It's been 30 years since Toby McKeehan (TobyMac) started Gotee Records, named loosely after a play on his own name. Then a member of the up and coming dc Talk, this label has remained a strong presence in the Christian music industry, elevating unique talent that often didn't neatly fit in the commercialized polish of some of the bigger Christian labels. To celebrate this milestone, we're taking a look back at some of our favorite releases from the label over the years. Will your favorite make the list? Keep reading to find out.
Out of Eden - Lovin' The Day
It all had to start somewhere, and it did here. The first album released by Gotee Records was the debut from Out of Eden, the first of many hit records they'd release over the next decade. The debut single was a cover, no less, of Bill Wither's "Lovely Day." Yet the song was a big hit on Christian radio and helped set both the group and the label for a long and successful run.
Relient K - Mmmhmm
It's hard to believe this album turns 20 years old this year. We'll be doing a proper write up on it later on, but any such list of quintessential Gotee albums couldn't be complete without this one. Often considered Relient K's magnum opus, the album boasted perhaps the best balance of their witty fun side and growing emotional maturity. Signature rockers like "Be My Escape" and "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been" are still among their most iconic songs. With a Gold Certification, this album is one of the label's most iconic contributions to the body of music.
House of Heroes - The End is Not The End
House of Heroes was always a band that rode the fringes of the Christian music industry. While not without a degree of commercial success, their music never neatly fit into any niche. With an uncanny balance of pop and rock and sonic styles that balanced The Beatles and the best of 2000s emo rock, the band's sound was instantly recognizable and yet hard to blend with other artists. Thematically, their unique lyricism also made them a beast of their own. Perhaps no album better defined them than this one.
Released to almost universal acclaim, the album boasted hits such as "Lose Control, "Field of Daggers," and "Codename: Raven." But the album's World War II theming made it unlike anything released before, or since. "In The Valley of the Dying Sun" is an epic rock opera unto itself. Even over 15 years later, the album still holds up as timeless, probably because even upon its release, it sounded like nothing else.
Freaked! A Gotee Tribute to dc Talk
Covering every song on dc Talk's iconic Jesus Freak album with artists signed to the Gotee label, this was a cool move that allowed for a variety of unique takes on their most legendary songs. You had the hard rocking The Showdown taking on "So Help Me God," and the pop/rock outfit StorySide:B giving a reverent take on "In The Light." "Just Between You and Me" and its relational musings feel like it was tailor made for Relient K to do. And the moody "Day by Day" feels right at home with House of Heroes. This was a golden age of Gotee with a fantastic roster and the result is a tribute compilation with a lot of great takes on classic dc Talk songs.
StorySide:B - We Are Not Alone
After the success of their debut album produced hits such as "Miracle" and "More To This Life," StorySide:B impressed even more on their sophomore album. Songs like "Don't Let It Go" and "Fall Down" proved that they could rock with the best of the genre, but then they'd throw a curveball such as the country-tinged "Tell Me What You Think of God" or the epic contemporary ballad, "Be Still." The latter became a big hit and is one of my favorite songs from the band. Sadly, they wouldn't release more music after their bassist tragically passed away in 2009. Still, this album (and their first) remain underrated hits worth checking out and among the better releases from Gotee Records.
Jamie Grace - Ready To Fly
While Jamie Grace achieved some recognition with her debut album and its lead single, "Hold Me," I would say it's her sophomore album that made the biggest impact. Buoyed by the success of singles like "Do Life Big" and "Beautiful Day," the album cemented Grace's R&B tinged flavor of Christian pop and her place in the Christian music canon. It's hard to believe it's been a whole decade since this album dropped.
Family Force 5 - Business Up Front, Party in the Back
I was just getting into Christian rock when this album was out. While rap/rock itself was nothing particularly new, Family Force 5's unique mix of multiple genres led to them being categorized as crunk rock. The band's unique style garnered their debut album immense success. While their sound would eventually mellow into a more electronic pop sound as their albums progressed, it's tough to deny the impact of their album when it was released. Songs like "Love Addict" went big and made the band one of the biggest names in Christian rock for a while. Their subsequent albums would eventually find a home on a different record label, but this debut remains a diamond in the Gotee crown.
Sarah Kelly - Take Me Away
Sarah Kelly may not be the most notable name in Christian rock, but she released a consistent output of contemporary/rock hits in the 2000s and 2010s. Perhaps best known for her debut single "Take Me Away," Kelly's strong vocals propelled the song beyond your typical radio play with just enough grit to make the song at home amongst rock tracks and yet enough polish to make it a seamless addition to Christian radio. The rest of Kelly's debut project showcased her diverse musical talents and cemented her as an artist to watch.
Hollyn - One Way Conversations
One of American Idols many gifts to Christian music, Hollyn was one of the most promising new faces of Christian music in the late 2010s. While her debut EP boasted the hit single, "Alone," her debut album is a landmark release of Gotee records. Fueled by the success of the rousing hit single "Love With Your Life," this album furthered the momentum of Hollyn's musical journey and ensured she'd remain one of Gotee Records best presences in Christian music.
The Katinas - Roots
The Katinas have been a quiet but stable presence for several decades now in Christian music. Known for popularizing worship hits like "Draw Me Close," Gotee Records had heavy hype for their 2003 album. While it may not have made the timeless impact the label had hoped, it's still got a lot of great tunes worth rediscovering. The emotional ballad, featuring guest vocals from Amy Grant, "Still In Love" is a highlight. Other notable cuts include the more energetic cuts, "Freedom" and "Hey World." The influence of the late 1990s is still felt on several of the cuts, but overall this is a great place to start if you're liking to dive into the group's vast catalog.
SONICFLOOD - Self Titled
SONICFLOOD's debut album turns 25 years old this year. SONICFLOOD, for a time, was instrumental in popularizing the modern contemporary worship music style. While many of these songs were written by other artists, Sonicflood's popularity can largely be attributed to many of their wide recognition. This album hits many of the most notable worship standards of the late 1990s. "I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever," "Heart of Worship," "Open The Eyes of My Heart." These songs are hymnals everywhere now. This would be the first of many albums from the band that would continue to be among the better examples of worship music and make Sonicflood a standout in the Gotee lineup.
For more notable songs from the past 30 years of Gotee Records, check out their anniversary playlist on Spotify.
J.J. Francesco is a longtime contributor to the NRT Staff. He's published the novel 'Because of Austin' and regularly seeks new ways to engage faith, life, and community. His new novel, 'When Miracles Can Dream,' is out NOW!
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