A Great Example of the Resurgence of Substantial Theology in Popular Music

I have long grieved the loss of substantial theology communicated in music from Christian artists, especially the music we hear on the radio.  It didn't used to be like this.  Two decades ago there was way more theology packed into songs written by Christians for popular enjoyment and encouragement.

It seems to me that these days Hip Hop artists are leading the way when it comes to addressing the void of good theology in popular music.  Here would be a good example.



 More music from them here.

Mediator

Guest post by Aaron Armstrong

Great song from Ghost Ship:

Buy their album, The Good King, on iTunes or stream it here free.

Music Recommendation - Caitelen - "Dark is Light"

I wanted to give you a heads up about a new project that I am really excited about.  It comes from my good friend from Albuquerque, Caitelen Schneeberger.

This doesn't sound like your usual indie project.  It sounds good.  Real good.  She can sing like an angel and her songs will certainly peak your interest.

Just click here to listen to the samples.  You'll dig it.

I Think I Might Like These Coldplay Covers Even Better Than The Originals

It is always a testimony to the greatness of a song when you can reinvent it in a different genre and it still works.  Say what you will about Coldplay... they can write great songs.

Bon Iver on Ellen

If you don't yet have his latest recording, you are missing out.

(HT: Steve McCoy)

Reflections on a Switchfoot Show

1.  Switchfoot has been going at it for probably about 15 years now.  They sound better than ever.  I saw them seven years ago in Nashville when they opened up for the Foo Fighters.  That was an amazing show.  But after last night I simply got the sense that these guys are rock and roll veterans.  They know what they are doing.  They are extremely comfortable and they know what it takes to put on a great show.  It's really cool to see their maturity over the years.

2.  They have compiled a huge library of great rock songs over the years such that when you pick 15 songs to play in 90 minutes, every song in the show is a great song.  This is one indication that you have arrived as a band.

3.  They were extremely tight as band.  This is always inspiring.

4.  Switchfoot doesn't have one ounce of pride in their show.  You get the genuine sense they they love each other as a band, they love us as the audience, and they love this music that they are privileged to show.  The positive vibe in the room was really strong and when you are in a cool theatre that holds about 600 people is just adds to the effect.

5.  When I hear Jon sing, especially in the last few years, I get the sense that his voice is bending under the strain of all the shows over the years.  But last night he sounded better than ever, vocally speaking.

6.  It was great to take my oldest son.  He is nine.  It's a cool feeling when you share the beauty and glory of great music across generations.  All is not lost.  Great music will carry on.

7.  I have been taking a break from guitar playing over the last couple years.  I just don't have time to play and practice to maintain a satisfiable level in my view.  Last night's show made me want to make time for it again.  Maybe in the New Heavens and New Earth.

8.  If you have a chance to catch them on this tour, don't miss it.  You'll be really glad you did.

Click here to get their music.  I really like their latest record.

Christian Hip-Hop is Taking Over

Owen Strachan:

The rappers have taken over.

Rap has been mainstream in America for a while now: Jay-Z plays Carnegie Hall; Pitbull sells, well, everything; Kanye wears skinny jeans and changes fashion overnight. In evangelicalism, however, it has taken longer for it to break into the cultural center. That is the result of numerous factors---race (with some racism sprinkled in), the bipolar nature of much popular rap (either embarrassingly hedonistic or frighteningly nihilistic), and a lack of familiarity with the genre, among other reasons.

In 2012, though, everything has changed. Rappers motivated by the gospel are accomplishing the following: crashing the Billboard album sales charts, touring internationally, freestyling before millions at secular awards shows, sampling John Piper sermons, interning for Mark Dever, shooting around with NBA stars before games, getting shout-outs from Jeremy Lin, and much, much more.

Read the rest.

Keith Jarrett Live in Concert

Most of you have never heard of Keith Jarrett. He is in the top three of living jazz piano players in the world today. I would label him #1. Last night, Justin Taylor and I saw him perform one of his iconic solo concerts that are completely improvised. The following video will give you a sense for the breathtaking beauty of his playing.

