This is Great Art

I was just yesterday talking to a couple dudes about how to glorify God in media consumption.  One of the points I made was that great art should cause us to give thanks to God because he is the master Artist and when we produce something of great creativity and mastery it should remind us of him and ultimately, to worship him.

Listening to Willy Porter present his music does that for me.  He simply embodies everything I love about music.  Great singing, great groove, great tones, great compositions.







Get his music here.

Nickelback and Creed - A Night With the World's Most Hated Bands

Chuck Klosterman:

The moment you tell people you're seeing Creed and Nickelback in concert — on the same night, at roughly the same time, in two different venues — it suddenly becomes a stunt. Just describing the premise seems schlocky; it's like Def Leppard playing on three different continents in 24 hours, or maybe something David Blaine would attempt if he worked for the Fuse network. The immediate assumption is that this is some type of sonic endurance test, and that no person could possibly enjoy the experience of seeing the most hated (yet popular) rock band of 2001 followed by the most popular (yet hated) rock band of 2012. But this is what I wanted to do: I wanted to see Creed at New York's intimate Beacon Theatre (performing their 1997 album My Own Prison in its entirety), followed by Nickelback in front of 18,000 people at Madison Square Garden.

Last Thursday, this dream was accomplished.

I did not do this because I particularly like or dislike either band. I did it because other people like and dislike them so much.

Read the rest.

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.

Gungor - "Ghosts Upon The Earth" - A Review

My review of Gungor's last record was extremely positive.  To be honest, it was one of my favorite recording of the last few years.  I still find my fingers dialing it up quite frequently on my iPhone.

This new record seems to take the beautiful creativity of the last record and just ratchet it up a notch.  This is not your formulaic pop music of your local CCM station.  Is the sweat, blood, and hours of labor trying to give birth to a new creation that has some lasting permanence and meaning.  The wide open soundscapes possess twists and turns around every corner without being shocking.  It's more like creative surprises as you listen along.  If you do the work to listen well, you'll smile.

Last night I was asked by a young person at our church, "So, what Christian music do you listen to?" "Uh...  Not much.  For a variety of reasons I find a large majority of it a bit nauseating."

This record is a notable exception.  Said simply, this is the Christian music that makes me excited to talk about.  Probably because it's just flat out great music, Christian or not.

Just get it.  You won't be sorry.

Get their previous record here.

Live Blogging MuteMath's New Release - Odd Soul

Odd Soul - Sounds like like a song that Led Zepelin would write.  Great guitar riff.  Choppy and wide open drum groove is very interesting.  Great vocal effect on Paul's voice.  This groove is deep.  This song has some serious soul for four white dudes.  Here comes the bridge...  It's getting freaky.  These dudes are too creative.  Now back to the 70's guitar riffs, octaves galore.  Finally the drums lock into a more regular straight ahead groove.  Been waiting for the the whole time.  Serious tension and release with that drum part over the corse of this song and serious head bobbing at the end.  GREAT song.

Prytania - This is a new sound for MuteMath.  You can tell these guys are going for a specific "sound" on this record.  More edgy and raw than records in the past.  Sounds more like analog tape but I doubt it is.  Who knows.  Snare sound on this song sounds more thin than in the past but I like it.  This band is really growing into their own.  This record already sounds very mature for them in new and exciting ways.  Major chord surprise on that hit there on the end of the bridge.  Nice surprise.  Not sure what to make of this song yet, but I'm sure it will grow on me.  Paul's vocals keep getting better.  As a band, these guys are so serious and such hard workers.  You can hear it on every album.

Blood Pressure - More 70's sounding guitar riffs.  I love it.  This song has a serious vibe.  "Why can't you do a little more for Jesus".  Interesting line.  I think they are still trying to exercise the demons of their fundie past in Christianity.  I would LOVE to hear from them on where they are at with their faith now.  Great major7th chord sound coming out of the chorus.  Gives the song a really nice lift and different contrast to the darker side of this song.  This song rocks with great riffs and guitar tones.  Again, the "sound" of this record is really consistent.  Sounds great.  I am three songs in and very very impressed.

