{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2018}} {{Infobox album | name = Neon Steeple | type = Studio | artist = [[Crowder (musician)|Crowder]] | cover = NeonSteeple.jpg | alt = | released = {{Start date|2014|5|27}} | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = {{hlist|[[Contemporary Christian music|CCM]]|[[Electronic dance music|EDM]]|[[folktronica]]|[[contemporary worship music]]}} | length = 51:58 | label = [[Sparrow Records|Sparrow]]/[[sixstepsrecords|sixsteps]] ([[Capitol Christian Music Group|Capitol CMG]]) | producer = {{hlist|[[Ed Cash]]|[[Crowder (musician)|David Crowder]]|Jared Fox|[[Will Hunt]]|[[Family Force 5|Solomon Olds]]|Christian Paschall|Gabe Scott| [[Christopher Stevens (musician)|Christopher Stevens]]}} | prev_title = iTunes Session | prev_year = 2012 | next_title = [[Neon Porch Extravaganza]] | next_year = 2015 | misc = {{Singles | name = Neon Steeple | type = Studio | single1 = [[I Am (Crowder song)|I Am]] | single1date = November 25, 2013 | single2 = Come as You Are<ref>{{cite web|title=R&R :: Going For Adds :: Christian AC|url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/PublishGFA/GFAChristianNextPage.asp?sDate=08/26/2014&Format=21|work=[[Radio & Records]]|access-date=July 11, 2015}}</ref> | single2date = August 26, 2014 | single3 = Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains)<ref>{{cite web|title=R&R :: Going For Adds :: Christian AC|url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/PublishGFA/GFAChristianNextPage.asp?sDate=07/14/2015&Format=21|work=[[Radio & Records]]|access-date=July 11, 2015}}</ref> | single3date = July 14, 2015 }} }}
'''''Neon Steeple''''' is the debut studio album from the [[Mononymous person|mononymously]] known [[contemporary Christian music|Christian music]]ian [[Crowder (musician)|Crowder]]. It was released on May 27, 2014 by [[Sparrow Records]] and [[sixstepsrecords]], and the producers were [[Ed Cash]], David Crowder, Jared Fox, [[Will Hunt]], [[Family Force 5|Solomon Olds]], Christian Paschall, Gabe Scott and [[Christopher Stevens (musician)|Christopher Stevens]]. The album sold 22,000 copies in its opening week of sales, causing it to debut at No. 9 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].
==Background== After a long stint at the helm of [[David Crowder Band]], Crowder and his band mates disbanded.<ref name=frr /> ''Neon Steeple'' is his first solo musical foray and was released on May 27, 2014 by [[Sparrow Records]] and [[sixstepsrecords]].<ref name=frr /><ref name=jfhone /> The album was produced by the following producers; [[Ed Cash]], David Crowder, Jared Fox, [[Will Hunt]], [[Family Force 5|Solomon Olds]], Christian Paschall, Gabe Scott and [[Christopher Stevens (musician)|Christopher Stevens]].<ref name=ccm>{{cite web |url=http://ht.salemweb.net/ccm/ccmmagazine/pdf/2014/jun15/keazxc/CCMdigital_June15_2014.pdf |title=''The Making of...'' Neon Steeple |last=Greer |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Greer |date=June 15, 2014 |work=[[CCM Magazine]] |publisher=[[Salem Publishing]] |pages=18–19 |access-date=June 13, 2014 |issn=1524-7848 }}</ref>
==Artwork== The artwork for the physical copy of the album uses a [[barrier-grid animation#Kinegram|kinegram]] to animate the text on the album's cover and liner notes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dcbplus.weebly.com/neon-steeple.html |title=Neon Steeple album page |access-date=May 31, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/crowdermusicofficial/posts/10152249937063451?comment_id=10152249941798451 |publisher=Crowder Facebook |title=Just a preview of what the physical cover can do |access-date=May 31, 2014}}</ref>
==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | rev1 = 365 Days of Inspiring Media | rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=doim>{{cite web |url=http://www.365daysofinspiringmedia.com/reviews/crowder-neon-steeple/ |title=Crowder – Neon Steeple |last=Andre |first=Jonathan |date=May 22, 2014 |publisher=365 Days of Inspiring Media |access-date=May 24, 2014 }}</ref> | rev2 = [[AllMusic]] | rev2score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=am>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/neon-steeple-mw0002599556 |title=''Neon Steeple'' - Crowder | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |last=Jurek |first=Thom |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=June 14, 2014 }}</ref> | rev3 = Christian Music Review | rev3score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=cmr>{{cite web |url=http://christianmusicreview.org/crowder-neon-steeple/ |title=Crosder 'Neon Steeple' |last=Covington |first=April |date=May 23, 2014 |publisher=Christian Music Review |access-date=May 24, 2014 }}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[Christianity Today]]'' | rev4score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=ct>{{cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/may-web-only/crowder-neon-steeple-review.html?start=2 |title=Crowder Goes Hog Wild |last=Brandon |first=John |date=May 28, 2014 |work=Christianity Today |access-date=June 28, 2014 }}</ref> | rev5 = CM Addict | rev5score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=cma>{{cite web |url=http://www.cmaddict.com/reviews_page.php?review_id=144 |title=Review of Neon Steeple by Crowder |last=Funderburk |first=Andrew |date=May 23, 2014 |publisher=CM Addict |access-date=May 24, 2014 }}</ref> | rev6 = The Front Row Report | rev6score = {{Rating|8.5|10}}<ref name=frr>{{cite web |url=http://thefrontrowreport.com/crowder-neon-steeple-review/ |title=Crowder: Neon Steeple review |last=Edwards |first=Reggie |date=May 25, 2014 |publisher=The Front Row Report |access-date=May 28, 2014 }}</ref> | rev7 = ''[[HM (magazine)|HM Magazine]]'' | rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=hm>{{cite web |url=http://hmmagazine.com/blog/album-reviews/crowder-neon-steeple/ |title=Crowder – ''Neon Steeple'' |last=Key |first=Nathaniel |date=June 7, 2014 |work=HM |access-date=June 10, 2014 }}</ref> | rev8 = Jesus Freak Hideout | rev8score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=jfhone>{{cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/NeonSteeple.asp |title=Crowder, "Neon Steeple" Review |last=Barbee |first=Ryan |date=May 25, 2014 |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |access-date=May 27, 2014 }}</ref><br />{{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name=jfhtwo>{{cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/NeonSteeple.asp |title=Crowder, "Neon Steeple" Review: Second Staff Opinion |last=Fryberger |first=Scott |date=May 24, 2014 |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |access-date=May 27, 2014 }}</ref><br />{{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=jfhthree>{{cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/NeonSteeple.asp |title=Crowder, "Neon Steeple" Review: JFH Staff's ''Additional'' 2 Cents |last=Rice |first=Mark |date=May 25, 2014 |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |access-date=May 27, 2014 }}</ref> | rev9 = New Release Tuesday | rev9score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name=nrt>{{cite web |url=http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/userprofile_reviewssinglepost.php?review_id=22365&user_id=130961 |title=Folktronica Fusion |last=Lassiter |first=Caitlin Elizabeth |date=May 14, 2014 |publisher=New Release Tuesday |access-date=May 24, 2014 }}</ref> | rev10 = ''Worship Leader'' | rev10Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=wl>{{cite web |url=http://worshipleader.com/neon-steeple/ |title=Neon Steeple |last=Hunter |first=Andrea |date=May 27, 2014 |work=Worship Leader |access-date=May 28, 2014}}</ref> }}
''Neon Steeple'' met with a positive reception from music critics.<ref name=jwp>{{cite web |url=http://www.jesuswired.com/crowders-worldwide-solo-debut-neon-steeple-available-now/#axzz32u50csUh |title=Crowder's Worldwide Solo Debut "Neon Steeple" Available Now |last=Moss |first=Iain |date=May 27, 2014 |publisher=Jesus Wired |access-date=May 28, 2014}}</ref> Andrea Hunter of ''Worship Leader'' rated the album a perfect five stars, indicating saying Crowder "never settles into predictability" and displays "the edge of emotion in glistening pop". She called the material "raw, yet prodigiously conceived and crafted perfection."<ref name=wl /> At New Release Tuesday, Caitlin Elizabeth Lassiter rated the album four-and-a-half stars, stating "the folk elements and the computer side came together brilliantly".<ref name=nrt /> Nathaniel Key of ''[[HM (magazine)|HM Magazine]]'' rated the album four stars out of five, calling it "a fresh, relevant and innovative debut release".<ref name=hm /> At [[AllMusic]], Thom Jurek rated the album three stars out of five, noting the music and the musician for its "quirkiness [...] quotient".<ref name=am /> John Brandon of ''[[Christianity Today]]'' rated the album three stars out of five, remarking that not everything works well on the album, yet states "'Neon Steeple' is a throwback and a step forward at the same time", which is why "Crowder's ready to lead us there" into a new era of "Christian worship".<ref name=ct />
Piet Levy of ''[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]'' gave ''Neon Steeple'' a positive review, comparing the music to [[Avicii]]'s "[[Wake Me Up (Avicii song)|Wake Me Up]]" saying "Crowder sticks to folktronica, which blends the warm-hearted, rustic feel of folk with a little cinematic, synthesizer atmosphere."<ref name=mjs>{{cite web |url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/cd-reviews-mariah-carey-sharon-van-etten-crowder-kelly-willis-and-bruce-robison-spanish-gold-l-b9927-260834201.html |title=CD Reviews: Mariah Carey; Sharon Van Etten; Crowder; Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison; Spanish Gold; Little Barrie; Darrell Webb Band |last=Levy |first=Piet |date=May 27, 2014 |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |access-date=June 4, 2014 }}</ref> In addition, Levy said "If these songs were less explicitly religious, they'd likely do well on mainstream radio."