Between Christmas, my birthday and winning this pool, I’ve been replenishing my CD collection. Ye olde iPod’s been doing double-time, and there ain’t a loser on the list. Here’s a thumbnail of my latest listening log:
Evanescence, The Open Door — This is my first encounter with the Goth rock band. A unique blend of grunge and campy, B horror movie chorals, this album’s dark and brooding. Originally promoted in Christian stores, Evanescence quickly distanced themselves from the Christian rock genre. The sound is heavy, but it’s hard to tell where they’re at spiritually. My favorites: Sweet Sacrifice and Lacrymosa (a Mozart-inspired tune that was was written for the Narnia movie). This is anger management music!
The Elms, The Chess Hotel — I have all three of their albums and this one is less Beatle-esque than the former and more straight-up, in-your-face, rock and roll. Christianity Today describes it as, “’60s and ’70s-inspired rock in the vein of The Rolling Stones, The Who, and AC/DC.” What’s even better: the boys are believers.
Johnny Cash, American V A Hundred Highways — Okay, so this is JDizzle‘s album, but it’s a regular in my mix. What can you say about the legend? This is heartfelt, iconic Americana. My favorite: If You Could Read My Mind, Cash’s cover of the Gordon Lightfoot song. While this album’s good, the previous was better, especially The Man Comes Around, an apocalyptic ode that’ll send gooseflesh up your arms.
The Decemberists, The Crane Wife — Between Colin Meloy’s vocals, eclectic instruments, and a storyteller’s ethos, this indie band sports an unforgettable sound. I’d seen them on so many Favorites Lists and decided to give them a try. Definitely not disappointed. As much bards as alt rockers. My favorites: The Crane Wife 3 and Yankee Bayonet, but there’s lots to choose from.
Mute Math — Combining elements of electronica, jazz and rock, their first full-length CD was highly anticipated. I was as interested in this because of the controversy surrounding the marketing of the band, as I was the music. Comprised of four practicing Christians, they preferred to be marketed for their music, not their ministry. Their live shows are, apparently, the rage. My favorites: Typical and Noticed. This is great treadmill music.
U2, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb — I have all their albums but, in my opinion, this one won’t rank as their best. Or second best. But these guys have hit their stride. Bono’s “message” — which has crystallized over the last five years or so — permeates these songs. Humanitarian. Gospel-like. And passionate. It’s strangely one of their more mellow discs. My favorites are the two most rocking numbers: Vertigo and All Because of You.
Relient K, Five Score and Seven Years Ago — Love, love, love these guys! Have all their albums and they’re on my “Must-see” list. This album, however, took a while to cozy up to. The pop punk sound has given way to a rockier, edgier ethos. Probably because the adolescents are approaching adulthood (funny what age does to you). Though this album is a tad less snarky and cynical, Relient K still has some of the most witty lyrics around. My favorites: Come Right Out and Say It and Devastation and Reform.
Switchfoot, Oh Gravity — Slowly becoming one of the most important “Christian bands” around. I’ve got all six of their CD’s and they just keep getting better. Gravity’s no exception. This isn’t poppy praise music, it’s an an existential cry for meaning amidst the chaos. If they’re not sniping at aimless, ethic-less “professionals,” they’re bemoaning materialism and its discontents. Lotsa great songs, especially: Dirty Second Hands, Awakening, and Amateur Lovers. This is also terrific workout music! Curls anyone?
How about you? Any music to recommend? I’m up for anything (that is, except R&B). In fact, I’m fixing to get some more classical, maybe Wagner or Schubert. Any suggestions? Clean the wax off your earbuds, crank up the MP3 and drop me a comment. Peace, y’all.
I lean a little more toward the rock/worship side.
Anything by Mercy Me.
Jeremy Camp’s first album Stay.
A little harder? — Kutless – Sea of Faces and their worhip album Strong Tower.
I love almost everything by Third Day.
Also, here’s a diamond in the rough for you. The best album you’ve never heard of — check out Greg Troyer’s My Kingdom Fall. Pretty straightforward worshipish lyrics but very mature, sophisticated, layered and textured music. Not sure how to explain it but see for yourself http://www.gregtroyer.com Forget the fact that he recorded it in his own home studio, the production value is unbelievable. He’s a local guy but he should be signed by someone soon. Too much talent.
-dayle
I’m going to trust you!
Since you mentioned Switchfoot, Cash and U2, I’m going to take you up on a few of your selections.
I like Cold Play. I’m hopelessly dedicated to the lesser known waver-style tunes of the 80s, but don’t hold that against me.
Thanks, dayle! Two more mainstream contemporary “worship artists” I like, are Chris Tomlin and David Crowder. Crowder’s last LP, Collision, is fantastic! It’s been on my iPod for the last year. I cannot listen to Here is Our King without bawling. Hey, I’ll check out the Greg Troyer link. Thanks!
BTW: Before I die (which I hope is a long time from now), I want to see U2 live in concert.
Thanks, Mary! I’m with you on the U2 concert. The band is such an anomaly but, it seems to me, the theme of their music has consistently drifted towards overt biblical themes. Bono’s open evocation of the Gospel and his humanitarian efforts have, I think, placed the band in an unusually relevant position, given them a powerful platform, and garnered them the ear of a generation. So, so many great songs. My favorites: With or Without You (one of the ten greatest songs ever) and Mysterious Ways (one of the ten best bass lines ever). Blessings, Mary!
P.S. Lisa finished Watching the Tree Limbs and really, really liked it. You’ve got a new fan! We’ll definitely be buying book two.
