DAVE'S THOUGHTS

SONGS FROM THE VALLEY

2012-02-01T09:36:00.000-05:00

     Remarkably this year marks 38 years since the release of Scott Wesley Brown's self-titled debut album. Over the years he has become one of Contemporary Christian Music's most beloved male vocalists. His latest album is SONGS FROM THE VALLEY (2010) produced by Billy Smiley of Whiteheart, and himself. In the liner notes Scott writes: "Special thanks to the Pastors, staff and congregation of 'Valley' Presbyterian Church, Paradise Valley, AZ. Many of these songs were written and premiered by our awesome worship team from our contemporary service where it is always a joy to see our people worship together." Guitarists on the album include George Cocchini, Brennan and Billy Smiley, and Scott Dente of Out of the Grey. Other instruments used to good effect include the Irish whistle and cello. What results is a strong album!
     'O Worship the King' is a joyful, almost Christmas sounding song. The words to it in a way lay out the purpose of the album: "O worship the King, All glorious above/And gratefully sing God's power and God's Love;/Our Shield and Defender, and girded with praise/O tell of God's might, O Sing of His grace/Whose robe is the Light, Whose canopy space/Whose chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form/And dark is His path on the wings of the storm." Scott wrote 'I Believe in God' as a declaration of faith in response to atheist Richard Dawkins. The song is a contemporary rocker: "When I look upon the wonders of creation/And such intricate design in all there is/I know my faith is not a mere delusion/And I rejoice to know the Lord of All exists!/And I believe in God/I believe in God/I believe in God my Maker." 'Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing' is given a fairly traditional treatment and features a nice female harmony vocal. The song gives a chief reason why Scott feels the need to praise and worship God: "Jesus sought me when a stranger/Wandering from the fold of God/He to rescue me from danger/Interposed His precious blood/How His kindness yet pursues me/Mortal tongue can never tell/Clothed in flesh till death shall loose me/I cannot proclaim it well." Of 'You are the Center (Rev 4)' Scott writes: "This song is in no way endorsing pantheism or panetheism in stating that God fills all there is with all He is. Rather God is omnipresent and immense." Here are some of the lyrics: "You are the center, You are the keeper/Sustaining all things by Your Word/You are the power, You are the glory/All that there is encircles You O Lord/And who could ever comprehend/Before there was, You've always been/Filling all there is with all You are/Immortal and Invisible/So incomprehensible/And yet You choose to dwell within my heart."
     'Saint Patrick's Prayer (May Everything be Christ)' is adapted from the breastplate of Saint Patrick, 5th century Ireland. It relates a desire to be completely taken over by and lost in Christ: "Christ before me, Christ behind me/May everything be Christ/Christ beside me, Christ within me/May everything be Christ/Christ above me, Christ beneath me/May everything be Christ/Christ around me, Christ surround me/May everything be Christ." It is a beautiful ballad. 'All that is Within Me' has an upbeat, modern sound and testifies to the Lord's greatness: "Who have I in Heaven?/But You alone oh Lord/There is nothing here on earth I desire more/My heart and flesh may fail/But Lord You are my strength/You are my portion forever." 'Lord Most High (Day is Dying in the West)' was written with and features Centricity Music sensation Aaron Shust. It is a great song of praise that further proves Scott is not stuck in the 1970's or 1980's! The song includes these lyrics: "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts (2X)/Heaven and earth rejoice/All creation lift your voice/Heaven and earth rejoice/O Lord most high, Lord most high!" 'Jude's Benediction (Jude 24-5)' is melodic and ascribes worth to God: "To the only God our Savior/Through Jesus Christ our Lord (2X)/Be glory and majesty/Dominion and authority/Before all time and now and forever/All time and now and forever (2X)/Amen."
     'Just as I Am (Yet Never the Same)' is credited to Scott and Charlotte Elliot. It relates what only Christ can do for the sinner: "Just as I am and waiting not/To rid my soul of one dark blot/To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot/O Lamb of God, I come, I come/And I come to the cross/Where I know I am safe/Secure in the arms of Your mercy and grace/And I come to You Jesus/And call on Your Name/Just as I am, yet never the same/O Lamb of God I come." 'You are the Rock' has a powerfully delivered chorus: "You are the Rock/That never crumbles/Your Word will never change/A mighty tower/Lord when I stumble/You are the God who saves." It also includes this statement of faith: "I trust in You/Even when my prayers seem unanswered/I am not moved/For I hope in the plans You have made/I shall not fear/For You walk in the valley beside me/You draw me near/And I am healed by the touch of Your grace." 'I Can't Get Enough' has a choral vocal and would not have been out of place on an older Randy Rothwell or Bob Fitts album. The words sung are of one totally taken with the Lord: "I can't get enough of loving You/I wanna love You Jesus/I can't get enough of praising You/I wanna praise You Jesus/I can't get enough of serving You/I wanna serve You Jesus/I can't get enough of knowing You/I wanna know You Jesus." 'Gloria Patri' is a doxology partly written by Bob Kilpatrick. I can picture the words of it being sung in Heaven: "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son/And to the Holy Ghost/As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be/World without end, Amen, Amen (2X)/Glory be to the Father, Glory be to the Son/Glory be to the Spirit, Three in One/Amen (6X)."
     Two live tracks close out the album. A live version of 'Lord Most High' has lots of energy and an enthusiastic crowd. 'Not I, But Christ' is quiet and reverent. It is about losing oneself in Christ: "Not I, but Christ/Be honored, loved, exalted/Not I, but Christ/Be seen, be known, be heard/In every look, in every word/Not I, but Christ (2X)."
     SONGS FROM THE VALLEY finds Scott and his team of worshippers in fine form. The songs on this project are right on par with those of contemporary worship artists such as Chris Tomlin and Lincoln Brewster. It is a shame that many Christian radio stations do not give much airplay to the more veteran and independent artists, opting instead for what is popular or trendy at the time. I'm rating SONGS FROM THE VALLEY 88% and recommending it to those seeking a fresh, vibrant worship experience of Almighty God. For more info visit http://www.scottwesleybrown.com/ and http://www.myvalleychurch.org/.

LET IT RIDE

2012-01-28T14:43:00.000-05:00

     Don Francisco has been writing and performing quality Christian songs such as 'Jehoshaphat' and 'Steeple Song' for decades. Don's latest effort LET IT RIDE (2009, Crack O' Noon Music) continues his tradition of quality songs.
     The title track is the lead off track and features Mike Banta on organ. It is a Gaither type sing-a-long song about laying down our burdens: "Let it ride on the promise/Of the One Who's always true/Let it ride on believin' that/He's going to see you through/Let it ride on the shoulders/Of the man Who died for you/Just roll it all on Him and then let it ride." 'The Desires of Your Heart' has an innocent feel to it, like early era Love Song. Don calls it a song about good news. Some of the lyrics are: "It's a narrow road, my friend/It's the way to trade your old heart in for one that never dies/Where fadin' hopes can live again and dreams can fin'lly fly/Delight yourself in the Lord/And He will give you the desires of your heart (2X)/The heart you'll get from Jesus is spotless and brand new/With the good stuff that was buried by the old one shinin' through/Forgotten seeds'll flourish where those livin' waters flow/In the gentle hands of Jesus all your life will start to grow." Of 'The Goal is the Journey', Don writes: "The presence of Jesus is your final and unchangeable destination. You can enjoy the trip when there's no doubt of that." The lyrics elaborate on Don's thoughts: "Because of My vindication/You'll forget all the shame/And when I turn round your fortunes/You'll worship My Name/Stay away from the highway/From the crowds on the road/From the engines of labor/From the strain of the load/Turn aside to the footpath/To the way of the wise/Where the goal is the journey/Peace is the prize/The goal is the journey/Peace is the prize."
     'Freeze-Dried Life' includes bluesy guitar licks and minces no words when it comes to the dangers of religion: "The blind keep leadin' the blind/The sheep keep stumblin', fallin' down behind/Chewin' the crud that they're all bein' fed/Starin' at the backsides of each other's heads/Like a cheatin' lover who's deceived you and lied/Then calls you names 'cause you ain't satisfied/Well, if you stay and deny what you know to be true/Man, you deserve whatever happens to you." "My Heart's Pastureland' includes touches of harmonica. It was written for Don's cowboy friend who had just turned 60, and contains these down to earth lyrics: "In these hard rocky mountains I'll make my last stand/Somewhere in the sunset southwest of Cheyenne/The air in the Rockies right after the rain/Gives peace to my soul and erases my pain/The herd out before me and the reins in my hand/I'm in my blood's country and my heart's pastureland." 'Nehemiah's Song' is one of Don's epic biblical story songs and runs almost seven minutes long. It is an absolutely wonderful song, featuring Mike Banta on electric guitar, that tells the Old Testament story of the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall after the Israelites had been in exile: "Now the wall we built was massive, seventeen feet wide and strong/Forty feet from top to bottom, and well over two miles long/Because the pow'r of God was magnifyin' everything we'd do-/The days from start to finish, they were only fifty-two/Then the priests and all the singers and musicians from their towns/They all came up to Jerusalem to make a loud and joyful sound/And two great choirs went marchin' four abreast upon that wall/Singin' songs of joy to the Lord of Hosts, givin' glory for it all."
     Don wrote: 'The Letter He Wrote' about a letter he once received from a minister: "The letter he wrote me was seething with hatred and rage/It's a wonder the handwriting didn't set fire to the page/Threatening slander, then ending by calling me names/If the devil himself sent that letter, it'd have been much the same/But I'm sorry to say that a minister put down those words/Reacting to hearing the Gospel that he'd never heard." Don concludes: "All I can do is commit him to God and to prayer/That one day he'll find his way out to the light and the air." 'It Will Be Worth It' is about "being fed up with religious hypocrisy and its salesmen." Don comes out swinging: "Don't try to get in my pockets/Or tell me how much I owe/Don't wanna hear that I'm guilty-I already know/I won't answer your survey/I sure won't give you my phone/I can't take more religion, I'd just as soon be alone/I swear that I've heard every con game that's come down the line/I've been fooled by a few, but I learned how to read all the signs." 'Without a Key' is a plea from Christ to the unsaved person: "Just let the One Who loves you in/I call your name to come and see/I'm still outside, without a key/Holding all you long to be/Until you open up to Me."
     'The Thinner the Veil' is a ballad which features 16 year old Sarah Holbrook on fiddle. Don says she wouldn't take pay for her work. The song includes these encouraging words: "For the temple that one day will crumble/It carries a fire that won't fail/And the flame I set burning forever/Shines brighter the thinner the veil/Because you have known Me and loved Me/I'll honor you all of your days/The angels are charged with your guarding/To keep you in all of your ways." 'While You Sleep' is a ballad that ends the album on the same theme it opened with-laying down one's burdens: "Cares and worries, joys and plans-/Time to leave them in His hands/Trust in Him upon your bed/On His promise rest your head/In His peace lie down and sleep/Through the night His watch He'll keep."
     LET IT RIDE is the definition of a masterful album. It is quite thoughtful. Fans of Will McFarlane, folk music, and old country, should give this album a listen. I'm rating it 89%. The harmony and background vocals by Don and his wife Wendy are well done. For more info visit http://www.donfrancisco.com/ and http://www.rockymountainministries.org/. I look forward to Don's next project!

IF IT LEADS ME BACK

2012-01-27T10:44:00.000-05:00

     You can really learn a lot about what an artist values by reading their 'Thank You's'. In the liner notes for her new album IF IT LEADS ME BACK (2011, Reunion Records) Lindsay McCaul writes: "To my Pastor James MacDonald, thank you for boldly proclaiming the Word of God without apology and showing me what it looks like to be faithful servant. To my entire Harvest family: I so treasure being a part of 'us.' Your passion for Jesus is exemplary and inspiring...let's keep lifting up the Name above all names!" She writes to her audience: "I pray that with every listen these songs lead you closer to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith."
     The album begins with the upbeat 'Say My Name' about how God helps us move forward in our lives: "I cradle the pain, regret that remains/I play it over and over differently/But it's over 'cause You said I am free/You say my name/And tell me I can walk away/From all my fears and yesterday." 'Ready' is one of three songs solely written by Lindsay. It talks of how we try to earn favour with God: "You never asked me for perfection/And I'd never make it if I tried/But I kept searching for the chance to clear my name/For my foolish pride, with You waiting all the while." 'Come Rest' deals with the futility of our human efforts at pleasing God: "Seeking value in Your sight, but I was wrong/For all the labor I have done/Is but a candle to the sun/I can see that it would never measure up.../So I come to the water's edge/I rest in Your promises/That all You ever wanted was me here."
     'Take My Hand' is a ballad about when God allows us to go through trials: "Couldn't You see I was unprepared?/I'm not asking for reasons You hold or the safety of land/I just need You to take my hand." 'Face to Face' is a pleasant pop song that anticipates meeting the Lord: "Every morning sky brings a rising sun/And my anxious heart knows with every one/This could be the day You have promised me/Take me in Your arms for all eternity.../Every day in history soon will be rolled up like a scroll/In Your presence finally/I will stand before You healed and whole." 'You Never Change' written with Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp, has a cheery sound to it and tells of the steadfast nature of God: "Sun and the rain, joy and the pain/Autumn, winter, spring and summer/In the heat of the day or the cool of the night/You're still the same/You're holding my hand wherever I am/You keep me here in wide-eyed wonder/And through it all, You will remain/You never change." 'Speak' is a soaring song that finds Lindsay crying out to the Lord for His presence and Word: "I waited at twilight for signs of relief/From an ache that arrested the day/But now sunset is gone and I'm still here alone/Yet in fierce desperation I'll stay/So visit me here in the shadows/Restore my sight/I'll linger as long as it takes/I will wait with all of my might/I'm crying out/Speak to me."
     'Hold On To Me' is a quiet song that announces that it is in God Lindsay finds her security: "So sound the alarm of mercies untold/Wrap me in Your arms and never let me go.../You're the ground that doesn't shake/You're the branch that doesn't break/You're the light that never fades/And You're holding on/There's never been a time/You've ever left my side/Your love never dies/And You're holding on." 'Where Do You Go' written with Jason Ingram, and Marty Sampson of Hillsong fame, is a great song that uses a vocal echo. The lyrics describe a spiritual experience we can all relate to: "So where do you go/When there's no voice from Heaven?/Where do you go/When all you have are questions?/Maybe the silence is His mercy/And there's beauty in His mystery/You should know you're not alone/Wherever you go." Lindsay wrote 'Let Go' about struggling with an eating disorder herself and seeing a friend in college struggling with one as well. It seeks the Lord for direction: "Cradle my hands, my knuckles so white/Open them up and say it's alright/Show me a plan, call it Your own/Make it a journey leading me home." 'If It Leads Me Back' closes the album and is written with one of her heroes, Cindy Morgan. It is a lovely song that has Lindsay humbly singing: "I will face the storm/And surrender all I have/If that's what I have to do/If it leads me back to You/I would walk a thousand miles/And crawl if I have to/If that's what I have to do/If it leads me back to You."
     IF IT LEADS ME BACK TO YOU chronicles one lady's faith walk with very meaningful lyrics. Lindsay is a great, wholesome role model for young ladies! Her voice has a husky, raspy quality to it. Fans of Bethany Dillon, Colbie Caillat, and Mark Schultz are likely to enjoy this record which I'm rating 84.5%. For more info visit: www.lindsaymccaul.com and www.providentpress.com.

OUTTA SPACE LOVE

2012-01-23T14:16:00.000-05:00

     On OUTTA SPACE LOVE (2010, Fervent Records) Group1Crew's third full length album, group members are Manwell Reyes, Blanca Reyes Callahan, and Pablo Villatora. Past hits of theirs include: 'Love is a Beautiful Thing', 'Forgive Me', and 'Movin'. Of their work, Manwell says: "We feel like music should just be music. We feel like an album should coexist within the Christian realm and benefit believers, but at the same time exist in the mainstream realm to inspire people who don't even believe in God or who have never listened to Christian music."
     'Live it Up' starts things off. It is danceable and is simply about having a good time: "My energy is out the box man, I can't seem to stop when/Everything about my life is blessed and oh so evident/You can take away the lights, shut the cameras down and I /Wouldn't even care cuz all my homies goin' out tonight." 'Need Your Love' has a club feel to it and speaks of a need for God in one's life: "Then You-found me/I got lost inside the feelin' that You provide/I know You won't leave me/I'm the reason You stepped out of eternity cuz I need Your love/I need Your love, coming over me, undeniably/I need Your love, take my breath away, I want You desperately." 'Walking on the Stars' is a heavenly sounding ballad about finding security in God: "And I can see, much more clear/When I'm lost in Your atmosphere/You pull me close, to the place/Where you're always waiting/So I won't stop, the walls are down/Make my way at the speed of sound/Hold me now, hold me now." 'Let's Go' features superstar TobyMac. It is a great motivational pop song: "We got brighter days ahead/I know you got dreams, I believe in them/I know you got problems too, forget them/'Cause life's too short so let's begin/Yep, see it's all about you/You are the change the world needs to view/'Cause when we change the world changes too/And it's a small world after all."
     'Lean on Me' is hard not to sing along to. It speaks of the value of friendship: "When there's no one you can think to call/And nobody seems to care at all/If it makes you feel better-you can always lean on me/And when everybody fades away/Just remember that I'm here to stay/When you wake up in the morning know-you can always lean on me." 'Beautiful' is about learning to see oneself through God's eyes: "I've been thinking about the way I see, myself and I, just can't understand why I say/All those hurtful things about myself, my insecurities, they don't seem to just go away/And it's hard for me to understand, You loving me, through all the mistakes that I make/I'm so glad that You will never leave, keep reminding me, how You see me each day I wake." 'Transcend' has the group come out swinging with purpose: "We've been through the fire (that's right)/It only helped us ignite a fervent passion to fight/Why you think they signed us? (that's right)/Can't lie, we were designed to climb/Rely on the fact that Christ died/Don't need lights when He's inside/Made me bright so He can shine."
     'Outta Space Love' is evidence of a band that's going places spiritually: "I'm outta space with mine, you innerspace wit yours/Let's put them all together so we can become one voice/And let the world see now, just what we talking about/And take a trip to outerspace and let your faith ring out (2X)...If you want to come and join the party/Just come as you are and bring somebody/There's room in the back so don't you worry/But we takin' off soon so you betta hurry." 'Please Don't Let Me Go' finds the group passionately conversing with God: "I can't love me how You love me/But obviously there's something that You want from me/'Cause You don't want to let me go/Owner of the world/But You want my soul/My heart is crying out/'Lord please take control/I need You, I don't wanna let go.'" 'Wait' breaks things down musically. It's a song single people may relate to: "I'll patiently wait/For you to come my way/And I won't hesitate when you/Make your way right to my heart/For now I'll patiently wait/For that one sweet day."
     'Breakdown' has a Britney Spears sound to it. It finds the group bragging about their talents: "This ain't ya typical typical, group that you heard, it's a miracle/Little bit of funk wit a whole lotta soul/That'll bump da bump on ya radio/Simmer simmer down all you haters/Didn't lose our style we just got better/Beat so cold did my verse like brrr/Still spittin' life so forget what you heard." 'Manipulation' ends the album and reveals the purpose of their lives: "If you following/Hope that you can see/All that we believe/That's all we wanna do (2X)."
     OUTTA SPACE LOVE won the Dove Award for Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year in 2011. It is a good album to test the bass on your stereo out with! Fans of The Black Eyed Peas and early Christian rap groups like P.I.D., E.T.W., and S.F.C. should give this project a spin. Blanca's vocals are great! I think whe could pull off a great solo project in the vein of Fefe Dobson, Natasha Bedingfield, and Rihanna. It should be noted that Pablo is no longer with Group1Crew. On January 24th the group will release a BIGGER LOVE EDITION of the album with six extra songs on it, including 'He Said' featuring Chris August. I'm rating the standard version of OUTTA SPACE LOVE 84%. For more info visit http://www.group1crew.com/ and http://www.wordlabelgroup.com/.

HE'S ALIVE: COLLECTION VOL. 1

2012-01-21T18:37:00.000-05:00

     In the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (2002) Mark Allan Powell writes the following regarding Don Francisco's conversion: "His life was turned around in 1974 when he says he heard the audible voice of God speak to him while he was meditating: 'Don, this is Jesus. I love you. Why do you keep running from me?' Fifteen years later he would still relate the significance of this miraculous occurence: 'It was a voice as clear as if someone had been in the room with me. In that instant, he showed me what He's really like and shattered all my religious preconceptions. I'd found everything I'd been searching for." In 1997 Francisco released HE'S ALIVE: COLLECTION VOL. 1. It is re-recordings of some of his signature songs over the years. It generously clocks in at just under an hour. On it, Don is responsible for guitars, vocals, and midi programming, while Wendy nicely handles background vocals, cover photos and design. Wendy is Don's wife and some will remember her from the 1980's duo Wendy and Mary.
     The CD begins with 'As It Was So It Shall Be.' It is over seven minutes long and speaks of the glorious origins of the human race: "Then in glory unimaginable the Lord Himself is here/He kneels, and there beneath His hands, a man from dust appears/He lifts him gently in His arms, breaths into his soul/And raises Him to stand upright/Complete and free and whole." 'Adam, Where are You?' is compelling. It tells of the tragic fall of the human race: "But the master of deception now begins with his dissection of the Word/And with all his craft and subtlety the serpent twists the simple truth they've heard/While hanging in the balance is a world that has been placed at their command/And all their unborn children die as both of them bow down to Satan's hand." 'Come and Follow' is based on the miracle of the catch of fish found in Luke 5:1-11: "Now James and John, they're both my witnesses/To the truth in what I've told you/And how our nets were filled to bursting/More than both our boats could ever hold/And I fell down there before Him/Crying 'Leave me, Lord-I'm full of sin!'/He said 'Simon, don't be frightened/Follow Me, you will learn to fish for men.'"
     'Gotta tell Somebody' is the rousing title track off of Don's 1979 album. It recounts the miracle of Jesus raising Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:22-43) and the resulting reaction one would have at such an event: "Then He called His three disciples that were with Him on the way/He led them and my wife and me to where our daughter lay/He took her by the hand; He told her 'Child, arise'/And the words were barely spoken when she opened up her eyes...'I got to tell somebody (4X)/I got to tell somebody, got to tell somebody, what Jesus did for me' (4X)." 'I Don't Care Where You've Been Sleepin'' has a country feel to it. It's a call to the prodigal to come back home: "I don't care where you've been sleeping, I don't care who's made your bed/I've already gave my life to set you free/There's no sin you could imagine that is stronger than My love/And it's all yours if you'll come home again to Me." 'Willing to Heal' recounts Jesus' healing of a leper (Matthew 8:1-4): "I said 'Lord, if You're willing, I know that You can/Make me as clean as a natural man/I know You can do it, deep down in my soul/Oh Lord, if You're willing, Lord, please make me whole'/With a voice of compassion, He told me to stand/'I'm willing' He said and He reached out His hand/'Be cleansed' were the words that He spoke with a smile/And in an instant my skin was like that of a child."
     'I'll Never Let Go of Your Hand' is a soothing sounding testament to God's faithfulness: "The life that I have given you/No one can take away/'Cause I've sealed it with My Spirit, Blood, and Word/The everlasting Father/Has made His covenant with you/And He's stronger than the world you've seen and heard/So don't you fear to show them all the love I have for you/I'll be with you everywhere in everything I do/And even when you do it wrong/And miss the joy I've planned/I'll never, never let go of your hand/I'll never let go of your hand." 'He's Alive' is a pounding song from Don's second album 'Forgiven'. It chronicles the events and untold joy of resurrection morning. It won the 1980 Dove Award for Song of the Year, and even Dolly Parton has covered it! It is presented from Peter's perspective: "We both ran toward the garden/Then John ran on ahead/We found the stone and empty tomb/Just the way that Mary said/But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in/Was just an empty shell/And how or where they'd taken Him/Was more than I could tell...He's alive, He's alive!/He's alive and I'm forgiven!/Heaven's gates are open wide!" 'Jesus is Lord of the Way I Feel' is relatively short. It is a song of victory with a Carman-like calypso feel to it: "Praise the Lord! Hallelu! I don't care what the devil's gonna do!/The Word in faith is my sword and shield/And Jesus is Lord of the way I feel."
     'I Have Chosen You' reminds us that the Lord is our help and our hope: "I have chosen you/And I will not turn you down/I have chosen you/You were born to wear a crown/I'll give you what you need to carry on/Till all that stands opposed to you is gone/I have chosen you/There's no need to run away/I have chosen you/Why do you doubt the words I say?/Through it all I've been right by your side/Ask me and you will not be denied." 'Too Small a Price' is a lengthy, but quite well done song, clocking in at eleven minutes! It looks at the crucifixion from the perspective of one of the thieves crucified along with Jesus: "Then with all my courage, in a voice not quite my own/I asked Him, 'Lord, remember me when You come into Your throne'/He answered me and even then His love was undisguised/He said 'Before the sun has set today, you'll be with Me in Paradise'/The shouts and curses did not stop even when the sunlight ceased/But somehow in the midst of it my soul had been released/And though the agony continued, it was still too small a price/To be allowed to hear those words, and to die beside the Christ." The end of the song features a choir God miraculously provided Don (read the CD insert) singing: "Jesus is the Lord of all/We have been redeemed/Joy! (4X)" 'Brother of the Son' is the title track of Don's debut 1976 album. It has Don sharing his heart's desire with the Lord: "Father let Your Spirit flow inside me/Till all that will not praise You is undone/Help me keep my feet upon the highway/Grow to be a brother of the Son."
     I recommend HE'S ALIVE: COLLECTION VOL. 1 to fans of folk and adult contemporary pop music. Those who enjoy story songs will value this album. Fans of Michael Card and John Michael Talbot should enjoy it. Those who appreciate biblical lyrics will approve. I'm rating it 87%. For more info visit http://www.donfrancisco.com/ and http://www.rockymountainministries.org/.

PLAIN AND SIMPLE

2012-01-18T12:57:00.001-05:00

     The year was 1987 when Crystal Lewis released her debut album BEYOND THE CHARADE. Since then she has blazed a noteworthy trail for Contemporary Christian female artists following in her footsteps. Her latest album is 2011's PLAIN AND SIMPLE (Metro One) produced by her son, Solomon Ray. Artwork and photography are capably handled by her daughter Izzi Ray, who also sings background vocals on the album with her mom. In the CD insert Crystal Lewis quotes I Corinthians 2:1-2 from The Message: "...When I first came to you to let you in on God's master stroke, I didn't try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple;first Jesus and who He is;then Jesus and what He did..." She adds: "The truth of the matter is Jesus is it. The reason. The point. The truth. The answer. The why. I pray that these songs convey that. The extravagant simplicity of the Gospel..."
     The title track 'Plain and Simple' leads off the album and is smooth sounding. It elaborates on Lewis' thoughts from the liner notes: "The plain and simple truth of it is Jesus loves me/Don't make the truth more complicated than it needs to be/Bought by blood, saved by grace, that's reality/That's the truth, it's plain and simple, anyone could see." 'Give me Jesus' written by Adam Watts has a modern sound to it. It offers a path to healing for the soul: "It's easy to blame, it's hard to let grace wash away/The memories, all the words, the anger that braces the pain/But how long can you stay with your heart in the fire/With the hurt locked away, where nobody wins?/Fight through the wall, beat down the castle door/Brace for the fall, you don't need this anymore/Give it to Jesus." 'Revelation' is one of five songs solely penned by Crystal. It is fresh sounding, ascribes worth to Jesus, and is based on Revelation 5:12: "Worthy is the Lamb...the spotless Lamb that was slain/Worthy is the Lamb...to receive power and riches and strength/Worthy is the Lamb...to receive honor and glory and praise."
     'Even the Rocks Cry Out', written with her husband Brian Ray, has a funky groove to it and speaks of the legacy she wants to leave: "Today as I live, even tomorrow when I'm gone/Let it be said of me/I opened my mouth, I let praise pour out/I lifted my voice above the crowd/From forgiven lips came, songs of endless praise/Loud and clear they rang/Even the rocks cry out/I will not be silent, I just have to praise Him." 'Name' is a song of gratitude to the Lord: "I love Your Name Savior/Freedom from chains Savior/You forgave my sin, delivered my soul/I love Your Name." 'I Don't Wanna Fall' is an easy rock number that confirms that she desires to please the Lord: "I have made mistakes/Fallen along the way/Made choices that I regret/Done things I'd like to forget/But I stand here now/Forgiven and free somehow/By the grace of God I see/Where I went wrong, where I want to be/I don't wanna fall again (4X)."
     'Daughter' is on the slower side and has God wanting to comfort His troubled and hurting child: "I want to hold your face in My hands/Remind you that I, I AM that I AM/Let My love wash away, the stains of the day/Don't fret or fear, I'm here/Daughter, I'm aware of your pain/I'm aware of your guilt and your shame/Daughter, the reason I came/To rescue, redeem and to save." 'All Day Long' testifies to the benefits of trusting in the Lord: "Evening approaches and darkens my door/With a fear, I admit it, I've felt before/But this time instead of dread forcing me to the floor/I sleep knowing peace through and through/For all day long, my hope was in You." 'I AM' is a wonderful song. It is a strong reminder that God is never far from us: "In the midst of hardship, in the midst of pain/Don't you know that all you have to do is call My Name?/It may not be easy, the way may not be clear/Know my arm is not too short, my ear is quick to hear/Messiah, Savior, Son of Man/Provider, Protector, Redeemer, I AM."
     'Center of Gravity' written with her son Solomon, is the most experimental track musically. It supports the account of creation in Genesis: "You spoke, the world began/All appeared at Your command/Your breath set the stars in place/You filled up sea and space/All things are held together/Not by cord or tether/Not by blood or bone/But by Your power alone." 'I Know You are the One' written by Brian and Izzi Ray is a great duet between Izzi and Crystal! It speaks of a relentless pursuit of God: "With every step I move towards You/Everyday You make me new/I see You more clearly/I'll never stop until I see/You in all Your majesty/And I see You more clearly."
     PLAIN AND SIMPLE is plain and simply one of Crystal Lewis' best albums ever and certainly one of the best albums of 2011! Vocally, the girl can still bring it, and musically, it is masterful, thanks to the playing of Solomon Ray, Jyro Xhan, Marc Ford, and Matt, Nic, and Jules Rodriguez. This album should be getting much more airplay on today's Christian radio. The Gospel message comes through in love loud and clear! I'm recommending this album to fans of Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, and Rachael Lampa. I'm rating PLAIN AND SIMPLE 95%. For more info visit http://www.crystallewis.com/.

WIDE OPEN SPACES

2012-01-17T19:12:00.000-05:00

     FFH is comprised of husband and wife duo Jeromy and Jennifer Deibler. Their latest non-holiday release is 2009's WIDE OPEN SPACES (62 Records). Production duties are handled by Jeromy and Mitch Dane. In the liner notes the Deiblers write these revealing words: "The point to all this is that we've never needed people or seen people come through for us like we have in this season. We've never seen the Lord like this either. Like Isaiah, we have seen the Lord and as a result we have become Undone...Released from the old ways and led, like David, into a Wide Open Space." In 2007 Jeromy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
     'Undone' is a pleasant adult pop song that Jeromy wrote with Mia Fieldes of Hillsong fame. It speaks of the emotions and thoughts one battles when fighting a disease: "The cancer inside stealing my sleep/Night after night it keeps haunting me/The secrets I keep/Are tearing me up inside/I try to hide them and I wonder why/Why I'm still running when I know there's no escaping." 'Hold On to Me' is next. It talks of one's faith journey as a positive experience: "I don't want to go back to the calm and shallow seas/I want to stay here and embrace the mystery/We've come so far now/We can't turn back now." 'Wide Open Spaces', the title track, was written by Jeromy and industry vet Chris Eaton, who wrote 'Breath of Heaven', the modern Christmas classic. Oddly enough, musically it sounds like a song the Dixie Chicks could do. Lyrically, it communicates a desire for spiritual growth: "I'm tired of the race, tired of pretending/Tired of the pressure to just stay ahead/Can't take the pace it just seems unending/If this is living I'd rather be dead/I need wide open spaces/I need rivers that flow/I need to find where my faith is/Give me the desert, I'll make it my home."
     'What it Feels like (To be led)' features Andy Hubbard on drums and is the song of one placing all of their faith in God: "So this is what it feels like to just walk away/From everything I thought kept me safe/To depend just on You for every meal/And find it's better this way/Oh, it's better this way/This may not be the road I would choose for me/But it still feels right somehow/And I have never felt You as close to me/As I do right now/Like I do right now." 'I Don't Care Anymore' is a fine adult contemporary song that has Jeromy singing in his falsetto. The lyrics speak about setting priorities straight: "I don't care anymore-and/I'm not there anyway-so/Go on with your life and I'll go on with mine/We will all be fine/'Cause I don't care anymore/About my name in lights or getting what is mine/You can be the star tonight, oh that would be just fine with me/I don't care (2X), I don't care anymore/I'm not there, I'm long gone, so go on, go on/Go on with your life, don't worry about me/I've found what I need, she's been right here with me." 'What if your Best' was again written by Jeromy and Mia Fieldes. It is a ballad about realizing that God is God and we are not. Jennifer Deibler carries the vocal lead: "I'm trying hard to keep from giving You advice/It's like teaching Shakespeare how to write/Or Monet, the way to paint another scene/But there's just something in this amateur that thinks/That my opinion's what You need/On how to work in me/But I am only clay and clay probably shouldn't speak."
     'The Time of my Life' has Greg Hagan on electric guitar and is a playful sounding love song: "Hand in hand/Our feet in the long beach sand/That's the way we spend these days/Falling in love again/We've always been best friends/That's the way we spend these days...I had the time of my life with you/Under the summer moon/I was so consumed/I had the time of my life with you/Acting like a fool/But it was over too soon/Oh I had the time of my life." 'Stop the Bleeding' is about crying out in desperation to the Lord: "How much desert must I cross/'Til I come to the Jordan?/I am thirsty and I'm lost/My heart is weak and emptied out/So come and stop the bleeding/I think I finally understand/So come and stop the bleeding/I've tried to fix this but I can't/So come and stop the bleeding/I know You can."
     'Who I'm gonna Be' would fit nicely on mainstream country radio. It features Tim Lauer on harmonica and is about reaching one's full potential: "And I wonder how it took me oh so long/Some kind of grace flipped a switch/And the lights are finally comin' on/So much time I've wasted/When will I stop chasin'/Gotta stop lookin' around/And be who I'm gonna be/So much I've not tasted/So many choices to start makin'/Gotta stop lookin' around/And be who I'm gonna be." Jill Paquette co-writes the song. 'Jesus Give me Rest' would not be out of place on a Gaither video. It is about the need we have to anchor ourselves in the Lord if we are to have true contentment: "I've been trying to hold/On to things that just slip through my hands/You'd think that by now I'd know/Better than to chase after shifting sands/So let Your peace come to me/Oh Jesus give me rest/Let Your peace come to me/Oh Jesus give me rest/Be still, be still/Be still and know."
     WIDE OPEN SPACES is music that is easy on the ears, much like previous FFH hits such as 'One of these Days' and 'Ready to Fly'. This album will appeal to a wide variety of age groups. It is both contemporary and traditional sounding at the same time. I'm rating it 80%. For more info visit http://www.ffh.net/ or http://www.62records.com/.