<ref name=mjs /> Jesus Freak Hideout gave three reviews of the album, which were done by Ryan Barbee, Scott Fryberger and Mark Rice. Respectively, their ratings were five stars, four-and-a-half stars and four stars out of five. Barbee stated Crowder is back and "better than ever."<ref name=jfhone /> Fryberger wrote that "Crowder is no stranger to experimentation, and he pulls it off amazingly with ''Neon Steeple''."<ref name=jfhtwo /> Rice said that "''Neon Steeple'' brings forth some of the most creative Crowder concepts yet and excecutes [''sic''] it to a T". He called the release "everything we could have hoped from Crowder's first endeavor apart from his former band."<ref name=jfhthree /> Christian Music Review's April Covington rated ''Neon Steeple'' a perfect five stars, writing that she was "amazed" by Crowder's "crazy, awesome style" of music.<ref name=cmr />
At CM Addict, Andrew Funderburk rated the album a perfect five stars, saying the release "shines brightly" and that "every bit of this project is designed with beautiful artistry and fine detail."<ref name=cma /> Jonathan Andre of 365 Days of Inspiring Media rated the album four out of five, remarking say it features "some of the best songs of [Crowder's] whole entire career so far!"<ref name=doim /> The Front Row Report's Reggie Edwards rated the album eight-and-a-half out of ten, stating that ''Neon Steeple'' "should be an instant hit with fans and it won't be long until worship teams everywhere are using some of the songs for their own services."<ref name=frr /> Andrew Greenhalgh at The Sound Opinion gave a positive review of the album, saying "The fusion of the old and the new comes across as effortless in the artist's hands", and that Crowder "reasserts himself as a musical tour de force, making music that is as artistically successful as it is lyrically."<ref name=tso>{{cite web |url=http://thesoundopinion.com/2014/05/27/review-crowder-neon-steeple/ |title=Review: Crowder, Neon Steeple |last=Greenhalgh |first=Andrew |date=May 27, 2014 |publisher=The Sound Opinion |access-date=May 28, 2014}}</ref> At BREATHEcast, Kristen Solis gave a positive review of the album, saying "Only a musical and worship filled creative mind such as David Crowder could pull such an album like this and make it work."<ref name=bc>{{cite web |url=http://www.breathecast.com/articles/crowder-neon-steeples-album-review-15441/ |title=Crowder's 'Neon Steeple' Aims to Make Listeners Whole in Christ Using Old Church Songs with New School Sounds (REVIEW) |last=Solis |first=Kristen |date=May 1, 2014 |publisher=BREATHEcast |access-date=May 28, 2014}}</ref> Ryan Brymer of Faith Village gave a positive review of the album, saying "This is a good record, but I would just encourage you to leave your expectations at the door."<ref name=fv>{{cite web |url=http://www.faithvillage.com/article/5f31e7d670294ba4a6afab73b5c2d251/does_crowders_neon_steeple_meet_its_lofty_expectations?return=%2Fsearch-site%2FCrowder |title=Does Crowder's 'Neon Steeple' Meet Its Lofty Expectations? |last=Brymer |first=Ryan |date=May 27, 2014 |publisher=Faith Village |access-date=May 28, 2014}}</ref>
==Awards and accolades== This album was No. 4 on the ''Worship Leader'''s Top 20 Albums of 2014 list.<ref name="WL">{{cite journal |author=Worship Leader |author-link=Worship Leader (magazine) |title=Top 20 Albums of 2014 |url=http://media.worshipleader.com/lib/2014nov/html5/index.html?page=67 |journal=Worship Leader |access-date=August 11, 2015 |issue=November/December 2014 |page=67 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925234742/http://media.worshipleader.com/lib/2014nov/html5/index.html?page=67 |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The song, "I Am", was No. 8 on the ''Worship Leader''{{'}}s Top 20 Songs of 2014 list.<ref name="WLLS">{{cite journal |author=Worship Leader |author-link=Worship Leader (magazine) |title=Top 20 Songs of 2014 |url=http://media.worshipleader.com/lib/2014nov/html5/index.html?page=64 |journal=Worship Leader |access-date=November 5, 2015 |issue=November/December 2014 |pages=64–5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019094017/http://media.worshipleader.com/lib/2014nov/html5/index.html?page=64 |archive-date=October 19, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Commercial performance== For the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' charting week of June 14, 2014, ''Neon Steeple'' debuted at No. 9 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], and it sold 22,000 copies.<ref name=debutcharts>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6106516/coldplay-chills-for-second-week-at-no-1-mariah-carey-debuts-at-no-3|title=Coldplay Chills For Second Week At No. 1, Mariah Carey Debuts At No. 3|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=June 4, 2014|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 5, 2014}}</ref> It debuted at No. 1 on the [[Christian Albums]] chart.