The whole concert was not all like this but much of it was. Keith is an odd bird to say the least. Like most people with extreme, far outside the norm type gifts he says awkward things and can genuinely make a complete jerk out of himself to the audience. Last night was no exception, but the music speaks for itself and it was the height of common grace on display for all to see.




For more music like this I would recommend:

The Koln Concert
Jasmine
Over The Rainbow
Blues
True Blues
It's All In The Game

John Mark McMillian - The Medicine

I know I am late to the party on this one, but this record is really good.  You should check it out.  Unique vocals, great melodies, worshipful lyrics that are not what you are used to hearing, and good old fashioned rock and roll.

Death in His Grave

Shaun Groves:

I feel like I’m inoculated from the power of music. I’m rarely moved by a song anymore. A hazard of being a music maker maybe. But God has moved me through this song, Death In His Grave, by John Mark McMillan over and over again.

It’s on his newest album, The Medicine, which releases today. Go get it. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Beautiful, innovative, poetic, intelligent, subversive, theologically robust, sonic sweet tea and biscuits, transcendent.

Enjoy.

Though the Earth Cried out for blood
Satisfied her hunger was
Her billows calmed on raging seas
for the souls on men she craved

Sun and moon from balcony
Turned their head in disbelief
Their precious Love would taste the sting
disfigured and disdained

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke with keys
Of Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

So three days in darkness slept
The Morning Sun of righteousness
But rose to shame the throes of death
And over turn his rule

Now daughters and the sons of men
Would pay not their dues again
The debt of blood they owed was rent
When the day rolled a new

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke holding keys
To Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke with keys
Of Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

He has cheated
Hell and seated
Us above the fall
In desperate places
He paid our wages
One time once and for all

Hymns II from Page CXVI

Some of you might want to check out this new release of hymn arrangements from Page CXVI.

Live Blogging Melanie Penn's "Wake Up Love"

How do you "live blog" a CD?  Here is my idea...  This is a CD I have never heard before and I am going to put it and listen to it for the first time and record my reflections.  Might be a cool way to review it.  I know that sometimes music gets better (or worse) the more you listen to it, but I am going to give this instantaneous approach a shot.  This will simply be quick, instinctive reactions to what I am hearing.  Not a ton of refinement here, but it will be honest, in the moment, and raw.  Hope you like the approach.  Let me know what you think.

Circus Song - This chick can sing.  Very cool voice.  Kind of reminds me of the gal from Sixpence.  Pure and lilting.  You can't go wrong with a good glockenspiel.  This song gives me a sense of anticipation that the rest of the record is going to be really cool.  This song builds really well without giving too much away.  Nice harmonies.  Cool arrangement.  It is a short song and seems to fit as a first song. 

Wake Up Love - Sounds kind of folky.  I am sensing that this recording is going to stark yet beautiful.  Interesting chord choice there.  Made my ears perk up.  I love the break in her voice on the chorus.  There is that glock again.  Now the banjo comes in.  I don't have a category for that.  Sufjan.  This song sounds like it should be the soundtrack to something.  Can't quite place what that should be yet.  Whoever arranged these parts did a really good job.  Upbeat ending with acoustic and claps and other sounds.  Here comes the rock bass.  Didn't see this coming.  Seems a bit out of character, but I dig it.  Choir joins in.  This is wild.  Indie and weird, but yet accessable because of good melodies and a great singer. 

Ordinary Day - Percusion spaz.  Interesting choices.  Snaps, triangles.  Glock again.  This chick likes the glock.  What's not to like?  This melody seems the most accessable and singable.  This song is the most poppy that I have heard compared to the previous two.  People will like this song.  Love the breakdown with just the acoustic.  Wowsers, this gal can sing.  Holy cow. 

A Star's Lament - The percussion choices on this record are very interesting.  I like the minor feel of this tune.  Ambient backgrounds are very cool.  Great harmonies on this one as well.  I wonder if they used autotune on this gal.  I imagine she probably doesn't need much.  I miss records where you can tell that they just had to sing in tune and it doesn't sound "perfect".  Listened to Amy Grant's Lead Me On the other day and it was such a huge difference vocally than most records these days.  She is not "perfect" but the vocal sounds great.  Way more human.  Enough of that tangent...  Abrubt ending to this song that is cool. 