SOULBREATHER

2012-01-13T12:54:00.000-05:00

     SOULBREATHER is comprised of Brynn Gersmehl (acoustic guitar, vocals) and her husband Mark Gersmehl (piano, keyboards, percussion and drum programming, vocals). Their debut album is 2011's SEVEN POINT EIGHT. Brynn wrote the following to me regarding the title: "In the Bible seven is the number for fullness, completeness. Both Gersh and I were in Christian bands (Whiteheart and Rachel Rachel) in the 1980's and 1990's. We are humbled and honored that the Lord chose to use us in that way, but that chapter of our lives is complete. The number eight in the Bible symbolizes a new beginning, or a new order of things, a new creation, a new birth. The artist that refuses to change does so at great peril." Of their latest venture she writes: "We feel something stirring deep within us. We believe it is The Soulbreather breathing new life and vision at the center of our being." The following words from the liner notes of the project shed some more light: "What if you had a choice: a. trudging through the dust of day after day or b. living a life brimming with love, laughter, and meaning? Actually you do have a choice. And it all comes down to Who you know and what you believe...There is Someone we want you to meet. His name is Soulbreather and He has big dreams for you."
     SEVEN POINT EIGHT begins with 'How Beautiful'. It is gentle and has a calming effect. The lyrics draw from Isaiah 52:7: "How beautiful on the mountain/Are the feet that bring good news (2X)/How beautiful (2X)/Let the rocks and hills be echoing/With the chorus of our worshipping/As we shout our praise to You King of kings/Til the whole world knows what You have done/Til the whole world sees You Risen One/Til the whole world knows You." 'This Hope' finds them boasting in the goodness of the Lord: "I have a hope that makes me whole/It is the anchor of my soul/Jesus You reign in majesty/And yet You live inside of me/You'll never leave me/Or forsake me/And then one day/You will take me/To Your Kingdom/Where together/We'll all praise You/Lord forever." 'From All that Dwell Below' is a hymn that is quite pretty. It dates back to the 1700's and was written by Isaac Watts and John Hatton. It desires that God be exalted: "From all that dwell below the skies/Let the Creator's praise arise/Alleluia (2X)/Let the Redeemer's name be sung/Through every land by every tongue/Alleluia (5X)."
     'Manna' finds the Gersmehl's harmonizing and attests to God's faithfulness: "People I love/Moments of bliss/Even there I'm finding things I missed/When I was lost/You were still near/Even in my wilderness/You never loved me any less/Now I finally see that You were there/Everywhere I look I see/Your everlasting love for me/So much more than I could dream/It's like manna falling down on me." 'Great I Am' is a wonderful ballad that builds. It runs almost six minutes and testifies that none can compare to the Lord: "Let the idols fall/Crumble into dust/Ev'ry knee will bow/And ev'ry tongue confess/Great I Am, You are holy/And I bow before Your throne/Great I Am, You are worthy/And I worship You alone/Great I Am (4X)." Joe Mazza plays guitar on the track, while Ken Lewis is on drums.
     'Soulbreather' is hauntingly beautiful and features former Whiteheart member Anthony Sallee on bass. The lyrics are about pursuing a deeper relationship with Father God: "I'm praying for the Soulbreather/To breath in me (breathe in me)/I'm praying for the Soulbreather to come/I'm longing for the Soulbreather/To breathe in me (breathe in me)/I'm longing for the Soulbreather to come/Come breathe in me (2X)/I long to be free/Come breathe in me/Come breathe."
     'How Deep and Wide' contemplates God's unfathomable love for us: "Far beyond my understanding/Far beyond my deepest longing/Far beyond what I could/Ever hope and dream/Now to You be all the power/Now to You be all the glory/Forever and forever I will sing/How deep and wide/Your love for me/How deep and wide/Your love/How long and high Your love for me/How long and high/Your love." 'Flow Down' is a soft pop number that confirms principles drawn from the biblical account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4: "I've been walking in a desert/Dry and weary to the bone/How I long to taste Your water/Purer than I've ever known (2X)/Flow down living water/Flow down blessed Savior/Flow down and I will never/Ever thirst again." 'By the Riverside' continues the theme of life giving spiritual water only available from God: "I kneel down by the riverside (3X)/To drink from the water that's deep and wide/I'm laying down everything inside (3X)/To drink from the water that's deep and wide." 'You Are' closes the album and has them declaring their life's mission: "You are the light of the world (3X)/And I will follow You/You are the light of the world (3X)/And I will follow You (2X)/Wherever You may lead/You're everything I need."
     Brynn also wrote this to me: "This record was conceived as a whole, a journey to the deeper intimate places of the soul. It is our hope and prayer that people will listen to it on their morning walk in the woods, on a long drive, or swaddled in their favourite blanket drinking hot chocolate in front of the fireplace. Wherever their quiet secret place is, we believe The Soulbreather will meet them there..." SEVEN POINT EIGHT is atmospheric, ethereal, meditative, praise and worship. It will cause you to slow down in this fast paced world and think about the One who made you. Brynn's sweet vocals compliment Mark's husky, seasoned voice quite nicely. I'm recommending this album produced by Gersh and Richie Biggs, to fans of the lighter fare of Geoff Moore and Leigh Nash, and to those who enjoy Gersh's 2002 solo effort AWAKENING. I'm rating SEVEN POINT EIGHT 83%. For more info and to purchase visit http://www.soulbreather.com/.

IT'S A NEW DAY!

2012-01-11T12:36:00.001-05:00

     When Arkansas natives and siblings The Martins, Joyce, Jonathan, and Judy, released NEW DAY (2011, Spring House Productions) it had been a fair number of years since they had put out an all new project together. They are admired for their Southern Gospel songs such as 'Out of His Great Love' and 'Timothy's Burden.' NEW DAY was produced by Jay DeMarcus of country supergroup Rascal Flatts, and finds The Martins turning to a more pop/contemporary sound.
     'Love Enough' is highly inspiring and offers words of encouragement to those who are troubled: "Wish I could go with you/To the place you cry your tears/That room where you sit all alone/With your questions and your fears/Wish I could hold your hand/When friends say words that hurt/I'd remind you of what's true/Yeah I'd shout into your world/There is love enough/No matter what you're going through/There is love enough/And grace to carry you/For God is in this moment/And there's nothing He can't do/For every one of us/He is love enough." 'New Day' talks about the importance of living in the present: "I am not looking back/Wasting time on the past/When I know that You have given me a new day/By Your love I am saved/All the old is washed away/And I'm living in a new day." 'Tell them that I love Them' is a ballad featuring Jonathan on vocals. I could hear Carrie Underwood doing this song that focuses on what God wants fallen humanity to know: "Tell them that I love them/Telll them grace is still amazing/And there's power in the blood/And the old rugged cross is still enough/Tell them that I love them/That I died to set them free/Tell them I'm the answer/For everything they need/Tell them there's forgiveness/And hope in suffering/The truth never gets old/So say it again and again."
     'Good to Me' has an infectious quality to it and is a song of gratitude to the Lord: "You make me smile/The way I've never smiled before/And with every rising sun/I can't wait for what's in store/Life is different now/I love spending time with You/Got a heart that loves the light/And a heart that loves the truth/You've got me walking in/New mercies every day/It's hard to comprehend/It blows me away/You're good to me, good to me/It's easy to see." 'All the Love in the World' was written by Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts along with Jason Sellers and Tim Nichols. Rooney plays a guitar solo on this upbeat track that reminds us as believers that we should be the salt of the earth: "All the starvin', all the cryin', all the war and violence/How can we let this happen?/I'll bet that's what God's been askin'/(With) All the love in the world, all the love in the world/We can lay our hearts wide open/We can fix the bridges broken/(With) All the love in the world, all the love in the world." 'Unredeemed' is reminiscent of vintage First Call and speaks of God's healing power: "It may be unfulfilled/It may be unrestored/But when anything that's shattered/Is laid before the Lord/Just watch and see/It will not be unredeemed."
     'The Truth' is a very well executed pop song written by Brian White, Ian Ashley Eskelin, and Steven A. Dean. It speaks of the importance of faith: "In your soul/You already know/You know what you gotta do/Step out on the ledge/Over the edge/Jump into the truth/Close your eyes/To all the lies/Fall like you're flying/Just embrace the power of grace." 'Somebody like Me' is highly motivational. It imagines a drunk man entering a church service and reminds us we need to be ready to love sinners: "You'd think somebody would put their arm around him/You'd think somebody would hit a knee, pull him in, say a prayer/You'd think somebody would want to make a difference/Well, I wonder who that somebody could be/Probably somebody like me."
     'Love's Gonna Drive this Train' is a decidedly smoking country tune featuring Michael English on vocals. It reminds us that evangelism is crucial in these days in which we live: "Don't need no engine, don't need no track/Don't need no ticket in your hand/With no hesitation, and no lookin' back/We're headin' for the Promise Land/Reach out for your neighbor and pull him aboard/This is a trip that anyone can afford/Love's gonna drive this train." 'I Surrender' written by Chris Eaton and Joyce Sanders finishes things off on a calm note. It paints a lovely picture of Creator and creation in perfect communion: "Beautiful, so beautiful/Is the love You show to me/You have brought me back to You/Where my heart has longed to be/Kneeling here in Your holy presence/I am lifting up my hands/I surrender, surrender/I surrender to You."
     The Martins are still favourites on the Gaither circuit, but with NEW DAY they have successfully transitioned to a contemporary, exciting, pop sound. It will appeal to fans of AVALON, 4HIM, and POINT OF GRACE. Various talented , veteran musicians play on the project including Chris McHugh, Greg Morrow, Dan Huff, and Jimmie Lee Sloas. The vocals on NEW DAY are spot on. I'm rating it 89%. For more info visit www.martinsonline.com or www.gaither.com.

LOVE WAS HERE FIRST

2012-01-07T19:31:00.000-05:00

     I will probably always best remember Carolyn Arends for her first couple of albums released in 1995 and 1997. They spawned such marvelous songs as 'I can Hear You', 'Seize the Day', 'Feel Free', and 'New Year's Day.' Her latest and tenth album is 2009's LOVE WAS HERE FIRST (2B Records) produced by Arends and Roy Salmond.
     The album begins with 'Be Still' which is bouncy and features horns arranged by Kent Wallace. The song reminds us of the importance of being quiet once in awhile in our fast-paced society: "My gears just keep on turning/My fears quickly are burning/My faith down to ashes/My hope up in smoke/I fan the flames/And I stand here and choke/'Til I remember if I want to breathe/Then the only remedy/Is if I will/Be still/And know that You are God." Next up is a subdued version of 'Standing in the Need of Prayer' featuring the vocal touches of The Sojourners, a 3 man gospel group, and Gayle Salmond. The song contains this confession: "Not my neighbor, not my teacher/But it's me, O Lord/Standing in the need of prayer/Not the deacon, not the preacher/It's just me O Lord/Standing in the need of prayer." 'My Favourite Lie' has Carolyn delivering a great vocal and speaks of being stuck in a spiritual rut: "I am a pilgrim on a dead-end road/Who refuses to go in a new direction/I am a sucker for my favourite lie:/That you don't have to die/To live the resurrection/I don't wanna die to live the resurrection/I am a creature who prefers my cave/To the light of day 'cause it's what I know/And I am a sailor who will not leave shore/There could come a storm/The winds could blow."
     'Something out of us' is sultry sounding and has Spencer Capier on bouzouki, mandolin, fiddle and vocals. The tune talks of God's redeeming power: "You made cosmos out of chaos/You made Adam out of dust/You made wine out of the water/You'll make something out of us/You make light shine in our darkness/You make life to conquer death/You make children out of sinners/You'll make something of us yet." 'I am a Soul' is a nice ballad that reflects on our ultimate immortality: "Molecules and atoms/Just like Eve and Adam/Ashes to ashes, dust to dust/Even still I wonder/When we are six feet under/Will that truly be the end of us?.../You have a body but you are a soul/You see a fraction, it's not the whole/I cannot prove it, but still I know/You have a body...you are a soul." 'Willing' is contemplative and paints a picture of one struggling to draw near to God: "The only place that I am filled is at Your table/And still I starve myself day after day/I cannot choose Your will unless You make me able/That's why You say You are the only way.../I'll send the guards away who keep my heart/I'm making space for You, a place to start/Please pull me close to You."
     'Roll It' is victorious sounding musically. It reminds believers how to conquer guilt and has The Sojourners on vocals: "When your own sin starts to drag you down/And the devil tells you, you are through/Remember Jesus Christ already paid that price/And even now/He's telling you (3X)/You've got to roll it onto God (2X)/He's your provider, protector, your shelter and rock/You've got to roll it onto God." 'The Last Word (Love was Here First)' is mellow for a title track. It has Spencer Capier on lap steel and violins and declares that God will have the final word in the battles we experience in the spiritual realm: "Bad day on the hillside, or so it seemed/When love was surrendered and nailed to a tree/But the grave came up empty and death was reversed/'Cause love was here first.../A bad day in the garden could not erase/All that was started with original grace/And though we have wandered, we will find if we search/Love was here first." 'According to Plan' is a fine track with a classic Carolyn Arends sound to it. It testifies to God's sovereignty: "Yes I am convinced we get one guarantee/There's no situation that He can't redeem/When what we meant for harm, He turns into some good/Where our hearts start changing, then it's understood/He's doing the miracles, only He can/It's going according to plan/Yes it's going according to plan."
     'Nothing can Separate' has Carolyn putting all of her faith in God. Background vocals are done by Roy and Gayle Salmond and Spencer Capier: "Who can say if the trouble comes from/Above or below or the hands of fate/I just pray when the trouble does come/You help us to remember the promise You make/I know-neither death nor life/Not the past nor the present nor/Things to come/No foe-neither depth nor height/Can separate us/From the love of Christ." 'Never say Goodbye' concludes the album. Steve Bell is on harmony vocals, while Roy Salmond is on percussion, pump organ and toy piano. The song includes these thoughtful lyrics: "I know when You were here/Whenever You would speak/The lame would walk, the blind would see/Your talk was never cheap/And when the time had come/You said You had to die/But You never said goodbye/You said 'Lo, I'm with you always/Always know that I'm/Making preparations/In a world beyond all time (2X)/Where we never say goodbye.'"
     LOVE WAS HERE FIRST is for those who tire of much of the overpolished pop on Christian radio today. It is for those who prefer something more honest and artistic. In the pictures with this project Carolyn looks beautiful, and mature and innocent at the same time. I'm rating this her latest effort 82%. For more info visit http://www.carolynarends.com/.

AS LONG AS IT TAKES

2012-01-04T14:51:00.000-05:00

     Meredith Andrews won the 2011 Dove Award for Praise and Worship Album of the Year for her third and latest studio project AS LONG AS IT TAKES (2010, Word Entertainment) which was produced by Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp. In the liner notes she writes the following to her listeners: "My prayer is that these songs would draw you closer to the God who has loved you all your life." She also addresses the Lord: "Jesus, all I want is for You to be pleased with my life. Take these songs, they are from You and for You. Reveal Yourself through this record, for if You are not in the music, it is merely empty noise."
     The album begins with 'Never Move On' which has a very contemporary feel to it and has her thinking about Calvary: "Held captive here/In awe of grace/Joy found in tears/Upon Your face/And all my shame/Just disappears/My guilt erased/When I am here/I don't need a new truth/All I need is more of You." 'Only to be Yours' is radio friendly and about letting Jesus take the wheel of one's life: "Undivided, strip everything else away/Burn the idols, the things in my life/That have replaced You/I lay my life down, here on Your altar/Empty my hands of all I've been holding back." 'Can Anybody Hear Me?' is catchy and has Meredith working out her faith: "I will trust in You/Even in the moments I can't find You/I will hold onto/Your promises Oh, Lord/You've never failed before/I know that You can hear me/When the silence is deafening/Even though You seem far away/I know You're here with me/But I just need the faith to see/Nothing can separate me from Your love."
     The title track is a pretty ballad with strings and speaks of total dependence on the Lord: "I won't speak until You speak/I won't move until You move me/I won't sing, sing over me/I will wait as long as it takes." 'Come Home' sounds like it should be on a movie soundtrack. It was written for her brother Derek and is a sister's heartfelt cry to her brother: "You're not a disappointment to me/You're just like the rest of us/Struggling through the journey/I don't care what secrets you may keep/I could never love you less/Than all the love inside of me." 'All will fade Away' was written with Jason Ingram and her husband Jacob Sooter. It offers these words of encouragement to those experiencing hardships: "All of this will disappear/We are strangers here/We are strangers here/We will see/You face to face/And all will fade away/Yes, all will fade away."
     'What it Means to Love' is a standout inspirational track she wrote with Jason Walker after returning from a visit to an orphanage in Haiti. From her experience she concludes: "So how could I go back to life as usual/And how could I return to who I once was?/I just want to take your story to the world/'Cause you have shown me what it means to love." 'Live through me' is a pulsating track that gives God permission to take total control of one's life: "Oh to speak and to hear You speaking/Oh to breathe and to feel Your breath in me/To love like a fire burning/All consuming Father live through me/Set me ablaze/For my soul's sake/Set me ablaze/'Til only You remain." 'My Soul Sings' was written with Jason Ingram and Stu Gerrard. It is an upbeat song of praise: "Now my soul sings/For my eyes to see/Your beauty on display/For all the world to see/Now my soul sings/Responding/To the wonder of Your love/At work inside of me."
     'In Your Arms' is a memorable piano ballad supported by great background vocals. It is the song of one intentionally drawing near to God: "I'm turning the world off/Embracing the silence/Walking away from all the voices/That are screaming in my ear/I've been too caught up/I've been so stressed out/And all of the noise replaced the whisper/That used to be so clear/So I close every door/And put my face back on the floor." The album closes with 'How Great is the Love' written by Meredith, Jacob Sooter, and Paul Baloche. This beautiful six minutes plus long song features Paul Baloche. It won the 2011 Dove Award for Worship Song of the Year and reverently praises Jesus for His earthly rescue mission: "Jesus, faithful King/Lord, with grateful hearts we sing/How great is the love/How great is the love/Of our Savior/The weight of the cross, the curse of our shame/You carried it all and rose from the grave/How great is the love (2X)/Of our Savior (2X)."
     AS LONG AS IT TAKES is a relevant, timely praise and worship record. It will appeal to those who enjoy the musical stylings of Joy Williams and Erin O'Donnell. Meredith Andrews is a very pretty, gorgeous young lady. I'm rating this project 83.5%. For more info visit http://www.meredithandrews.com/ or http://www.wordlabelgroup.com/.

V. Rose is most definitely a Christian Girl

2012-01-01T10:29:00.000-05:00

     In the liner notes for Vienna Rose Da Re's 2011 Clear Sight Music release V. ROSE, she writes to Jesus: "Thank You for placing purpose in me and loving me even when I didn't love myself." Later on she writes this simple message: "Jesus is Lord, if you didn't know, now ya know!" Her bio accurately compares her musically to artists such as Katy Perry, Selena Gomez, and Miley Cyrus. Lamontt 'SPEC' Blackshire produces the album. In addition he co-writes all the songs with Vienna, with the exception of the last track which he penned alone.
     'Not so Average' starts things off. It features nice string arrangements and speaks out against media pressures for teen girls to look a certain way: "Models aren't really models when they're not modeling/Why don't you tell me something/Cuz what I'm really wondering/Is how long do you expect to be following/Tryna be a star like them?/It's not the way you're going to win/Stop tryin' to fit in" and "The only way to shine like a star/Is to realize whose you are/You were created to go far/It really doesn't matter what you look like/If you have Jesus on the inside/He's everything that you need in your life." 'Christian Girl' sounds like Gwen Stefani gone Christian: "I'm a Christian girl/Not of the world/Jesus is my banner/And I show it on the camera/Make Him popular (popular)/I give Him the publicity (publicity)/Telling all of my friends/I'm born again/Be done with the sin/Let me show you how to win." 'Battery' is all about being available to God for His purposes. It has a party sound to it and has labelmate FLAME doing some dope rapping: "I want the Lord to use me like I'm a tool/Like I'm Moses' rod/Screaming give me Jesus/Give me Jesus/Give me Jesus/Give me God." Vienna sings: "Can you feel the power/When you say the Name?/Like turning a light on/And all the darkness fades/But we don't deserve it/It's only by grace/It's only through faith/That He uses me."
     'Hater' is bouncy and could be addressed to the devil or another person trying to draw her away from God: "See what happens when you're a hater/And you're jealous/You're a liar/You're so stupid/It makes you a loser/You thought that you had this girl/But God helped me escape" and ""I know you don't get it/You're jealous admit it/That He gave His life for us all/So you can keep trying/With stealing and lying/But He'll pick me up if I fall." 'Run that Way' is bass heavy and uses neat vocal distortions. The song focuses on spiritual warfare: "Let's run away from the liar/Be quick he'll use your desire/You better run when you get the chance/There's always a way of escape but you have to run that way." 'Dear Adam' is a ballad that finds God calling out to a guy who has fallen into sin and is depressed: "I'm writing you to let you know/The price that I have paid/But you could never understand the cost/Adam you can rise again/Believe the Son can shine within/Receive the crown I paid for on the cross."
     'In Dependence' has Vienna delivering an earlier era Hilary Duff style vocal. It is about letting go of the tough guy act and acknowledging our need for the Lord: "There's a guy all the girls want to be with/But he don't want no one else, he's lookin' at her/Because he thinks she's independent/But he don't know every night when they hang up the phone/She's about to cry cause she feels so alone/Is she really independent?/So while she's lying to herself trying to impress him/I'll be who God wants me to be" and "I got Someone to lean on/And I don't care what you think/Because I'm going to be in His arms/And where will you be?" 'Girl, What U Lookin At?!' is hip sounding and offers spiritual freedom to a girl with a tough exterior: "You got your swagg huh/You think you're bad huh/But no one knows deep down inside you're really sad huh/That's why you're wild huh/And never smile huh/Somehow you lost your joy when you were just a child huh/But I'm just sayin' though/Don't be ashamed though/Cuz Jesus wants to free you but you have to say so/So get your joy back/And lose the diva act." 'Let's go Home' shows a softer side of Vienna musically. It points us to where we can find our true identity and rest in it: "It's not Alice in Wonderland/It's not Dorothy in Oz/It's not Peter in Neverland/But it's called the kingdom of God/Do you know where we are?/Don't want to be lost/Back to where we started from/I believe You are the Son/No place like home."
     'Love Pursuit' is a slow, smooth R & B tune featuring John Katina. It is a conversation between God and Vienna in which she struggles with feelings of being unworthy of His love: "God-That's why I gave you my life/So even though you are unworthy/You can still come to me/Vienna-No I'm too ashamed of me/God-But My love can cover all/Vienna-But how could You still love me/After all that I've done to You?/God-That's why I sent My Son for you/Vienna-What if my heart should stray?/God-Then I'll pursue you with love and grace." 'Forgive Me' has Adam Long on cello, and asks a very heartfelt question of another: "And after all of my failure and my sinning/Jesus still wants to save me and live in me/So if Jesus can/Then why can't you.../Forgive me?" 'Cry Holy' uses violin, viola, cello, contra bass and piano among other instruments. This closing song should cause each and every listener to pause and think about Christ's great sacrifice for us: "I close my eyes and see Him/All of His life depleted/Hanging upon a tree with nails put through His hands and feet and/I know that I'm the reason/Because of my constant treason/It was my own complete sin/That caused Him this awful treatment/But one day I'm going to meet Him/I'll fall on my face when I see Him/Thank Him for all that He did/And I'll be free then" and "When I do see Jesus/I will cry a million tears/I'll join the angels singing what they have sung a million years/They'll be singing Holy/Holy (9X)."
     I'm recommending this Christian pop album to females aged 12 to 25, though others such as myself may enjoy it as well. V. Rose seems to be strongly grounded in her faith in Christ making her a great role model for young ladies the world over. The photographs of her included with this project were taken by Gerry 'GOS' Simpson and show Vienna, who is in her early 20's, to be fashionable, cute, and beautiful. I'm rating V. ROSE 87%. For more info on her and her work visit http://www.clearsightmusic.com/ or check her out on Facebook. Note that V. Rose will be part of AIR RAID 20 in Barrie Saturday Februrary 25th, 2012, along with House of Heroes, Manic Drive and Behold! The City (airraid.ca).

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

2011-12-30T20:02:00.000-05:00

     Crystal Lewis has been wowing Christian music fans for years now with her unique and powerful voice. Over the years she has performed such classics as 'I Now Live', 'Shine Jesus Shine', and 'People Get Ready.' Among her best work was 2000's HOLIDAY! A COLLECTION OF CHRISTMAS CLASSICS which was jazz infused. With HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (2010, Metro One) Lewis has truly outdone herself. I have nothing negative to say about this project.
     It begins with three mellow numbers. 'O Come O Come Emmanuel' is based on the following biblical prophecy from Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." The lyrics to the song include this plea: "O Come, Thou Key of David, come/And open wide our heavenly home;/Make safe the way that leads on high/And close the path to misery/Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel/Shall come to Thee, O Israel." 'White Christmas' was penned by Irving Berlin. The first public performance of it was by Bing Crosby on his NBC radio show The Kraft Music Hall on December 25/41. The song finds Crystal reminiscing: "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas/Just like the ones I used to know/Where the treetops glisten and children listen/To hear sleigh bells in the snow/I'm dreaming of a white Christmas/With every Christmas card I write/May your days be merry and bright/And may all your Christmases be white." 'Grown Up Christmas List' is a David Foster and Linda Thompson-Jenner tune from 1990. Other CCM artists such as Amy Grant and Bryan Duncan have recorded it. It contains these utopian well wishes: "No more lives torn apart/That wars would never start/And time would heal all hearts/And everyone would have a friend/And right would always win/And love would never end/This is my grown up Christmas list."
     The title track 'Home for the Holidays' was recorded twice by Perry Como. It picks up the pace musically and echoes the sentiments of many: "Oh there's no place like home for the holidays/'Cause no matter how far away you roam/When you long for the sunshine of a friendly gaze/For the holidays, you can't beat/Home, sweet home." 'I heard the Bells on Christmas Day' uses nice chime effects and is based on an 1864 poem by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The song proclaims the victory of good over evil: "Then pealed the bells more loud and deep/'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;/The wrong shall fail, the right prevail/With peace on earth, good will to men.'" 'Mary, Did you Know?' uses playful piano playing and dates back to 1991. The lyrics marvel at what the baby Jesus would grow up and accomplish: "Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?/Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?/Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?/That this child that you've delivered will soon deliver you?"
     'Let it be to Me' is a beautiful ballad written by Michael and Stormie Omartian. It imagines Mary's thoughts on carrying and giving birth to Jesus: "I'm just an ordinary girl with extraordinary chances/To give my body and my soul to serve my God and Lord/Holy Spirit come and bring forth/This gift of life/Let it be to me according to Your Word/Let it be, let it be/Let it be to me." 'We Three Kings' by Rev. John Henry Hopkins Jr. first appeared in print in 1863. These words extol the Lord: "Frankincense to offer have I/Incense owns a Deity nigh/Prayer and praising all men raising/Worship Him, God on high." 'Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella' is a Christmas carol which originated from the Provence region of France in the 16th century. Crystal partially sings it in French. It is a wonderful acappella track that joyfully proclaims Christ's birth: "Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella!/Bring a torch to the cradle run/It is Jesus good folk of the village/Christ is born and Mary's calling/Ah! Ah! beautiful is the Mother!/Ah! Ah! beautiful is her Son!" 'Sleigh Ride' will take you back in time musically and is a seasonal love song about two love birds: "Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up/It's grand, just holding your hand/We're gliding along with a song/Of a wintry fairyland/Our cheeks are nice and rosy/And comfy cozy are we/Ooh, we're snuggled up together/Like two birds of a feather would be." 'Oh Come All Ye Faithful' features nice percussion and ascribes worth to the Lord: "Yea Lord we greet Thee/Born this happy morning/Jesus to Thee be glory given/Word of the Father/Now in flesh appearing/Oh come let us adore Him (3X)/Christ the Lord." 'I Wonder as I Wander' by John Jacob Niles, closes the album. It tries to grasp the grandeur of the incarnation: "I wonder as I wander out under the sky/How Jesus, the Savior, did come for to die/For poor, ornery people like you and like I/I wonder as I wander/Out under the sky."
     HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS was produced by John Andrew Schreiner and Brian Ray, Lewis' husband. Their daughter Izzi Ray, plays guitar, while Frank Lenz plays drums. Schreiner is responsible for keyboards and programming. Alan Pasqua skillfully handles piano duties. I recommend this light pop, inspirational Christmas effort to those who appreciate the vocal talents of Christina Aguilera and Rachael Lampa. It really is a flawless Christmas cd. It is both soothing and mesmerizing. The photos of Crystal with luggage at a train station are just beautiful! For more info visit http://www.crystallewis.com/. I'm rating this album 95%.

