Sleeping at Last "From the Ground Up"

It's hard to know where to start as far as recommending something from Ryan O'Neill's prolific genius.  Scratching out a niché as a "mail-order home studio musician" whose music is frequently featured in films and TV shows, his epic concept pieces of the last few years have been filled with gems of beautiful music and poetry.  The bridge from this song is one of my favorites, but there are 20 other songs that could have gotten honorable mention.  Sleeping at Last's cinematic and orchestral swells, quiet tone, and gorgeous lyrics all over Ryan's soft and unique vocal sets this guy's music in a league of its own. 

Lindforest "Den Dag Du Faller Ner"

Blindside's Christian Lindskog has always had one of the most emotive and beautiful voices in the world.  The combination here of his native Swedish with gorgeous lyrics and a quiet acoustic sound is devastating.  Makes me cry almost every time.  :) 

Jars of Clay "Oh my God"

This song just gets me every time.  When I think about all the pain in the oworld, personal and global, when I think about orphans and street kids and emptyness, this song coems to mind.  It's a masterful piece of art from a band that has proved through 20 years of making music that they are one of the best bands around.  Period.