Last week, we announced UTR's Top 11 Gourmet Albums of 2010.  We're not done yet.  We also asked our panel of critics to choose their individual Top 6 Gourmet Songs of 2010.  Since we don't rely on radio charts or popularity poles to gauge the quality of a song, it was left in the subjective hands of each individual panelist to choose the most creative, inspiring, thoughtful, & artistic tracks from the last year.  There was far less overlap in the song choices than with the albums, so there was no way to compile one collaborative list.  So, here are each critic's picks for Top Gourmet Songs of 2010.

[Song qualifies for consideration if from a Christian songwriter/artist and was released between 12/1/09-11/30/10.]

DAVE TROUT'S PICKS

1. "Not Alone" - Hark the Herons
2. "The Reckoning (How Long) - Andrew Peterson
3. "Something in the Water" - Brooke Fraser
4. "Even Close" - Charlie Dodrill
5. "You and Your Things" - Joel Auge
6. TIE: "Higher" - Gungor  AND  "Control" - JJ Heller

AMBER BOLTON'S PICKS

1. "This Ain't Home" - Seabird
2. "Oh My Stars" - Andrew Belle
3. "Moving Backwards" - Ben Rector
4. "Change in the Making" - Addison Road
5. "Beautiful Things" - Gungor
6. "Dear Heart" - Sanctus Real

RUSS BREIMEIER'S PICKS

1. "Out of My Hands" - Jars of Clay
2. "The Reckoning (How Long)" - Andrew Peterson
3. "God Gave Me You" - Dave Barnes
4. "Better than a Hallelujah" - Amy Grant
5. "Flags" - Brooke Fraser
6. "No Robots" - The Arrows

ANDREW GREER'S PICKS

1. "The Lucky Ones" - Emily Deloach
2. "He Who Feeds the Ravens" - Josh White
3. "Can't Help Myself" - Sandra McCracken
4. "You Are Not Alone" - Mavis Staples
5. "Dancing in the Minefields" - Andrew Peterson
6. "Blowin' in the Wind" - The McCrary Sisters

JOHN J. THOMPSON'S PICKS

1. "Beautiful Things" - Gungor
2. "Restless" - Audrey Assad
3. "My Own True Love" - Rhona Kelley
4. "A Friend So Kind" - The Choir
5. "Israelites and Okies" - Lost Dogs
6. "They Call Me Blood" - Eastern Block

KEVIN DAVIS' PICKS

1. "What Love Really Means" - JJ Heller
2. "Miracle" - Robbie Seay Band
3. "Known" - Audrey Assad
4. "Shelter" - Jars of Clay
5. "Beautiful Things" - Gungor
6. "Death In His Grave" - John Mark McMillan

RACHEL BUCHANAN'S PICKS

1. "Don't You Know You're Beautiful" - Seabird
2. "Beautiful Things" - Gungor
3. "Dancing in the Minefields" - Andrew Peterson
4. "Captains of the Sky" - Sky Sailing
5. "The Fall" - Brendan James
6. "Too Long Without You" - Reilly

DAVID WONDER'S PICKS

1. "Ain't No Grave" - Johnny Cash
2. "Sorrow" - Jon Foreman
3. "Walls" - The Rocket Summer
4. "Too Long Without You" - Reilly
5. "Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go" - Ascend The Hill 
6. "Brevity" - Lovelite

JEREMY GUDAUSKAS' PICKS

1. "Impossible Soul" - Sufjan Stevens
2. "Planting Trees" - Andrew Peterson
3. "Justice Will Roll Down" - Sandra McCracken
4. "Next to Me" - Sleeping at Last
5. "God's Hometown" - Caedmon's Call
6. "Gloria" - Milano

What do you think about our picks?  What were some of the best songs of 2010 on your personal list?  Not only is this a great conversation starter, but this list is a great resource of how to cash in those iTunes gift cards you got on Christmas -- nearly 50 amazing songs worth checking out.  And make sure to check out UTR episodes #113 and #114, as we feature many of these top songs of the year.

-----------------------------------
written by Dave Trout