SONGS FOR ISRAEL

2011-12-21T09:55:00.000-05:00

     SONGS FOR ISRAEL (2010, Candlelight Concerts and Records) features the talents of four singer-songwriters: Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill, Bob Bennett, and Buck Storm. The following words from artist Ray Ware who painted the front cover 'With His Disciples in Galilee', shed light on the background for this project: "In November 2008, Candlelight Christian Fellowship and Compass International of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho embarked on an experiment-of-sorts by inviting four songwriters to visit Israel and other Biblical locales with the purpose of writing and recording a new body of music inspired by what they experienced together...Note that these artists were not in a cocoon of their own but lived and traveled with a diverse group of one hundred and fifty Christian pilgrims from across the USA." Pastor Paul Van Noy sheds further light on this endeavour: "We chose to make this record because we believe it is God's will that we support and pray for Israel. The Lord has and will use her to make Himself known to the rest of the world. Today in the Church Age, He uses believers in Jesus as His ambassadors to the 'Jew first and also to the Gentile.'"
     The album begins with a deeply emotional song, 'Jerusalem', written and sung by Buck Storm who has a gravelly voice: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem you who stoned the prophets/How I have longed to gather you into My arms/Jerusalem, Jerusalem you who stoned the prophets/Precious in weakness and loved by the God who made you/Darkness comes to the City of David/Bone and skin lie bare to the wind/Blood and bent fingers/A Son crying out to His Father/Precious in weakness, perfect in love." 'House of the Lord' is a mellow song written and performed by Phil Keaggy. It has God making promises to Israel: "And I will pour on the House of David/And those who dwell in Jerusalem/The spirit of grace and supplication/And they will see Him who was pierced/Who was pierced for all their sins/If My people who are called by My Name/Will humble themselves/And pray and seek My face/If My people turn from their wicked ways/Then I will hear from Heaven/Forgive their sin, and heal their land." 'Eyes Upon the Land' is an easy listening song delivered by Bob Bennett. It speaks of God's goodness amidst heartache: "So much trouble, so much pain/An endless supply of well-worn hate/Sorrows that no man can ever number/Sown into this tiny piece of real estate/But God keeps the faithful preceding me/To tend this garden in the sand/Who keep the Torah and tell of Him/Who always keeps His eyes upon the land."
     'The Secret Name of God' is a wonderful Randy Stonehill ballad that runs over six minutes in length. The lyrics look forward with hopefulness to the afterlife: "Mighty is His mystery, glorious in power/In ecstasy the heavenly hosts applaud/And when we are transformed, when spirits don their wings/It's then we'll know the secret name of God/The secret name of God." 'John the Revelator' is a song that will be familiar to Phil Keaggy fans from years past. This song really brings the funk and is about an amazing experience John had while on the Isle of Patmos: "Well he wrote to the Seven Churches/And he wrote to those scattered abroad/He said 'Hold fast, return to your first love/And keep your faith in God'/Now tell me who's that writing?/John, John/Well, tell me who's that writing?/John, John'/Well, tell me who's that writing?/John the Revelator/He wrote the Book of the Seven Seals." 'God of All Creation (from Psalm 8)' is a song of praise that finds Buck Storm rejoicing: "Hallelujah, God of all creation/How exalted is Your name in all the earth/You've set Your glory high above the heavens/And You think of me/Beneath Your watchful gaze a flower grows/The seasons give their song, the oceans heave/The pain of childbirth fades/A baby breathes/The sparrow's flight does not escape Your eye."
     'Deliver Us, Deliver Me' is a rock number written and sung by Bob Bennett and Phil Keaggy. It points to the proper attitude we should have towards sinners: "The words of the Savior, 'Go and sin no more'/He would not throw a stone at the sinner/A welcome for the stranger, a cup of cool water/Forgiveness that melts away the winter/Why then do we judge and condemn?/When it's never meant to be a matter of us versus them/If the way of the cross leads us to peace/How can we not help but heal them?" 'Exiled' is a nice, thought provoking instrumental written by Phil Keaggy and Kyle Jones. It affords the listener the opportunity to reflect on what has been sung so far. On 'The Garden' Buck Storm shares of his personal experiences on the trip to the Holy Land: "I have tarried in the garden/I have rested in the sound of Spanish hymns/Filled with the mystery of pardon/And the wondering of grace bestowed to men/In the garden/I stand in the half-light with the dust of ruins on these travelling clothes/Caught somewhere between the angels and the ghosts."
     'Psalm 121' is a light pop song performed by Phil Keaggy. It puts total confidence and trust in God: "Behold, He who keeps Israel/Shall neither slumber nor sleep/The Lord is your keeper/The Lord is your shade/On your right hand/The sun will not smite you by day/Nor the moon by night/The Lord will protect you from all evil/He will keep your soul/The Lord will guard your going out/And your coming in/From this time forth and forever." 'Broken Places' is pretty and has Randy Stonehill delivering a great vocal performance. This song which would later appear on his SPIRIT WALK cd, speaks of God's promises to us: When the world has gone insane/When you're ragged from the strain/Call My name/You call My name/I'll meet you in the broken places/In the shadows of your pain/In a sea of strangers faces/I will find you, stand beside you (2X)/Anytime you call My name/Anytime you call/Just call My name." The album ends with 'The Lord Bless Thee' featuring all four artists. It contains these familiar words from a benediction uttered in many a church: "The Lord bless thee and keep thee/The Lord make His face to shine upon thee (3X)/And be gracious unto thee/Be gracious unto thee/The Lord lift up His countenance/Upon thee and give thee peace (2X)."
     SONGS FOR ISRAEL is, for the most part, a gentle contemplative project that will draw you closer to the person of Jesus and to the Holy Land. The musical talents of the legendary Phil Keaggy are all over this album which is produced by Buck Storm. The photographs of the artists in various geographic locations are a nice touch. I'm rating SONGS FOR ISRAEL 85% and recommending it to those who wish to deepen their Christian walk. To purchase this project go to http://www.candlelightfellowship.org/ and click on 'Ministry Products/Store.' For more info on artist Ray Ware visit http://www.artistrayware.com/.

RANDY STONEHILL'S SPIRIT WALK

2011-12-17T11:27:00.001-05:00

     Randy Stonehill truly is a legend of Contemporary Christian Music. It's been an amazing forty years since the release of his debut album BORN TWICE. In this span of time, he has given us such memorable songs as 'King of Hearts', 'Shut De Do', 'Turning Thirty', and 'Great Big Stupid World'. Of his latest album SPIRIT WALK (2011, Stonehillian Records) a press release states: "In whole SPIRIT WALK, strings together songs that only a veteran of a steady walk with Jesus over many years could sing with such conviction." It also states: SPIRIT WALK is the second album Mike Pachelli has co-produced for Randy Stonehill-after PARADISE SKY (2008). His contribution of bluesy guitar and authentic American production complements these songs and gives a quality of authority to the wisdom Randy sings." I would agree on all counts!
     SPIRIT WALK starts off with 'Blood Transfusion and a Coca Cola' which features Dylanesque vocals by Randy. The song begins with these words from a seasoned performer: "I got a touch of arthritis in my hips/Got a bird's eye view of the apocalypse/I got blisters on my fingertips/From tryin' to hold my life with a real tight grip/My ears are still ringin' from the gibberish and lies/These shifting sands have worn a lot of tread off my tires." 'Remember the Devil' features mean guitar playing by Mike Pachelli, and Baba Elefante on bass. Baba has worked with Michael Sweet and John Elefante. The song issues a spiritual warning: "Careful of the company you keep/Might be a wolf dressed up like a sheep/Remember the devil/He remembers you/He never makes a fair deal/Believe that's true/Know that His best trick is this-to make you think he doesn't exist/Remember the devil/He remembers you." The title track has Ronnie Ciago on drums and paints a vivid picture of temptation and the spiritual state of society today: "The devil slid up to me/He said 'Why don't we have a little chat?'/I got a bit suspicious when he refused to let me take his hand/He said 'I know about your unfulfilled desires, I can help you out with that'/I said 'That's awfully tempting/I guess that's the business that you're in/What would you need for payment?'/He just looked down with a sheepish grin/I said 'I think I'll pass'/He said 'That's okay but I'll be back again'/It don't take Nostradamus to tell you how the chips are gonna fall/Open up your Bible, you don't need some gypsy's crystal ball/The way things are these days/Even Ray Charles could see the writing on the wall."
     'Life is Tough, God is Good' has a raw, bare bones feel to it. Mike and Randy play the wood case, tray table, tambourine, African Cloves, shaker, finger cymbals and kalimba. These words of wisdom are shared in the song: "Life is short, truth to tell/And it's not a dress rehearsal so live it well/Life is short, don't you blink/It isn't going to work out the way you think/It's a broken world with broken souls/We might not always be happy but we can be whole/And Jesus hung on the cross to make sure we could/Life is tough, sure enough/But God is good." 'Try Havin' Some Faith' is the most pop sounding track. I would've like to have heard Larry Norman, Randy's deceased one time mentor, on background vocals. The song tells the story of a modern prodigal: "He left home to be a star/He went and sold his soul right after he had to sell his car/Oh poor brother/Guess nobody told you for goodness sake/Try havin' some faith." Lyrics like these point to hope: "Love will prove that doubt's a lie" and "You'll see when you open up your eyes." 'Broken Places' is written with Rob Crosby. It has a worshipful feel to it, with just Randy on vocals and acoustic guitar. It has God calling out to the prodigal: "You might think it's been too long, the road that leads back home is gone/But love's a thing that don't keep track of time/And you can't ever leave My love, can't ever leave My love/You can't ever leave My love behind/I'll meet you in the broken places/In the shadows of your pain/In a sea of stranger's faces/I will find you, stand beside you/Anytime you call My name."
     'Pray for Me' has Mike Pachelli playing some absolutely sizzling guitar work. Lance Abair is on B3 and Wurlitzer, and a choir is also used. The song includes this revealing plea: "Pray for me/I'm feelin' so weak/Pray for me/I can't get no sleep/Temptation won't let me be/Won't ya pray, won't ya pray for me/Darkness all around me/Of the world that's lost in sin/But the thing that I fear most/Is the darkness here within/Pray for me." 'That's where the Devil Lives' has creative, dark, demonic sounding background vocals by Randy and Mike to go along with these descriptive words of the devil's home turf: "Some say the devil isn't real/That makes him laugh out loud/He'll happily agree with you/And melt into the crowd/He smiles like an angel, but a serpent lies beneath/When he comes up close/You'll see the blood stains on his teeth/That's where the devil lives." Stonehill's lyrics also make it clear that the devil loves unbelief and pride.
     Fans of some of Randy's lighter fare such as 'Christmas at Denny's' will appreciate the softer sound of 'Last Time I saw Eden' which includes these poetic, well written lyrics: "The last time I saw Eden I was standing in the rain/Down among some broken railroad tracks/I met a fallen angel waiting for a northbound train/He said 'I fear it's never coming back'/And now even in these crowds I feel alone/An orphan always aching for home/I'm longing for the mystery I had known/The last time I saw Eden." 'Finish Well' is another tender tune with Mike on lap steel and accordion among other things, and John Sferra of Glass Harp fame on drums. Randy offers these words of advice: "They're a million shining highways that take you down to Babylon/Oh but it's the road less travelled that leads you from the darkness to the dawn/Folks will say you're just a simple fool/As they chase the fickle butterfly of cool/And everyone has some agenda they're trying to sell/Point your heart like an arrow/Walk the straight and narrow/Finish well."
     SPIRIT WALK is definitely one of my favourite albums of 2011. Musically, lyrically, and artistically it trumps much of what is popular on CCM radio stations today. This just may be the best album of Stonehill's career! I'm recommending it to fans of bluesy acts such as The Rolling Stones, the 77's, Glenn Kaiser, and Larry Howard. Those who enjoyed Stonehill's 2002 project EDGE OF THE WORLD should also give this a spin. I'm rating SPIRIT WALK 90%. For more info visit http://www.randystonehill.com/ or go to http://www.cdbaby.com/ to purchase. Also, to learn more about the artist Ray Ware, who is responsible for the front cover, "The Spirit Came Upon Him", visit http://www.artistrayware.com/.

RON MOORE'S MYSTERY

2011-12-12T11:04:00.001-05:00

     I had the privilege of seeing Ron Moore live in concert in Tillsonburg, Ontario in 1987 when I was just thirteen. At that time I bought his DAUNTLESS cassette tape and I played songs such as 'Givers and Takers', 'Master Plan', and 'The Road Forever' over and over on my stereo. Fast forward to 1998 and Moore released MYSTERY on Airborn Records. Of his music career he recently wrote to me: "Musically, I have always done crossover albums. Even though they credit me with naming Contemporary Christian Music, I have always felt more comfortable on the boundaries of that genre. It seems the calling for me is to not only write and share music with the faithful, but also general market audiences, full of seekers and lost folks." MYSTERY benefits from the capable guitar talents of Ron Moore, Colin Sapp and Randy Gancarz. It has a fuller sound than say 1991's CHANGE THE WORLD.
     Ron also talked to me about his faith journey: "MYSTERY is the first album I produced during a musical and spiritual transition. Spiritually, my Methodist pastor became Eastern Orthodox, and respecting him highly, I studied and visited, and was happy to find a body of Christianity that has not (and will not) changed from the earliest Church; liturgy from the 5th century, full of Scripture, and reverence, along with the depth of teaching from the early church fathers who gave us the Nicene Creed, and with the Holy Spirit gave us the canon of Scripture (The Bible) we hold so dear."
     MYSTERY begins with 'Horeshoe Bay' which has a very accessible sound to it and contains these playful lyrics: "Climb the hill to the chapel/See the lake stretched out below/I 'baptized' you in the fountain/You turned around and you 'baptized' me...I remember we took that walk in the rain/Like school kids off on a holiday/Laughing and splashing in the stream/I replay that memory/It's a healing dream." 'Let's go Shopping' is a satirical look at America and benefits from Ron's harmonica playing: "Three inches from being born/Another baby is aborted/Thirty million killed in the U.S.A./In the world 150, 000 a day/Let's go shopping/Let's go to the malls/Hey, let's go shopping/Before the axe falls/Now comes this ape from Babylon/He says he has all of your answers/He will promise you your promised land/If you take his mark upon your forehead or your hand." 'The Wrangler' is a catchy story song: "Late one night/A lady scared to go out/I walked her to her car/And got her all loaded in/She handed me a ten/I said 'No thank you Ma'am/When you got nothin's/When it's most fun just to give...Someday I'll stand in Heaven by some rich man/He'll turn slowly and say/You had it better than me."
     'Storm' is very creative and has John Cassidy utilizing some unique sounds, including the doombek, woodblock, chimes, and a cymbal dipped in a bathtub while ringing! The song written in 1985, speaks of a coming storm: "Now this problem's clear to me/One foot in a timeless dimension/The other foot on the street/Things seem all too normal on the surface/While overhead the cloud begins to form/And the storm is just beginning to blow." 'Full Moon in Romania' is another story song and has smooth vocals and nice harmonies: "Terry and Pamela/Leaving suburbia/Went to be missionaries in Eastern Europe/Stopping for border guards/Smuggling Bibles in/Followed around by the securitade/Full moon in Romania (2X)." 'Mary' is easy listening, with Carrie Pierce on cellos, Kat Moore on vocals, and John Cassidy on congos. This song is likely the most controversial on the album. Witness the following lyrics: "Gabriel's grand announcement/Mary's own humble acceptance/As you received Him/May our hearts receive Him too/Virgin and Holy Spirit/Mystery and conception/Chosen and willing/Bore the Savior of the world...Theotokos, pray for us (2X)." 'Theotokos' is God-bearer in Greek. Ron explains the notion of having Mary pray for us: "May I assure you, only the Trinity is worshipped in Orthodoxy. But Mary is honored for her direct role in the salvation of the world. Just like we ask friends, and our church to pray for us, we can also ask those who are part of the cloud of witnesses to pray for us too since they are absent from the body, and now present with the Lord."
     'Friends of Mine' from 1980, is the oldest song here. Ron wrote it for a college friend, Nancy: "Sorry to hear about your trip to the city/I heard you got robbed it's a pity/Bad times, hard things, and all those days/Can change you I hope in not too many ways." 'For the Bride' again has Carrie Pierce on cellos, and is a beautiful song about the Church: "Like a beautiful woman lying on the globe/Like a beautiful woman stretched across the globe/Stronger than the gates of hell (2X)/We are already mystically connected/With Christ in heaven/Where Christ is/There His body is also." 'The Son is Up' from 1991's CHANGE THE WORLD here is re-worked as 'The Sun is Up', a joyous song about Easter featuring tambourine and bass drum: "The sun is up, the sun is up/No more darkness, no more fear/The sun is up, the sun is up/The sun is here/There's a sound of running feet/There's a loud voice when they meet/There's a stone that's rolled away/A stone that's rolled away."
     Two live tracks are up next. First is Moore's 1983 classic 'Kooties' which is "in celebration of love, marriage, and family." It is a light hearted song: "Then one day in the lunch line/Right by the mystery meat/She asked me about the new giblet stew/I spilled jello all over my feet/She grinned at me with her friendly eyes/I felt all funny inside/I thought 'If this is what kooties can feel like/I'll let them come for a ride'." Ron ends the tale with the two sixteen year olds dreaming: "Both of us wanted to know/If ten years from then we'd be married/With children all over the floor/Raising the new generation/To spread kooties around by the score." 'Jamie's Blues' is the second live track. It is a seriously well performed blues jam that runs over eight minutes. A twelfth, unlisted track called 'Window on the Wall' concludes this project. It has Ron singing: "Prayers and incense rise around the rafters above/Angels, martyrs and heroes/Come and surround us."
     I asked Ron who his musical influences were. He wrote: "I really wasn't looking for a replication of anybody's sound or style. In my early years I played a lot of Neil Young, and people say I sound like him. Others would be Beatles, Tom Petty, Sting, Steve Miller, Crosby Stills and Nash, Bruce Cockburn, Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Beach Boys, David Wilcox, and Jimi Hendrix (And 20 more probably)."
     MYSTERY is a strong, current sounding album from one of CCM's pioneering artists. If you enjoy skillfully performed pop and rock music be sure to check out Ron's website at http://www.ronmooremusic.com/ and like him on Facebook as well. I'm rating MYSTERY 90%.

GIRARD

2011-12-09T12:59:00.000-05:00

     Chuck Girard has certainly had a prolific music career. In the early 1960's he was a member of The Castells who had hits with 'Sacred' and 'So This is Love'. He moved on to form The Hondells whose personnel also included heavyweights Gary Usher, Brian Wilson, and Glen Campbell. They are remembered for the song 'Little Honda'. Chuck came to know the Lord through Costa Mesa's Calvary Chapel where Chuck Smith preaches. Girard was a founding member of the pioneering Contemporary Christian Music group Love Song. Their self-titled debut in 1972 contains such memorable classics as 'Little Country Church', 'Front Seat, Back Seat', and 'Love Song'. Chuck also has released several solo albums, including such songs as 'Rock and Roll Preacher' and 'Take a Hand'. His daughter Alisa Girard Childers was a member of the highly successful Christian pop group ZOE GIRL from 2000-6.
     The year is 2011 and Alisa is back with a new group, GIRARD, comprised of herself, her sisters Kristin and Nikki, and her nieces Lauren and Kailyn. They are all beautiful, modelesque women, as can be seen by looking at the photos included with this project on which Kristin and Alisa write the majority of the songs.
     'All for You' is upbeat and would fit nicely on a ZOE GIRL project. It is a song of total surrender to God: "I will cast down my crowns/Take my life and lay it down/My heart says this is all for You/Take my hopes and my dreams/All for You I live and breathe/My heart says this is all for You." 'His Eye is on the Sparrow' was originally written in 1905 by lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel. Here it is known simply as 'Eye is on the Sparrow'. Some of the original melody is kept, and it extols God as Protector: "I know who is in control/A refuge greater than my foes/Nothing's stronger than this hope/That Jesus is my portion/A constant friend is He/His eye is on the sparrow/And I know He watches me/I have a Savior who will never let me down." 'I Need You' sounds happy and speaks of wanting to share the Gospel message: "I want to tell all the world of Your goodness/'Cause You saved me from my sin/I need You, I want You/Lord, light Your holy fire in me/To burn for all to see/I love You, I praise You/And 'cause Your light has shined on me/Your love is all I need." 'Nearer, My God, to Thee' is a nineteenth century hymn oft credited to Sarah F. Adams and Lowell Mason, and based loosely on Jacob's dream in Genesis 28:11-19. Here the song is called simply 'Nearer my God'. It showcases nice harmonies and has the ladies longing for a closeness with the Lord: "So draw me nearer Lord to You/I want to know Your ways in everything I do/I surrender all my ways/To live for You for all my days/So draw me nearer Lord to You/Nearer, nearer, nearer/We draw nearer/Nearer, nearer, nearer/We draw nearer to You."
     'Jesus is the Way' is a great ballad that builds. It starts with these very down to earth lyrics: "Maybe you've got a sickness/Maybe you need a friend/Maybe you've lost somebody/You thought would be there to the end/Maybe you've been abandoned/Maybe you've been abused/Maybe you gave your heart to somebody/Who gave it right back to you." The song points to this hope: "I know it sounds so simple, maybe that's because it is/Jesus came to save you/Won't you give your heart to Him? (2x)" 'I Love You' features a strong vocal delivery and is a song of thankfulness: "In this great romance, You gave a second chance/You have made a way for me to be with You/In spite of my mistakes, You bled to hear me say/I love You, I love You/Because You loved me first." 'God who Saves' is pleasant sounding and reminds me of ZOE GIRL. It praises God for His goodness: "Name above names/You calm the wind and waves/You are the God who saves/The road was closed and broken/Your love has made it open/You took the night and turned it into day/My heart was scarred and wounded/You healed and saw right through it/You are the God who saves." 'New Song' is an anthem that sounds anointed. It acknowledges that there is a spiritual war in the heavenlies between good and evil and has the family siding decidedly with the former: "We will cast down our idols and we put down our pride/Nothing will stand in our way/We will break through the darkness with a sword in our hand/By Your Spirit we will take back this land/Oh praise Him (4X)/We lift our voices, we sing praise to You/We are singing a new song, we sing praise to You."
     'Alleluia' is a simple song good to listen to in your devotional time: "Alleluia (3X)/Praise His Name." 'Rescue Me' is about being abused and finding healing in Jesus, and is appropriately mellow: "Haunted memories of an innocent child/How could this have happened to me?/Scared and lonely, there was no one around/Yet I knew that Your eyes were on me" and "I'm so tired of living a life that I can't leave behind/I'm so scared, I can't fix it myself, Jesus I need Your help/So I lay it down at Your feet/There You hold me as an innocent child/And You dry every tear from my eye/And I'm washed in the flood of Your life giving blood/Your love has paid my price." 'Only One' shares a desire for oneness with God: "We bow before Your presence, Lord we pray/You alone are holy/Create in us a hunger for Your ways/As our hearts cry out to You/We surrender to You our will in all that we do/There is no other way." Chuck Girard's 1975 classic 'Sometimes Alleluia' closes the album. It speaks of a desire to let our praises to God be a witness to unbelievers: "Let the sound of praises fill the air/Oh let us sing the song of Jesus' love/To people everywhere/Oh let our joy be unconfined/Let us sing with freedom unrestrained/Let's take this feeling that we're feeling now/Outside these walls and let it rain."
     It is exciting to see this group of young ladies using their talents for the Lord. I'm sure Chuck must be very proud! GIRARD is a contemporary pop album that will appeal to fans of Point of Grace, Carried Away, and ZOE GIRL. Alisa wrote to me saying: "No plans for a follow up...this was just a fun thing we did as a family." I'm rating this project released by Calvary Chapel Music 83%. For more info visit: http://www.chuck.org/, http://www.thechapelstore.com/, http://www.alisachilders.com/, or like GIRARD on Facebook!

IN BETWEEN THE NOW & THEN

2011-12-07T14:14:00.001-05:00

     Songstress Amanda Falk had the distinct honour of winning the GMA Canada Covenant Award for Female Vocalist of the Year for four straight years, they being 2005 to 2008. She penned all fourteen songs on her third and latest album IN BETWEEN THE NOW & THEN (2010, Signpost Music) which was produced by Adrian Bradford. The instrumentation on the album is wonderful and includes bass by Matt Pierson, guitars by Gary Burnette, and strings by Yuri Hooker and Gwen Hoebig. Amanda shares her purpose for this collection of songs: "My hope and prayer is that this record meets you in whatever 'in between' you are presently in and slams your life with the hope that is in Jesus, who is the inspiration of all things hopeful in these songs...I myself find hope in the imagery of light breaking darkness..."
     'Paper Planes' a nicely syncopated song about finding security in God begins the album: "And I am driving down the road/Never knowing quite where to go/But Your light will lead me home/You are home, You are home/You are home to me" and "I'll sleep well at night/Knowing He who never sleeps is by my side/'Cause You're here with me for life." 'That's What You Do' is about moving on after a relationship falls apart and would fit nicely on mainstream radio: "What do you do when you can't have what you want/What do you do when you can't have who you love/What do you do when you can't have the one/Who feels like home to you?/I need to let go/Of the hold you have on my life/Cause I know/That better things are 'round this mountainside/So I'll climb/And I'll try/To fall asleep for just one night/Without a tear to my eye for you." 'No More Shadows' reflects on being trapped by regrets from the past: "Why are we living in the shadows of yesterday/The ashes from last night's cigarettes have blown away/Still memories, they haunt us, of the/People we used to be/Why oh why oh why do we live this way?"
     'Unbreakable' is a joyful song about God's faithfulness: "You are holding/You are holding/You are holding me/And when the world is breaking apart/You'll be holding my heart/And You are/Unbreakable." 'Symphony' is a powerful love song: "One look from you and I know I'm beautiful/You give me courage to admit when I am wrong and start over/So at the start of every adventure/Peering over the edge with you is where I want to be/That's where you'll find me/Whoa, one foot in front of the other/Whoa, here's to hand in hand forever/'Cause you'll still be running by my side/When the world falls to its knees/And we'll still be dancing when the world has lost/The ability to hear/The symphony." 'Landslide' shows a rockier sounding side of Falk and is about a relationship ending: "Our love is/A disaster of infinite proportion/And I'm caught in the aftermath of your affection/Like a time bomb/I am waiting on the moment to arrive/The Russian roulette of our lives/Whoa, how do you hold on to a landslide/When you know all that's left is the letting go/Letting go?"
     'We will Wait' is a beautiful ballad featuring cello by Claire Indie. It finds Falk putting her hope in the Lord: "So we will wait/For the Son to rise again/'Cause You are coming/You're coming back and then/You'll rebuild things broken/Retrieve things stolen/Restore our tattered hearts." 'In a Moment' is one of the most commercial sounding songs here, and talks of how Falk's life was drastically changed as a result of an encounter with God: "Then I met You, You saw through my/Act one scene two putting on a show for You and/You called me out from the disaster I hid behind/Pulled me into the light commanding the facade to step aside/And in a moment everything had changed/In a moment, in a moment/Past regrets once called my name/Are fading, are fading/The things that held me down are gone/Are gone now, are gone and/Only Your love carries on." 'Look for the Light' reflects on the seasons of our lives: "But the snow will fall/This I know come autumn/And the sun will rise/After the longest night, after the longest night/Look for the light (4X)."
     'Horizon' is a musically unique sounding song of praise that declares who God is: "You're my horizon/You bring the light in/You bring me hope when hope is gone/You're my horizon/You bring the light in/You break the dark with the dawn/You are the Light/Light of the world/You are the Hope/Hope of the earth." 'Song for Matthew' features Falk on piano. It is an emotional song that details the pain of losing a child: "And baby, baby/You can hear me/We'll be waiting here/And maybe, maybe/When we finally meet again/We'll cry happy tears/We miss you, we miss you/We miss you today/We hope you felt loved through the pain of yesterday/Though you're in a better place now/It doesn't take away from/The way we wish to see your beautiful face somehow/We'll be waiting." 'See You Again' has Falk singing passionately about the brevity of this life we live here on earth: "This gone is not goodbye/This is not a final goodbye/We're not far behind/We're following you/I will see you again/This is not a final goodbye/I'm gonna close my eyes and then I'll count to ten/Oh I/I will see you again."
     'Redemption' rejoices in what Christ has done for us: "Everything that I was to blame for/Was a trade for/Your hand in mine/The spear that pierced the side of my Savior/Was a payment for my life/You've seen every one of us flounder/In the water/We were drowning/But You dwell and delight in the impossible/Of raising us to our feet." 'Your Child' runs almost eight minutes and reminds us we should find our sense of belonging in God and not the world: "This is a road well travelled/By many before/That has brought me beaten/To the redemption door/Now my soul is knocking/I will sit and wait/To hear You say, to hear You say/That I will remain Your child/Though the world will take its toll on me/And I fall to the ground/And everything I've known comes crashing down/Oh I will remain Your child."
     IN BETWEEN THE NOW & THEN clocks in at 62 minutes and 17 seconds. This is generous in an age where most albums only run 35 to 45 minutes in length. The photos of Amanda Falk included with this project show she has a cute nose piercing and an infectious smile. I'm recommending this project to fans of the pop and adult contemporary sounds of Nichole Nordeman and Bethany Dillon. I'm rating it 88% for its artistry. For more info visit http://www.amandafalk.com/ and http://www.signpostmusic.com/.

LEAVING BEHIND WHO THEY ONCE WERE

2011-12-05T10:25:00.001-05:00

     Rush of Fools are admired by their fans for hits such as 'Undo' and 'When our Hearts Sing'. WE ONCE WERE (2011, Entertainment One) finds the band with a new label and sounding reinvigorated. In their thanks for the album they write: "To 90's alternative rock for inspiring this record. To our friends who buy this: our hope is that you fall more in love with Jesus through our music. This is the new story. May it be for the glory of God and His Kingdom."
     WE ONCE WERE begins with the title track, a rocker, about the importance of moving forward and pressing on in life: "Now we feel our hearts beating out/We feel our lungs breathing/Now we feel our hearts/And we're never going back/Never going back/No, we're never going back to the...Same as we once were/Living in the blur/Looking backwards/We can see that we'll never/Be who we once were (2X)/Who we once were." 'Come Find Me' is a song of crying out to the Lord: "Fallen since the day I began/Learning how to reach for Your hand/You're calling this sheep gone astray/And I pray You'll leave the ninety-nine/Come find me/Come shine Your light in my dark/Come find me/Put consuming fire in my heart/In a world that can't seem to find what it needs/Give me faith in a place that my eyes have not seen." 'A Civil War' is about surrendering oneself to God's will: "It's time to bow out of this race/'Bout time for me to be in last place/I got myself in a civil war/It's time to fight for, fight for/What's worth fighting for/Joining the lines of/Those who have raised and flown a white flag/And I know there is a victory/In losing myself/And gaining liberty." 'Won't Say Goodbye' packs a musical punch and is about persistently holding on to hope: "I won't say goodbye, tonight/'Cause I don't wanna leave until my dreams collide/With life, I'm still fighting/And even though I'm barely breathing/I can feel my heart's still beating/Holding on tonight, I won't say goodbye."
     'Grace Found Me' is a melodic song of gratitude to God: "And Your grace found me/I thought I wasn't breathing/My heart now sings/'Cause You chased for me/I never saw You coming but my eyes now see/Your grace found me/I'm covered over/I'm so wrapped up/It's all Your love (2X)." 'You're the Medicine' features prominent percussion and acknowledges God as the Healer and Great Physician: "You are, You're the medicine/Not a sedative/I wanna feel my heart beat again/You are, You're the remedy/The cure to this disease/I need You here with me/I need You/Whoa (3X)." 'End of Me' speaks of laying one's burdens down: "I've always cared too much/For all my careless problems/Driving right up 65/I wanna leave it there to die/By the roadside/I finally feel alive/Whoa, whoa the time is here and now/Whoa, whoa the clouds are breaking/Whoa, this could be the end/The end of me." 'No other Love' has a fun, carefree sound to it and reflects on finding solace in God: "No other love/Looks beyond the things I have done/That I'm not proud of/No other love/Lifts me up and holds me in its arms/And lives within my heart/Here at my fall/You are still unchanging/Here at Your cross/You have come to save me/You've called my name/You alone I put my hope in."
     'Beginning to End' declares these truths about God: "Nothing was created/Not a mountain or the ocean/Without You there/Before there was a heaven/You were bound to nothing/But You were there/Now Your glory has opened up the skies/From beginning to end God You reign, You reign/Over time and space You stand as You remain/Sovereign over all." 'The Wrong Things' has a bit of a darker feel to it and talks of fighting the flesh: "There's a lot of me that I don't care for/A part of me that I can't get rid of/It's taking over everything that I want to be...I've got to give this up (3X)/I've gotta give it over/I've gotta give it over to/You, ooohhhh, to You, ooohhhh." 'Help our Unbelief' is musically creative and asks the following of God in a sincere manner: "Oh my God why can't we see/That You have come to redeem Your children?/Bring us home/My God don't let us be/But help our unbelief/Help our unbelief." 'Inside and Outside' closes out the album. It is a song of self-assurance for times of trouble: "I'm not over, I'm not finished yet/I've got a ways to go, I'll be alright/When it comes down to that moment/Where my dreams have lost their way/At the end of the night/I'll be alright."
     This third album by Rush of Fools is a winner! On it you will hear a youthful band excited about their faith in Jesus Christ. The vocals and guitars are second to none. I'm recommending WE ONCE WERE to fans of the pop, rock, and alternative sounds of bands such as Switchfoot, Sanctus Real, and Bleach. For more info visit http://www.rushoffools.com/. My rating is 85%.