Tell Your Heart Heads Up - Great drum groove.  These drums sounds are good.  More amazing guitar riffs.  This record could take this band to the next level.  Chorus opens WAY up sonically.  Great bgvs.  Interesting singing/talking on the verses.  Here comes the rock organ!  Nice.  These guys are freaks when it comes to interesting grooves.  This song is sonically busy but it's not too much.  Again, the sound is consistent but remains very interesting.  Not bored at all.  Great falsetto vocal riff.  On first listen this is my second favorite song thus far.  Weird ending melting into the next song...

All or Nothing - This song is turning a corner on the record is seems.  More gentle tone.  Paul's vocal melodies are new and different on this record.  You can tell he is trying to break out of old patterns for his writing.  Still sounds like him, just a better him.  Great growth.   AWESOME chord changes on the chorus.    These guys have a melancholy beauty to their writing that I resonate greatly with.  This band continues to wow me with each record.  Thus far, this one has taken it all to the next level.  Edgy and beautiful all at the same time.  This is very unique combination that makes MuteMath stand out.   Interesting sine lead (synth tone) riff.  This is building nicely.  I am sensing a sonic explosion coming...  Here it comes... Now we are in the land of the 80s.  Fast forward a decade!  I like it a lot though.  80s are cool again, or at least these guys are making it cool again.

Sun Ray - The vibes!  Nice.  Spacey and mellowed out.  These guys like the reverb on this song.  I think this might be an instrumental.  Now it opens up and feels more dry.   These guys must have been watching awkward 70's documentaries a lot while recording this record.  Sounds great.

Allies - More huge guitar octave riffs.  Grooving deeply.  This song is a serious funktastik blast.  Key change!  Wow.  Didn't see that coming.  Cool!!!!  Again, for four whites dudes, these boys can lay down some nasty good beats.  I can tell that this record is going to be play non-stop for about two months at my house.  Darrin's drumming is so unique.  He has such a "voice" as a drummer by the way the tones are mixed and the way that he plays.  This is very unique as a drummer.  Not many drummers have a "voice" that you can hear and point out within seconds of hearing it.  This certainly is one thing that sets MuteMath apart as a band.  This song is my third favorite thus far.  Super fun.

Cavalries - Nice feel in 3.  Have not had that yet I don't think.  Don't know what to say about this track.  Not my favorite compared to the other tracks.  Ok... Now they are totally changing it up with wild drum circle groove.  Whoa!  Roy just got crazy with some mad bass lines.  The funk is getting deep in here now. I love it.  I am laughing right now at how much of a party this record is.  Dark but really fun.  Oh my.  Darrin's fills are blowing my mind.  Organ!!!  Yes!  Rock.  Back to the feel in three.  Holy cow.  This song is going to be NUTS live in concert.  What a cool change of pace.  I like this song now.

Walking Paranoia - Whoa.  Crazy feel on the intro to this song.  Dude.  The 70's riffs keep coming.  Great riffs.  Jimmy Page would be proud.  Very proud.  I think this song might be also about their dysfunctional Christian past.  But I can't quite tell.  Can't totally understand the lyrics.  But great chords changes on the chorus.  I keep waiting for them to have a song on here that is a complete dud, but don't have one yet.  The creativity on this record is staggering.  More 70's tones.  These guys must have taken a time machine back to 1973.  Interesting vocals on the end there.

One More - Ok, this song is not my favorite of all the ones I have heard thus far.  Dig the nice phat rock organ tones.  Again, the sound of this record is very consistent.  I think this is hard for bands to do and keep the thing interesting.  They are completely accomplishing that feat.  Great dry and broken down section there.  This song is sonically less busy that many of the others.  Good for the ears.  Ok, now it is getting busy and rockin' again.  This song is good but not my favorite.  The melody doesn't quite grab me like the others have.  But still the interest level is still quite high just based on the amazing musicianship.