==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = Standard edition | total_length = 51:58 | title1 = Neon Intro | writer1 = [[Crowder (musician)|David Crowder]] | length1 = 0:35 | title2 = My Beloved | writer2 = Crowder, [[Ed Cash]], Seth Philpott | length2 = 4:25 | title3 = [[I Am (Crowder song)|I Am]] | writer3 = Crowder, Cash | length3 = 4:07 | title4 = Come Alive | writer4 = Crowder, Hank Bentley, [[Rend Collective|Gareth Gilkenson]], [[Rend Collective|Chris Llewellyn]] | length4 = 3:15 | title5 = Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains) | writer5 = Crowder, Cash, Philpott | length5 = 3:45 | title6 = Come as You Are | writer6 = Crowder, Ben Glover, [[Matt Maher]] | length6 = 4:50 | title7 = Hands of Love | writer7 = Crowder, Philpott | length7 = 5:09 | title8 = Jesus Is Calling | writer8 = [[Charlie Monroe]], [[Hank Williams]] | length8 = 2:05 | title9 = My Sweet Lord | note9 = featuring [[Emmylou Harris]] | writer9 = Seth James, Steve Littleton | length9 = 4:03 | title10 = This I Know | writer10 = Crowder, Philpott | length10 = 4:05 | title11 = Ain't No Grave | writer11 = Crowder, Bentley, Philpott | length11 = 3:42 | title12 = You Are | writer12 = Crowder, Bentley, Cash | length12 = 3:32 | title13 = Here's My Heart | writer13 = [[Louie Giglio]], [[Jason Ingram]], [[Chris Tomlin]] | length13 = 6:58 | title14 = Steeple Outro | writer14 = Crowder, Bentley | length14 = 1:27 }} {{Track listing | headline = Deluxe edition | total_length = 67:32 | title15 = All This Glory | writer15 = Crowder, [[Family Force 5|Solomon Olds]], [[Christopher Stevens (musician)|Christopher Stevens]] | length15 = 4:51 | title16 = Because He Lives | note16 = [Remix] featuring [[Bill Gaither]] | writer16 = [[Bill Gaither (gospel singer)|Bill Gaither]], [[Gloria Gaither]] | length16 = 5:17 | title17 = How He Loves | note17 = Live from Passion | writer17 = [[John Mark McMillan]] | length17 = 5:26 }}
== Personnel == * David Crowder – vocals (1–14), acoustic guitar (2, 5, 7, 11, 16, 17), programming (3, 4, 7), instruments (3, 4, 7), lead vocals (15–17), lead guitar (15) * Gabe Scott – programming (2, 3), instruments (3, 6, 9, 13), additional programming (7), additional instruments (7), backing vocals (13, 15), [[dobro]] (15, 16) * [[Ed Cash]] – programming (3, 5), instruments (3, 12), guitars (5), [[banjo]] (5) * [[Will Hunt]] – programming (4), instruments (4) * [[Solomon Olds]] – programming (4, 7), instruments (4, 7) * [[Ben Glover]] – additional programming (6) * Chad Copelin – keyboards (8) * Cara Fox – keyboards (8), cello (8, 13), backing vocals (8) * Jared Fox – additional keyboards (8), acoustic guitar (8) * [[Christopher Stevens (musician)|Christopher Stevens]] – keyboards (10), programming (10) * Matt Gilder – acoustic piano (13) * Hank Bentley – guitars (1, 14), [[harmonium]] (2, 11), acoustic guitar type instruments (2), acoustic guitar (8, 11), electric guitar (8, 11, 13), [[Rhodes electric piano]] (11), [[bouzouki]] (11), auxiliary acoustic instruments (17) * Kenny Hutson – auxiliary acoustic instruments (2, 15, 17), [[lap steel guitar]] (5, 11), banjo (5), [[mandolin]] (11, 16) * [[Ron Block]] – banjo (2, 7) * Taylor Johnson – guitars (4), [[resonator guitar]] (4) * [[Echosmith|Josh Murty]] – acoustic guitar (5), electric guitar (5), resonator guitar (5), mandolin (5), [[theremin]] (5) * [[Phil Madeira]] – electric guitar (8), [[slide guitar]] (8), [[Hammond B3 organ]] (9, 11), lap steel guitar (11) * David