A LIVING ROOM CHRISTMAS

2011-12-03T01:27:00.000-05:00

     For their fourth album, North Bay, Ontario worship artists Sean and Aimee Dayton set their sights on Christmas. Of A LIVING ROOM CHRISTMAS (2011) they write: "We tried to keep the recording as organic as possible...and essentially, it's a live acoustic recording (imperfections and all). It's the kind of album you listen to at the end of a hectic day...by the fireplace...with a warm cup of hot chocolate in your hand." The artwork for the project is simple, yet picturesque.
     'Do you Hear what I Hear?' written by Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne in 1962 has an air of excitement to it: "Said the king to the people everywhere/Listen to what I say/Pray for peace, people everywhere!/Listen to what I say/The Child, the Child sleeping in the night/He will bring us goodness and light (2X)." Many will be familiar with Perry Como's version of this song. 'The First Noel' is pretty and performed in a slightly more upbeat fashion than usual. It reflects the miraculous events that took place the night Christ was born: "The first Noel, the angel did say/Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay/In fields where they lay keeping their sheep/On a cold winter's night that was so deep/Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel/Born is the King of Israel." The song features Paul Baloche, writer of 'Open the Eyes of my Heart Lord' and co-writer of 'Above All'. 'Angels we have heard on High' is performed in a less powerful and quieter rendition than usual. Nonetheless, it is a song of celebration: "Angels we have heard on high/Sweetly singing o'er the plains/And the mountains in reply/Echoing their joyous strains/Glo-ria in excelsis Deo/Glo-ria in excelsis Deo." 'O Come O Come Emmanuel' is a song of expectancy: "O come, O come Emmanuel/And ransom captive Israel/That mourns in lonely exile here/Until the Son of God appear/Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."
     'O Holy Night' has been covered by everyone from Jackie Evancho to John Schlitt. It details some of the results of Christ's birth: "Truly He taught us to love one another/His law is love and His Gospel is peace/Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother/And in His name all oppression shall cease/Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we/Let all within us praise His holy name/Christ is the Lord/O praise His name forever!/Noel, Noel, O night, O night divine." 'White Christmas' is up next. Written by Irving Berlin, the version of it by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single ever. It includes these friendly lyrics of well wishing: "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas/With every Christmas card I write/May your days be merry and bright/And may all your Christmases be white." 'Winter Wonderland' has a playful spirit to it and was written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith: "In the meadow we can build a snowman/Then pretend that he is Parson Brown/He'll say 'Are you married?'/We'll say 'No man! But you can do the job when you're in town'/Later on we'll conspire/As we dream by the fire/To face unafraid/The plans that we made/Walkin' in a winter wonderland." 'Silent Night' reflects on Christ's divinity and features Brian Doerksen, author of 'Refiner's Fire' and 'Come Now is the Time to Worship': "Silent night, holy night/Son of God, love's pure light/Radiant beams from Thy holy face/With the dawn of redeeming grace/Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth/Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth."
     Along with 'The First Noel', 'Be Still and Know', written by Steven Curtis Chapman in 1999, is one of my favourites on the album. It is a song of invitation: "Be still and know that He is God/Be still and know He is our Father/Come rest your head upon His chest/Listen to the rhythms of his unfailing heart of love/Beating for His little ones/Calling each of us to come/Be still, be still." 'Joy to the World' written by Isaac Watts, Lowell Mason, and Handel, speaks of how nature itself will praise God: "Joy to the world!/The Savior reigns/Let men their songs employ/While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains/Repeat the sounding joy (2X)/Repeat, repeat the sounding joy." The album concludes with 'Have yourself a merry little Christmas'. Judy Garland sang it in 1944's 'Meet me in St. Louis'. It shares these warm thoughts: "Through the years we all will be together/If the Lord allows/Hang a shining star upon the highest bough/And have yourself a merry little Christmas now."
     A LIVING ROOM CHRISTMAS was produced and mixed by Douglas Romanow, who is also responsible for Wurlitzer, Rhodes, Hammond and Accordion. Fiddle is played by Larry Franklin, and banjo and dobro by Ilya Toshinsky. Sean and Aimee Dayton's voices nicely complement each other. I recommend this gentle, mellow holiday offering to fans of folk music, Buddy and Julie Miller, Bethany Dillon and Fernando Ortega. For more info visit http://www.seandayton.com/. I'm rating this project 84%. Listen for the Dayton's daughter Mackenzie wishing you a "Merry Christmas."

BROWSING THROUGH POLLYANNA'S ATTIC

2011-12-02T20:53:00.001-05:00

     Supporters of the prosperity gospel who believe that all is well all the time will have a bone to pick with Carolyn Arends' 2006 project POLLYANNA'S ATTIC (2B Records). She writes that the songs on it are: "all in some way about a dissatisfaction I hope I can accurately call a Holy Discontent."
     The CD begins with the peppy 'Just Pretending' co-written with Spencer Capier. It comments on the rat race that is life: "Family full of achievers/Beat the Jones and be the Cleavers/Give the lawn a manicure/No rough edges, that's for sure/Sunday the whole congregation/Doesn't seem to need salvation/Everybody's just terrific/All the time (2X)/Why do we try so hard?/Life's not some greeting card/Models and movie stars/They're just pretending (2X)." 'Something to Give' is bouncy, utilizes the trumpet, and spurs the listener on to live a meaningful life: "Hey you, with the time why don't you spend it?/If you've got a dime why don't you lend it?/If you've got hands then get them reaching out/If you've got feet then get up off the couch/There's nothing so rude/As a gift you don't use/Or a life that you choose not to live/'Cause you're blessed to bless/And the best of possessions is/Having something to give." 'What in the World' written with Connie Harrington, reflects on our sinful nature: "Today I woke to my alarm/Just like I did the day before/I stretched and put the coffee on/I kissed my baby out the door/Then as he turned to wave goodbye/I said some petty thing/I saw the light in his eyes die/It left me wondering/What darkness hides within this heart of mine?/Why do I do what I despise?" 'The Wasteland' contains the promise of God overcoming the evil done by the human race, and has a stripped down feel to it: "You can give us Your justice but we'll only defy it/You can send us salvation but we'll just crucify it/Still You rise from the ruins and You promise us a day/When You'll lead us away/From the wasteland."
     'Land of the Living (Psalms 27:13)' is a beautiful ballad about going through a spiritual winter of barrenness: "I know I'm not the first soul/To find myself lost in the night/But it's so long and dark, I'm not sure that my heart/Can survive/Still I've got no choice but to wait/And cling to this last bit of rope/It's the promise that You made me not to leave me or forsake me/So here I am hoping that hope." 'To See Your Face' is a moving ballad by the late Mark Heard: "Lord, You know I need Your love so bad/I hardly even have the strength/To take Your hand/If I ever get to see Your face/If You will spare me/I know that my allegiance to the human race/Will not ensnare me." 'Everybody wants Everything' is groove heavy and prescribes a cure for the ills of modern society: "Everybody wants to get ahead of the rat race/Find ourselves in a better place/Can't we see it's such a waste/All we need is just one taste/Of amazing grace/Everybody wants everything." 'More is Less' sounds laid back, but finds Arends cynical and jaded: "We've got food that makes you hungry/Drink that makes you sick/We've got cars that go in circles/Real nice clothes that do not fit/Here the money makes you paranoid/There's no one you can trust/The sex will leave you lonely/And the love all turns to rust."
     'Free' is written solely by Arends, as are the following two tracks, and has disillusionment as its theme: "Can't see the forest for the skyscraper/Locked in a cold war with the sun/Which one will kill us: hate or indifference?/Tell me has all the killing been done?/Well I don't know why I'm asking/'Cause I'm well aware/That while we're free to wonder/We're more free not to care" and "Well we're so full of freedom that we may just well/Split down the middle like the Liberty Bell/There's just too many lies we're too free to tell/We're all free to die, we're free to go to hell." 'No Trespassing' paints a dismal picture of our day and age: "'Cause you can't go near/Anybody else's private ground/See folks 'round here/Have got a democratic right to drown/And you're just a fool/If you care about the faces in the crowd/Got a new edition of the Golden Rule:/No trespassing allowed." Layton Howerton sings with Arends on 'Not Alone', a song that offers encouragement: "There's a Man of Sorrows, acquainted with our grief/And He's done His share of crying in the night with no relief/And there isn't any heartache that He has not known/So we are not alone" and "Well, there's no use in pretending, some things just don't make sense/And there isn't any justice, at least not yet/In a while we will remember this is not our home/Cause we are not alone, no/We are not alone." 'I've Got a Hope' penned by Eric Fiedor and Pierce Pettis in 2000, appropriately ends the album on a hopeful note: "Lest I should stumble/I try not to forget/That every hair is numbered/Every footstep, every breath/And this life that I'm living/It will not end in death/I've got a hope/That is not in this world."
     POLLYANNA'S ATTIC benefits greatly from the musical talents of Spencer Capier (acoustic and electric guitars, bouzouki, violin and backing vocals) and Roy Salmond (organ, lap steel, Wurlitzer piano, all manner of percussion, backing vocals). It is an honest, artistic look at faith and doubt, questions and answers. I'm rating it 82% and recommending it to fans of the soft rock and light pop sounds of Jann Arden, Sheryl Crow, and the more recent projects of Amy Grant. For more info visit http://www.carolynarends.com/ and http://www.signpostmusic.com/. The CD booklet contains a beautiful picture of Carolyn, eyes closed, head tilted downwards, and guitar strapped on.

FINDING A WAY TO SEE IN THE DARK

2011-11-30T11:06:00.000-05:00

     Jason Gray is best known to many for his Christian radio hit 'More Like Falling in Love'. These words from the liner notes of his latest album A WAY TO SEE IN THE DARK (2011, Centricity Music) tell something of the theme of the album: "The shadow of doubt that looms when life breaks our hearts is a kind of darkness that threatens to swallow us whole...We are invited to trust, and in trusting to discover a new way of seeing that can lead us out of the dark. 'Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see', is how the writer to the Hebrews describes it."
     The CD begins with the catchy 'Remind me who I am' which is about struggling with one's identity: "Remind me who I am/When I can't receive Your love/Afraid I'll never be enough/Remind me who I am/If I'm Your beloved/Can You help me believe it?.../I'm the one You love (2X)/That will be enough." 'The End of Me' is a perfect pop song co-written with PFR's Joel Hanson. It is about coming to the end of oneself: "This is where it begins/Cause everything here had to fall apart/But in the ruins of a broken heart/I found peace like a river to attend my soul/And hope running over when I let go/I found joy that was hidden for all these years/And love overflowing to wash over everything/Here at the end of me." 'No Thief like Fear', co-written with Jason Ingram, has a heavier sound to it. Those who struggle with self-esteem will identify with it: "But I know insecurity/Is the worst of my own enemies/He sings his lonely song and I will dance/As he robs me blind/Right before my eyes...Set me free, set me free/Oh my God set me free/From these chains holding me." 'Good to Be Alive' features pretty keys, is radio friendly, and is about living life with a thankful heart: "I wanna live like there's no tomorrow/Love like I'm on borrowed time/It's good to be alive" and "I won't take it forgranted/I won't waste another second/All I want is to give You/A life well lived to say 'Thank You'."
     'The Sound of our Breathing' would be a good concert tune to bring the audience to life. It shows a reverence for God: "Moses bare foot at the burning bush/Wants to know who spoke to him/The answer is unspeakable/Like the rush of a gentle wind" and "In Him we live and move and have our being/We speak the Name as long as we are breathing/So breathe in/Breathe out..." 'Without Running Away' slows things down and contains these very down to earth lyrics a lot of us can relate to at one time or another: "But wounded's a part/I've learned to play well/Though the wound may run deeper/Than I know how to tell/Where pain's an addiction/That keeps me buried alive/But when it's all that I know/I'm afraid to leave it behind." 'Fear is Easy, Love is Hard', written with Andy Gullahorn, speaks the following unfortunate truth about relationships: "So we draw up another dividing line/We label each other and we choose a side/Peace could come at quite a cost/So we won't build a bridge across/Fear is easy, but love is hard." 'Nothing is Wasted' is a ballad that inspires by offering hope amidst pain: "It's from the deepest wounds/That beauty finds a place to bloom/And you will see before the end/That every broken piece is/Gathered in the heart of Jesus/And what's lost will be found again/And nothing is wasted/Nothing is wasted/In the hands of our Redeemer."
     The nicely written title track is up next. I can hear traces of Kevin Max on it. It displays a strong faith and reliance on God: "The question mark/Hung at the end of every fear/Is answered by/The promise that You are with me here/And that's all I've got/When the lights go out and I lose my way/So I'll close my eyes/I won't be afraid (2X)" and "If every star falls and the sun fails to rise/Still in my blindness I'll see/If You are my help, my hope and my vision/One step at a time You will lead." 'The Other Side' finds Gray placing his trust in God again: "How many times am I destined to prove/I can't do this all on my own?/But there is freedom in failing and finding His mercy/And standing in front of His throne/I'm not as big as I thought I was/So I won't be afraid/No matter what the trouble is I see today/The Maker of the mountains/He will make a way/To lead me through the darkness to the other side." 'I will find a Way' is inspired by Walt Wangerin Jr.'s 'An Advent Monologue'. It ponders the emotions Mary must have felt when carrying Jesus. It closes with this promise from God: "I am doing a new thing, soon you will see/I am coming among you and My Name shall be/Emmanuel, Emmanuel." The album closes with 'Jesus, we are Grateful' a song of praise featuring a choir partly consisting of labelmates Downhere and Aaron Shust: "You are the Word of God whose breath sustains our lives/I was dead in all my guilt and shame/'Til You spoke my resurrection/Now You hide my life inside Your own/Where You whisper me Your love/Thank You, Thank You/Jesus, we are grateful." It should be noted that Gray sings well in the upper register at times on the album.
     A WAY TO SEE IN THE DARK could use a few more memorable and upbeat songs. They all start to sound the same after awhile. That being said, this project successfully details one man's faith journey in a real and transparent way, with all the highs and lows, mountaintops and valleys included. I appreciate Jason Gray's honesty. I'm rating this effort a 72% and recommending it to fans of Matthew West and Bebo Norman. For more info visit http://www.jasongraymusic.com/ and http://www.centricitymusic.com/.

KINDNESS

2011-11-26T13:54:00.001-05:00

     Acclaimed singer/songwriter Steve Bell has performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and shares the following thoughts about being classified as a Christian singer/songwriter: "I'm an artist. I want to be a singer/songwriter. The fact that my music comes out Christian is simply because that's who I am, not because I've got an agenda for my work. So my first and primary calling isn't to be a Christian artist, it's to be a good artist, and any good artist is going to be true to who they are." Bell is greatly concerned with the quality of his work: "Excellence in itself at some level is a truth-teller. It tells something about the excellence and the goodness of God and His worth striving for." He once had someone speak these words over him: "When you sing and you play, battles will be fought and won, that you know nothing about." Steve reflects on his latest album KINDNESS (2011, Signpost Music): "Usually when I do an album I don't have a preconceived idea of the theme. It usually presents itself afterwards to me. With this one I was originally going to call this collection of songs CHANGES. I'm 50, I've got grandkids now. The music industry's changing, the economy's changing, the culture is changing. It seemed like an appropriate title. But when I was collecting the songs one day I was singing them to some friends and this one woman said to me 'Why don't you call it KINDNESS, it seems like the running theme of the songs.'" Bell quotes Lucie-Christine (1844-1908): "I have sought how I might make God more loved by other souls...and have not found any other or more powerful way than kindness."
     The album begins with 'About Love', a beautiful pop song with these reflective lyrics: "One thing that I've learned in my time/You can't win if you have to draw lines/When it comes to the struggle/To show and to prove love/Oh-it's always been about love." The title track was written by Brian McLaren and features Alana Levandoski. It is smooth sounding and urges us to live with purpose: "Christ has no body here but ours/No hands, no feet here on earth but ours/Ours the eyes through which He looks/On this world with kindness." 'Changes' written by Jim Croegaert, utilizes a vocal chorus to good effect, and assures us that all the changes we go through in life lead to something good: "Sometimes we may be lonely/It's a hard job making us holy/But in the long run there will be glory/Glory to rival the sun." The next two tracks are two of my favourites. 'Good Friend' written by Steve Bell, was "inspired and adapted from the poem 'Mayflies' by Richard Wilbur." It begins with pretty keys and guitar and has a nice sing-a-long type chorus: "Be but your own good friend/And be good to the other/Chrerish those sisters and brothers/Along the road/And to the earth extend/Every reverence and wonder/Tend to the wounds of your blunders/And honour God who formed our home." Pierce Pettis wrote 'Absalom, Absalom' featuring Alexa Dirks. Bells says the song helps us grieve our own sins and their consequences. The song is about King David grieving his son: "Come and smear me/With the branches from that tree/Hyssop dipped in innocent blood/To make me clean/Let an old man's broken bones/Once more rejoice/Absalom, you were my little boy" and "You were watching/When I took a good man's wife/And gave the order for his murder/Just to cover up my crime/All the vanity, cruel arrogance, and greed/Absalom, you learned it all from me."
     I picture God singing 'These are the Ones' over us. The song features Jodi King, but I would have liked to see it done as a full on duet, with Bell and her trading off vocals. Here are some of the lyrics: "These are the work of my hands/These are the shoot I have planted here/For the display of my splendor here/In these beleaguered lands/These are the ones I have loved/These are the ones I have called my own/These are the priests of a sacred home/These are the ones/These are the ones I love." 'In Billy's Wake' was inspired by the article 'The Washing' by Jessie van Eerden in Geez Magazine. She was doing the laundry one day when she got a call that her cousin Billy had committed suicide. All she could think to do was to go back to her good work of doing the laundry. The song has a pleasant, content sound that suits Bell's voice. It includes these words: "We're not alone/Silently watched by a sliver blue moon/Closed casket wake in a cold living room/There is good work to do...We're not alone/Laundry awash in the mid morning sun/You can see angels dance as they try trousers on/There is good work to do." 'Stubble and Hay' written by Gord Johnson and featuring Alexa Dirks talks of getting older. Interspersed in it is a poem preached by Gerry Atwell. The song is creative and memorable: "Forty-nine years/I've walked this life/What do I have to say?/Cast it all down in refiner's fire/Nothing but stubble and hay" and "Forty-nine years I've walked this life/One thing I've got to say/Remember God in the days of your youth/All else is stubble and hay." Fans of Buddy and Julie Miller will like this song. Of aging, Bell says: "You start to realize you're heading towards evening and we as Christians trust there's morning after evening...You start to ponder things, you start to be quieter, maybe less confident of the things you knew when you were 30."
     'Birth of a Song' written by Steve Bell, is easy listening and praises the babe Christ: "Author of the mysteries/Ecstasy of blazing suns/And swooning moons and these crooning/Winds and water, earth and fire/Yearning spirit, burning flesh/Consummating desire/Tossing off the soul's attire/Ever I in You and You in me." 'Greatest Gift' is one of the most commercial sounding tracks on the album. It features country singer Carolyn Dawn Johnson: "No one can say this is not the work/Of the One who looks over us all/And the love that is given/The love we all share/Is the greatest gift of all." 'The Gifting and the Giver' is a well done original song of worship featuring Graham Shaw on harmonica: "I see in rocks, in sands and swell/In highest cliff and lowest crater/In broken shards of pearly shell/Fair fingerprints of the Creator/And I onshore admire this living Scripture/And adore the painter of the picture/I adore the gifting and the Giver/The gifting and the Giver." A stellar rendition of Jim Croegaert's 'Was it a Morning like This', made famous by Sandi Patty in 1986, closes the album. It attempts to picture what resurrection morn was like: "Did the grass sing/Did the earth rejoice to feel you again/Over and over like a trumpet underground/Did the earth seem to pound He is risen?/Over and over in a never ending round/He is risen/Alleluia Alleluia/Was it a morning like this/When Peter and John ran from Jerusalem?/And as they raced for the tomb/Beneath their feet was there a tune?"
     Signpost Music's mission statement is: "To encourage Christian faith and thoughtful living through artful word and song." Steve Bell has done just that on KINDNESS. I'm recommending this wonderful album to fans of Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, Bruce Cockburn, and James Taylor. Steve Bell has truly hit his stride with this project. I'm rating it 87%. For more info visit http://www.stevebell.com/ or http://www.signpostmusic.com/.

EVERYTIME I FEEL THE SPIRIT

2011-11-25T11:23:00.002-05:00

     Clay Crosse achieved great success in 1994 when he won New Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards. His songs such as 'I Surrender All', 'His Love is Strong', and 'Saving the World', were all over Christian radio. Following a personal battle with pornography, he and his wife Renee founded the ministry Holy Homes which aims to strengthen marriages and families. For a time, Clay also led worship at a church in Tennessee pastored by the late Dana Key of DeGarmo and Key fame. The good news is Clay is still making music. He describes EVERYTIME I FEEL THE SPIRIT-AN AMERICANA COLLECTION OF HYMNS AND SUCH (2010, HolyHomes Music) as his "countriest offering yet." I would agree. I would also note that Clay's vocals are softer and quieter overall than on previous efforts which had him belting out notes like Michael English. Clay sounds like a completely different artist here and the new formula seems to work. The unmistakable talents of industry vet Phil Madeira permeate the album. He plays acoustic guitar, piano, organ and dobro.
     The album begins with 'There's Power in the Blood' written by Lewis E. Jones. It is a song of triumph with a campmeeting feel to it: "Would you be free from Your burden of sin?/There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood/Would you o'er evil a victory win?/There's wonderful power in the blood/There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder working pow'r/In the blood of the Lamb/Yes, there is pow'r, pow'r, wonder working power/In the precious blood of the Lamb." The title track is next. It is a traditional black spiritual and includes fiddle by James Pennebaker: "Ev'ry time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I will pray (2X)/The Jordan river is chilly an' cold/It chills the body but not the soul/There ain't but one train upon this track/It runs to heaven, Lord it comes right back." 'How Great Thou Art' has an upbeat, old country feel to it, and marvels at God's plan to redeem fallen humanity: "And when I think that God, His Son not sparing/Sent Him to die/I scarce can take it in/That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing/He bled and died to take away my sin." 'In the Garden' written by C. Austin Miles in 1912, is mellow, and depicts an intimate relationship between God and man: "And He walks with me/And He talks with me/And He tells me I am His own/And the joy we share/As we tarry there/None other has ever known."
     The next couple of tracks are two of my favourites. 'From Depths of Woe' is a ballad written by Martin Luther and Luke Smith. It features the pretty background vocals of Myla Smith, and has Clay crying out to God: "From depths of woe/I raise to Thee/The voice of lamentation/Lord turn a gracious ear to me/And hear my supplication." 'Gotta Serve Somebody' was penned by Bob Dylan in 1979 and was previously covered by Mesa in the CCM market. It has a funky, groovy, sound with strong background vocals by Ann and Regina McCreary: "You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride/You may be a city councilman taking bribes on the side/You may be working in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair/You may be somebody's mistress/May be somebody's heir/But you're gonna have to serve somebody/Yes, you're gonna have to serve somebody/Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord/But you're gonna have to serve somebody." 'O Sacred Head Now Wounded' finds Clay accompanied by Phil Madeira on piano and somberly reflects on Christ at Calvary: "O Sacred Head now wonded, with grief and shame weighed down/Now scornfully surrounded with thorns Thine only crown/How art Thou pale with anguish/With sore abuse and scorn!/How does Thy face now languish, which once was bright as morn."
     'That's Enough' by Dorothy Love Coates is upbeat and finds Clay having church: "So many times I didn't have a dime/Didn't tell nobody but the Lord/He heard my plea, He came to see about me/He's my all in all/You push me down, Jesus picks me up/Sticks by me when the goin' gets tough/I've got Jesus and that's enough." 'Just a Closer Walk with Thee' acknowledges God as Protector and Keeper: "When my feeble life is o'er/Time for me will be no more/Guide me gently, safely o'er/To Thy Kingdom's shore/To Thy shore." 'I Need Thee Every Hour' written by Annie S. Hawks and Robert Lowry in 1872, falls into the easy listening category, and is a song of humility: "I need Thee every hour, Stay Thou nearby/Temptations lose their pow'r when Thou art nigh/I need Thee, oh, I need Thee/Every hour I need Thee/Oh bless me now my Savior/I come to Thee." The album closes with the modern hymn 'Wonderful Merciful Savior' written by Dawn Rogers and Eric Wyse in 1989. It is a grateful song of worship given a country touch, which I quite enjoyed: "You are the One that we praise/You are the One we adore/You give the healing and grace/Our hearts always hunger for/Oh our hearts always hunger for."
     I recommend EVERYTIME I FEEL THE SPIRIT to fans of Bob Dylan's "Saved" album, Larry Norman's "American Roots" album, Elvis Presley's gospel work, old country, and the Gaither Homecoming series. I'm rating it 85%. Clay Crosse has reinvented himself on this project and I'd love to hear a sequel to it. His vocal creativity is to be applauded. For more info visit http://www.claycrosse.com/ or http://www.holyhomes.org/.

DAVID'S VINTAGE CHRISTMAS

2011-11-21T12:13:00.000-05:00

     David Ian is better known as Dave Ghazarian, former lead guitarist of Church of Rhythm, and current lead guitarist of Christian pop/rock group Superchick. He was born in Canada to Armenian immigrant parents. In an e-mail to me he wrote: "Ontario holds a special place in my heart as I was born and lived in Toronto for 10 years of my childhood and I am honored that my music is reaching you!" In the liner notes of VINTAGE CHRISTMAS (2011, Prescott Records) he writes: "Thanks to God for the gift of a Savior and a reason to celebrate this season of hope. Thanks for songs with meaning and for those that are just plain fun." A press release states: "Ian sought to create a vintage sound, one that harks back to classic jazz and Christmas LP's of the 1950's." The jazz trio used to do this is David Ian (piano, guitars, bells), Jon Estes (upright bass, cello), and Brian Fitch (drums).
     The album is comprised of songs with vocals and instrumentals. Let's look at the former first. 'Have Yourself a merry little Christmas' showcases the sweet, soft voice of Acacia from the sister duo Tal & Acacia, and includes these lyrics of well wishes: "Have yourself a merry little Christmas/Let your heart be light/From now on our troubles will be out of sight/Have yourself a merry little Christmas/Make the yuletide gay/From now on our troubles will be miles away." 'Let it Snow' was written in 1945 by Julie Styne and Sammy Cahn, and features the cool, relaxed vocals of Andre Miguel Mayo singing these romantic words: "When we finally kiss goodnight/How I'll hate goin' out in the storm/But if you really hold me tight/All the way home I'll be warm/The fire is slowly dyin'/And my dear we're still good-byin'/But as long as you love me so/Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow." 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing' is performed quietly by Acacia and is a call to worship the Christ child: "Joyful all ye nations rise/Join the triumph of the skies/With angelic hosts proclaim/Christ is born in Bethlehem/Hark! The herald angels sing/Glory to the newborn King!" 'The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting on an open Fire) was written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells in 1946. The version here is quite traditional. Acacia sings it, painting a perfect picture of the holidays: "Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe/Help to make the season bright/Tiny tots with their eyes all a-glow/Will find it hard to sleep tonight/They know that Santa's on his way/He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh." 'Christmas Time with You' is the final vocal track and there are two versions of it on the album. It is an original composition by David Ian himself, and nicely complements the rest of the album. The first version is performed by Andre Miguel Mayo and includes these dreamy lyrics: "Icy streets are white and slick you know/Wear your cozy boots, we'll float through the snow/And with our rosy cheeks we'll sing (3X)." The second version is a duet between Mayo and his now wife, Acacia. It includes this additional lyric: "Christmas time with you/Forget the weather/Let's get together dear/I wish you were here now/Whatever the reason/We long for this season." A press release states the song was "inspired by Ian's long-distance relationship with the woman who became his wife in 2009."
     Instrumentally this album holds its own. 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' written in 1938, is given a subdued, slowed down treatment. It would be good for dining by candlelight. 'The Christmas Walz' by Paul Francis Webster and George Cates, has a playful spirit to it. It makes me want to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas." 'Home for the Holidays' sounds like a musical interlude or intermission and is my least favourite. Bing Crosby took 'I'll Be Home for Christmas' to the top ten of the record chart in 1943. The version here is pretty and could be playing in a small boutique while you are doing your Christmas shopping and sipping on hot cider. 'Silent Night' is played in such a way that it will help you contemplate and meditate on the birth of Christ and what it means to you.
     Ian related to me: "I really enjoyed making this record and I am hoping this will be the first of several solo projects I do in the jazz genre." VINTAGE CHRISTMAS should be picked up by fans of artists such as Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, and Judy Garland. I'm rating this fine holiday album 80%. For more info visit http://www.iantunes.com/.

THIS IS WHAT WE BELIEVE

2011-11-19T17:50:00.000-05:00

     In the liner notes for Aaron Shust's fourth full length album THIS IS WHAT WE BELIEVE (2011, Centricity Music) you will find these telling words: "When your whole world is suddenly shaking, you need a firm place to stand. You see what it is in your life that is stable and true and strong enough to hold you up, and you reach for that, you run to that. In a way, life becomes simpler because the distractions fall away and you find out what you really believe."
     The album begins with the title track which joyously declares the following of Christ: "We believe that You are God/Born to set Your people free/Became the final sacrifice/Conquered death to bring us life." 'My Hope is in You' features beautiful strings and is a song of confident faith. It is written by April Geesbreght and is the first #1 Adult Contemporary song for Centricity Music: "My hope is in You, Lord/All the day long/I won't be shaken by drought or storm/A peace that passes understanding is my song/And I sing/My hope is in You alone." 'Your Majesty' is written with Ed Cash who produced the album. It shares the foundational truth of the Gospel: "Jesus, conqueror of sin/With the power to rise again/You're the victor over death/Savior, Holy as You are/You removed our sin as far/As the east is from the west/Jesus, King of every king/The one who reigns in majesty." 'Risen Today' features Dan Needham on drums and is a good modern Easter hymn. It has lyrics written by Charles Wesley and Aaron Shust: "Hallelujah/Fought the fight the battle won/Hallelujah/Death in vain forbid Him rise/Hallelujah/Christ has opened paradise/Hallelujah, He is risen/Hallelujah our sins have been forgiven."
     'Sing of my Redeemer' makes good use of strings and rejoices in what Christ accomplished at Calvary: "I will sing/Sing of my Redeemer/With His blood/He has purchased me/On the cross/Jesus sealed my pardon/He paid the debt and set me free/I will praise my dear Redeemer/His triumphant power I'll tell/Of the victory He gives us/Over sin and death and hell/I will sing of my Redeemer/His relentless love for me." 'Never Been a Greater Love' is a wonderful ballad of one with a thankful heart, featuring Mike Alvarado on piano: "There is now no more condemnation/You've covered us with grace/There has never been a greater love, there has never been a greater love/Never a gift has been so lovely/Never a love has been so pure/I can't imagine ever finding/Somebody else who loves us more/Even though we cannot repay You/We'll give our lives in the pursuit of who You are." 'Greater is He' is radio ready and about the mighty power of God and faith in Him: "By the power of Jesus' name/Strongholds break, strongholds break/He's our fortress and our strength/God, we will trust in You/Heaven moves and darkness quakes/When we pray, when we pray/He is strong and He will save/God, we will trust in You."
     'Wondrous Love' features Kari Jobe and explores the intimate nature of Christ's relationship with us: "You walked our dusty streets/Healing a world in need/You looked into the eyes/Of sinners like me/Setting us free/What wondrous love is this, what wondrous love is this/That You would lay aside Your glory for my soul." 'We are Free', written with Ed Cash, is victorious and talks of the freedom Christ has purchased for us: "It's the life and the hope that He brings/His forgiveness that leads us to sing/We are free to love/Like our God has loved/We are free to give like He gave/We are free from sin/We are free to begin/To forgive as He forgave/We are free/We are living evidence/He restores our innocence." I would like to hear Geoff Moore cover this song. The album ends on a tender sounding note with 'God so loved the World' featuring Shust on piano: "God so loved the world/That He gave His one and only Son/That anybody who believes in Him will have/Everlasting life/God so loved the world/God so loved the world/Every man and woman/ Every boy and girl."
     The liner notes for THIS IS WHAT WE BELIEVE contain extensive Scripture references to go with the lyrics. Shust has hit a home run with this album. It is the best of what contemporary worship has to offer! It is fresh and alive with passion and meaning. I'm rating it 95% and recommending it to fans of Jeremy Camp, Lincoln Brewster, and Bebo Norman. For more info visit http://www.aaronshust.com/ or http://www.centricitymusic.com/.

SMALL SACRIFICE

2011-11-19T14:41:00.000-05:00

     Twila Paris is one of the most beloved female vocalists in the history of Contemporary Christian Music. She has popularized such songs as "We Will Glorify", "The Warrior is a Child", "How Beautiful", and "God is in Control." Her latest album SMALL SACRIFICE (2007, Mountain Spring Music) is produced by John Hartley and still finds her voice and songwriting talents in fine form.
   'We Know Love' is percussion heavy and starts the album out on a grateful note: "One love would give up itself for a friend/One love is faithful and true till the end/This love is Him/By this we know love, by this we know love/That He laid down His life/Laid down His life for us/We know love." 'I Can do all Things' finds Twila engaged in spiritual warfare and features a nice electric guitar solo: "The danger here is real/From one who comes to steal/The freedom and the life/That You have given me/So I will cling to You/Your promise will be true/You are my Solid Rock/You are my victory." 'You Lead Me' is about one who is totally dependent on the Lord: "And You lead me by still waters/You lead me through the storm/You feed me in green pastures/You keep me safe from harm." 'Small Sacrifice', the title cut, features pretty keys and finds her conversing with God: "What can you do with this gift of mine/So insignificant, so unrefined/What can You do with a simple girl?/You can change the world, you can change the world/With one small sacrifice/I give You all my love/I give You all my life." 'Lord I need You' is a fitting worship chorus that conveys a desire to be approved by the Father: "Lord I need You/I want to please You/In everything I say/In everything I do/Make me holy/For Your glory/A living sacrifice/Accepted in my Savior's eyes/This is my heart, this is my cry."
   The next two songs are two of my favourites. 'Live to Praise' is an upbeat song of thanksgiving: "You made me out of dust and breath/And I will live to praise You/You saved me from a certain death/And I will live to praise You/The more I look the more I see/There is no higher goal for me/You are my King, You are my Lord/I will praise You." 'Not Forgotten' is a ballad that offers these words of assurance: "And hope will spring eternal/In the home of those who know/That loving eyes will follow/Everywhere we go/And even in the darkness/His promises are true/Keep this in your heart/He has not forgotten you." 'There is a Plan' is an artistic track featuring Chris Donohue on bass. It reflects on how God mysteriously works in our lives: "He is working through the night/Behind the scenes, behind the eyes/Though we would never realize it at a glance/When He comes to work in me/The building of eternity/I pray I do not miss the moment/Do not miss the chance, do not miss the chance." 'You are a Great God' is signature Twila Paris and praises God for His incomparable greatness: "You are the giver of light/You are the giver of wisdom/You are the giver of strength/You are the giver of joy/You are the Saver of souls/You are the maker of all/We bow down low because we know/You are a great God." 'Alleluia' ends the album on a confident note: "No matter where on earth I stand/Alleluia/I am resting in Your hand/Alleluia/Casting every fear aside/In Your shadow I will hide/You have called me to abide/Alleluia."
   The background vocalists on SMALL SACRIFICE are impressive: Michelle Tumes, Jennifer Paige, Chris Eaton, and Chris Rodriguez. Those who prefer soft, gentle, inspirational music and light pop tunes will appreciate this project. I'm rating it 83%. For more info visit www.twilaparis.com or www.propermgmt.com.