How could I have left out my man Chris Tomlin?
U2 IS OVERRATED!!! just kidding.
I’m a guitar player and I love Edge’s unigue sound.
I do think it’s funny that Bono used to sing “with or without chew.”
If you’re a guitar freak, Christian music’s own Phil Keaggy might be one of the three best guitarists on the planet. His music is a little boring to the untrained ear, but between watching him and Joe Satriani, they make you want to grind your guitar into fibrous mash, mix it with fiberglass until it hardens, and then beat yourself with it for ever thinking you could play guitar.
But then you get over it and play your own version of Tomlin’s How Great is Our God and thank God that you can offer some worship.
-dayle
Ummmm … would you like me to record my children? When they’re having one of their cat fights, it’s definitely treadmill “music!
So that’s where my CD went.
Hey Mike,
since you like U2 so much, have you ever heard Delirious’s King of Fool’s album.
Pretty good imitation.
Ok, they’re not trying to be U2, but they are certainly heavily influenced by them.
-dayle
I love Sara Groves (incredible lyrics), Chris Rice (reminds me of James Taylor). Don’t ask me to explain how I miss so much, but I just discovered how cool Johnny Cash was this year (in researching to find out more about my dad who died when I was 2, I found he was a big Cash fan and got me some CD’s that made me say “wow” and cry.) I also just got into U2. One song I love is Window in the Sky. Last week I took my teen to a Superchick concert. They put on a heck of a show. Last year my favorite CD that I never ever get bored of was the Jars of Clay one that was all hymns. They sound like the Beatles on It is Well. Awesome
Janet, I’ve been wanting to pick up some Sara Groves, but haven’t got around to it. I’ll take your recommendation as a prompt. I have all the Jars of Clays CD’s, including their newest Good Monsters. The Hymns CD is very good and especially the song you mention. It’s the best version of It is Well I’ve ever heard. Much more peppy than its dirge-like forerunners.
Saw U2 in concert in Chicago right after the release of “Dismantle …” Absolutely amazing. Still stunning. You must see them live at least once in your life.
However, as I’m listening to Phil Keaggy right now and just submitted a review of an album of his (Crimson and Blue) to The Daily Vault (www.dailyvault.com) I must most heartily, yet respectfully, disagree with Dayle’s comment that his albums are a bit boring to the untrained ear. Never say it! I love them all. Acoustic guitar instrumentals. Electric guitar instrumentals. Pop/rock vocals. Currently vastly underappreciated by the CCM crowd.
I’ve been listening to Sara Groves’ Add to the Beauty CD — very good stuff. I love her lyrics, too.
We have similar taste — I really like The Chess Hotel and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. And I think I’m in love with David Crowder. 🙂 I haven’t bought Oh Gravity yet, but it’s on my wish list.
May I second Dayle’s advocacy for Phil Keaggy — awesome, awesome, awesome. He did a project with Scott Dente and Wes King about 10 years ago called Invention that was wonderful. I also liked his self-titled CD from around the same time. And he did a project called Crimson & Blue and I have the Blue half — lots of good rockin’ stuff.
My playlist is pretty eclectic — from Shane & Shane to Led Zeppelin — but I lean toward classic rock.
mike,
the fact that you have “the decemberists” on your lists made me bite on this one:
“Neon Bible” by Arcade Fire – just saw them live and seeing them again this month… best band I’ve seen live since Radiohead 3 or 4 years ago.
“Revival” by Gillian Welch – bonus fact: she opened with “Jackson” by the man in black when I saw her a couple weeks ago.
“So Much More” by Brett Dennen – I got your son in law hooked on this guy too.
TV On The Radio – they will blow your mind.
The Raconteurs – Jack White’s other band.
“Twin Cinema” by The New Pornographers – awesome melodies and so very creative lyrics. Neko Case sings on this one with them. You’d get a kick out their approach to songwriting, I think.
I’ve got many more, but I could go on forever…
PS. None of the previously mentioned artists are “christian” scene-ers… but I’m pretty sure you’re cool with that.
Phil Keaggy’s Sunday’s Child is on my list of Top Ten Favorite Albums. It’s an older one, but then again, so am I. Linda, I do recall you talking about The Elms on your blog and will purchase a Sara Groves CD. Is Add to the Beauty her best? By the way, congratulations on the Midnight Diner publication. I’ve been holding off to make the announcement “official” until the cover’s out (probably this week).
matty, lotsa great ideas, most of which I’ve been toying with. And you’re right, I’m not checking for spiritual ID’s before I buy an album. Although, if I smell rampant relativism, an uncontrollable liberal agenda, or just too much filth, I will abstain. Out of the bands you’ve mentioned, I think TV on the Radio and Arcade Fire are probably the next in line. (By the way, I named the little boy in my next, soon-to-be-published story, Matty.)
And with all these great suggestions, none of you folks can recommend a Wagner or Schubert? The shame.
Cool, mike. And congrats… it’s good to hear you’re getting your work published.
I recommend METRIC and Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton.
Add to the Beauty is the only CD by Sara Groves I own — but there will be more eventually — so I don’t know if it’s her best, though it was on several ‘year’s best’ lists. I don’t think you would be disappointed.
Since you quote Hopkins listen to his poems set to contemporary music by singer-songwriter Sean O’Leary:
http://www.gerardmanleyhopkins.net/demo/
All excerpts to download are from the double album The Alchemist (2005) with 23 Hopkins’ songs including God’s Grandeur, Pied Beauty, I Wake And Feel, Felix Randal and The Wreck of the Deutschland (the longest song at 25 minutes).