The short answer is NO. The long answer is No, but..., as it was last year, and even somewhat in 2004. The X series was one of the most exciting debuts in 2003. The two disc, 34 track compilation was masive in introducing the masses to a lot of awesome rock acts they had never heard from before. However, after going to one disc, it seems that this important part of the series has been sorely lacking. Case in point on the X 2006 release: aside from the three bonus tracks, all of the artists on this disc have had huge exposure in the Christian market and some in the mainstream.
That's not to say there is anything wrong with most of these bands. In fact, it is refreshing to see bands like Underoath, Disciple and Demon Hunter get recognition on this compilation. And rock chart mainstays like Relient K, Thousand Foot Krutch, Sanctus Real and others have certainly earned their right to be a part of this compilation. Rather, the main problem of this disc is in song selection.
There are some true gems on this disc. Day Of Fire's newest song, Wake Me, gives listeners a first taste of the upcoming June release, and the track is definitely worth picking up. Demon Hunter's One Thousand Apologies will give listeners a taste of some harder edged rock music that often gets overlooked. And the new single from Sanctus Real and Kutless certainly give listeners something worthwhile (Kutless' track, Shut Me Out, is one that shows that these guys really have grown musically. Lyrics are another story, but at least they're showing some growth).
But most of the disc is killed by song selection. tobyMac's The Slam is now a year-old single. Rather than giving listeners a taste of Underoath's upcoming June release, the disc instead sticks to another old single, It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door. Disciple's The Wait Is Over is another old single.
And then, of course, there are the artists who truly don't belong on this disc. Third Day, though being a band that creates excellent southern rock, is not a band that belongs on a disc that is meant to be about experiencing "the alternative" (See X 2003's cover for that little phrase that first introduced this series to the masses). Now, Falling To Pieces certainly is not a terrible fit for this disc; on the contrary, it seems to fit pretty well. The problem lies in that it is not typical of Third Day's style. And then, of course, there is the always disappointing KJ-52. The man was wisely left off of the 2003 version of this disc, but has wrongly appeared on all subsequent discs. Look, it's not an issue of him being a "rock" artist or a "hip hop" artist (Of the two, he is definitely a rocker, no matter how much the CCM world wants to push him as a hip hop artist). The issue lies in his poor quality of songs. The man is overhyped and his talents are vastly overestimated. He doesn't want to be considered a Christian Eminem knock-off, and he shouldn't be. Eminem could rap circles around this man. It would even be an insult to call a Christian Paul Wall or Bubba Sparxxx. Put simply, the man is just not good at all.
Overall, the X series continues to go downhill After starting strong in 2003, the discs have progressively gone downhill. This latest offering only continues that trend. Aside from some excellent tracks from a few artists here and there, X 2006 gives listeners nothing but old singles and poor artist selections. If and when you can find this disc online, pick up the tracks from Relient K, Sanctus Real, Day Of Fire, Demon Hunter, Fighting Instinct and Red (And tracks from Underoath and Disciple, if you don't already own them). Don't waste 10 or 15 bucks on a 20-track mess.