TRICIA'S ROAD

2011-11-16T12:47:00.001-05:00

     It's been ten years since Superchick put out their first album KARAOKE SUPERSTARS, so what better time than now for lead vocalist Tricia Brock to release her first solo effort, a worship project, THE ROAD (2011, Inpop Records)? In an interview with CCM Magazine's June 2011 digital edition, she shares: "My prayer for listeners is that these songs can be songs of hope that resonate in deep places of your soul like they have mine. That you can be honest about hurts, and losses and pain and that these very places can lead you closer to the altar of God-to the one place of true healing, true forgiveness and love that make sense of all the unanswered questions." The last couple of years have not been easy for Tricia. Her mother-in-law was fighting cancer, she almost lost her mom to a heart attack, and she had a miscarriage.
     'Breath of God', a pop song of total surrender, begins the album: "On my knees I bow before You/So here I am, I lay my treasures down/I lay them down/From my lips a song of glory/With my hands I reach for more of You/For more of You." 'Lean' is an adult contemporary song about trusting in Jesus: "So I will lean upon the cross/I will lean into Your love/Your Spirit's living in me/Alive in me/I will sing when there is no song/In the dark/Lord, Your light is strong." 'You are my Shepherd' is a beautiful piano ballad written by Jennie Lee Riddle and Jonathan Lee, that is a modern take on the message of Psalm 23: "You are my Shepherd in the wilderness/Whom shall I fear?/You are the God who goes before me/My Rock and my Shield/In troubled times/You will provide/And I shall not want/You are, You are my God." 'You Hear' suits Tricia's voice very nicely, and rejoices in the open conversation we have with God: "From burdens weighty with regret/And sorrows we cannot forget/You turn our tears to holiness/When You hear, oh You hear."
     'Jesus, I am Resting' is a peaceful, guitar based song of praise: "How great Thy loving kindness/Vaster, broader than the sea/How marvelous Thy goodness/Lavished all on me/Yes I rest in Thee Beloved/Know what wealth of greace is Thine/Know Thy certainty of promise/And have made it mine." 'The Altar' is a reverent song of intimacy: "There's a place/A place of healing/There is no shame, within Your scars/This place is sacred/This place is secret/Here in the presence of a holy God (2X)...Be still and know that He is God (2X)." 'Always' is an anthem featuring strings, written by Jason Ingram and Kristian Stanfill. It presents a realistic view of life and offers a proper response to the trials we face: "Trouble surrounds me/Chaos abounding/My soul will rest in You/I will not fear the war/I will not fear the storm/My Help is on the way (2X)." The song's background vocalists include Melissa and Ben Greene. 'Impossible' is upbeat and points to the Source of our victory as Christians: "He has won where we have failed/He is hope where all hope is lost/He's the One whose hands were nailed/Forgiveness bought by blood and a cross/Glory to His name (2X)."
     'Everything in Me' is one of my favourites and is a catchy pop song of dedication to God: "With everything that's in me/Until there's nothing left/I will sing for You/With everything that's in me/Until my body's broken/I'll live for You/Take every breath/Take every part/How could I give anything less than everything?/Than everything." 'Overwhelmed' is a quiet song written by Jennie Lee Riddle and Jonathan Lee, and featuring these beautiful words: "Your tenderness is moving/You refresh my soul/With words of pristine water/That bathe and make me whole/Your holiness is burning through my very soul/Your words consume like fire/I'm purified like gold." 'Broken for Love's Sake' gently closes the album and begins with this prayer: "You've come to seek and to save/Those who've lost their way/So seek me or I won't be found/You've come to keep and sustain/Those whom You have named/So keep me, O keep me now."
     THE ROAD was produced by Tricia's husband Nick Baumhardt, who also shares writing credits with her on some of the tracks. It is a mostly mellow, contemporary worship project that finds her adoring the Lord for what He has done and for who He is. It is neat to see a different side to this Superchick gal. The photos of her are very compelling. I'm rating THE ROAD 87%. For more info visit http://www.triciabrockmusic.com/ or http://www.inpop.com/.

BENJAH'S BREAK UP

2011-11-14T11:40:00.001-05:00

     Benjah's sophomore solo album, THE BREAK UP (2011, Jahmen Music), will please the ears of fans of Christian hip hop, reggae, and R and B. It begins with an intro about the struggle to defeat the flesh: "It's just not another break up/Anybody here need to just let it go/Anybody here need to just let it go?/Seems like I've been through this a million times/I'm not gonna do it again." 'Sinking Ship' is about the end of a long troubled relationship: "Round, round, round like a carousel/Been goin' on for way too long/Round, round, round like a carousel/I'm outta here cause my heart is gone/Said I love you, she said me too/I said it's over, there's nothing you can do." 'Not Alone' features Rachael Lampa and deals with our frail and ever changing emotions: "We're supposed to say we're doin' good/Even when our life's a mess/We're scared to care and really love/Cause we feel our heart's been broken/I gotta tell it like it is and/Sometimes my life's a mess" and "I feel it in my soul, feel it/And I know that we are not alone/No we are not alone." 'Jezebel' shares how a man can fall hard for a woman who is not of noble character: "Feels like she's stolen, stolen my heart away/It's like I lost control right now/What do I do now?" and "Jezebel, my love, I've gotta let you go/Cause you're not my First Love." 'Keep Ridin' has a calm, cool, and collected feel to it: ""Gotta keep ridin' up in these streets/Gotta keep ridin', just wave at me/Keep ridin'."
     '3rd World Fam' featuring St. Matthew and Dillavou, reminds us we should be thankful for the freedom to worship: "Have you ever been arrested lately just for goin' church, nah, nothin' crazy/Have you ever seen a church burn in flames?" and "If you call yourself a Christian ya got family worldwide/So ya gotta mission/Should be to hold them when they cry." 'Walkin' Out' tells us we have a responsibility to activate our faith: "There's so much inside you/You don't even realize you need to let it shine/Walk out in His footsteps" and "Sometimes I feel like I'm just not enough" and "If it's really of the Lord then He'll establish/It'll happen." 'On Grace I Stand' is a ballad that points to the Lord: "Can You take away the shame that's on my life/Can You take away the pain that I feel inside?" and "How I long for You my Lord/Only You restore my joy/Love is what I need, so hold me tonight." 'My Angel' features Group 1 Crew and echoes Paul's struggle: "I don't really know why I do what I don't wanna do/I try to be a better man, but better don't exist in my life" and "Sometimes I despise myself/I struggle inside/My biggest enemy is I" and "Grace is given to the humble/With faith we'll see victory."
     'Read Me' features Andy 'C-Lite' Mineo and examines the foolishness of man, while pointing to our only Hope: "And everybody's telling me to go and live your life/Go and get it right/But I did it like a fool/Didn't even listen to my Master/Did it my way/And it ended in a disaster/Got a little impatient and wanna move faster/Built the house on a foundation that wouldn't last" and "Joy in the morn/No need to mourn cause He rose on the third...The depth of the gashes/He took for me to grant me access/Took the weight of my baggage/Paid my debt." 'C.N.L.Y.G.' is danceable and shows a reliance on God: "Cannot do this on my own/It's why I won't let go/I'm never turnin' back, no, no...So take my hand and don't let go, don't let go." 'Orphan' is a testimonial: "I was an orphan on the streets/But not for too long/A couple adopted me/They were missionaries here/Loved like Christ/Took me in as their own...They raised me in His ways/Now I live so free/Live free from the pain." The song 'The Break Up' restates that a wayward woman can't fill the void in a man's life and finds Benjah coming to this conclusion: "I realize I gotta break up with the one inside/Take the old off in order to put the new life on/Get true knowledge in the image of the Son." On a hidden track at album's end, Benjah asks: "Why'd it take so long to see I was so wrong?"
     THE BREAK UP is a fine examination of life, love, and faith. It sounds both contemporary and relevant. Even if you aren't normally a fan of hip hop or reggae, you will find some meaningful spiritual truths to take away from this album. Benjah has a lot of potential! I'm rating THE BREAK UP 80%. For more info visit http://www.benjahmusic.com/.

ONE SILENT NIGHT-AN FFH CHRISTMAS

2011-11-09T11:29:00.000-05:00

     FFH (Far From Home) is comprised of husband and wife duo Jeromy and Jennifer Deibler. ONE SILENT NIGHT-AN FFH CHRISTMAS (2011, 62 Records) is a commendable holiday album with a fine mix of traditional Christmas songs and newer fare. It begins with the playful, flirtatious 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' written by Frank Loesser in 1936: "I simply must go-But baby it's cold outside/The answer is no-But baby it's cold outside/This welcome has been-How lucky that you dropped in/So nice and warm-Look out the window, at the storm/My sister will be suspicious-Gosh, your lips look delicious/My brother will be there at the door-Waves upon a tropical shore/My maiden aunt's mind is vicious-Oh your lips are delicious/Well maybe just a little bit more-Never such a blizzard before." 'Jingle Bell Rock' is happy spirited and dates back to the 1950's: "What a bright time, it's the right time/To rock the night away/Jingle bell time is a swell time/To go ridin' in a one-horse sleigh/Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet/Jingle around the clock." 'One Silent Night' is a wonderful song with pretty instrumentation that marvels at the night Christ was born: "One silent night, one holy night/When all was calm/When all was bright/With no one to kneel and no one to sing/Heaven came down and changed everything/Let all the earth receive her King." Bing Crosby took the sleepy, sentimental 'I'll be Home for Christmas' to the Top Ten in 1943: "I'll be home for Christmas/You can count on me/Please have snow and mistletoe/And presents under the tree/Christmas Eve will find me/Where the love light gleams/I'll be home for Christmas/If only in my dreams."
     'The Birthday of a King' is a majestic ballad that uses chimes and speaks of the hope Christ brought: "All of creation joins to sing/Throughout the nations anthems ring/Our humble hearts, the gifts we bring/To celebrate the birthday of our King" and "The faithful daughter, the wayward son/All find a place in Him tonight." 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel' was originally written in Latin in the 12th century and was translated into English in 1851. It has a reverent feel to it and is beautifully orchestrated: "O come Thou Dayspring/Come and cheer/Thy people with Thine advent here/Disperse the gloomy clouds of night/And death's dark shadows put to flight/Rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel/Shall come to Thee O Israel." 'Winter Wonderland' is given a nice, upbeat, contemporary treatment: "In the meadow we can build a snowman/Then pretend that he is Parson Brown/He'll say 'Are you married?'/We'll say 'No man, but you can do the job when you're in town."
     'Glorious Impossible' uses sleigh bells and is a well phrased, grateful song of praise: "He is mercy's incarnation/Marvel at this miracle/For the virgin gently holds the glorious impossible/Love has come to walk on water/Turn the water into wine/Touch the leper, bless the children/Love both human and divine/Praise the wisdom of the Father who has spoken through His Son/Speaking still He calls us to the glorious impossible." 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' was written by an Episcopal priest, Phillips Brooks, and a church organist, Lewis Redner, in 1868 after Brooks had visited Bethlehem three years prior: "How silently, how silently/The wondrous gift is given/So God imparts to human hearts/The blessings of His heaven/No ear may hear His coming/But in this world of sin/Where meek souls will receive Him still/Our dear Christ enters in." The last track is 'Heaven and Nature Sing', a ballad with these Biblical lyrics: "In Him was life and that life was the Light of men/He came to His own but His own/Would not receive Him/Let earth receive her King/Let every heart prepare Him room" and "Now to those who receive and believe in the name of Jesus/Is given the right to become children born of God."
     Jeromy and Jennifer's voices complement each other very well on this project. ONE SILENT NIGHT-AN FFH CHRISTMAS will be enjoyed by fans of groups such as Point of Grace, Avalon, 4Him, and Sugarland. It is a peaceful, relaxing pop album to enjoy while you're sitting in front of the fire watching your children play around the Christmas tree with their new toys. I'm rating it 85%. For more info visit http://www.ffh.net/ or http://www.62records.com/.

CINDY MORGAN'S HYMNS AND SPIRITUALS

2011-11-05T23:22:00.005-04:00

In the liner notes for Cindy Morgan's HYMNS & SPIRITUALS-SOME GLAD MORNING (2011, Somerset Entertainment Ltd.) she writes: "I think most people would say one of their first points of connection to God almost always leads back to a church with age-old wood pews, creaky wood floors that smell of lemon Pledge, a choir singing, possibly an out of tune upright piano in the corner and songs that we've known our whole lives, the same songs that our parents and grandparents before us sang. For me, this is certainly the case." The version of the album I am reviewing is available at Target and is Cindy's favourite. I have a handwritten note to prove it! The album begins with a rootsy, unique arrangement of Alfred E. Brumley's 1920's classic 'I'll Fly Away' featuring Chris Donohue on upright bass. It points to the hope that Christians hold dear: "Some glad morning when this life is o'er/I'll fly away/To a home on God's celestial shore/I'll fly away" and "Just a few more weary days and then I'll fly away/To a land where joy shall never end/I'll fly away." 'Worry' has an Americana feel to it, is co-written by Morgan with Jeremy Bose, and features Jason Goforth on banjo. The song tackles one of humanity's rivals: "It won't add a day to your life/It don't help you sleep at night/Lord I sure am tired of this fight/Worry, why do I worry/Why do I doubt Thee/What do I do it for?" 'Touch the Hem' is written by industry vet Phil Madeira and showcases nice background vocals. It is an invitation to draw near to the Lord: "Listen friend His voice is speaking/And for You His heart is beating/You will find Him if you seek Him/Touch the hem of His garment/There's a blessed assurance that will conquer my fears/There's a river of healing/That will wash all my tears."

'Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring/Sweet Hour of Prayer' includes pretty piano playing and cello. It emphasizes the importance of communion with God: "Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer/That calls me from a world of care/And bids me at my Father's throne/Make all my wants and wishes known/In seasons of distress and grief/My soul has often found relief/And oft escaped the tempter's snare/By thy return, sweet hour of prayer." 'Just as I am/I Come' is a ballad co-written with Laureen Smith that reminds us that God is waiting for us to rely on Him: "He will whisper in the stillness/In the storm He shouts your name/Come to Me with all your burdens/Come to Me with everything/Come, Come" and "So walk across the barren desert/And meet Him at the water's edge/Hidden by the Rock of Ages/No more fear and no more tears to cry/Come." 'Our Father (The Lord's Prayer)' is another ballad. It echoes Jesus' hearfelt prayer in the New Testament and contains additional words by Cindy Morgan: "Our Father which art in Heaven/Hallowed be Thy name/Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done/On earth as it is in heaven/Hallelujah, hallelujah/Let Your Kingdom come/Let Your will be done/Your will be done."

The next two tracks are a couple of my favourites. 'Go Tell the Angels' is co-written with Jeremy Bose and is a song of repentance: "Go tell the angels/Tell the angels/Forget everything I ever done/Go tell the angels to tell the Lord I've had my fun/Go tell the angels/Tell the angels/I'm tired of being on the run/Go tell the angels/Go tell them that the battle is won." 'Working on a Building' has also been covered by the 77's in recent years. It has a stripped down feel to it and stresses the importance of the Lord's work: "I'm working on a building, I'm working on a building/A Holy Ghost building/For my Lord, for my Lord" and "If I were a liar/I tell you what I would do/I'd stop all my lying and start working on a building with you/If I were a drunkard/I tell you what I would do/I'd stop all my drinking and start working on a building with you."

'It is Well' is given a very laid back treatment. It would be good to use for your devotional time. It gives a reason for the hope Christians hold on to: "Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come/Let this blest assurance control/That Christ has regarded my helpless estate/And hath shed His own blood for my soul." 'Well Done' is a stellar song written by Cindy Morgan and featuring Phil Madeira on hammond b3. It offers these words of encouragement: "When pain is deep and grief is great/And it's hard to make it through the day/Walk onward soldier to the gospel truth/For the crown and the glory is waiting there for you." The last song is 'Praise the King/Amazing Grace' written by Morgan in 1998. It is a song of adoration: "Praise Him for the blood that fell and bloomed a rose that day/And praise Him that he suffered through the guilt, the grief, the shame/Oh and praise Him that His tender love will still forgive today/Oh praise Him all ye people, praise the King."

Cindy Morgan's voice has matured nicely over the years, and she is aging beautifully as is seen by looking at the pictures of her included with this project. I recommend HYMNS & SPIRITUALS to those who appreciate folk, old country, bluegrass, and black spirituals. If you are drawn to Patty Griffin, Sara Groves, latter era Johnny Cash, and the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, you will enjoy this album. My only complaint is that I wish there were a couple more upbeat numbers included on the disc. I'm rating HYMNS & SPIRITUALS 87%. For more info visit http://www.cindymorganmusic.com/.

ALL WE NEED

2011-11-04T10:44:00.000-04:00

     It's been eleven years since Rachael Lampa first appeared on the CCM radar, and some seven years since her last full length album of all new material. On ALL WE NEED Rachael co-writes six of the twelve tracks. It was released in 2011 by 220 Entertainment Group. In the liner notes she writes: "Jesus-thank You for my gifts, the gifts of others, and the gift of their presence in my life."
     The title track starts things off, and is a rousing song with influences of Pink, that displays a reliance on God: "Journey is the destination/Just let me see through Your eyes/Even though I'm searching, even though I'm searching/You're my guiding light/Let the blind and broken see" and "I don't know the answers hidden in the questions but I know that I believe/Follow in Your footsteps/Find me in the darkness falling to my knees." 'Remedy' is soulful and finds her assured in her faith: "Every time I cry and I wanna hide/Feeling like I'm damaged on the inside/You know just what to do/You've got what I need/You're the remedy" and "Jesus Your love is my hope, my hope/You're my remedy, You're my remedy." One of the writers of 'Savior's Face' is Ben Glover. It features nice keys and speaks of God's transforming power: "Do you have an ugly scar/Do you have a damaged heart/Did you know that that don't make you who you are?/It doesn't define you/All I wanna do is remind you that/And all this time we waste thinking about the past/And what we've done/He don't remember that/We sold our souls but he bought us back." Encouraging words! 'Beauty's just a Word' slows things down musically and tells us there is a purpose for the hard times in our lives: "It's dark so you can see the light and it's hard so you can know it's right/And pain nothing ever grows without you/And hurt is just a chance to heal/And tears are just a call to feel/And pain beauty's just a word without you."
     'No Escape' is good to clap along to and features horns. It is about a prodigal being found: "Tried to go where You wouldn't find me/Tried to hide when I saw Your face/Hoping You'd just forget my name/I woke up and Your love revived me/I was running backwards/'Til my heart was captured." 'Unchartered Territory' is midtempo and documents a girl unsure of herself: "I'm usually not the one/To be afraid, hesitate, second guess/What I've done/Am I overthinking it, complicating it/Should I let go or let it be?/Never done this before/How am I supposed to know where to go from here?" The next two songs are two of my favourites. 'Elevate' is uplifting and about reaching your full potential: "In my dreams I've seen the view, and life above the clouds is beautiful/Don't let the circumstances keep you down/You might just lose your chance to leave the ground." 'My One and Only' is a highly danceable song of praise to God: "You rescued me from the weight of the world and I want You to know/You are my one and only/You're not like the rest/I know that You've got my back/You are, You are/You are my one and only/Right from the start You saved my damaged heart."
     'Run to You' is partially written by Taio Cruz and is a ballad about finding hope and comfort in God: "Whenever there's pain in my soul/Whenever I'm losing control/And feeling like I'm all alone/Whenever I'm lost and confused/Whenever it's hard to break through/The only thing left I can do is run/I run to You always." 'Feel' is a ballad that builds that I'd like to hear Carrie Underwood do. It has Rachael longing for someone who understands her: "I don't need for you to try to fix the world this time/I just want your heart to break every time I cry/Stop the music, don't say a word/Cause what I need right now is something real/I just need to feel." Two bonus tracks follow. 'Human' features Jonny Lang and looks at the imperfections and limitations of people: "What would you do if you knew the truth?/When you find out it wasn't me that hung the moon/I'm not responsible for making flowers bloom/Didn't separate night from day or make the ocean blue/What will you do when you find out I'm human too?" The album concludes with a modernized version of Lampa's hit 'Live for You' from her debut project. It is written by industry vets Chris Eaton and Chris Rodriguez and contains these words we can draw confidence from: "You know everything about me/Before my life began/You held me in Your hand/You have walked these roads before me/You have known the pain a broken heart can bear/Won't You help me now to trust You?"
     ALL WE NEED will appeal to fans of Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera. It is a smart, consistent pop album with meaningful messages. The photographs of Rachael Lampa are gorgeous, as is my daughter whom I named after her. I'm rating ALL WE NEED 82.5%. For more info visit: http://www.rachaellampa.com/, http://www.220entertainmentgroup.com/, and http://www.embracedbygrace.org/.

ON THE ALTAR OF LOVE

2011-10-24T10:41:00.000-04:00

     In a press release regarding Downhere's latest project ON THE ALTAR OF LOVE (2011, Centricity Music), the following words are written: "As students of history, Jeremy, Jason, Marc and Glenn have come to recognize and appreciate the fact that their faith is not simply their own-but that it's part of a much larger communion of believers that stretches across cultures and thousands of years." This album is an examination of that faith.
     'Only the Beginning' sounds like it could be the theme song of a movie and presents life as a passionate pursuit: "This is only the beginning/Press ahead forget what's behind, forget what's behind/And the good work He is still perfecting/A new name, a new dream, a new life/And this is only the beginning/This is only the beginning." 'Rest' is a radio friendly invitation to find peace in the person of Christ: "Come to Me, you tired and heavy-laden/Come to Me with all your weariness/Here with Me is where you'll find your haven/And I will give you rest/Yes, I will give you rest." 'Let me Rediscover You' is powerful and marvels at God's greatness: "How can I say I know You/When what I know is still so small?/Let me cry 'Holy, Holy, Holy'/Let me awaken to Your majesty/And see a glimmer of Your glory/Let me abide in You/Let me rediscover You." 'For Life' is a poetic song that reflects on things to be thankful for: "For a pretty girl and for falling in love, oh love/For spring ice churning the driftwood shore/For birdsong air and windswept hair/For fiddle head strings and flower bows" and "For everything revealed to see/For what's kept in mystery, oh Lord/From the finer things to the shirt on my back/The less I have the less I lack."
     'Living the Dream' has a circus type feel to it and highlights the importance of having a positive attitude: "As for me, I'm singing a new song/I'm not gonna dwell inside some alternate reality/I feel free-I'm making the best of it/Seeing with eyes that find the heart and soul of true beauty" and "Every day Love makes the promise/That we can be great if we want it/And we are living the dream/Highs and lows we'll take on together/Choosing joy whatever the weather." 'Seek' is a pop/rock song that offers this advice to humanity: "The call left unanswered/Will quickly take its toll/Seek while He may be found/Delight in Him in these times/This is the invitation/We've been waiting for/Seek while He may be found/Call on Him while He's near/Don't you fear, He won't hide." 'Glory by the Way of Shame' is a ballad about the power of forgiveness: "She cheated on him twice but for fear she never told/She finally confessed before her heart ran cold/With pain in his eyes, he walked out of the house and drove to town/Bought her a white wedding dress/Came home to her and danced." 'Holy' is a worshipful modern hymn: "You bore my shame/And in death carried my sin/Worthy Lamb, who gave Your life/Now, I can live again/Who was and is and is to come/The Father, Spirit, and the Son/Holy, holy, holy One/Holy, holy God."
     'For the Heartbreak' has a happy sound to it and shows evidence of a mature faith: "Thank You for the heartbreak/Thank You for the pain/Thank You for the sadness/On the gloomy days of rain/Thank You that the hard times/Have a reason and rhyme/Thank You that the healing makes the beauty shine/Thank You for the heartbreak." 'Turn this Around' is a midtempo request for divine intervention in one's life: "I feel the toxins in my veins/And deeper routed through my heart/I don't want to stay the same/If there's healing for the broken/Save me from me/I'm calling on the Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief/Can You make a change in me?" 'The Altar of Love' is a magnificent song of true surrender to God that features the fiddle: "Lay down your idols/Lay down your possessions/Lay down your shrines and/Your worldly obsessions/Love will ask of you more than treasure/When you're willing to trust/Blessing far outweighs the loss when you lay it all/You lay it all on the Altar of Love/In the holiest room/Where the curtain was torn/By the ultimate wound/Oh, the Altar of Love/Where the glory resides." 'Reveal the Kingdom' has a laid back feel to it and reveals a desire to live life with an eternal perspective: "Be Thou our strength, to carry through/The hope of grace and bear the truth/As we wait for You to.../Reveal the unseen Kingdom/The glory of the new Son/Where ever more His love imparts/The kingdom in our hearts/Reveal the Kingdom."
     The black and white photography of the four bearded bandmates in period costuming on the album cover and in the booklet are a nice artistic touch. ON THE ALTAR OF LOVE is a very strong Christian rock record produced by Mark Heimermann. I'm rating it 90% and recommending it to fans of Sanctus Real, Kevin Max, and Mercy Me. For more info visit http://www.downhere.com/ or http://www.centricitymusic.com/.

NOT HERSELF ANYMORE

2011-10-17T10:47:00.000-04:00

     In the liner notes of her major label debut, NOT MYSELF ANYMORE (2011, BEC Recordings), Jessa Anderson lays out the purpose of her music: "It is my deepest desire that Your love for humanity be spread through these songs and that Your glory be known." 'Not What I Thought' begins the album on an upbeat, victorious note: "And You're not what I thought when I saw You/I had been running for so long/But now I've got something else, something more/That I know will fill the empty up/Cause You're not what I thought/No You're not what I thought." 'Fireflies' is a delightful pop song about the light of God: "You're breaking through the darkness/I'm like a child/Standing in amazement/Here in the night/You shine brighter than fireflies/Caught up in the mystery/I can't deny everything around me reflects Your light/You shine brighter than fireflies." 'Everybody has those Days' is bouncy and about having a lousy day and feeling down on yourself: "I'm feeling alone and I'm feeling like sort of a mess/Can't make sense of anything" and "You know I'm really more the clumsy type/Always making mistakes/The harder I try to be careful the bigger the break." 'Worship the Lamb' is a Sunday morning friendly song of praise: "There is nothing I could say/I could sing/To give an adequate description of my glorious King/For You are indescribable" and "All I am at my best/I am merely a breath/All I am at my best/I am merely a breath for You."
     'The Same Place' is about someone finding themself in a difficult position: "Trade your problems for the pain/Of knowing that you walked away/No longer participate/You made another big mistake/Didn't anybody ever say/We all lie in the bed we make?" 'Not Myself Anymore' is a piano ballad showcasing Jessa's vocals. It explores the pain involved in a relationship ending: "I can't seem to figure out why/I'm not myself anymore/And I cry all the time/And you, you're unaccountably gone/You've got no explanation for leaving me alone/Well maybe we shouldn't have let it go on for so long." 'I Won't Break' is a guitar and percussion driven rocker. The flavour in Jessa's voice really shows here in this song about a relationship gone sour: "And I've been wondering when it all fell apart on me/And how I didn't see it coming/In the least baby/I gather miles and put them up on display/Pretend I'm shiny, new and tell the world I've changed." 'Moving On' is a song of encouragement I could hear Taylor Swift doing: "Stop your worry now/Just be strong/Be strong/Leave your fear behind/We're moving on/Moving on."
     'Offering' is a mid tempo song of gratitude to God: "I believe in a purpose intended for the life You breathe only in me/I needed someone to fight and defend me/And salvage what's buried beneath" and "You alone are perfect by nature/Passionate lover, redeemer, and friend/Who am I to inherit this treasure?/A place in Your infinite rest." 'Don't Know' is a song of self-examination and is about a desire to hide one's real self from others: "So why do I feel the need to hide myself behind/A veil that doesn't show/Who I am inside?" and "Does anybody see me here?/Does anybody, anybody care?/Does anybody hear me now?" The album closes with 'Return' which is a prescription for a fulfilling life and has a poetic feel to it: "We have been running away/We have been hiding/We have been making mistakes/And then denying/All of the things that make us who we are/Fallen from grace and then restored" and "We are unwilling and we are cold/For fear the darkness will be exposed/But if we hold on to all our secrets/We only forfeit/Our chance at freedom."
     NOT MYSELF ANYMORE is a strong pop debut from Jessa Anderson. I recommend it to fans of Ke$ha, ZOEgirl, Everlife, and Cheri Keaggy. I'm rating it an 85%. The album cover is a gorgeous portrait of Jessa. For more info visit http://www.jessaanderson.com/ and http://www.becrecordings.com/.

SARA'S INVISIBLE EMPIRES

2011-10-14T11:31:00.001-04:00

     Listening to an album by Sara Groves is always a pleasant, thought provoking experience. Her tenth album INVISIBLE EMPIRES (2011, Fair Trade Services) is no exception. 'Miracle' is soothing and piano based: "Lay down your arms/Give up the fight/Quiet our hearts for a little while" and "Let's heal where we couldn't heal/Oh it's a miracle/Love is a miracle." 'Obsolete' is mellow and about struggling with insecurities and finding identity in God: "And you don't know where you stand/And you feel so small and thin/And if you are dismissed/Will another take you in?" and "Are we walking through the streets of invisible empires?/And I know I shouldn't care if I'm out or if I'm in/Cause if I am dismissed You always take me in." 'I'll Wait' is a radio friendly pop song about the importance of seeking the Lord's direction: "I'll wait for You now more than ever/I see it's true now more than ever/I'll wait for You/I don't want to do this by myself/I know I need Your help/And so I'm waiting for You." 'Scientists in Japan' reflects on the power of science and offers a word of caution before proceeding to the next advancement: "Eyes wide open and our jaw on the floor/We see science fiction ain't fiction no more" and "Who's gonna stay here and think about it?/Who's gonna stay, who's gonna stay?"
     'Open my Hands' features acoustic guitar and speaks of a deep trust in God: "I believe in a peace that flows deeper than pain/The broken find healing in love/Pain is no measure of His faithfulness/He withholds no good thing from us" and "I am nodding my head an emphatic yes to all that You have for me." 'Precious Again' is a plea for spiritual revival: "Where is the wonder?/Oh sing me the song that's never old/Oh tell me the story never told/Promise that just when love grows cold/You'll make it precious again." 'Eyes on the Prize' is an inspirational song about perserverance that starts off sounding like a black gospel number: "Got my hand on the gospel plow/Won't take nothin' for my journey now/Keep your eyes on the prize/Hold on" and "The way is slow and we've so far to go/Keep your eyes on the prize/Hold on." 'Without Love' is slow and mesmerizing and references 1Corinthians 13: "You can fall on the blade of the martyr/You can give all your possessions to the poor...Without love I have not."
     'Right Now' is less than a minute long is about taking personal responsibility: "I'm tired of blaming everybody else/I'm sorry if I blamed you/I have everything I need to be myself/I have what I need to love you." 'Mystery' finds Sara relinquishing self-effort: "My body's tired from trying to bring You here/And my brow is furrowed tryin' to see things clear/So I'll turn my back to the black and fall/And wait for the mystery to rise up and meet me." 'Finite' concludes the album. With this song Sara explores womanhood: "What God meant by woman I'm hard pressed to find" and "I'm finite/I come to an end/I'm finite/I cannot pretend."
     INVISIBLE EMPIRES is a thoughtful, introspective album that encourages the kind of spiritual growth in believers that will cause them to positively impact the world in which they live. Sara's voice is in top form and is pleasing to the ears. I'm rating INVISIBLE EMPIRES 90%. For more info visit: http://www.saragroves.com/ or http://www.fairtradeservices.com/. The album drops in stores Tues, Oct 18, 2011.

IT'S EPIC!

