RHYTHM
A rock/worship band from Toby Mac and Bill Gaither's 40 Records
label, this band delivers music of similar style to delirious?, Ten
Shekel Shirt, and more.

SOLO EP - DC TALK
This 7-song compilation comes from one band, but three artists.
Featured are two songs from each member of dc Talk: Toby Mac, the
Tait Band, and Kevin Max. Plus, it has names and release dates for
the upcoming albums from each of these artists, out this summer or
fall. This is most definitely the PICK OF THE WEEK, and don't miss
dc Talk this summer or fall at a festival or venue near you!


AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER (on cMusicWeb.com)

ROCK: http://cMusicWeb.com/rock
The Big Surprise - The Elms [5/22]
Facing Changes - Hangnail [5/22]
Festival Con Dios - Various [5/22]
Untitled - The Benjamin Gate [5/22]

ALTERNATIVE: http://cMusicWeb.com/alternative
Big Blue Sky - Bebo Norman [5/15]

POP: http://cMusicWeb.com/pop
26 Letters - Ben Glover [5/01]
Free to Fly - Point of Grace [5/01]
Destiny - The Katinas [5/08]
Mi Corazon - Jaci Velasquez [5/08]
True Vibe (self-titled) [5/15]
Oxygen - Avalon [5/22]

Click on the album titles on the genre page to order them and recieve
them on the release date.


THIS WEEK'S CHRISTIAN HIT RADIO CHARTS
> Audio A is coming up to the top, joining the pop people. Plus, a
> great worship track for Ten Shekel Shirt is quickly climing.
1. Shaken - Rachael Lampa
2. One Like You - Audio Adrenaline
3. My Life - PlusOne
4. Ocean - Ten Shekel Shirt
5. Reborn - Rebecca St. James
6. Every Time I Fall - Jaci Velasquez
7. Joy - Newsboys
8. Love is the Movement - Switchfoot
9. Make It Last Forever - Avalon
10. Can't Erase It - Jars of Clay

SOURCE: CCM Update (http://www.ccmupdate.com/)


cMUSICWEB UPDATES
• New Review - Live to Worship - Lincoln Brewster
http://cMusicWeb.com/worship/lincolnbrewster
• New Book Review - Dark Force Rising
http://cMusicWeb.com/books/starwars/darkforcerising.shtml


I've been pretty busy this week, and I don't think that will lighten
up too much within the next month, but after that, we hope to have a
new look and more updates this summer! Thanks for reading
cMusicMail, and we look forward to sharing the latest info with you.
If you have any comments or questions, please reply to this e-mail or
send them to webmaster@... We'd love to hear from you!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
ICQ - 43224317 AOL IM - dMusicWeb