Nashville, Tenn. September 10, 2009… Stockholm Syndrome has proven to be the latest masterpiece from INO Records’ Derek Webb, which has quickly garnered adoration from both critics and fans. The album landed in the No. 66 spot on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 2 at CBA Retail raking in over 7,500 units.

Below is just a sample of the media buzz from Webb’s September 1 release:

"This spine-tingling ballad is one of the more sonically gentle tracks on the new Stockholm Syndrome, a groovy, searing testament to Webb's musical and spiritual restlessness. But the message packs plenty of punch." - USA Today, speaking of the song “Heaven” featured as their ‘pick of the week’

“… most unusual and best release to date.” – Relevant

“The music here is so mesmerizing that Webb can say whatever he wants and get away with it.” – HM Magazine

“Derek Webb’s exhilarating, subversive masterpiece.” – Patrol Magazine

“Atop an electronically mashed-up mosaic of several decades' worth of pop styles, Webb lends his Bono-esque voice to lyrics rooted in the awareness that rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's is not always easy.” – World Magazine

“The tunesmith tackles topics as diverse as race, politics and sexuality, all wound around an unmistakable spiritual foundation that may push buttons for more conservative listeners, but are likely to make listeners of any faith background do some serious soul searching.” - CCM

“I’m honestly am in awe of my fans.  It’s so encouraging to call upon your tribe and have them respond so loudly with their support.  Now we’re going to take Stockholm Syndrome to them one city at a time to celebrate,” says Webb.

Fans have also responded in a big way with Stockholm Syndrome helping it land  in the top 5 on the iTunes ® Christian/Gospel chart. iTunes ® also offered video content on songs such as “Jena & Jimmy” and “The Spirit vs. the Kick Drum” taken from the hour-long documentary on the making of Stockholm Syndrome, entitled Paradise Is A Parking Lot. You can also view pieces from the documentary on Webb’s website, www.derekwebb.com.

Webb’s “Black Eye Tour” will kick-off next week in Louisville, KY on September 17. The tour will include special guest Sandra McCracken and will hit over 20 markets.

The October 7, 2008 release of WOW Hits 2009 became RIAA certified gold for sales in excess of 250,000 units of the double-disc CD just weeks after its release. Well on its way to platinum status, WOW Hits 2009 continues to see a significant sales increase over the WOW Hits 2008 release, despite a declining market and all-time low in recorded music sales, further proving the strength and staying power of the WOW brand.  The strong artist and song list, premium retail positioning, standout online presence and aggressive price-point have helped contribute to the success of WOW Hits 2009.

In addition, WOW Gospel 2009 recently released on January 27, along with several other new WOW projects slated for release this year including WOW Essentials and WOW Gospel Essentials.

Created through a partnership between EMI CMG, Provident Music Group, and Word Entertainment, the WOW Hits 2009 compilation is part of the multi-platinum WOW brand series.  The marketing and distribution of WOW projects is shared among the companies, with Word leading efforts for WOW Hits 2009.

EMI Christian Music Group, Provident Music Group and Word Entertainment have long collaborated in the marketing and distribution of WOW compilation projects.  This Wednesday, the collective staff of the three companies, along with students from Belmont University, banded together to package a record number 427,000 meals for the non-profit hunger-relief organization, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC).  The number of meals packaged at this event is enough to feed 1,169 children for one year. The more than 1,500 volunteers worked in shifts that started at 10:00 AM and ran through 8:00 PM, packaging specially formulated meals in assembly-line fashion.  Each FMSC meal provides the key nutrients a child needs to survive and thrive. Laura Nielsen, Offsite Operations Manager for Feed My Starving Children, shared, “The ‘WOW Shares’ event was an incredible success.  Not only did we pack a record-breaking amount of meals in one day, but we also helped changed the world for so many kids in Thailand.” Over the lunch break, Brandon Heath (Reunion Records/Provident Music Group), Francesca Battistelli (Fervent Records/Word Entertainment) and Josh Wilson (Sparrow/EMI CMG Label Group) performed a concert for volunteers that numbered in excess of 1,500.  Lunch was generously donated for volunteers by Sodexo, Belmont’s food services provider.