2011-10-12T13:00:00.000-04:00

MANIC DRIVE is Shawn Cavallo (vocals, keyboards), Michael Cavallo (guitars, background vocals) and Keith Comer (drums). Their latest album is EPIC (2011, Whiplash Records). Dictionary.com defines 'epic' as "heroic; majestic; impressively great" or "of unusually great size or extent." The album begins with a short musical intro that brings to mind a journey through outer space. This is followed by the trance-like 'Count of 123' which is a call for all Christians to celebrate: "Throw your hands up like a charismatic/Oh we'll get you hooked like a gospel addict/From the chapels to ancient temples/We tear down walls and unite our people/Love is our weapon and our weapon is lethal." 'Halo' is electronic and about making a difference in one's world: "They don't confuse me with any other guys/Cause my halo is like a neon light/And all the people they can tell me apart/I'm forever glowing in the dark." The title track 'Epic' is danceable and continues the theme of being a witness: "I'm sick and tired of sitting on the bench, wanna play the game/Just wanna play the game/Making it, making it epic/Light up the city'We shine so bright." 'Good Times' has partly rapped vocals and speaks of a renewal of the faith of one's youth: "You got me smiling/Like I'm a child again/Like I was back in grade school/You got me feeling brand new/Ya just the thought of You/Reminds me of the good times."
     'Save a Life' has an inspirational sound to it and is about living life with an outward focus: "If it was do or die/Would you save a soul, save a soul?/Even if it's not your own and/If we're the hands and the arms that reach/Would you save a life from drowning/Would you take a role, would you think about it?" 'Microphone' is a party song I'd like to hear Britney Spears cover. It has bold lyrics: "We're gonna do this till the lights go out/And I don't care if I ever get caught/I'll be speaking the truth through 80,000 watts and/Amplify my mind through this stereo/With some help from this microphone." 'Money' sounds clubbish and is about having your treasure in heaven: "Don't need no vault of money/Don't need my own treasury/Oh cause my life is saved/I'm gonna keep the change/Don't need no vault of money/Cause I got a heart of gold/And my soul can never be sold/I've been blessed a thousand times fold/And you can never buy me out no."
     'Mountains' is a Michael W. Smith like ballad about being there for a friend going through hard times: "It's an uphill battle and though the journey's long/I'm gonna hold you till the hurt and pain is gone/With the help of God we can carry on/I'm on my knees for you, praying on my knees for you." 'Go Big or go Home' is about choosing which side you're on in the spiritual battle: "So everyday, every chance/We put the plan in this planet/I go big/Go hot or go cold/Gotta make up your mind/Cause Houston's got a problem/If you can't pick a side/Oh are you in? Are you out?" 'Positive Radio' is catchy and is a fitting end to the album. It is an ode to the power of music: "It's all about the music and more about the words/So crank it loud loud/This positive alternative network" and "The music so clever ya it just might/Change your life forever in just one night/So crank that radio loud with Manic Drive."
     EPIC is an album that is just that. On it, MANIC DRIVE stand out far and above many of their contemporaries. I recommend this project to fans of SKILLET, ALL STAR UNITED, and THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH. I'm rating it an 85%.

TURNING THE PAIGE

2011-10-07T18:18:00.000-04:00

     It's hard to believe that it's been a decade since Paige Lewis released her self-titled debut on Word Records at the age of sixteen. Guess what? She's still making music. Her latest album is ONE GOOD DAY (2011, Cry Holy Music). Now, rather than sounding like Alanis Morissette, she fits in nicely with other female singer-songwriters such as Sheryl Crow, Jann Arden, and Shawn Colvin. Her sound is more mature and refined. The album begins with the title track which is a mid-tempo number that talks of the unsure nature of life: "Every story begins with the worry that nothing's gonna go your way" and "All it takes is one good day and you're on your way." 'Other Side' is a pop song about personal discovery: "How's it feel, how's it feel, tell me how it feels/Safe on the other side?" and "Everybody's waitin' for somethin' to change them/Everybody's waitin' for somethin' to save them." 'You Will be the Last' finds Paige in love: "You may not be the first one that's ever crossed my path/Others worked at first but they disappeared so fast/If ever you should wonder or if anyone should ask/You may not be the first one/But you will be the last." 'Who You Are' is a song for the discouraged: "You're gonna be just fine/Take your sweet time/'Cause you're about to go on the ride of your life/Oh, you're gonna run through the dark/You're gonna say it's too hard/Right before you lose your heart/You're gonna find who you are." 'I Belong with You Now' speaks of the gladness of rediscovering a lost love: "Somehow I've always known that we'd be back together someday/Well babe, that day has come/I don't know how we survived for all this time."
     'Turning on the Light' is plodding, and is about conquering depression: "Silence has become the worst of friends/Darkness overruns all happiness" and "There's nothing worse than giving in and fading out and out of sight/We all deserve a second chance/So I'm taking it and I'm turning on the light." 'Much to Learn' is a rock song of personal growth: "Clinging to the only hope I know/Will I know when to let go?/I don't know/All I know, all I know, all I know/Is I've much to learn." 'It Goes On' features beautiful piano and instrumentation and portrays life as a complex journey: "I don't wanna turn back time/I don't wanna change my mind/I just wanna go where I belong/You do the best with what you have/You try to take the good from bad/All I know is after life goes wrong/It goes on." 'Sycamore' is pensive: "Lyin' in my bed/I think I've had enough/I empty my head just to fill it back up." 'Where You Left Me" is a song many will relate to: "I don't understand it why you disappeared/And I'm still stuck here standing where you left me."
     ONE GOOD DAY was an important album for Paige Lewis to make. She writes in the liner notes: "This is a record I never thought I'd make, filled with songs I never thought I'd write, inspired by a hope I never thought I'd have." Those fans who are willing to follow Paige from the Christian market to the mainstream market will appreciate her familiar voice and shared insights. I'm rating ONE GOOD DAY 80%. For more info visit http://www.thepaige.com/.

GHOSTS UPON THE EARTH

2011-10-05T14:31:00.001-04:00

     GUNGOR is a collective of musicians fronted by husband and wife Michael and Lisa Gungor, with the core being in Denver. GHOSTS UPON THE EARTH (2011, Brash Music) is meant to be a cinematic narrative pointing to the fact that we are like ghosts walking on the earth longing to become real. God, love, and heaven are more real than us. The album is about the wonder of the universe and being thankful to God for life.
     It begins with 'Let there Be' which features an angelic sounding female lead and portrays creation: "Angels toil and crack open scrolls of ancient dreams" and "Let there be light." 'Brother Moon' is playful sounding and shows how creation points us to God: "Brother Moon shine down your light on us tonight/Show us the love of God/Sister Sun you bring out the day/You shine in the light of God on your face today." In celebratory response to the Maker, the lyrics declare: "In You we live/In You we move/In You we have our being." 'Crags and Clay' is a reflection on the beauty of creation: "Fearfully and wonderfully and beautifully made" and "All praises to the One who made it all//Who made it all." 'The Fall' shows a beautiful yearning for reconciliation with God and intimate relationship with Him: "How long must we wait?/Turn Your face to me." 'When Death Dies' is a driven celebration of Christ's victory on the cross: "Kings fall down to their knees/When death dies/All things live." 'Church Bells' is a song of exhortation: "Let old men dance/Lift up their hands/Even if they are naive let them dance" and "May all weary hearts be filled with hope/Amen."
     'Wake up Sleeper' is a rock anthem of hope: "Rejoice all you who are poor/The kingdom is yours/Rejoice you jaded and torn/Both sinner and saint/The kingdom is yours." 'Ezekiel' is soft sounding and speaks of the work Christ has done in regenerating us even though we broke His heart: "I clothed your body/I washed the blood and earth from your hair/I gave you joy/I gave you everything I had/I gave my heart, my love." 'Vous Etes mon Coure (You are my Heart)' is a gorgeously played track about God's loving pursuit of us: "Where have you hidden yourself O my beloved?" and "In search of you my darling/I would scale the highest clouds." 'This is not the End' is a masterpiece that anticipates eternity: "This is not the end/We will shine like the stars." 'You are the Beauty' is a bluegrass number that delights in the Lord: "Love, love, love of mine/You have caused the sun to shine on us/Music fills our ears/Flavours kiss our lips with love divine." The album ends with the ballad 'Every Breath' which acknowledges God as the source of life and commits to Him: "Every breath, every moment life beats in my chest/Springs out from Your hand" and "I will love You with all of my heart/I will love You with all of my mind/I will love You with all of my strength/I'll love You with everything."
     GHOSTS UPON THE EARTH is a breath-taking original worship album that is moving and features well thought out instrumentation. It is a work of art that proves useful in exploring your relationship with God. I'm rating it an 88%. For more info visit http://www.brashmusic.com/ or http://www.gungormusic.com/.

I HAVE A DREAM...OR TWO!

2011-09-26T10:09:00.000-04:00

Do you have a dream job that you would like to do someday? I'm in the mood to daydream so here are a couple of my choices of dream jobs. Those who know me well will not be shocked by these revelations. Those who don't, may be.

1. I would love to work in the Contemporary Christian music industry. I would love to get paid to write album and/or concert reviews. I am a CCM junkie. I love to look at the liner notes in cds and see who played what, what background vocalists were used, etc, etc. I frequently visit Christian music news sites such as http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/ to keep up with the latest music news and upcoming releases. It is a passion of mine. I don't know that I'd so much like to work on air in Christian radio, but more behind the scenes doing research on artists and things like that. If I had it to do all over again, I would have pursued journalism in school, and maybe would be writing for a Christian music site now! Why am I so passionate about Contemporary Christian Music? It feeds me spiritually. It got me through a lot of tough times growing up in a dysfunctional home. I have always got more spiritually out of a good song or album than out of a sermon or Bible reading. I believe CCM can change lives! As a side note, if I ever hit the jackpot, I would like to travel one summer to all the Christian rock festivals that are held such as Cornerstone in Illinois and Kingdom Bound in New York.

2. I would love to work in the entertainment industry. Because I am fairly introverted this is not likely to happen, but this blog is about dreaming right? When we had cable (I hope to have satellite in the near future) I would eat up shows like Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, and Inside Edition. While many people have no use for celebrities I am fascinated by them. Yes, I know they are ordinary people, but they provide an escapism for me from the mundane, stressful everyday life. I think it would be neat to interview celebrities. I would also love to be a fashion model photographer. My wife tells me I basically suck at taking pictures because I rush or get nervous so this is a stretch too, but I am still dreaming. I eat up America's Next Top Model and magazines such as Cosmo, Maxim, Marie Claire, Glamour, Rolling Stone, virtually any mag that has actresses or models in it, with the exception of porn. I am very interested in what actresses and models are wearing, how they are posing, their relationship with the camera, etc. In a far stretch, I would like to organize and judge a Grey County's Next Top Model. I think it would be wild! When Canada's Next Top Model ran, I remember thinking I could have come up with a much better cast just by taking a walk through a couple local malls. I am intrigued with youth and the passion, energy and potential they have.

Do you have a dream job or two? There's nothing wrong with having a dream! And who knows, maybe one day they will come true. If not, it's still fun to dream. If I had it to do over again I would have taken schooling related to my dreams. Let this be a word of wisdom to the young.

I'd love to hear your dream job if you care to share. (By the way the pix at the top are of Raina Hein (model) and Kenny Marks (Christian rock singer).

PUSSYCAT DOLLS PURR

2011-09-21T13:31:00.001-04:00

The PUSSYCAT DOLLS debut album "PCD" released in 2005 on A&M Records. For those keeping track the DOLLS were Nicole, Kimberly, Carmit, Ashley, Melody, and Jessica. The main doll featured vocally is Nicole Scherzinger, who also appeared on "Dancing with the Stars" once upon a time. The cd booklet has nice pics of the gals for you to peruse.
     "PCD" begins with the infectious "Don't Cha" featuring Busta Rhymes. It sets the tone for the album. It should not be taken seriously: "Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?/Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?/Don't cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me?/Don't cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me?" I lump this song in with the likes of "My Humps". Throw your brain out the window and enjoy! "Beep" features will.i.am and speaks of how a guy is generally turned on by a girl's looks. That is not rocket science: "Every boy's the same since I been the 7th grade/They've been tryin' to get with me." "Wait a Minute" features Timbaland, has a playful sound, and talks of how a guy can't always buy his way to a girl's heart. "Stickwitu" is a pretty ballad about not straying from your current relationship: "Seems like everyone's breakin' up/Throwin' their love away/But I know I got a good thing right here" and "You know how to appreciate me/I'm going to stick with you my baby." "Buttons" is a catchy number inviting a guy if he dares to come on to a girl. The girl is clearly in the position of power here sexually though. "I Don't Need a Man" is about feminine independence and features a vocal reminiscient of Tammy Trent: "I don't need a man to make it happen/I get off being free/I don't need a man to make me feel good/I get off doing my things/I don't need a ring around my finger to make me feel complete."
     "Hot Stuff (I Want You Back) is a great dance pop tune that uses whispery vocals and will be enjoyed by Madonna fans. "How many Times, How many Lies" is a mid-tempo lament about not listening to those who warned about a guy's bad character: "There were so many days I should have thrown your sad ass out." "Bite the Dust" is a warning to other women trying to close in on a particular woman's man: "Trust me anything you can do I can do better than you/Some things remain impossible/You're no exception to the rule." "Right Now" has a big band feel to it complete with horns, and sounds like it could have been recorded decades earlier. Next up are a couple cover tunes, "Tainted Love/Where did our love go" features this sad lyric about how relationships can change: "Once I ran to you/Now I run from you." "Feelin' Good" has the singer comparing herself to a fish, a dragonfly and the stars, in that she feels free: "It's a new dawn and a new day and a new life and I'm feelin' good."
     "PCD" has a lot of good party tunes on it. It is not music with deep meaning, but rather music to simply enjoy while throwing caution to the wind. The album's last few tracks are not as strong as the beginning tracks. I'm rating it an 80%.

BACK TO THE ROCK LIVE!

2011-08-14T19:40:00.002-04:00

     Classic Petra is Bob Hartman (guitar and vocals), Greg X Volz (lead vocals), John Lawry (keyboards and vocals), Louie Weaver (drums), and Mark Kelly (bass and vocals). Their 2011 BACK TO THE ROCK LIVE is comprised of two dvds. The first is a live concert that was taped at Trinity City Music Hall in Tennessee on November 20, 2010. The track listing is the same as is found on their 2010 BACK TO THE ROCK cd. The concert fittingly begins with Psalm 78:35 playing over the speakers: "Then they remembered that God was their Rock, and the most High God their Redeemer." This concert marked the first time in 25 years that this incarnation of the band had played live together and they really seem to be enjoying themselves and playing their instruments and singing with passion. Greg X. Volz makes good use of the stage, utilizing leg kicks, jumps, and even running up and down ramps. Volz makes it clear that the band wants to rescue the perishing and the prodigals-those who have tasted of God's goodness but have been tripped up by the enemy. As always, with Petra, the songs convey meaningful messages. 'Clean' speaks of how believers are justified and sanctified. 'Angel of Light' warns of the schemes of the devil. 'Second Wind' speaks of spiritual renewal. 'Adonai' offers praise to God. 'Grave Robber' talks of Christ's ultimate victory over death and the hope we have resulting from that. 'Godpleaser' warns against seeking the approval of men. The camera work and lighting are pleasing to the eye. All in all, this is a mighty fine, professional concert. I'm rating Disc One a 90%.
     Disc Two is a documentary recounting the formation and early history of this band that has won four Grammy's and 10 Dove Awards. In the early 1970's Bob Hartman met bassist John DeGroff in Bible school in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and guitarist Greg Hough and drummer Bill Glover (classmates) and formed Petra. In 1974 they released their debut, self-titled album with Hartman and Hough sharing lead vocal duties. They brought in a number of guest vocalists on their second album COME AND JOIN US, one of whom was Greg X. Volz, who had been with the 'e' band. Bob Hartman says: "The Jesus Movement was a genuine Holy Spirit revival." People were completely turning around. Petra wanted to evangelize and reach people who didn't go to church. They were though, criticized for their rock sound. Radio host Jerry Bryant recalls getting phone calls telling him he was going to hell for playing the devil's music. In the early 1980's WASHES WHITER THAN was released. It was not a big seller and had distribution problems. Band members were leaving and Hartman considered hanging it up. However, he met Mark Kelly and John Slick at a Bible study and hired them to join him and Volz. Hartman recalls Christian record labels would say they would put Petra's records out, but not to expect much! Petra's fourth album was NEVER SAY DIE and had on it 'The Coloring Song', originally by 'e' band. It went to the top of Christian radio. Petra hired Louie Weaver, a drummer who had been with Randy Matthews and Fireworks. In 1982 Petra did 162 shows. MORE POWER TO YA was praised by Billboard.
     Petra encountered charges of hiding secret evil messages in their music via backwards masking. On their song 'Judas Kiss' they hid the following message in response: "What are you looking for the devil for when you ought to be looking for the Lord?" Pastors prayed against Petra and people picketed their shows even though they gave an invitation at the end of their shows. In 1983 they played 152 shows.
     For NOT OF THIS WORLD Petra used lights, stage effects, and costumes. John Lawry from the Joe English band joined Petra on keyboards. Their 1985 album BEAT THE SYSTEM used keyboards, electronic drums, computerized sound effects and fairlight synthesizer. Petra played to 500 000 on the BEAT THE SYSTEM tour.
     Hartman and Volz disagreed on Petra's future. The tour had been expensive and the band was hurting financially. In 1985 Volz left Petra to pursue a solo career. John Schlitt was the first and last to audition for the vocalist position. In 2005 Petra retired with a Farewell Tour.
     This fine documentary is forty-five minutes. It has some emotional moments. Louie Weaver is particularly grateful to be in Petra. John Lawry recounts how he was taken in as an orphan by missionaries when he was four and fighting malnutrition. I'm rating this second disc a 87%.
For more info, or to purchase visit http://www.classicpetra.com/.

SOUL SURFER FAILS TO CATCH A WAVE

2011-08-11T16:03:00.000-04:00

SOUL SURFER is one of those movies that was highly anticipated and raved about by the Christian community even in advance of its' release, just like FIREPROOF and TO SAVE A LIFE. Both of the latter were superior movies to SOUL SURFER. Here are a few reasons why I was not blown away by this movie:
*The presentation of the Christian faith in this movie was very weak. Sure there were one or two Bible verse references and the inclusion of the popular praise chorus "Blessed be Your Name", but there was nothing very deep faith-wise that would strongly point a non- believer to the Lord in my opinion. This would be fine if it wasn't being largely marketed as a Christian movie. There are other Hollywood movies that would more nicely fit into a Christian library based on faith content.
*The scene where Bethany Hamilton loses her arm to the shark just did not seem that intense to me compared to comparable events in other movies. I think more emotion and visual here would have helped.
*Bethany's struggle to make a comeback after the tragedy was not well documented. Again, the emotion was lacking here. More frustration and anger and such were missing. I just didn't feel it!
*Something about the surfing competition scenes reminded me more of something off of old "Saved by the Bell" beach episodes, than something out of a top-notch movie. If this were a tv movie, that would have been fine. The surfing scenes did not seem of blockbuster quality to me.
*Something about Dennis Quaid's character (her dad) irked me. I can't put my finger on it. The casting of both him and Helen Hunt (her mother) were unfortunate. They've both done much better work in the past. Quaid in "Yours, Mine and Ours" and Helen Hunt in "Twister" and "Mad about You".
*Since this was a surf movie and I am admittedly a fan of models and shows such as "America's Next Top Model" I thought there could have been more camera focus on Bethany and her friends throughout the movie, rather than quick cut-away shots, especially during the sponsor photo shoot. Yes, this is my carnal side kicking in.
*It would have been nice to see more of a focus on Carrie Underwood's character, as Bethany's youth leader. This would have been a great way to go deeper faith-wise in the movie.
*Some of the musical soundtrack was just annoying. Especially the tribal type music. Maybe it's just my lack of being cultured, I don't know.
*This movie was just not that great at making me identify with the character and feel for her. I did not feel a connection to her on an emotional level to any great degree. When I watch a movie I really want to be pulling for a character. Here I did not feel a great reason to do so in some sense.

Now for what I liked about the movie:
*It is a feel good movie when it's all said and done and on that basis alone it is worth a watch
*It was nice to see Craig T. Nelson (Coach, Parenthood) as her doctor. He is a wonderful actor
*AnnaSophia Robb is charming as Bethany Hamilton. She played Violet Beauregarde in 2005's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". (No, I did not know that before I googled her). I look forward to seeing her in more endeavours. There is something about youthfulness that I envy.
*It is a nice, clean family movie that for the most part the whole family can enjoy.
*It was nice to hear Matt Kearney and Francesca Battistelli on the soundtrack.

I'm giving SOUL SURFER a 3 out of 5 stars, which is my average rating. Worth a watch, yes. Worth raving about, not really.

LIVE AT THE MASQUERADE

2011-07-21T13:17:00.001-04:00

     Thousand Foot Krutch's LIVE AT THE MASQUERADE (2011, Tooth and Nail Records) was taped as a CD/DVD combo in front of a crowd of 20,000 at the Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta on May 28, 2010. It contains six tracks from 2009's WELCOME TO THE MASQUERADE and seven hits from previous albums.
     The CD begins with 'Welcome to the Masquerade' which is about getting rid of the masks we wear and making ourselves vulnerable: "I'm not one to scatter ashes/But there's some things that'll melt the plastic/Try and dig down deeper if you can." 'Bring me to Life' is about a person reaching for their full potential: "Bring me to life, breathe air into me/Take me from the darkness that I've been in/'Cause I just want to be free." 'Move' contains this introspective lyric: "You've never been to the place inside, I face my fears/It takes everything I am." 'Absolute' is a passionate cry to God from a lost generation: "We want the truth, give us the Absolute/We need your help, 'cause we've got nothing!" 'The Flame in All of Us' has a melodic chorus and speaks of the toll the world can take on you: "This world has taken me by storm, it makes me feel like running/This place is making me transform until I feel like nothing." 'E for Extinction' speaks of fighting for a better life: "But we won't leave the way that we came/And I know there's so much more ahead/I can barely believe we're here/We won't surrender quietly." 'Scream' is sympathetic to those who are hurting: "I've felt the feelings you've been feeling/Been through the same things/You've been through/And I know how hard it is/To feel like you're all alone."
     'What do we Know' has a sing-along quality to it and offers these words of hope: "But maybe if we pull together we can change/A million lives for the better/And maybe if we prayed a little more/We would stop living in fear from the storm." 'Falls Apart' tells the story of a prodigal: "It falls apart from the very start/It falls apart, seems like everything I touch/Falls apart, everything around me/Falls apart, when I walk away from you." 'Rawkfist' is a party anthem from 2003's PHENOMENON. 'Fire it Up' has a nice guitar solo and is an ode to adrenaline: "I'm in love with the feelin'/Of pressure to the ceilin'/Wake up with intention/To face my opposition." Two encores are included. 'Already Home' is a ballad of surrender to God: "And I know I haven't always been/Where You wanted me/I'm standin' here, arms out/Broken down/Before You." 'Puppet' is from 2001's SET IT OFF and has a bouncy beat that makes you think of marionettes being manipulated by a puppet master.
     The accompanying DVD is very well shot. The pyrotechnics and lighting, combined with lead singer Trevor McNevan's great use of the stage, make for a pleasant viewing experience. I'm rating the CD a 80% and the DVD a 90%. I recommend LIVE AT THE MASQUERADE to fans of other rock acts such as Skillet and Our Lady Peace.

OH LITTLE FIRE

2011-07-18T14:11:00.003-04:00

     Sarah Harmer's fifth album is 2010's OH LITTLE FIRE (Zoe Records). It begins with the pop driven song 'The Thief' which will appeal to fans of Taylor Swift's vocal delivery, and features this mysterious lyric: "Walking into every room/In the aftermath the place felt haunted/By all the things we didn't do/And the memory of what we wanted." 'Captive' is poppy and reveals a longing for security and belonging: "Hold me to this thing darling/And bring a ladder we'll climb to the rafters/As long as there's a view to look to/Fence me in and keep me close to you." 'New Loneliness' is about the emptiness one can feel after a breakup, and is appropriately sober sounding: "There is just one oar leaning against the wall/What of our plans for paddles in the Fall" and "There is just one pillow on the bed/Where a solitary someone lays her head." 'One Match' is reminiscent of very early Amy Grant and has an innocent feel to it. It is about trying to reignite the passion in a relationship: "Every time I close the gate/I wonder if this is enough/If I only had one match left/I would try to light it between us." 'Careless' is radio friendly and reflects on how tough it can be to right past wrongs: "So I thought maybe I'd call and that would be all/Clear out regrets that were hovering here/But how could I get to a place that's so distant now/Back then I knew right away and still I didn't say/Under my breath I was muttering." Guitar and percussion drive 'Washington' which is about a failure to commit: "I knew there would be magic but I turned at the last chance/These idle hands are staying scared of making any plans." 'Late Bloomer' has a fresh summertime feel to it and speaks of the pain you may experience when you make yourself vulnerable: "I didn't want to see it coming, I showed off my heart/Now there's a scar in the shape of a question mark/Oh late bloomer the rumours were true/And scattered leaves are all that's left of you."
     'The City' is fast paced and details the toll a city can take on a relationship. 'Silverado' is done slow country style and is cynical: "Who made these promises to raise the hopes of dopes like us/We should know by now but when it comes to dreams we're suckers still/When it comes to dreams we're suckers still.": 'The Marble in your Eye' is about being in love and the fear of losing it, and has a relaxed laid back feel: "You said 'everything sounds right'/And it made me more in love with you/And I think that we just might/Watch this grow awhile" and "And I've never been so scared/I never cared that it could get away/Are we gonna do this baby/Say 'everything sounds right' again ok?" 'It Will Sail' is hopeful about the prospects of long lasting love: "I think it'll float/I think it'll sail/We may take on waves/Hit a gale/But considering this love/Most everything/Says I think it'll fly/And I think it'll sing." Three bonus tracks are available on iTunes. Acoustic versions of 'New Loneliness' and 'The City' are well done. Meanwhile 'Our Dark Clouds' asks a universal question: "I know that you love me today/But I wonder if you'll feel that way tomorrow/When I come back after being away."
     OH LITTLE FIRE is a pleasant, well thought out album. I'm rating it 83%. Thanks to my brother, Mark A. Alward for introducing me to this gem!

LONG PLAYER LATE BLOOMER

2011-07-16T16:50:00.001-04:00

     There are singers and then there are musical artists. Mr. Ron Sexsmith is a musical artist. His latest album LONG PLAYER LATE BLOOMER (2011, Warner Music) has been shortlisted as a nominee for the prestigious 2011 Polaris Music Prize. The first track 'Get in Line' has a light country feel to it, and seems addressed to his naysayers and critics: "If you meant to shower me with guilt better get in line/If you're cryin' over milk that's spilt, well take a number and wait in line." 'The Reason Why' is joyful sounding and ponders if there is a reason for everything and concludes we do not always need a reason why: "Hoping for an answer/I glance up to indifferent skies" and "All we would hear is a deafening silence." 'Believe it when I see it' finds Ron working out his faith: "We've just a wish and an empty vessel/A hole to fill with days/On a road where children stray/Then pray there is no hell and as for heaven, well if seeing is believing/I'll believe it when I see it" and "We're bound to waste all our free will and ambition/If we got no vision and we got no spine." 'Miracles' slows things down and evidences faith: "There are miracles appearing in broad daylight to a cynical world so blind/With both of us knowing there's so much to dream of/It's a miracle my love." Musically 'No Help at All' sounds like a TV theme song from the 70's or 80's. It details the loss of hope: "Won't somebody tell me what these eyes are for/I can't see a light anymore, I can't see a light anymore/It gets lonesome in that valley/You're on your own/You've got to go it alone/You've got to go it alone." The title track, 'Late Bloomer', is autobiographical and has a smooth sounding chorus: "I'm a late bloomer/I'm a slow learner/And I've heard the penny drop/I'm a small player with a tall order to come out on top/And without selling my soul/That everyone might know that I'm a late bloomer."
     'Heavenly' will appeal to fans of the Lost Dogs and is poetic: "The morning wears her/Golden autumn dress/It's a heavenly love that you and I possess." 'Michael and His Dad' is a unique story song about a boy and his father short on cash, but rich in love. 'Middle of Love' is an upbeat Sheryl Crow style tune about being head over heels in love. 'Everytime I follow' features crooner style vocals and speaks of the bittersweet power of memory when it comes to lost loves: "The blues are calling me/Oh every time I follow a tearful memory/Oh every time I follow/But in the midst of emptiness/You fill my heart/With love and music/And tell me where to start." 'Eye Candy' has a playful sound to it and showcases humourous lyrics about shady characters: "Eye candy, ear poison/Oh mother keep your boys in/'Cause uptown came downtown/And now they keep hanging around" and "You should see the way they dance/Rubbing up against everybody's leg/And like a bad masseuse/Everything they do rubs me the wrong way." 'Love Shines' is about hopes, dreams and desires coming to fruition, and echoes musically Ron's 2005 hit 'Not About to Lose': "I've seen what love can do, I understand/It's like the candle glowing in the wine/It fills a heart with silver stars/That's where my love shines." The closing song 'Nowadays' is sung with a spirit of thankfulness and could be addressed to a lover or God: "Used to be I felt so all alone/Used to be I dealt with devils on my own/But nowadays I hear your song/Ringing through my heart and soul/And when I've had enough/Your love takes hold/I just throw my hands up/And your love takes hold."
     LONG PLAYER LATE BLOOMER is a strong, meaty album. It is the antithesis of much of the disposable music out there today. I'm rating it 88%! Thanks to my brother Mark A. Alward for introducing me to this album.

AN EVENING WITH THE TORCHMEN

2011-05-24T21:22:00.000-04:00

     The 2007 cd AN EVENING WITH THE TORCHMEN was also recorded as a live concert dvd at the Crossroads Centre in Burlington. On this recording the Torchmen are Sandy MacGregor, Dave Randall, Mike Moran, and Jon Hisey.
     The album opens with a joyful sounding song about Christ's mission on earth, 'He Took it Upon Himself': "He took it upon Himself to save this old sinful world/He took it upon Himself to open the gates of pearl/He knew that my sin would be too heavy a load for me/So to save my soul from hell/He took it upon Himself." 'I've Made it Home' is upbeat, features a great bass vocal, and is about the joys of heaven: "And when I've finally found my mansion/How my happy heart will sing/Glory glory hallelujah/I've made it home." 'Movin' Up, Movin' Out will appeal to fans of Gold City and the Nations. It anticipates entering one's heavenly reward: "When I'm readin' in the papers/What I'm readin' in the Word/Well I know it won't be long till that trumpet sound is heard."
     The next two songs were written by group member Dave Randall who grew up in Michigan and now resides in Ontario. 'I'm Gonna Sing in the Choir' has a country feel to it and looks toward heaven: "When Gabriel blows his trumpet/We will gather in the sky/And there we'll stand before the Saviour/In that sweet by and by." 'Who Touched Me' is a ballad about Jesus' miraculous power. It tells the New Testament story of the woman with the issue of blood pushing through the crowds to touch Jesus and be healed. 'There's a Testimony' features Jon Hisey's bass vocal. He came to the group when he was just 17. 'Going Home' was written by Bill and Gloria Gaither and is a song of comfort for when times are tough, and for the elderly: "Going home, I'm going home/There's nothing to hold me here/I've caught a glimpse of that heavenly land/Praise God I am going home." 'I'm Gonna keep on Tellin' is happy sounding and speaks of our mandate as Christians: "We must be ready to bear witness for our Lord/The end is soon approaching/My time is almost gone/But I have made a promise as I go pressing on." 'All Aboard (Glorybound)' has a similar message to 'People get Ready' and includes use of harmonica: "I hope you're wearing your travellin' shoes/Get to that station/You got no time to lose/Leave all of your worries and your cares behind." 'Payday is Coming' has a Southern Gospel feel to it and has a message of encouragement for the weary: "He who holds the keys to heaven/May return at night or noon/Keep on workin' for the Master/Payday's comin' soon."
     'Pray Daniel Pray' has the crowd clapping along and tells the story of how God delivered Daniel from the lion's den. It features nice piano work and contains the following advice for believers today: "If you want to see the devil run/Listen to me/You gotta spend that time down on your knees/You gotta pray like you believe/Like Daniel prayed." 'A Place Called Grace' is a ballad about Christ's work at Calvary: "In a selfless act of love He changed eternity/And redemption's story wrote it's final lines." 'Here There or in the Air' is a delicious Cathedrals like romp about how believers will meet each other in heaven: "There's no room for sad goodbyes/So dry your tears and lift up your eyes/He's coming in the clouds and it could be anyday/I'll meet you in the mornin' on that milky white way." The album concludes with a modern anthem speaking of harmony, 'I Love You Canada', which is a tribute to our country: "I see our future in our children/So proud, strong, and free/One family hand in hand from sea to shining sea."
     AN EVENING WITH THE TORCHMEN is an exciting live album that captures the quartet's energy and enthusiasm. It is clear the audience truly enjoyed this performance. I'm rating it a 90%.