Equals - Wow.  Deep bass riff.  I like how this song is landing.  Funky intro and then total change of pace.  This song has many sonic surprises with different tones, melodic variations, and drum patterns.  It's many changes in one song but still doesn't feel schizophrenic.  Just very interesting and you find your ear waiting to be pleasantly surprised by what is going to come next.  At this point in the record you have built trust with them that when they change it up it is going to be really cool.  There they just did it again.  This is the fourth major shift in one song and I loved it.  Not exactly the "pop" formula.  I say screw the pop formula.  Here comes the deep funk again.  I am laughing again.  I love this.  This record is SO fun.  You have to get it.  Wow.   This song is blowing my mind.  Again, this will be amazing live.  So many different fun changes within one song.  Sounds more like a jam band song.  This is a symphony of funk...

Quarantine - Ok, I totally messed this up.  They moved into this song and I didn't even realize it. No break. I am three minutes in and I thought we were still on the previous song.  Still the rock/funk symphony continues.  Whatever happened is fine with me.  I can't get enough of this record.  Hands down my favorite MuteMath record of all of them thus far and that is a lot since I think the previous three are lights out.  This song just completely changed.  They are morphing in and out of different musical themes like a chameleon on crack.  I so want to hear this record live.  It will be amazing for sure.  Great drum/programming outro.

In No Time - More beautiful melodies from Paul.  His vocals sound really healthy and full in his raspy kind of way.  Again, I think I am hearing him wrestle with the Christian past.  I would love to sit down for a cup of coffee with these dudes and talk about it.  There is such pain but they want to revive their faith.  Probably just don't know how.  I was hearing them express these themes in the last record but on this one I think they are coming to more fruition.  This song has a soft beauty to it.  A hopefulness to it that is different than the other songs.  GREAT chord changes there on the chorus (I think it's the chorus?) to perk up the ear.  I love those little surprises.  I can sense we are building to a sonic peak here.  The crescendo is increasing.  What a great way to end the record on such a hopeful note.  This is really moving.

I'm sure it's clear if you have read this far that this recording is blowing my mind.  I'm sure it will do the same for you. Give it shot.  I am going to go now and listen to it again.


My other live blog music reviews:

• Live Blogging "The Water and the Blood" by Sojourn
• Live Blogging - Gungor - Beautiful Things
• Live Blogging Melanie Penn's "Wake Up Love"

Live Blogging "The Water and the Blood" by Sojourn

This is Sojourn's latest release. I had never heard this record before and I simply documented my thoughts as I heard it.  You can get their new release here.  Be sure to watch the video at the end.

The Water and the Blood - Sojourn

Absent from Flesh - Emotive intro. Love the swells. I am getting the vibe that this record is going to be a bit more organic. Feels more earthy right out of the gate. Love Brooks’ voice. At least I think that is him singing. Very cool guitar swells. I think I have heard this song before. The other EP? That one has this huge groove drop in but this one is more of a country sort of feel, less produced. That is not a good or bad thing. I think I hear an upright bass? Nice. Great guitar tones. Twin guitar solos is very cool. Definitely more of a live feel. This recording sounds more wide open. Wish the drums were mixed a bit louder. This Brooks Ritter dude can flat out sing.

The Water and the Blood - Ok, I think I get what is going on here. Going for a way more live, organic, wide open sound that is less produced and polished. It’s a good vibe. Less studio tricks and going for more raw instrument sounds. I like it. I would be curious to hear how the drums were mic’d. Sounds almost like more of a jazz approach. This drummer on this track sounds like he could lay down a good swing feel. The 3/4 tune here is romantic and lazy in a Sunday afternoon kind of way. Lead vocal has a classic jazz tone to it. Warm, fast vibrato. Very vintage. Great voice.

From Deep Distress - Nice guitar tone and riff. Sounds like the Black Keys. This gal can sing. This song grooves nicely. The vocal here sounds mixed a bit more out front. I really like how this record has a consistent sound. Makes you feel like you are experiencing a whole event and not just singular stand alone songs. Now I am really head bobbing. Very cool riff and feel. So far this is an album that guitar players are going to love. Some very cool tones and parts. Well done on the orchestrations. Wouldn’t mind hearing a little less reverb and delay from time to time. Not sure I am hearing how I could use these tunes in corporate worship, but maybe that is not the point. Melodies sound a bit complex for congregational use. I could be wrong on that.

