“Maps” by Falling Up, Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Today we have another offering from Falling Up ’s Captiva , the transitional record between their mainstream Christian Rock career and their dive into pure lyrical experimentation. I believe that “ Maps ” was one of the last Christian Hit Radio (CHR) singles for the band. Christian Hit Radio was perhaps the least successful Christian music genre. The genre tried to parallel Top 40 pop stations, offering a mix of Christian hip hop, pop, adult contemporary, and rock. One of the best examples of the Christian Hit Radio stations was Air1 . While Air1 still around, it now claims to be a “Worship Radio station.” ONE LAST HOUR BEFORE THIS PLACE IS ON FIRE. In the early ‘00s, Christian Hit Radio stations, such as Air1, served as a place where listeners could hear the heavier Michael W. Smith and Rebecca St. James songs and the calmer P.O.D. and Anberlin songs. Air1 also played pop stars like early Jonas Brothers and Jordin Sparks as well as publicly Christian general market artists