THE PROVERBS-GIVE IT AWAY CONCERT DVD

2011-05-21T12:21:00.000-04:00

     The Proverbs GIVE IT AWAY CONCERT DVD (2009) is their first full length concert dvd. The taping, produced by Enhance Media, was part of a concert at Kingston Gospel Temple, which also featured the Revelations and Crimson River. The dvd opens with a greeting from the Oak Ridge Boys congratulating the Proverbs on 40 years of ministry in music!
     Twelve of the thirteen songs from the Proverbs GIVE IT AWAY cd (2008) are performed with 'The Shepherd's Call' being excluded. Two songs from their RELEASE cd are also performed. 'Well Water' tells the story of the Samaritan woman meeting Jesus at the well and Him offering her water "flowing from a river that will never run dry." It has a country feel to it. 'Holdin' His Own' reminds us that Jesus is there for us when we are at our rope's end and have lost our sense of direction. The three group members (Dave Daw, Kathy Daw, and Karyl Tymciw) make good use of the stage and different camera angles are used on the dvd, including close-ups. The sound is top notch.
     The talking between songs flows naturally and the group seems at ease. At one point, Dave jokes about being the best looking of the group. At another, Kathy jokes that it's too bad they didn't get around to making a video when they looked younger in days gone by. During 'Everybody wants to go to Heaven' Dave hams it up playing the 'air fiddle' along with the track that is playing. Before singing 'It is Well with my Soul' acappella style, Dave shares that his dad was a pastor who sang in a quartet. Dave and his family would sing in the car on the way to services, practicing harmonies. On 'Ghost in this House' Dave comes down off the stage for a more direct involvement with the audience.
     Before singing 'Even in the Valley God is Good' Karyl shares how she loves the mountain times, when the Spirit is vibrant in our lives, but it is the valley times that help us grow. 'Give it Away' is about how we as Christians should show God's love. During this song the group gives two free cd's away for audience participation. A lady who dances enthusiastically and another who shares several hugs each win. Dave shares that the reason the group has travelled for 42 plus years is to offer folks the gift of salvation. There is eternal life if we put our faith in Christ. Many are unaware of this. Kathy shares that her theme that particular year was to be distracted by God. Listen to God and you'll go the right way. The group's 2011 cd would be called 'dis-tract-ed.'
     GIVE IT AWAY CONCERT DVD showcases a group that is down to earth and excited about their faith. They are professional as well. I'm rating this dvd a 75%. If the group were to record another dvd in the future, it would be neat to see the use of some live musicians, and the inclusion of some of their older hits.

HEART OF A WOMAN

2011-05-18T18:24:00.000-04:00

     Kelita Haverland's HEART OF A WOMAN truly is a great work of art. It is driven by piano and vocals and will appeal to fans of lighter adult contemporary artists such as Annie Herring, Michelle Tumes, Sara Groves, and Will McFarlane. I'm rating it a 90%.
     'When You Rewrote my Heart' kicks things off. It is about someone working through the abuse they've suffered: "Now here in my heart I truly matter/There's a new respect I see/I'm finally making room for me/I'm making room for me." 'Deep Dark Secret' is about the pain of abuse and appropriately has a dreary sound: "Sometimes it's too hard to remember/Oh the memory is killing me/How could someone say they love you/Then take away the child in me/Every day when I look in the mirror/I can't believe that it's happened to me/I've been hurt and I feel cheated." 'The Strong One' is a subdued anthem about someone letting their guard down after a very long time: "I don't want to be the strong one/I don't want to pick the pieces off the floor/This time I wanna be the one/Who needs a little shelter from the storm." 'Who's Gonna Love Me' is about a deceased kindred spirit: "There's an empty bed and here's a broken heart/Everything inside me has fallen apart/Drowning in a pool of tears/Now you're gone, and I'm still here."
     'Bella' is a tender ballad that offers hope and sees potential in the hurting, particularly those involved in the child sex slave industry in Cambodia: "A tapestry embroidered with shame/But healing love will mend the broken hearted/And saving grace change your name/Bella, beautiful Bella, Beautiful Bella/Beautiful girl." From the looks of the lyrics I was expecting 'Unusual Child' to be an upbeat country tune, but it is not. It is, however, a story song: "He was a western James Dean/He was a rebel, he played wild/He was the first born in my family of five/He was a most unusual, most unusual/Unusual child." The story continues: "Jimmy knew he'd die young/There wasn't anything he wouldn't try/One night he tried too hard/Goodbye Jimmy, Goodbye." I could hear Natalie Grant juicing up the soulful sounding 'Soul Revival' about a person changed on the inside: "I'm gonna finally live my life/Like I've got nothin' to lose/Then I'm gonna take some chances/And then I'm gonna spread good news." Kelita gives a great vocal performance on this song. 'Good Bye April' deals with losing a child: "Good bye April, good bye spring/Oh my baby's up in heaven/I know I'll see you again/I can't believe my heart still breaks after all this time/But I can't lie and say I'll ever forget you/April, oh my baby good bye." The song acknowledges that some turn to drink to deal with the pain.

'In the Shade of the Willow Tree' gets a bit erotic, which is unique to say in Christian music, and features nice chime effects: "We made love with the sun on our backs/And the wind in our hair/And we made love on warm summer nights/With the full moon hanging there." Later she sings: "Oh I know there's a poison in your kiss/And I know I would die to love like this." 'Caged Bird' includes violin playing and reminds us that only God is truly in touch with the world: "A busy world crowded with pain/Never has time to stop and listen/A simple moment, a quiet touch/Can mean so much." 'Breakin' Down', co-written with Susan Aglukark, is the closest sounding on the album to a radio hit, as it is catchy. It is about finding personal freedom: "Let me lose control/And go out of my mind/I finally admit/That I just can't fake it." 'Tears' concludes the album and sees God as Comforter: "Warm velvet words poured like sweet honey from His tongue/Until tonight I'd never heard of the Holy One/He said that he would cradle every teardrop in His hand."
HEART OF A WOMAN (2010, Heart and Soul Music) was produced by Roy Salmond and Kelita. If you're looking for a soothing album of healing ministry, this one's for you! For more info visit http://www.kelita.com/. Thanks to Kelita!

ENJOYING THE JOURNEY

2011-05-17T10:19:00.000-04:00

     That the TORCHMEN QUARTET have a rich history is attested to by the following statement from the liner notes of their album ENJOY THE JOURNEY (2009): "Since 1969 more than 40 singers and musicians have held up their torch through the group proclaiming that the Light of the World is our Saviour, Jesus Christ." Fans of Southern Gospel and country and western music will appreciate the instrumentation on this album, which includes steel guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, and harmonica.
     Two upbeat numbers start off this record. 'Take me to that Mountain' was written by group member David Randall and tells of a desire to have a spiritual plateau experience: "Take me to that mountain/High up to a place/Where I can feel the sun shining down upon my face/Oh high above the dark clouds that's where I wanna roam/Just take me to that mountain/When I'm there I'm almost home." 'I've enjoyed the Journey' shares the secret of a happy life: "I've enjoyed the journey walin' with my Lord/When the enemy surrounds me/He is my shield and sword/There's no need to worry, no need to fret/He will not leave me and He's never failed me yet/I've enjoyed the journey/Walkin' with my Lord." 'When Heaven's Joy is Mine' is a ballad that looks ahead to the afterlife: "What a great homecoming/What a morning/As I leave this world behind/There forever with loved ones rejoicing/When heaven's joy is mine." 'Gonna get my feet Wet', again written by David Randall, tells the story of Peter stepping out of the boat to meet Jesus, and reminds us we need to be ready when God calls us to do something.
     'Cast all your care on Jesus' is a slow ballad that is a good reminder for those going through trials: "Cast all your care on Jesus/He gave His life for you/Cast all your care on Jesus/No matter the test/He'll see you through." 'Roll Away Jordan' is a fun sounding song of defiance, with a bass vocal lead: "If you're waitin' for my troubles to get me down/Well friend there ain't no use you hanging around/'Cause I don't care what comes my way/It can't be big enough for what you hear me say/Roll away trouble river/Roll away." 'When I rested in the Lord' describes how life can be without the Lord: "Tryin' to cope with the pressures of life/Left me with a weary days and sleepless nights/Searched for the answer not knowin' the question/I was runnin' fast but in the wrong direction." 'Mine Eyes have seen Thy salvation' is the first of three consecutive songs that Rodney Griffin of GREATER VISION has songwriter credits on. It reflects on Simeon's experience when he encountered Christ at the temple: "He said 'Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation/For I have seen the Lord/I've touched the hope of the ages/Jesus the Living One.'"
     'I like it All' talks of the joy of Christian fellowship: "I like the way that it feels when the Spirit is real/And the people are in one accord/I like the love that I sense when we're gathered together and take turns to brag on the Lord/There's no place for me that I'd rather be/'Cause at the church house I have a ball." 'That's why there's Forgiveness' contains the following words of truth sung in a spirit of thanksgiving: "God knew when He saved me/I could not live a sinless life/And no matter how hard I tried I still would fail/But He made provision/With His Son's sacrifice/And now my sins are overshadowed/By three rusty nails." 'First One to Get there and the Last One to Leave', one of my favourites, tells the conversion story of a drunkard who trades in drink for church activity involvement. The last song, 'Sing Shout Shine' is a happy one with a bass lead: "So He guides me on my way/Keepin' me safe from day to day/And I know I'll travel to a better place."
     ENJOY THE JOURNEY is the type of album that will grow on you. I'm giving it a 78%. For more info visit http://www.torchqt.com/. Thanks to Mike and the rest of the Torchmen.

CLASSIC TORCHMEN SONGS FEATURING JOSH FRIEND

2011-05-13T13:13:00.003-04:00

     In the liner notes for CLASSIC TORCHMEN SONGS FEATURING JOSH FRIEND (2010) the group writes: "We hope you enjoy these 'Classic Gospel Songs' recorded in the classic way (you are hearing it just the way we sang it) at Grant Ave Studios in Hamilton. We recorded there in 1976 and we tried to re-create that sound in 'Classic Torchmen Songs.'" The Torchmen are, on this project, Sandy MacGregor (tenor), David Randall (lead), Mike Moran (baritone), and Josh Friend (bass).
     The album begins with 'There's a Testimony', which is a song with a bouncy chorus about someone eager to share their faith experience: "There's a testimony in the house today/There's somebody ready to stand and give Him praise/A voice that is willing to be a witness of His grace'There's a testimony in the house today." 'Zion's Hill' features nice piano playing and is about a believer going to their heavenly reward: "There waits for me a glad tomorrow/Where gates of pearl swing open wide/And when I've cast this veil of sorrow/I'll dwell upon the other side." 'Led out of Bondage' is a fast, drum driven track about how God, using Moses, freed the Israelites from the Egyptians. It will appeal to fans of Nations' hits such as "Get thee Behind me Satan" and "Noah found Grace". 'I'll live in Glory' is celebratory and has as its' focus the rapture: "This might be the very day when the Lord will take us away/When the shouts from Heaven and the trumpet sound/All the dead in Christ will rise and we'll meet 'em in the skies/Oh what joy is now a'waiting/Heaven on high." 'No One but Jesus Knows' is a ballad with a doo-wop feel to it and speaks of an intimate relationship with Jesus as Healer: "All discouraged, so sad and blue/I go to Jesus/He'll see me through/How He thrills my broken spirit/No one but Jesus knows."
     'Payday' has a Southern Gospel feel to it and reminds us how we should live our lives as we await the Lord's return: "Payday is comin'/Comin' in the by and by/Do not weary in well doing/Your redemption draweth nigh/He who holds the keys to heaven/May return at night or noon/Keep on workin' for the Master/Payday's comin' soon." 'Under Control' is a ballad of comfort: "The Bible speaks of famines and trials/In the last day how they'll sweep through our land/But we have His assurance that through all of these trials/We'll be lead by His mighty hand." 'Getting ready to Leave this World' was penned by Luther G. Pressley in 1937. It looks forward to the next life with anticipation, while stressing the importance of living right in the here and now: "I'm gettin' ready to leave this world/I'm getting ready for the gates of pearl/Keeping my record right/Watching both day and night/I'm getting ready to leave this world."
     'I Can Tell you the Time' is smooth flowing, features nice harmonica, and talks of the mystery of salvation: "I can tell you now the time/I can take you to the place/Where the Lord saved me/By His wonderful grace/But I can not tell you how for I know not the how/And I can not tell you why/And I know not the why/But He'll tell me all about it/He will tell me all about it/In the by and by." The hymn 'I'd rather have Jesus', written by Luther G. Pressley in 1935 is given a traditional treatment and speaks of having a stronger desire for Jesus than for power, prestige, or possessions.
     CLASSIC TORCHMEN SONGS FEATURING JOSH FRIEND does a good job featuring the talented bass singer, while allowing the other three parts to flourish as well. This is a good album to help you set your sights on heaven. My only beef is that it's a bit on the short side, clocking in at 29 minutes and 4 seconds. I'm giving it an 80%. For more info visit: http://www.torchqt.com/. Thanks to Mike and the rest of the Torchmen.

A PROVERBS CHRISTMAS

2011-05-10T13:29:00.000-04:00

     The Proverbs' 20th album, is, pleasantly a Christmas offering. CHRISTMAS-OUR FAVOURITE TIME OF YEAR (2010) begins with 'Light of the World', an adult contemporary song of worship and mission good for the whole year round and written by Phil Johnson and Mark Lowry: "Oh Light, Oh Light of the world we worship You/Oh Light, Oh Light of the world we honour You/As we journey through this cold dark world we will carry You/To light up the world with the Light of the world." Irving Berlin's 'White Christmas' is given a slow jazz treatment with nice guitar work and puts one in mind of sitting in a coffee shop by a fireplace sipping a hot chocolate. 'Go Tell' really finds the Proverbs in their element. It is an upbeat country tune that will get you clapping, as did some of their older hits such as 'In my Robe of White' and 'It'll be Alright'. Message wise, it is in keeping with the Great Commission given by Jesus: "Once you've seen that shinin' star/You can't keep it to yourself/Go tell it near and far/He is Emmanuel/You've gotta go tell." 'If Everyday could be Christmas' is easy listening, features nice keyboard sounds, and is sentimental: "If everyday could be Christmas/What a wonderful world it would be/We could carry this feeling within us/All through the year/If everyday could be Christmas." Not forgetting the kids, the group includes a nice arrangement of 'Away in a Manger' with good harmonies.
     'Reason for the Season' was on LONESTAR'S 2000 album THIS CHRISTMAS TIME, and reflects on the true meaning of Christmas: "He is the reason for the season/He is the Light that shines on our lives/The baby Jesus born in God's grace so we all might rejoice on this day." The song begins with Dave Daw on lead vocals and I would have liked him to carry the whole vocal for a bit of variety. 'The Christmas Song' seems aimed at a more senior audience and would fit nicely on Tillsonburg's EASY 101 FM.
     'The First Noel' is again easy listening and I recommend it to fans of later era Point of Grace harmonies. 'Silent Night' is given the acappella treatment and features Dave's bass. It is clear that the Proverbs could do an entire acappella album that would be quite enjoyable! The album concludes with Steve Chapman's 'The Mystery of the Season' which speaks of a desire, yes a longing, to be with family at Christmas: "It sends me down the highway to feed a hunger in my soul/I drove all day to get here as if I had control/And the cars out in the driveway tell me I am not alone/It's the mystery of the season/One by one comin' home."
     On CHRISTMAS-OUR FAVOURITE TIME OF YEAR, the Proverbs don't murder the classic carols as some have, and that is something to be thankful for. The album could have been improved by including more faster, joyful sounding tunes given the occasion. I'm giving this one a 78%. It would be a nice addition to your Christmas music collection. For more info or to purchase, please visit http://www.theproverbs.com/. Thanks to Dave, Kathy, and Karyl.

THE PROVERBS GET DISTRACTED

2011-05-03T14:05:00.009-04:00

     The Proverbs just recently shared the stage with gospel music legends Russ Taff and Janet Paschal in Belleville and Ottawa, which speaks to the calibre of their artistry. dis-tract-ed is the 21st complete album recorded by the Proverbs since they began in 1967. It came out this year. It begins with the laid back 'Hazy Days' which is a prayer to God to rescue them from a spiritual fog: "Guide my steps with Your hand/Keep me firm in Your plans/Lord rescue me from these hazy days." Next up is the first of three songs written by group member Karyl Tymciw assisted by Jeremy Daw (son of group members Dave and Kathy Daw). 'Distracted by God' is an adult contemporary number that speaks of the many things that draw our attention away from God, including television, sleeping in, and bad moods. The song advises: "Somehow we've gotta come to our senses/Want the world to see I'm distracted by God/Some roads are paved with good intentions/Choose to be distracted by God." 'Runaway Train' has a funky sound to it and using the story of Paul and Silas in jail, praises the merits of using praise to rise above one's circumstances. 'When I Hear the Thunder' sounds like early Amy Grant or Twila Paris and is born out of a deep faith in God through adversity: "When I hear the thunder and I think I'm goin' under/I remember You're the lifter of my head/You've had a thousand chances to change my circumstances/Thank You Lord for changing me instead." 'Get Away Jordan' is a classic toe-tapping spiritual on which Dave Daw gets his bass vocal on. 'There is a God' is an inspirational ballad that gives evidence for our Father God: "There's a beauty to the dawn/A rhythm to the rain/A silence in the soul that I just can't explain...There's a debt that has been paid/A grace that I've been shown/A hope that I've been given/That I have never known."
     'I Can't Help Myself' is about our fundamental need for God and His goodness. 'God is There' is another inspirational ballad. It reminds us that God is everywhere. He's with those in the hospital, the young pregnant mother, and the parent awaiting the return of their prodigal child: "God is there in the middle of Your night/Every single moment, every single life/He's reaching for you right where you are/The God of the impossible is never very far." The Imperials took the celebratory 'I'm Forgiven' to Number One for thirteen weeks in 1980. Of 'Your Song', a mid tempo Silverwind type tune, Karyl writes: "Praising God with our voices is not only Biblical, but empowering and therapeutic...The simple act of singing about God's goodness invigorates and rejuvenates the soul."
     'Over the Mountain' is the first of two Sheri Easter written songs and reminds us we are on a journey working towards a goal: "I may not be over the mountain/But I can see the other side/Just a glimpse makes me wanna lift up my hands and throw back my head and smile/This journey has left me weary/But I know God's been faithful to guide." 'That's God for You' falls into the easy listening category and was inspired by Rob O'Prey, a man who loved singing gospel music and died of a brain tumor. Th song talks of the value of hindsight: "Though you may have felt you were all alone/When you look back He was there/He went before you/That's God for you." The album ends with "I Don't want to Cry', a mid tempo song with this word of encouragement: "Life can getcha down so low/Leave you wanderin' all alone/But if you have the will to stand/He'll reach out to hold your hand."
     The strengths of dis-tract-ed are the smooth lead vocals of Kathy Daw, and the solid instrumentation including saxophones, keys, guitars, and horns. If I had one complaint, it would be that there aren't enough fast songs in the mix here. All in all, I'm rating this one an 80%. For more info, or to purchase, visit http://www.theproverbs.com/. Thanks to Dave, Kathy, and Karyl.

THE HOLE IN OUR GOSPEL

2011-04-28T13:12:00.002-04:00

     THE HOLE IN OUR GOSPEL (2009, World Vision, Inc) was written by Richard Stearns. In it you will find out how a top business CE0 underwent a radical personal transformation and reluctantly become the president of World Vision U. S. In the book Stearns shares personal stories of the horrors he has seen overseas and the good that is being done as well.
     Stearns makes a strong case that the North American church is not doing enough overall to alleviate poverty in developing countries. Poverty, hunger, lack of clean water, diseases, lack of education, and death are all gigantic problems. The North American church has abundant resources at its' disposal to tackle these issues, but for one reason or another does not mobilize and activate these resources. It could be because we are too busy chasing the American dream or flirting with the prosperity gospel. It could be because we are storing up treasures for ourselves on earth. It could be that we see the problems overseas as not being our problems. Whatever the case, something has gone awry. One need only look at Christ's parable of the Sheep and the Goats to see that whatever we have done to the least of these we have done to Christ and in the same way, whatever we have not done, we have not done unto Christ. It's a sobering thought! Sometimes the statistics we hear regarding poverty are so staggering that they begin to mean nothing to us. Stearns encourages us to think of each person suffering as an individual. How would we feel if it were our child starving, for example?
     Some of us do not give of our money, time, or talents to help out, because we feel we don't have that much to give. The author makes it clear that what God is looking for is our willingness and availability. He has the power to multiply our gifts. Countless children are orphaned, and many of the poorest of the poor are praying for a miracle. We could be that miracle.
     This is not a feel good book. It is an assesment of the current state of the world, a wake-up call if you will. It is well worth the read.

MY BRAIN SAYS STOP, BUT MY HEART SAYS GO

2011-04-16T10:27:00.000-04:00

     FM STATIC is the side project of two members of THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH, Trevor McNevan (vocals, guitars) and Steve Augustine (drums, percussion). Of the group, McNevan says: "We're Christians and that's always been our faith and lifestyle, but we've never considered it to be our genre of music. The goal for me is always that connection-to be able to talk about the things I see and go through and what's been on my heart."
     2011's MY BRAIN SAYS STOP, BUT MY HEART SAYS GO (Tooth and Nail Records) begins with the title track which has fast paced vocals and clappable beats. It is about the struggle between the mind and the emotions when making a decision: "I want to be smart but I want to have fun." 'F.M. S.T.A.T.I.C.' is a fun song about rockin' out and has been used by ESPN and the show HELLCATS. It starts off with a cheer. The next two songs are about how relationships are a lot of work and involve many dynamics. '(Hey) I Want It' showcases some rapped vocals and these words: "Hey, listen to me/I've never understood the games you play/I never really know just what to say/So stop messin' around/And lets's take this where it wants to go/And skip to the part where we start the show." 'Lost in You' has a more subdued sound: "And we laugh, we turn/And we live, we learn/And we fight because we care/And we lose, we love/And we push, we shove/Until there's nothin' left to lose."
     'U Don't Know me like That' is a throwback to the sounds you might have heard at a '50's sock hop. 'Cinnamon and Lipstick' is one of my favourites and starts with a nice guitar lick, while fondly reflecting on past love: "You remind me of cinnamon and lipstick/And the summers that we kicked it/And the late nights that we stayed up/Singing our favorite songs/In my beat-up old apartment." 'Black Tattoo' is about a girl getting out of an abusive relationship: "She leaves a letter and she leaves his place/Still feelin' all the bruises on her face/She only wanted to feel like she was wanted/And all that changed when he broke that bottle."
     The last three tunes are about the spiritual dimension of life. 'Last Train Home' is a ballad reminding us that we need something greater than ourselves to get ourselves out of our messes: "We've fallen apart, somewhere back at the start/When we thought that we could fix each other by ourselves." 'Breaking me Again' is a mid tempo number with an inspirational, hopeful sound. 'Inside Out' speaks again of our need for God: "You're the only cure/When I'm confidently insecure/And every time you touch me/You take the words out of me/Right out of my mouth."
     My main beef with MY BRAIN SAYS STOP, BUT MY HEART SAYS GO is that some of the somewhat slower songs start to sound the same. Nevertheless, fans of other pop punk bands such as Relient K, Fountains of Wayne, and Bleach should add this one to their collection. I'm giving it a 73%.

SWITCHFOOT VERSUS THE HURRICANE

2011-04-13T18:24:00.000-04:00

     HELLO HURRICANE (2009, lowercase people records) won SWITCHFOOT a Grammy Award this year for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album. I'm recommending this one to fans of other guitar based rock acts such as Foo Fighters, The Tea Party, Third Day, and Sam Roberts.
     Several of the songs are about life as a spiritual journey. 'Enough to Let me Go' boldly addresses God: "Do you love me enough to let me go?/To let me follow through/To let me fall for You." 'Mess of Me' is a driving, pulsating song about the struggle a Christian has with their flesh: "The sickness is myself/I've made a mess of me/I want to get back the rest of me/I've made a mess of me/I want to spend the rest of my life alive." 'Free' is about a person who is in trouble but believes in God's power: "I've got my back against the wall/But I still hear the blue sky call/The chains that hold me back inside/Are the prisons of my mind/Free/Come set me free/Down on my knees/I still believe/You can save me from me." 'Sing it Out' is a quiet ballad, nicely orchestrated: "My world is a lie that's come true/And I fall in love with the ones that run me through/When all along all I need is You." 'Red Eyes' is an open invitation for the prodigal to return home to God: "Every now and then I see you dreaming/Every now and then I see you cry/Every now and then I see you reaching/Reaching for the other side/What are you waiting for?"
     Love is a common theme on the album. 'Your Love is a Song' is a ballad with these poetic lines about God's love: "Your love is a symphony/All around me/Running through me/Your love is a melody/Underneath me/Running to me." 'The Sound (John M. Perkins' Blues)' has a passionate shouted vocal and is an anthem to love and it's relevance in our broken world. 'Hello Hurricane' is more pop oriented (think Newsboys or U2) and is a tribute to the prevailing power of love amidst hard times. On 'Bullet Soul', lead singer Jon Foreman gets his scream on: "Love is the one true innovation/Love is the only art/Don't let 'em blow it apart."
     'Needle and Haystack Life', the album's opener, reminds us that we are here on this earth with a purpose: "The highs and lows/We call it living/In this needle and haystack life/I've found miracles there in your eyes/It's no accident we're here tonight/We are once in a lifetime." 'Yet' is a ballad about relationship troubles: "It's when you're breaking down/With your insides coming out/That's when you find out what your heart is made of/And you haven't lost me yet."
     HELLO HURRICANE is a highly relatable solid rock record. I'm giving it a 90%.

THE PROVERBS GIVE IT AWAY

2011-04-12T13:36:00.000-04:00

     The Proverbs have been a favourite gospel music group of mine since I was less than half my current age of 37. In 2008 the group released their nineteenth album in forty-one years, GIVE IT AWAY. It was also at this time that Karyl Tymciw rejoined the group, joining core members Dave and Kathy Daw, her brother and her sister-in-law.
     GIVE IT AWAY begins with the upbeat, horn accentuated title track that suggests the only path to true happiness is to give of oneself: "If you want less lonely and a lot more fun/And deep satisfaction when the day is done/Throw your heart wide open and give it away." 'Come See Me' has a slow, country feel to it and is about a person who has a relationship with Christ and wants to share Him with others. 'Power in the Name of Jesus' is a powerful, moving ballad that describes the plight of a young single mother, the imprisoned, a widow, and a church needing revival. The following solution is offered: "There is power in the name of Jesus/There is hope, there is strength and victory to claim/There is healing in His holy presence/There is power in His Name." 'Ghost in this House' could quite easily be a Carman novelty song. It speaks of the fact that one never quite knows when and how the Holy Spirit will move: "It's a hidden mystery just when it will take place/But when it does get ready church, this place is gonna shake." Next up is Loretta Lynn's upbeat country tune 'Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven.' It reflects on our attachment to this world.
     'It Ain't Over when it's Over' is an happy gospel number that celebrates life eternal: "It ain't over when it's over/When that final day arrives/Oh this body may get colder/But our soul will never die." 'It is Well with my Soul' is given a beautiful acappella treatment. 'Great is our Reward' will please bluegrass fans and has great instrumentation. It is a lyrical rendering of the parable of the Sheep and the Goats. 'Even in the Valley' is an inspirational ballad. It is a song for the storms of life: "Even in the valley God is good/Even in the valley He is faithful and true/He carries His children through like He said He would." 'River of Jordan' by Jeff and Sherri Easter is done Johnny Cash style.
     'The Shepherd's Call' is a ballad about the Father heart of God: "Though I went astray/I never once left His heart." 'Walkin' with Jesus' sounds like a Happy Goodman's tune and is about life as a celebration with a sure heavenly destination: "Yes I'm walkin' with Jesus to that land so fair/Saints'll be singin'/Joybells ringin'/When we all get there." The album closes with 'God Only Cries for the Living' that reminds us when a loved one who knew Jesus passes away, they are at peace.
     GIVE IT AWAY is a solid contemporary gospel project. The vocals on this record are some of the best the group has ever produced. If you're a fan of good harmonies, you won't be disappointed. I'm rating this one a 85%. For more info on The Proverbs visit http://www.theproverbs.com/ . Also stay tuned to this blog in the coming weeks and months for further reviews of some of their newer product. Special thanks to Dave, Kathy, and Karyl.

UNTIL THE WHOLE WORLD HEARS

2011-04-08T14:02:00.000-04:00

     Casting Crowns are a staple on today's Contemporary Christian radio stations. In 2009 they released UNTIL THE WHOLE WORLD HEARS on Beach Street Records. 'If We've Ever Needed You' speaks of the dismal state we are in before repenting and turning to God: "You called us out, we turned away/We've turned away/With shipwrecked faith, the idols rise/We do what is right in our own eyes/Our children now will pay the price." The title track reflects on the spiritual warfare involved in winning souls for Christ: "May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise/Until the whole world hears/Lord, we are calling out/Lifting up Your Name for all to hear the sound/Like voices in the wilderness we're crying out/And as the day draws near/We'll sing until the whole world hears." 'Holy One' is a guitar driven, upbeat tune I could hear Newsboys doing.
     'At Your Feet' is a ballad that describes where every Christian should want to be: "Jesus, Jesus, at Your feet/Oh, to dwell and never leave/Jesus, Jesus, at Your feet/There is nowhere else for me/There is nowhere else for me." 'To Know You' describes more of the intimacy at His feet: "To know You is to never worry for my life/To know You is to never give into compromise and/To know You is to want to tell the world about You/'Cause I can't live without You." 'Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)' is a triumphant sounding Easter song, describing why we should want to be at Christ's feet: "Living, He loved me/Dying, He saved me/Buried, He carried my sins far away/Rising, He justified freely forever/One day He's coming/Oh glorious day, oh glorious day." 'Joyful, Joyful' is a playful, creative arrangement of the ancient hymn that would fit nicely into a Contemporary Sunday morning service.
     Three of the tracks fall flat. 'Mercy' and 'Blessed Redeemer' feature one of the ladies of the group on lead vocals. The songs are standard worship fare, with little to separate them from other worship artists. They also seem aimed at an older audience than the rest of the album. 'Shadow of Your Wings' finds Casting Crowns trying a Third Day style rocker, but Mark Hall does not have the seasoned voice of Mac Powell to pull it off. In fact, the song almost sounds like a joke!
     UNTIL THE WHOLE WORLD HEARS is a good adult contemporary album for the most part. Fans of Mercy Me and Michael W. Smith should enjoy it. I'm giving it a 72%.

STRYPER GOES UNDERCOVER

2011-04-02T11:55:00.000-04:00

          STRYPER is no stranger to controversy. Remember they were the ones who recorded TO HELL WITH THE DEVIL back in the day. On THE COVERING (2011, Big3 Records) they pay tribute to some of the bands who influenced them musically over the years. Yes, some Christian musicians listen to secular music too!
          There are three songs here that are somewhat controversial. 'Blackout' (Scorpions) contains the line: "What the hell have I lost my taste?" 'On Fire' (Van Halen) includes the following lyric: "Good God y'all I'm on fire." 'Highway Star' (Deep Purple) is about love for one's car and/or girl, and could make some Christians squirm with these words: "I love her/I need her/I seed her/Yeah she turns me on/Alright hold on tight/I'm a highway star."
         At least three of the tracks present life as a journey. 'Heaven and Hell' (Black Sabbath) is over six minutes and is a realistic, somewhat pessimistic look at life: "They say that life's a carousel/Spinning fast, you've got to ride it well/The world is full of kings and queens/Who blind your eyes and steal your dreams/It's heaven and hell, oh well." 'Carry on Wayward Son' (Kansas) is more optimistic: "Carry on my wayward son/For there'll be peace when you are done/Lay your weary head to rest/Now don't you cry no more." 'Immigrant Song' (Led Zeppelin) is about a journey to a new land.
         Tracks nine and ten are story songs. 'The Trooper' (Iron Maiden) is about a fallen soldier: "My body's numb and my throat is dry/And as I lay forgotten and alone/Without a tear I draw my parting groan." 'Breaking the Law' (Judas Priest) is about one who is down and out and desperate: "I've had every promise broken, there's anger in my heart/You don't know what it's like, you don't have a clue/If you did you'd find yourselves doing the same thing too/Breaking the law." In contrast, 'Shout it out Loud' (Kiss) is a party anthem: "Call all your friends in the neighbourhood/And get the party started (get the party started)."
         The album closes with a STRYPER original, 'God', which paints a picture of how hopeless life is without God. The chorus goes: "God have mercy on us/For we know not what we do/God, dark and blinded/We are burning/Without You God." I'm giving THE COVERING a 75% rating. Those who enjoy STRYPER'S hard rocking sounds and Michael Sweet's signature screams won't be disappointed with this one!

AARON GILLESPIE SINGS THE ANTHEM

2011-03-25T12:48:00.000-04:00

     Being a founding member of Christian metalcore band Underoath, and currently lead vocalist for alternative rock group The Almost, Aaron Gillespie is not the most likely candidate to record a worship album, but that is exactly what he has done with the release of ANTHEM SONG (2011, BEC Recordings). In the CD booklet he writes: "When time began God had a song; an 'anthem' if you will. It is a song of truth, life, and ultimate love, which was displayed to us through Christ...Our lives exist to grab a piece of this anthem, the piece God has carved out just for us and sing as loud and as hard as we can. He alone is worthy to be praised." Aaron aims to introduce worship music to kids who normally wouldn't be interested in it.
     'Washed Away' is about losing yourself in God: "God we need You so much, let Your glory fall like rain/Till we are washed, washed away in You Jesus/I'm washed away in You." 'We Were Made for You' is a pop/rock song driven by guitar and drums, and is about being sold out for God: "You are God, You are God/We were made for You, just for You/You are God, You are God/We will live for You in everything we do/You are God." 'You are Jesus' contains this simple yet profound lyric: "You are holy/I am dirty/In You I am made clean/You are Jesus." 'All Things' is a pop number telling of how God can transform bad things in our lives into something great: "All things, all things are in Your hands, bright and beautiful/Wise and wonderful/All things are in Your hands."
     'Earnestly I Seek Thee' is a beautiful ballad that builds. It is about a desire for intimacy with God: "In life's troubles, sorrows and pain/Earnestly I seek Thee/Fill my soul with peace again/Earnestly I seek Thee." 'I Will Worship You' is slow and highlights a single minded determination to worship God no matter the circumstances: "When I'm losing, when I'm broken/When I'm sinking like a stone and it feels like I'm alone/I will worship You."
     Tracks 9 and 10 are perhaps my favourites. 'You are my Everything' is a straight up rock song with a pulsating rhythm and good guitar work. This style seems to best suit Gillespie's voice. 'Your Song Goes on Forever' is a ballad of praise: "Your song goes on forever/I will sing my part with my whole heart/Your song goes on forever/I will bless Your Name/I will sing Your praise."
     Overall, ANTHEM SONG is a pretty good worship record for a first attempt, though Gillespie's voice is a bit of an aquired taste. I'm giving this album a 75%. I recommend it to fans of Chris Tomlin and Paul Baloche (who co-writes on the album), and the worship projects of Michael W. Smith, Newsboys, and Skillet.