(Nashville, Tenn.) August 21, 2008 – Word Entertainment announces its continuing partnership in the WOW brand with the October 7 release of WOW Hits 2009. The release marks the return of the best-selling series to the two-disc format and will bring consumers the top hits from today’s favorite Christian artists at the lowest double-disc WOW price ever.  

 

Also releasing October 7 is the WOW Hits 2009 DVD, featuring over 20 selections from the year’s top Christian artists and music video hits. Both the CD and DVD will receive prime positioning throughout the holiday season at all Christian and mainstream retail outlets. 

 

Featuring 30 songs on two CDs, the WOW Hits 2009 compilation provides Christian music fans performances from today’s top Christian artists. The songs offered on the double disc feature today’s top Christian songs including Steven Curtis Chapman’s “Cinderella,” Chris Tomlin’s “Jesus Messiah,” Casting Crowns’ “Every Man,” Third Day’s “Call My Name,” Mercy Me’s “God With Us,”  Natalie Grant’s “In Better Hands,” Point Of Grace’s “How You Live (Turn Up The Music),” TobyMac’s “Lose My Soul,” Jeremy Camp’s “Let It Fade,” David Crowder Band’s “Everything Glorious,” Relient K’s “The Best Thing” and Michael W. Smith’s, “Mighty To Save” among others.

 

A portion of the proceeds from this year’s WOW project will be donated to Maria’s Miracle Fund at Shaohannah’s Hope, a ministry founded by Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman that gives grants to Christian families who are adopting and mobilizes the body of Christ to care for orphans. Each WOW purchase will help neglected special needs orphans receive the love, care, and surgeries they need through Maria’s Miracle Fund, set up in memory of the Chapman’s youngest adopted daughter.

 

The Word release is part of the multi-platinum WOW brand series. Created through the partnership between the three largest Christian music/entertainment companies in the industry, including Word Entertainment, EMI Christian Music Group and Provident Music Group, the marketing and distribution of WOW projects are shared among the companies, with Word leading efforts for WOW Hits 2009.

 

The Mission Bell was released Dec 26, and the critics have lauded the newest album from the UK’s Delirious?:

“The Mission Bell is unafraid to challenge, chide and inspire all at the same time. From cavernous rock anthems full of swagger and scope, to intimate and at times painful confessions of failure and fear, this is worship music with teeth.” –CCM Magazine

“…a soaring Brit-rock worship album and everything you’d expect from the group.” –Worship Leader Magazine

“…fuelled by the unbridled passion of singer Martin Smith…they could be massive.” –Q Magazine

“This is Delirious? doing what they do best-capturing the prophetic heart cry of a generation, setting it to music, and then playing it big and loud.” –Christianity Magazine (UK)

“…a sonic feast that rivals their best work…”–Worship Musician

“The most diverse they've ever been, with a sound recalling Radiohead one moment, straight-up rock with a gospel choir the next, all with elements of a stripped-down, singer-songwriter feel… They still do what they do best—worship.” –Christianity Today (4.5 out of 5 Star review)

“Ten years on, front man Martin Smith has a knack for writing words and melodies that end up on the lips of a million people.” –Relevant Magazine

“The Mission Bell rings out with a defiant note of faith in these troubled times. It will surely resonate in the hearts of tens of thousands.” –crossrhythms.com.uk (10 out of 10 Bars)

“Once again, Delirious? manages to set a standard…” –CMCentral.com

“There is much to enjoy in The Mission Bell that could well deliver the band a new army of worshippers.” – indieLondon

“…raw passion…we’ve been aching for more of this sort of solid worship music...” –SoulShine Magazine (5 out of 5 Star review)

“Delirious? delivers a stellar collection of rock songs on The Mission Bell… that combines exciting music with deeply religious lyrics that lift one body, mind, and soul toward our Creator.” – Group Magazine’s MinistryandMedia.com