Top Christian Albums of the 1980's -- #8

PICTURES IN THE SKY – Rich Mullins (1987) – Ah, yes -- freshman year in college, waking up to Screendoor every stinkin' day at the unearthly hour of 7:00 AM thanks to this album in my roommate's clock/radio/cassette. It was my first introduction to Rich Mullins (and an inauspicious one, I daresay), but I eventually cut through the early-morning blahs and came to appreciate Rich's creativity and originality. Nonetheless, I had to buy the CD before I realized that Screendoor was not the album's opening track. My roommate had kept the cassette on "side 2" that whole year.

Other artists had their peer group; not Rich Mullins. His sound was (and is) unique; original in its own right, and emulated by none since. Pictures in the Sky showcases Mullins at his versatile best, with each track unique yet with an overall cohesion. Along with another artist on this list, taken from us far too soon, and greatly missed.