Compel My Heart to Sing - Very nice intro. Very nice “out of the key” chords changes on the chorus. Didn’t expect to hear that. I like how the vocals get passed around on this record. This gal has many different tones in her voice. Would like to hear her more. This melody is interesting but doesn’t quite grab me. I am grabbed by all these different guitar tones. I no fan of country music but I dig the vibe on this track.

Let The Seventh Angel Sound - Cool organ riff. This sounds more like something that could be sung in a congregation. Very nice groove. Great bass line. The tambourine holds it all together. There is a lot going on in this track in terms of musical busyness and that can be recipe for disaster but they are holding is all together quite well.

Oh God Our Help in Ages Past - Not my favorite. This one is a bit too country for my liking.

Deep in Our Hearts - I like the dark flavor of this tune with the tuned down guitars and minor tonality. Almost sounds like the main guitar riff is hinting at quoting “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder. Nice! Big vocals at the end are passionate and powerful.

Blest Be The Lamb - Oh no! Here comes the banjo! You know how I feel about banjos. This song is an old-fashioned country hoe down. Uh... Where are my over-alls? I can hear the cows mooing in the background. Not my favorite but nice change of pace and executed quite well! Nice build into the last chorus breakdown.

Death Had Lost Its Sting - Great guitar tone with a big fat juicy organ. Soulful. Another great guitar solo with yet another new tone for the listener. I like the big vocals on the chorus.

Early My God - Love the crusty piano. I like this gal’s voice a lot. My favorite thus far. This melody is strong. This song has a poignant beauty to it. Sounds useable as well for congregation use. Great choice to let this gal sing with a more sparse accompaniment. Great guitar swells.

Let Your Blood Plead For Me - Interesting reverb on the lead vocal. Wow, didn’t expect that piano part. I didn’t think I was going to like this song, but now I do. Fun, happy, and upbeat. It will make you smile and celebrate. Nice chord changes after the first chorus. Made my ears perk up. Lead vocal has a seriously fast vibrato. Drummer should be commended. This is not an easy feel to play well. He/she did.

The World Will Know - Melody is not really grabbing me. Love the falsetto vocals on the end of the chorus. Very nice. Yet more great guitar tones and parts. Very sweet Wurli riff there. Great singers and loving the Wurli use on this track. Wish they had used it more on other tracks. Cool song over all.

Conclusion:
All in all I really like the cohesive vibe and tone of this record. The guitar tones and parts seem to me to be quite noteworthy and of course they have great vocalists as usual. Guitar players will love this record. After one listen, this record is not my favorite that I have heard from Sojourn but most certainly will grow on me. I really dig what they were trying to accomplish here. I’m not sure the melodies on the songs are quite as memorable on the whole as some of their records in the past but on the whole it’s certainly a strong addition to their catalogue.

You can get their new release here.

Gungor - Beautiful Things - Live Blog Review

I have heard bits and pieces of this record before but never sat down and listened to it all the way through.  This is my "live-blog" reaction to listening through it in one sitting and posting my real time reflections.  You can get this record here for only $5 for a limited time.

Dry Bones - Great nylon guitar intro. You really get the sense that this song is going to explode. This dude can sing. Great raspy but smooth voice (get it?). Very nice. The harmonic choices are very interesting. Way too cool for Christian radio. It would scare the soccer moms. Drum sounds are big and juicy. Daddy like. Wow, this song just exploded all over itself. I love it. I like this drummer. Now we are rocking. I love the theme of Jesus making all things new. Big big guitars. This song is a huge anthem of rock. I love the dynamics. Very small and stripped down all the way to huge and anthemic. I can tell I am really going to dig this record. Oh my... Reharmonization on the final chorus. That made my ears perk up. I love it. Whoever this guy has playing on his record, he made the right choices. This drummer is a monster. Everyone knows that the drummer is king in rock music.