Ramsey – acoustic guitar (10) * Bryan Brown – electric guitar (13) * Daniel Carson – electric guitar (13) * J.R. Collins – bass (2, 11, 15, 17), [[upright bass]] (16) * Max Mitchell – synth bass (5) * Matthew Melton – bass (8) * Christian Paschall – drums (2, 5, 11, 15, 17), [[Mellotron]] (5), programming (5, 11), guitars (5), percussion (5, 11) * Jacob Schrodt – drums (8), percussion (8) * [[Caedmon's Call|Todd Bragg]] – percussion (2, 15–17), drums (16) * Claire Indie Nunn – cello (2, 11, 15–17) * Laura Musten Sink – violin (2, 15–17) * [[Chris Carmichael (musician)|Chris Carmichael]] – [[fiddle]] (10) * Liz Huett – backing vocals (2, 7, 15) * Sally George – backing vocals (4) * A "Plethora of good folk" – backing vocals (5) * Blaine Watson – backing vocals (7) * David Spencer – backing vocals (8) * [[Emmylou Harris]] – vocals (9) * Mercy Stevens – backing vocals (10) * [[Bill Gaither]] – vocals (16)
'''Gang vocals and handclaps on "This I Know"''' * Lauren Johnson, Timmon Johnson, Tom LoSchiavo and Mercy Stevens
== Production == * [[Louie Giglio]] – executive producer * Shelley Giglio – executive producer, art direction * Brad O'Donnell – executive producer * David Crowder – producer (1–5, 7, 11, 14–17), engineer (3–5, 7) * Solomon Olds – producer (2, 4, 7, 15), engineer (4, 7), remixing (16) * Gabe Scott – producer (2, 3, 6, 9, 13), engineer (3, 6, 9, 13), vocal engineer (15) * Christopher Stevens – producer (2, 10, 15), mixing (10) * Ed Cash – producer (3, 5, 12), engineer (3, 5, 12) * Will Hunt – producer (4), engineer (4) * Christian Paschall – producer (5, 11), engineer (5, 11), mixing (5) * Jared Fox – producer (8), engineer (8) * Tommy Carnes – electric and slide guitar engineer (8), B3 organ engineer (9, 11), lap steel guitar engineer (11) * Todd Robbins – Emmylou Harris vocal engineer (9) * Tom Tapley – engineer (11) * Shane D. Wilson – mixing (1, 7, 9, 13–15) * Jon Kaplan – mixing (2, 4, 6, 11, 17) * Neal Avron – mixing (3) * Mark Endert – mixing (12) * Kenny Hutson – additional engineer (4) * Zakk Cervini – editing (4, 6, 11), mix assistant (6, 11) * Justin Dowse – mix assistant (7, 9, 13, 14) * Evan Redwine – mix assistant (7, 9, 13, 14) * Jess Chambers – A&R administration * Leighton Ching – art direction, design * Mike McCloskey – art direction * Becca Wildsmith – art direction * Zack Arias – photography * Mary Caroline Mann – photography
==Chart performance== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Chart (2014) ! Peak<br>position |- | {{album chart|Billboard200|9|M|title=Crowder Chart History - ''Billboard'' 200|work=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|accessdate=June 5, 2014|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/5881081/crowder/chart?f=305}} |- | {{album chart|BillboardChristian|1|M|title=Crowder Chart History - Christian Albums|work=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|accessdate=June 5, 2014|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/5881081/crowder/chart?f=310}} |}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Crowder|title=Neon Steeple|award=Gold|relyear=2014|certyear=2021|accessdate=June 13, 2021|refname="RIAA"}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true | nosales=true | noshipments=true}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Crowder}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:2014 debut albums]] [[Category:Crowder (musician) albums]] [[Category:Sparrow Records albums]]