Daydream - More spazing out with weird percussion stuff.  I love it.  I think this is a cover song.  Ashamed that I can't place it.  Hold on, I have to look this up.  Ah yes, the song by "The Lovin' Spoonful".  Sounds like I should be sitting on the front porch with a glass of lemonade and watching my kids play on a hot summer day.  This song is so happy.  It is interesting that this record doesn't really have much of a full drum kit presence at all but rhythmically it is still very interesting.  Certainly an original sound.  People are going to dig this record. 

I Try On - Bongos.  Wow have not heard those in awhile.  Here is the standard drum kit that I was missing.  Nice piano tone.  This is just a happy feel good number.  Straight ahead R&B sort of feel.  I like it.  Bluesy.  Horns.  Nice.  I can't get enough of this gal's voice.  Wow.  You will love it.  The breakdown with the Wurli is cool. 

Sorrows - Got to love it when the drummer counts it off and they leave it in the recording.  Lazy feel.  Dark and bluesy.  More interesting percussion.  Ken Lewis is the man.  I just got a hint of Susan Ashton in her voice (anyone remember her?).  Great piano line!  Cool tone too.  Just remember people, good arrangments are not about tons of notes, just the right notes.  This Ben Shive dude is super talented.  Great arrangements.  Accordian parts again give this another unique angle.  The mix with the strings is a nice tone.  Sing girl!

Glass Pane -Not a huge fan of this tune.  Melody doesn't really grab me.  Stark arrangement.  Here comes the change of tempo out of nowhere.  That was cool.    It will be interesting to see if radio takes to this record at all.  I know Christian radio won't know what to do with it but that is probably a good thing.  Means she is actually an artist and not a business creation for the sake of making money.  Was that mean?

Train -I can't get Susan Ashton out of my head now.  She is a bit more raw than her.  A bit more edgy but still pure.  Love the break in her voice again.  So moving.  Hearing a bit of Bill Frisell in the guitar parts here.  Got to love that.  Beautiful harmonies.  Great note choices.  I love this song.  Beautiful.  I feel like I should have a glass of wine in my hand as I listen to this record.  A nice red.  That would be great.  It is sophiticated but gentle.  Kind of makes me relaxed and happy.  The music, not the wine.   Nice worshipful ending.  These songs seem to morph to different places quite nicely and unexpectedly.  Things come out of nowhere but they are all welcome. 

Balloon -Kind of has a bit of a country vibe with the slide guitar.  Real chill.  Hauntingly beautiful. 

If You Forget -More banjo.  Does Sufjan get all the credit for a banjo's presence in pop records?  I'm not a huge fan of banjo's.  Makes me think of Kentucky.  This song is not my favorite either.  9 out of 11 ain't bad.  That is actually really good for me.  Usually if I like three songs on a record I consider it a success.  Good BGVs. 

You will like this record.  It is a breath of fresh air.  Get it here as MP3 download.   

Pomplamoose - O Come All Ye Faithful

Wow, this is a cool arrangement.



(HT: Steve McCoy)

Ten Of My Favorite Christmas Songs

1. All Is Well - Michael W. Smith

One of the best all around Christmas records that I own and this is my favorite song from it. I don't listen to much MWS anymore, but this record that came out in the 80's has some great enduring music on it.

2. Let All Mortal Flesh - Fernando Ortega

Hauntingly beautiful music and text that draw our hearts deeper into the reality of the incarnation.

3. Christmastime Is Here (Instrumental) - Vince Guaraldi Trio

Nostalgia all around on this one. Doesn't get much better than Charlie Brown Christmas and this tune is perhaps the most well known for a reason.

4. Rise & Fall - Daniel Renstrom

Great rock tune that puts the prophecy that "many will rise and fall" on account of Jesus to music. Great hook.

5. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Bill Evans

Legendary jazz piano great has an interesting spin on this tune.