Beautiful Things - I have heard this song before. I posted it on this blog as a youtube live performance. This arrangement is different. Man, this dude can sing. Great melodies. I can already tell that this song is going to be another anthem of hugeness. The asymmetrical emphasis of the lyrics on the chorus is really cool. I have heard this song twice now and I can’t get enough of it. Lyrics are so encouraging. God DOES make beautiful things out of the dust. Love the piano breakdown. Girl has a great voice. Here comes the explosion of rock madness again. I can sense it. Boom... there it was. This song is so cool. Wow, it’s not over. Hand clapping. I like that. Very cool rhythm. This dude (is it one main guy who leads the band?) is a freaky musician.

Brighter Day - Sounds like Switchfoot. Did they write this song? AC30s and a cool distorted bass riff (guitar speak). This song is totally a Switchfoot song. Did he cowrite with Jon Forman or something? Great straight ahead rock. Bouncy and hooky melodies. Great bass line on the breakdown. Half-time feel. I love it. Sounds like Dave Matthews now. Musically this is very interesting. Not your usual pop rock band. This dude(s) has some very interesting sensibilities to push the genre. I LOVE that. These first three songs have a lot of hope in the lyrical content. Love the whammy pedal.

Heaven - Funky. Totally different style. Groove funk. I love that too. B3. Strong backbeat. Here comes a new singer. Israel Houghton. Dude can sing. He can sing real high. Wow. Like the gospel choir vibe. This song sounds like a lot like “Let Love Rule” by Lenny Kravitz. Great guitar solo. That is some mean blues, but this guy has had to have studied jazz. Great solo. This groove is seriously deep. Wow. Steady tempo slow down on the end. Very interesting ending. Did not expect that. Cool.

You Have Me - An now we have the banjo. Thank you Sufjan. He had put it in there for all the hipsters. Gives him the street cred with all the dudes who grow beards, can’t tune their guitars, rarely shower, play music that only white people like, has zero groove, take pride in sounding really bad, and wear skinny jeans. :) (Nothing but love, seriously...) Rant over. This song is really stark. Here comes the string quartet. I love the string quartet with the piano. Very nice touch. I still don’t get the banjo thing. No one will playing the banjo in this genre of music in five years. Mark my words. I think this is my least favorite song thus far, but I still like it. Does seem to have quite as much melodic hook at the previous four did. Yes!!! The horns and the glock to take us out at the end. The ultimate hipster ending! :)

Cannot Keep You - Great drums tones with the piano. This whole record has a melancholy vibe to it that I really vibe with. Not sure about the lyrics on this one theologically. I’ll have to think about it. Especially the line about the Bible. You can figure that one out on your own. Strong chorus. Great hook. This song is a nice mid tempo sort of worship song. Another good use of the string quartet. Deep strings. More than a string quartet there. Thick and rich. This guy really understands the power of dynamics and how to use them in music. Very satisfying. Love the minor ending.

The Earth Is Yours - More glock or bells of some sort and very nice rhythmic loop. Nice backbeat feel. I dig this song already. I get the sense that this guy is a bit of a mad scientist but allows himself to stay within boundaries that are palatable for general audience listening. Very cool. This record has such a cool vibe to it. I want to know who the minds are behind this because the tones are rich, deep, and the orchestrations of parts is really well done. Nice harmonic change on the last chord before the second chorus and then a surprising breakdown and then another musical change that I didn’t see coming. Wow. This record is blowing me away. Very very interesting without being shocking. It is the opposite of boring.

Call Me Out - More deep grooves. Nice upright piano sound. Love the groove. No, banjo!! I can’t take it! I am going to have hipster nightmares. Oh well. :) It was only for a little bit there. Another theme of hope in the new creation. I like the emphasis a lot. Another change. There are so many changes in these arrangements that I can’t believe it doesn’t feel schizophrenic but it doesn’t. It feels right and it feels really interesting. Nice angular piano riff with the distorted bass is very nice.

Please Be My Strength - Simple tune on a nylon string guitar. Love the intimate and close sound of the vocal. This guy’s voice is rich. Great worship/prayer song. I bet he wrote this song in about five minutes. That is not a slam. The song is beautiful, but you just get that sense. Some of the best songs are written in about five minutes. Key change. Wow. He has to change it up! But it works. This is one of the most interesting records I have heard in a long time. I’m sure I’ll be coming back to it for years to come. I hope he sells a ton of copies. I’m sure he will.

Higher - Another new guitar tune. Nice worship song. Not my favorite song that I have heard thus far. Simple, but not that catchy. Big vocals. Wow, those were cool. This record has surprises around every corner. This song is pretty but I could do without the hipster banjo again. Banjos in pop rock music just means you are trying too hard to be “cool”. Believe me, it’s not. Ok, I’ll quit raging... This song is good but not quite as memorable as the others. Another unexpected ending. Oh wait, that wasn’t the ending. Like I said, surprises around every corner.

Late Have I Loved You - Beautiful melody and piano part. Love the major 7 tone in the melody. (Music theory dork coming out right there.) I am expecting this song to explode into rock. We’ll see. I think this is the first song in 3/4. This has a romance to it that is very inviting. It didn’t quite explode but was very satisfying.

People of God - More piano and glock. Nice piano parts. Nice groove. Great lyrical call to love. His voice is really good. This dude can sing. This chorus is huge and catchy. This might be a perfect pop rock song. Love the piano breakdown. Can I be in this guy’s band? Holy cow. This song would rock in a live show. That reminds me. I need to see this band live. Bridge. Nice feel. Drummer bringing the thunder again. I want to be in the band!!! What a great anthem for the church. This drummer is laying down some serious fills. I love that song. Probably my second favorite.

We Will Run - Another theme of God making all things new. Girl lead vocal on verse two. She sounds great. I love the drummer on the record so much. Great tones. Props to the mix engineer. Nice to hear the female lead vocal. This song is not moving me quite as much as some of the others. Chorus just doesn’t quite hit me like others. Here comes the big build again. Breakdown to some beautiful string quartet with a ton of reverb. I like it. Huge instrumental to end the song at 9 mins or so. Rock anthem. Wow.

I don’t think I have been this excited about a record since the latest MuteMath record came out. I can’t recommend it enough. Get it here for $5.

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.   

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 Matt Redman's New Record

Bob Kauflin review's Matt Redman's new record. You can read his full review here.

His conclusion:

After a quick listen, one might easily dismiss this album as just one more of the hundreds of modern worship offerings released each year. Don’t do it. While Matt’s lyrics may not always contain the breadth, precision, and theological depth of some modern writers (think the Getty’s and Stuart Townend), his songs are biblically faithful, cross-centered, poetically fresh, and God-glorifying. In addition, his melodies and harmonic progressions are consistently above standard fare.

Review of MuteMath's Armistice

Christianity Today reviews MuteMath's "Armistice". If you still have not bought it, you need to repent.

Click here:

"I Hate That Music"

Bob Kauflin:

I’ve been musing recently about how we express our musical opinions. Why do we feel so strongly about songs, bands, and styles? And why do we draw conclusions so quickly? Someone plays a new song or band for us and we have an immediate response:

Nope. Don’t like it.

That stinks.

I can’t stand that kind of music.

You like that stuff?

Is there anything wrong with raving about the music/artists we love and being swift to trash those we despise?

If we’re Christians, yes. Let me suggest ten reasons why musical forbearance might be good for our souls.

Read the rest of this short and helpful article.

U2 - A Review of Their New Record

Jonathan Dodson points to an extensive review of the new U2 record. You can read it here. Here is the money quote:

To me, it is probably the album ‘Zooropa’ was supposed to be, building on the sonic architecture of classic U2 and taking it into the pop stratosphere. But what a place for a band to be, in orbit around their own myth, making music that bounces off the inside of a listeners skull, charged with ideas and emotions, groovy enough to want to dance to, melodic enough to make you sing along, soulful enough to cherish, philosophical enough to inspire, and with so many killer tracks it might as well be a latterday greatest hits. It is, at the very least, an album to speak of in the same breath as their best and what other band of their longevity can boast of that?