6. That Was the Worst Christmas Ever! - Sufjan Stevens

I had to throw a bone out there for all the hipsters. Melancholy, but beautiful, he nails it with this tune.

7. God Rest Ye Merry , Gentlemen - Kevin Max

Few people have the vocal chops of Kevin and the dark arrangement from the piano on this tune brings out musical colors that I deeply resonate with. I could listen this to this track over and over.

8. I Pray On Christmas - Harry Connick Jr.

Fun, groovy, and very singable. Classic Harry Connick.

9. Welcome To Our World - Chris Rice

Simple melody and some of the best text on the incarnation out there.

10. Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration - Stevie Wonder and Take 6

This piece from Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration has some of the best Stevie Wonder vocals I have ever heard. Most of you probably have never heard this tune. If you dig Stevie, buy it. You won't be sorry. So powerful.

The Silent Stars

My friend Alli Rogers just released a new Christmas record that I would commend to you. It's called, The Silent Stars. She is a very thoughtful and winsome young women. You'll dig her style. It's a bit in the vein of Sara Groves with a raw, yet beautiful voice and stark musical production. Check it out.

New Christmas Songs

Bob Kauflin recommends some Christmas songs that you may not have heard of yet.

Another Plug For A Great Christmas Record

I posted about this a few days back, but since I have been listening to it more lately, I wanted to give another plug for Daniel Renstrom's new Christmas record. It's really good. Great arrangements of classics and a few new songs that are really good as well. He has a great voice and the text for the originals I found to be quite moving.

Check it out here.

Steve McCoy reviewed this CD recently on his blog.

Looking for more Christmas music this time of year? Check out some more here.

Review of Switchfoot's Latest Record, "Hello Hurricane"

The conclusion of the review:

In all the swells and sways of grungy guitar riffs and drilling drums, there's something really authentic about Hello Hurricane. Not that it is without influences. Mandatory derivatives of Coldplay and U2 are inserted alongside tinges of The Killers and JET, and even a skosh of Modest Mouse, but the overall record feels original—thanks in part to producer/bassist-pro Mike Elizondo's (Dr. Dre, Pink, Fiona Apple) varied experience.

More than just picking up where 2006's Oh Gravity! left off, Hello Hurricane's broad musical landscape supports a deep lyrical dig into the grief of the human heart and brazenly extends eternal hope for the soul. This recording is bound to be the beginning of a meaningful new chapter for Switchfoot.

Read the rest.

Listen to clips or buy the CD here.

Review of "Beauty Will Rise"

Scott Anderson posts a great review of Steven Curtis Chapman's new record. He writes:

I purchased Steven Curtis Chapman’s new album “Beauty Will Rise“. It is the much-anticipated first release from Chapman since the tragic death of his 5-year old daughter, Maria, just 18-months ago.

Simply put, this album is a musical masterpiece. It contains 12 beautifully-written, mostly acoustic songs with understated accompaniment that accents the intimate, personal nature of the lyrics. This album is primed to actively minister to all who listen to its melodies.

Indeed, listening to this entire album in one sitting is a moving, worshipful experience. The songs segue together to form a kind of Psalm of Lament–questions, cries, and pain are heard in every song. Yet the heartache expressed is couched within a deep faith and steady hope in the absolute, good sovereignty of God. Chapman sings through the suffering, pointing us to a God who sees and knows and controls all things; to a God who will carry us through to That Day when it all be made right (Rev. 22:3-5). Taken as a whole, this album unequivocally echoes the refrain of the prophet Isaiah: “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock” (Is. 26:4). In this respect, “Beauty Will Rise” is a tremendously God-honoring work.

Undoubtedly, this album will minister in profound ways to many who are suffering. It gives emotional expression to what it means to grieve in faith; to be “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Cor. 6:10). I recommend it highly. I already have several people in mind to whom I intend to gift the album.

You can get his new record here.

(HT: Dan Cruver)

Interview with Matt Redman

Bob Kauflin has a good interview with Matt Redman concerning his new release. You can read it here.