NATALIE'S LOVE REVOLUTION

2011-03-22T12:37:00.000-04:00

     Natalie Grant has one of the strongest female voices in Contemporary Christian Music. Her latest offering LOVE REVOLUTION (2010, Curb Records) is comprised of seven worship songs and five pop songs.
     The album opens with two songs about finding one's identity. On 'Love Revolution' she sings: "Fading/We're all fading/From who we've become and who we're meant to be/Dying/We're all dying/And wanna believe it's everyone but me/Oh great light of the world help us see/What can save us now." 'Daring to Be' sounds like pop being done by folks much younger than Grant, but she pulls it off. On it she sings of discovering who she is: "Perfectly safe and complacent/Those are the words Your love's replaced/With fearless and brave, and courageous/Yeah, that's who I am today."
     'Human' is a mid tempo number about making a difference in our world by sharing: "A little love, a little kindness, a little light in this time of darkness." 'Beauty Mark' has a funky groove to it and gets introspective: "Religious rock stars making a name/So churchified it is a crying shame/But I'll point the finger at nobody else but me/It's time to be the change we need." 'Someday our King will Come" has a rootsy Crystal Bowersox feel to it and is heavy on the percussion. It is a song of hope for those times when everything seems to be falling apart.
     The worship songs are quite beautiful and rich lyrically and musically. 'Power of the Cross' speaks of the transforming power of Christ's work on the cross: "Once a stranger, now a child/Empty, now filled/Once condemned, now reconciled/Broken, now healed." 'Your Great Name' magnifies the Lord: "Jesus, worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us/Name above all names (Son of God and man)/You are high and lifted up/And all the world will praise/Your great Name." 'Desert Song' written by Brooke Fraser, is about knowing who God is and who you are in Him, and about praising God "when triumph is still on it's way."
     I'm giving LOVE REVOLUTION a 78%. I recommend it to fans of the pop vocal stylings of Christina Aguilera and Rachael Lampa, and the contemporary worship stylings of Chris Tomlin.

BAKER'S HAWK

2011-03-18T22:18:00.000-04:00

     In 1964 Burl Ives starred as Sam the Snowman, narrating the Rankin-Bass cartoon 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.' He sang memorable songs such as "Silver and Gold" and "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas." Twelve years later, he starred as a reclusive animal doctor, Mr. McGraw in BAKER'S HAWK. There is some beautiful scenery and instrumental music in this film.
     Billy Baker, played by Lee H. Montgomery, befriends an injured, runt hawk and takes him to Mr. McGraw who lives up in the mountains and whom most people think is crazy. The two nurse and train the hawk, while becoming good friends.
     Another theme in the movie is justice. A gang of vigilantes with flour sacks over their heads does not like the way the law deals with criminals so they try to take the law into their own hands and run people out of town. Billy Baker's dad, Dan, played by Clint Walker, recognizes the danger of a self-appointed mob and as deputy seeks to bring justice in a more lawful manner.
     I recommend this movie to those who enjoy 'Little House on the Prairie', 'Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman', and the Benji movies. I'm giving it a 79%.

I'M FINE WITH GOD...IT'S CHRISTIANS I CAN'T STAND

2011-03-17T10:40:00.000-04:00

     I liked this book from the moment I read the title. I'M FINE WITH GOD...IT'S CHRISTIANS I CAN'T STAND was published in 2008 by Harvest House Publishers. It is written by Bruce Bickel (an attorney) and Stan Jantz (a marketing consultant) both of whom are believers. "Every segment of society has its members of the lunatic fringe. But Christianity seems to have a disproportionately high percentage of them." This quote sets the tone for this particular book which is a critique of Christians who hold extreme views of one form or another.
     The authors have a real problem with paranoid Christians, that is, those Christians who only listen to Christian music, only read Christian books, and probably homeschool. They avoid contact with the world if possible. This makes fulfilling the Great Commission impossible-that is, going into all the world and making disciples of all men. The authors also have a problem with Christians who think science is the enemy of God and that most scientists are trying to disprove God. They rightly point out that to be a Christian you should not have to believe that creation took place over six literal 24 hour days, or that the earth is a certain age. In addition, they point out that Christians have added to the fundamentals of the faith. No longer is it enough to believe that the Scriptures are inspired by God and inerrant, you also have to take all of the Bible literally, including the imagery used in the prophetic visions.
     Bickel and Jantz do a good job of debunking the prosperity gospel, mainly by using the life of Jesus Christ as an example. Christians are not all meant to be rich and live trouble free lives! Those who fixate on the end of the world and just when that will be are another target in this book. Rather than focusing on the end of all time as we know it, we should make the most of the opportunites we have in this lifetime to be a postive influence. Christians who make terrible movies that are subpar to their mainstream counterparts are not given a pass in this book either. Christian media should be just as good or better than secular fare, otherwise the world will write it off immediately.
     Christians who don't study their Bibles, as well as those who only have knowledge about God without having a relationship with Him are also put under the microscope. The authors spend a great deal of time writing about interacting with non-believers and those of other faiths. It is time we stop seeing these folks as our enemies, the authors believe. We need to learn to love all people and be ready to give a reason for our hope (that being Christ) when people ask us, rather than preaching at them.
     This is an important book for Christians to read. I recommend it to those who love God, but find it hard dealing with their Christian brothers and sisters because of their quirks and quarks. The Christian community could stand for the kind of thoughtful examination spelled out in this book.  This book also helps separate the fundamentals of the faith from our add-ons and subtractions over the years. Thanks to Heather Wight for lending me this book.

HAWK NELSON IS CRAZY IN LOVE

2011-02-22T13:21:00.001-05:00

     Hawk Nelson has gained the reputation of being a party band over the years, as was seen by their performance in 'Yours, Mine and Ours' starring Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo. Their pop, punk, and rock sounds will appeal to fans of Relient K, MxPx, and Simple Plan.
     On CRAZY LOVE (2011, BEC Recordings) their fifth studio album, the boys share more deeply about their faith lyrically, without sacrificing their fun sound. On 'Your Love is a Mystery' they sing: "God I messed it up again/I seem to do this all the time/Can You forgive me once again, or have I finally crossed the line?" And later: "You know my faults/You know my wrongs and You still love me." 'Skeleton' reminds us that our secret sins will find us out, and only the truth will set us free. 'Done Holding On' is a song of surrender to God: "I'm giving up my secrets/I'm giving up my faults/Telling You I'm empty/Should have known all along...The Son has come/I wanna be free."
     The title track 'Crazy Love' was inspired by Francis Chan's book of the same name. The song begins: "We're the ones who believe in the things unseen" and continues: "They say it sounds insane/We say we've been changed/By the power of crazy love/This world looks at us like we're ridiculous/Baby, it's all because of crazy love." 'My Next Breath' is a pretty ballad of acknowledgment: "I know that I am loved/Cuz You bought me with Your blood/I need You/I need You more than my next breath."

'Joanna' is a relationship song that asks some familiar questions: "Should I call or should I run?/Turn around or just move on?/Either choice I make I'm scared will still be wrong." The album, produced by Ian Eskelin, ends with 'Thanks for the Beautiful Memories', a song of gratitude to God for all the success they've had as a band. I'm giving CRAZY LOVE a 78%.

The deluxe edition of CRAZY LOVE comes with THE LIGHT SIDES (ACOUSTIC), an eleven song sampling of the band's earlier works presented in a more mellow fashion. 'California' is a fun song, with Beach Boys style harmonies and this neat play on words: "We'll never get bored cuz we can go boarding." '36 Days' is about being on tour away from close family and uses harmonica.

'You Have What I Need' sounds like a stripped down Billy Talent. It speaks to the fact that you have to give yourself away to truly live. 'Everything You've Ever Wanted" is a moving ballad about a kid realizing that his broken family is not his fault. 'First Time' comes across like a Great Big Sea tune. 'Head On Collision' features 'Na na na na' gang vocals. 'Take Me' is a beautiful ballad about a longing to be loved and cared for: "Please help me get from worse to better/Before these tears soak through this lonely sweater." I'm giving THE LIGHT SIDES (ACOUSTIC), produced by Steve Wilson, a 73%.

MESSY FAITH-DARING TO LIVE BY GRACE

2011-02-18T22:24:00.002-05:00

     Are you tired of reading books by super spiritual Christians who seem part god-like in their faith walk? If your answer to this question is yes, then I have a book for you. MESSY FAITH-DARING TO LIVE BY GRACE by A. J. Gregory was published by Revell in 2008. A. J. believes that in reality most of us stumble along the way as we strive to live out the Christian life. In other words, we are broken. She writes: "Let's be honest. Ours can be a messy faith. While most of us trudge toward the Cross with the best of intentions, our lives, at times, are not played out that way." She also states: "I'm sorry, but many holy rollers who have Holy Ghost experiences every three seconds kill religion, especially the Christian faith...We should be ourselves without feeling the need to look, act, and sound like the perfect Christian who has it all together all of the time."
     We often develop addictions that keep us from fully experiencing God. Bulimia was A. J.'s addiction, which she writes about. We may doubt at times, that God exists. We may doubt that He cares about us and has a good plan for our lives. We may doubt that God is all we need. A. J. shines the light on various ways we are broken. Our prayer life may be less than rosey. We may judge others. We may not forgive others. We may have bad thoughts.
     The good news is that God can work through our broken parts. The author writes: "I don't know how dark your night is. I just know that your dark places are not pointless. They are not devoid of God's hand of providence." She encourages the reader to "Watch as His light transforms you in ways you never imagined possible. Watch as beauty seeps through the holes of your faith. And watch as He divinely makes everything beautiful in its own time."
     I recommend this book to those struggling with organized evangelical Christianity and to those desiring a deeper, authentic faith in God. This book is written in a very down to earth manner.

PETRA GOES BACK TO THE ROCK

2011-01-25T13:19:00.003-05:00

     That's right folks! Petra is back and this time they're going as CLASSIC PETRA. BACK TO THE ROCK (2010) is a noteworthy release for several reasons. It marks the first time in 24 years that Greg Volz handles all the lead vocals. He largely helped propel the band to fame from 1981 to 1986. It also sees the return of long-time beloved and once dismissed drummer Louie Weaver. Other band members on this project are Mark Kelly (bass), John Lawry (keyboards), and founder Bob Hartman on guitar. BACK TO THE ROCK is being used to re-introduce Petra to the stage again. International dates are set to begin this Spring, and stops at this summer's Cornerstone and Kingdom Bound festivals are already planned. This tour will give many of us John Schlitt era fans the opportunity to see the Volz fronted version of our favourite band live for the first time.
     BACK TO THE ROCK consists of ten remade Petra classics and 2 new songs. Bob Hartman's signature rock guitar work and solos standout throughout this album. Fans of previous projects such as WAKE UP CALL and JEKYLL AND HYDE will appreciate this. Hartman is one of CCM's best guitarists. Of the remakes, three of my favourites are 'Angel of Light', 'Godpleaser', and 'Adonai'. They are full of energy and spiritual passion, as well as encouragement to live the Christian life. 'Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows' looks at the state of the church: "Another sleepy Sunday safe within the walls/Outside a dying world in desperation calls/But no one hears the cries or knows what they're about/The doors are locked within, or is it from without?"
     What of the 2 new tracks? 'Back to the Rock' is a reworking of the song 'The Rock' from Greg Volz's 2009 GOD ONLY KNOWS solo project. It reminds us we ought build our lives upon a firm spiritual foundation so we have staying power when we face the storms of life. 'Too Big to Fail' speaks of God being all powerful: "He stretched forth the heavens and He laid the foundations of the earth/All glory and honor and praise/To the One who lives and reigns."
     Two more CD's are planned already, with the third said to be all new material. It truly is a blessed time to be a Pethead! For more info visit http://www.classicpetra.com/ or http://www.thepetrazone.net/.

SMITTY'S WONDERFUL ALBUM

2011-01-18T12:48:00.001-05:00

     Michael W. Smith is one of the trailblazing male vocalists of Contemporary Christian Music. Musically, his latest offering WONDER (2010, Reunion Records) will appeal more to his long time fans who have aged with him, more than to a teen audience. There are some standout pop numbers here, but they tend to be of the lighter fare.
     Looking at the lyrics, the album could just as well have been called HOPE. 'I'll Wait for You' is about those times when God doesn't seem quite as close to us: "Now I lie awake at night/Tryin' not to think/But these are the hardest times I've ever seen/I'm still holdin' on." 'One More Time' picks up the theme: "When your destiny is out there in the distance/But the road ahead's a mine field in disguise/And you keep on moving/You just keep on moving/You will make it through this." 'Rise', a song that could just as well have been penned by Robert H. Schuller or Joel Osteen, nails home the point: "Stand upon the waves/And walk with me/Journey through the door/Come see what I can see/All the reasons we were made/Who we were meant to be/Rise, He's calling you to go."
     The other two themes on the record are a love for God, and a love for his wife Debbie. 'Take my Breath Away' finds him in awe of God: "See me, all I am/These empty hands/Are all I can give/That You would die so I'd live/Your sacrifice I can't believe/You fascinate." 'Take me Over' is a piano ballad: "With just a glimpse of Your face/All my fears melt away/Lost within Your embrace/I'm pouring out all my admiration/Jesus, Jesus/Take me over now/I surrender/Everything I have, I lay it down/All of me."
     Michael whispers 'sweet nothings' to his wife on 'Forever Yours': "Come walz with me through the twilight/And we will dance as seasons pass/We move together." On 'You Belong to Me', he sings: "Oh girl, you are more than beautiful/How can it be that you belong to me."
     WONDER is one of Smitty's stronger albums of late. It is a seasoned, mature effort. I'm giving it an 85%.

LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS

2011-01-14T18:59:00.001-05:00

     Nick Vujicic was born without arms and legs. What would you do in that situation? In his book LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS (2010, Doubleday), Nick reveals his reaction and so much more. Before I say anything else, let me say that I found this book very challenging. It could take a lifetime putting some of the lessons into practice to master them.
     Much like televangelist Robert H. Schuller, Nick believes you must believe in yourself. You must believe God has a wonderful plan for your life. You were created for a purpose. No matter how bleak your situation may look and no matter how cruddy your circumstances may be, you can have a bright future. This alone is a hard concept for me to grasp with my anxiety and depression issues sometimes. I do believe it though. Nick is onto something here. When things look hopeless or when times are particularly tough, we must keep pressing on. One thing Nick encourages readers to do is to have an attitude of gratitude. Be thankful for the things you do have. Eagerly anticipate and be thankful for the good that is to come in your life. Vujicic also says a key to moving out of times of despair is to reach out and help others through their tough times. Again, easier said than done!
     Nick believes if you are going to have a fulfilling life you have to be willing to take risks as you pursue your passions and dreams. It is also important to surround yourself with people who are supportive of you.
     In the book, Nick shares how he moved from feeling terrible about himself, to now speaking words of inspiration in front of thousands of people. He writes candidly about facing his fears head on. It is evident throughout the book that this Australian born 'bloke' has a great sense of humour. Nick shares how he has fun poking fun at himself. He also shares how he has worked hard to become as independent as possible, though he still uses caregivers. Amazingly, he writes how he feels other people have worse hands of cards than he does in life. He talks of situations of dire poverty he has seen overseas for example.
     If you are looking for a highly inspirational book from the viewpoint of positive Christianity, this is the book for you. If you are looking for something deep theologically, try something else.

WHO NEEDS SABBATH?

2010-12-20T21:17:00.000-05:00

     Who needs Sabbath? Isn't it an outdated concept from some old history book? Don't tell that to author and pastor Mark Buchanan. In his book THE REST OF GOD-RESTORING YOUR SOUL BY RESTORING THE SABBATH (2006, W. Publishing Group) Buchanan tackles the 'ancient' subject. In his mind we all need a time to rest. Whether you're a college student busy with papers and exams or a parent trying to take care of your kids and all that entails, it is a good and healthy thing to take one day a week-it need not be Sunday, and refresh yourself. God gave us Sabbath as a gift. Not only do we need to take a day a week to rest, we need to find times during our busy week to remember, reflect and anticipate. We need to reflect on who we are, who God is, what really matters to us. A main enemy of Sabbath keeping is busyness.
     The Sabbath points towards the eternal rest we will experience in heaven. If we experienced perfect rest here, we would have no need for heaven. Our citizenship is in heaven.
     Buchanan challenges the old idea of Sabbath being a time where you could have no fun. Not so many generations ago, you couldn't even throw a ball on the Sabbath. Buchanan says legalism then, is another enemy of Sabbath keeping. On the Sabbath he says, we should do things that aren't necessary and things that we enjoy doing.
     I have to admit I wondered how one could write a whole book on the Sabbath, but Buchanan has done just that and done it well. He is a skilled writer. If you find your life spinning out of control, with all your obligations and pressures pushing in on every side, I recommend finding time to read this book which offers solid practical advice on how to keep the Sabbath meaningfully, and find your center again.

Katy Perry - Firework

2010-12-18T13:14:00.000-05:00

I like this song and video because they remind us that each individual who walks the face of this earth is of worth. It doesn't matter whether you are athletic or uncoordinated, thin or heavyset, socialite or introvert. God created each of us with a purpose-to love Him and love others.
Back in 1999 Newsboys put out a song 'Everyone's Someone'. It includes these lyrics: "No matter who you are/No matter where you run to/No matter what you do/No matter what you're going through/When it all comes down, everyone's someone."
This mentality challenges the status quo when it comes to the popular train of thought today. The girl who sells her body, the guy who buys her services, for example-neither of them are worthless scumbags. They are beloved creations of God with great potential. The girl who gets pregnant out of wedlock, the guy who is the father-they are both loved by God. The top executive of a lucrative company, the unemployed and downtrodden, the gay and the straight. All are equally loved by God so we should follow His lead. Yes, when it all comes down, everyone's someone. And so are you!

SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD

2010-12-01T13:56:00.000-05:00

     Amy Grant describes SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD (2010, EMI) as a "collection of songs about the journey of life." The songs on this collection were written between 1982 and 2009. Four of the songs are from 1997. Amy writes: "I was asking a lot of questions about truth and reality in those last couple of years of my first marriage. With so much uncertainty in my life, music was a safe place to explore the landscape." Three of the four tracks from this period are co-written by Wayne Kirkpatrick. 'Every Road' is mellow, and like so many of Grant's songs over the years, could be addressed to God or a human love interest. 'Somewhere down the Road' is about the things we don't understand, and assures the listener that one day we will have answers to our questions. 'Come into my World' is a rough recording featuring just Amy and a guitar. It is about someone whose life is falling apart and expresses a desire for companionship during the process.
     Six of the songs are from 2009. The album opener, 'Better than a Hallelujah' is inspirational and speaks of how God wants communion with us: "We pour out our miseries, God just hears a melody/Beautiful the mess we are, the honest cries of breaking hearts/Are better than a hallelujah." 'Overnight' is a duet with her then seventeen year old daughter, Sarah Chapman, who has a pleasant voice. It is a song for the impatient and the weary: "If it all just happened overnight/You would never learn to believe what you cannot see." 'Find what you're looking for', co-written by Mindy Smith is a tune about how to treat each other: "Haven't we all learned the best life lessons/By falling and falling down hard/If we're looking for somebody's failures/We won't have to look very far." Two tracks, 'Hard Times' and 'Third World Woman' would have fit nicely on Amy's LEAD ME ON record.
     Also included on SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD are a 2010 version of 'Arms of Love', originally recorded on 1982's AGE TO AGE, and 2001's 'Imagine/Sing the Wondrous Love of Jesus' from LEGACY...HYMNS AND FAITH.
     Amy Grant brings a seasoned artistry to this CD. She also utilizes many talented performers including Vince Gill, Greg Morrow, and Chris Rodriguez. I'm giving this light pop release a 4.5 stars out of 5. Now 50 years old, I look forward to what she does next!

GOING DEEPER

2010-11-24T15:29:00.000-05:00

     Stephanie Israelson's DEEPER STILL is somewhat of a departure from her pop/rock album LEAD ME THERE released two years earlier in 2007. DEEPER STILL is decidedly a modern worship project, produced, mixed, and mastered by Andrew Horrocks in Kitchener, Ontario.
     Stephanie is the reigning Covenant Award Female Vocalist of the Year and one listen of this album reveals why. The album kicks off with 'Reign in me', an upbeat song of surrender featuring good guitar work. This is followed by a great, contemporary worship number 'Call on You' that evidences a fundamental confidence in God: "I will call and You will answer/You will be the light that shines upon my face/Your hand will guide me through the day." 'Mighty is Your Name' sounds celebratory and finds her in love with her God: "Mighty is Your Name above all others/I will celebrate You Lord/Mighty is Your Name/And I will praise and love You evermore." 'Alleluia', a radio single, is a ballad shining more light on why Stephanie is in love with God: "You are just and holy God and You see me through the blood/You have cleansed me from all sin and You overflow my cup."
     At least three songs look forward to the second coming of Christ, a theme too oft neglected in today's CCM. 'The Waiting' is a beautiful ballad acknowledging that we have to endure suffering before our Lord appears. 'Ageless One' pledges: "We will watch and pray awaiting Your return/Let us not grow faint/It's for You that we yearn." 'We Cry Out' has a more traditional feel to it to begin with, but then builds. I could hear Crystal Lewis singing it. It declares: "We're only here to tell the world about Your grace/Until the day You take us all away."
     The title track, 'Deeper Still' is a rocker that would have fit nicely on Stephanie's previous project. Co-written with Andrew Horrocks and Naomi Knoll, it is about taking one's relationship with God to the next level: "Launch me out into the deep/Spirit take me/I will go deeper still in You/In You." The only weak spot on the album is track seven 'I Will Tell'. It is quite simplistic lyrically and seems better suited to a kid's praise project.
     All in all, this is a modern sounding record that I would recommend especially for 18-40 year olds. It is clear that not only does Stephanie Israelson have a great voice, but she has a vibrant, loving relationship with her Heavenly Father as well. I look forward to the next chapter in her recording career. Thanks to David C. Cook Distribution Canada for carrying this release.

WHERE IS GOD WHEN IT HURTS

2010-11-16T13:07:00.000-05:00

     With Christmas less than six weeks away the subject of this book, namely pain and suffering, is quite relevant today. Philip Yancey's WHERE IS GOD WHEN IT HURTS was first published in 1977 by Zondervan Publishing House. The copy I read was a revised and expanded edition put out in 1990.
     Yancey writes: "Many suffering people want to love God, but cannot see past their tears. They feel hurt and betrayed. Sadly, the church often responds with more confusion than comfort." Some have rejected Christianity because pain and evil exist. Some see pain as 'God's one mistake.' I like the following quote: "I have never read a poem extolling the virtues of pain, nor seen a statue erected in its honor, nor heard a hymn dedicated to it." Suffering calls into question our most basic beliefs about God. Nietzche said: "It is not so much the suffering as the senselessness of it that is unendurable."
     The author believes that pain is valuable in that it tells us something is wrong and thus, is a doorway to recovery. Much suffering he believes, is a result of the fall of humankind. In the Bible, both God and Satan cause suffering. In addition people in Scriptures have to endure painful consequences for their sinful actions. There are times in Scripture though when people suffer and it is not because of something they have done.
     Yancey proposes that we need to focus less on why we suffer and more on our response to suffering. James 1:2-4 makes it clear that we are to count it all joy when we face trials. You don't have to be joyful about what you are going through, but rather, be joyful about what it can bring about in your life-things such as perserverance, strength, and character. Yancey writes: "Where is God when it hurts? He is in us-not in the things that hurt-helping to transform bad into good." We can have hope in the midst of our trials: "Hope means simply the belief that something good lies ahead. It is not the same as optimism or wishful thinking, for these imply a denial of reality." Hope is more like courage than cheerfulness.
     Yancey says there is no avoiding pain and suffering in this world: "The cross of Christ may have assured the final outcome, but battles remain for us to fight." Christ took on all our pain at the cross and we should take comfort in that: "The surgery of life hurts. It helps me, though, to know that the surgeon Himself, the Wounded Surgeon, has felt every stab of pain and every sorrow." When Christ ascended into heaven after rising from the dead, He left us the Holy Spirit to comfort us.
     On a practical note, Yancey makes a strong case that we are to bear each other's burdens. This is something the modern church needs to make a priority. John Donne said: "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." Yancey writes: "Today, if I had to answer the question 'Where is God when it Hurts?' in a single sentence, I would make that sentence another question: 'Where is the church when it Hurts?' We form the front line of God's response to the suffering world."
     Christians can be encouraged by the fact that pain and suffering are temporary. Yancey reminds us: "This is a groaning planet, and Christians expectantly await a world where every tear will be wiped away." We shouldn't be embarrassed to believe this. Our bodies will be transformed to 'be like His glorious body.' A secret to handling suffering is to nourish your spirit. St. Teresa of Avila said "from heaven the most miserable earthly life will look like one bad night in an inconvenient hotel."
     In this book you will find an examination of the suffering people endured during the Holocaust, as well as the story of Joni Eareckson Tada, who was paralyzed in a diving accident when she was a teenager. You will also learn how to redeem your pain.
     At Christmas, pain and suffering and loneliness come knocking ever the louder at one's door. Christians need to learn how to minister to those with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs, rather than ignoring them or distancing themselves from them. When Jesus walked upon this earth, He did not embrace pain with great joy. Rather, he healed many, and sought to relieve suffering. This is the example we should follow.

TAYLOR SPEAKS OUT

2010-11-07T15:48:00.000-05:00

It is not often that I give an album a 5 star rating, but Taylor Swift's SPEAK NOW (2010, Big Machine Records) merits this honour. The album clocks in at 67 minutes and 27 seconds and features fourteen tracks penned by Swift, and co-produced with Nathan Chapman. The following is my song by song breakdown:

1. Mine-This radio single speaks of a playful innocence: "Do you remember we were sitting there by the water?/You put your arm around me for the first time/You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter/You are the best thing that's ever been mine." The words flow freely off of Swift's tongue.
2. Sparks Fly-This song is joyful and about falling helplessly in love: "The way you move is like a full-on rainstorm/And I'm a house of cards/You're the kind of reckless that should/Send me running but/I kinda know that I won't get far."
3. Back to December-This is a ballad about regret: "So this is me swallowing my pride/Standing in front of you saying I'm sorry for that night." A good vocal.

4. Speak Now-This song takes place in a dream, and is similar in theme to 'You Belong with me' from her last album. Vocally, Swift sounds like Leigh Nash on this one: "I lose myself in a daydream where I stand and say/Don't say yes, run away now/I'll meet you when you're out of the church at the back door." A playful song.
5. Dear John-This sounds like Avril Lavigne gone country. It's about an unpredictable, unstable love interest. You can hear the ache in her voice.
6. Mean-This has a more traditional country feel to it. It looks to the day when she will make something of herself in the city despite naysayers.

7. The Story of Us-This is new country, and Swift uses her speaking voice on it a bit, to good effect. It's about the breakdown of a relationship: "Now I'm standing alone in a crowded room/And we're not speaking/And I'm dying to know is it killing you like it's killing me?/I don't know what to say since the twist of fate when it all broke down."
8. Never Grow Up-This one's done in a folk vein. It encourages young girls and teens to cherish their youth and their parents. It would fit nicely on Christian radio.
9. Enchanted-This song starts stripped down and then builds. It's about being infatuated and hoping that person isn't already taken.

10. Better than Revenge-I can see the crowds jumping up and down to this one. It begins with Swift humorously saying: "Now go stand in the corner and think about what you did." It's about a girl who steals other girls' guys: "She's not a saint, and she's not what you think/She's an actress, whoa/But she's better known for the things that she does on the mattress/Whoa/Soon she's gonna find stealing other people's toys on the playground won't make you many friends."
11. Innocent-This one is pretty and is encouraging to those who feel they've really messed up: "32 and still growing up now/Who you are is not what you did/You're still an innocent/Time turns flames to embers/You'll have new Septembers."
12. Haunted-This song has Swift throwing her voice a la Alanis Morissette somewhat.
13. Last Kiss-Is a ballad about when a relationship ends and one of the partners can't come to grips with it: "So I'll go sit on the floor wearing your clothes/All that I know is I don't know how to be something you miss/I never thought we'd have a last kiss."
14. Long live-Sees love set on a royal landscape and uses language like 'kings', 'queens', and 'kingdoms'. Sounds like a song of victory and puts me in mind of the Narnia movies and First Knight.

SPEAK NOW is a stellar work of art. A must have for your collection!

NEWSBOYS-BORN AGAIN

2010-10-14T14:21:00.000-04:00

     I have two initial thoughts after listening to the NEWSBOYS latest full length project with new lead singer Michael Tait, BORN AGAIN (2010, Inpop). First of all, this sounds neither like a NEWSBOYS record, or a TAIT project. It sounds like a fresh new band for the most part. Secondly, the album strikes me as being one of the most blatantly Christian albums lyrically I have heard in the Christian market lately. It is a textbook of sorts for the Christian lifestyle.
     BORN AGAIN leads off with the title track, which is a good rock number that describes what the process leading up to conversion can be like: "I found myself looking into the mirror/Knew I wasn't who I wanted to be/Was living life the way I wanted/But my eyes reminded I'm not free." 'Escape' is another rocker, this time about fighting temptation. It encourages believers with these words: "Press toward the Light/And the Light will ground you/Go with the flow/And the flow will drown you" and "Don't believe the hype/It's such a letdown."
     'One Shot' and 'When the Boys Light Up' are about sharing one's faith in Christ. The latter song also addresses those who thought the band was done when lead singer Peter Furler retired from the road: "All the doubters-I heard 'em say/Now the band's gonna fade away/But the boys are back for a second act." And that they are!
     'Way Beyond Myself' has a contemporary, techno feel to it, and features female vocals by Chanel Campbell. 'Impossible' feels like a R&B song, and lyrically will be appreciated by possibility thinkers with a Christian bent. 'Running to You' and 'On your Knees' are both melodic numbers about prodigals returning home to God the Father.
     'Mighty to Save' is a great cover song for this band, which emphasizes the Good News and shining it brightly: "Saviour, He can move the mountains/My God is mighty to save/He is mighty to save/Forever, author of salvation/He rose and conquered the grave/Jesus conquered the grave." The cd closes with a good cover of dc talks's 1995 hit 'Jesus Freak', with rapping duties handled by KJ52.
     Not only is BORN AGAIN a good pop/rock album, more importantly it encourages youth to give themselves wholeheartedly to Jesus. And this could start a spiritual revolution!
     I'm giving this one an 87%.

SWIMMING IN THE OCEAN

2010-10-07T14:05:00.001-04:00

     THE OCEAN is Bebo Norman's seventh studio project. It was released September 28, 2010 on BEC Recordings. It opens with a nice pop song, 'Everything I Hoped You'd Be', which expresses a desire for an intimate relationship with God: "Take me to the river/Lead me to the healer/Let it wash me over, oh my soul." 'God of my Everything', of which there are two versions on the album, one being more radio friendly, similarly petitions God: "Oh God of Heaven, come and hem me in/Gather the pieces that are broken/Show me the wonder of You again/Oh God of Heaven."
     'Could you ever look at Me' finds his voice sounding ragged. It is a ballad about how God is the center of his wife's world, and not him: "I hope you never look at me the way you're looking at the ocean/Cause in the sunrise I have seen I was never meant to be/The light of your world." 'The Middle' is a ballad about relational struggle that I could see Michael Roe doing.
     Two inspirational tracks at the end of the album are noteworthy. 'I hope you see Jesus' is co-written and sung with Laura Story. Norman's vocals are appropriately shaky on this one: "Instead of anger, instead of unbelief/Instead of weakness in the heart of me/Instead of a wounded soul that sometimes loses faith/I hope you see Jesus." Do I hear an "Amen" from the congregation? 'Remember Us' is a song of surrender to God: "When the light of day is gone/And our suffering is long/We lift up our needful song/To the Maker of all."
     OCEAN is produced by Bebo Norman and Jason Ingram. Ingram co-writes and performs on the album as well. I recommend this one to fans of light pop artists such as Sara Groves. I'm giving it an 80%.

HOW TO BE BORN AGAIN

2010-10-06T18:25:00.002-04:00

     I just finished reading HOW TO BE BORN AGAIN by respected evangelist Billy Graham. The book was published in 1977 by Word Books. That's right, thirty-three years ago! Of the new birth, Graham writes: "Some have thought of the new birth as a single event in time, while others use the term to speak of all God wills to do in our lives. Ultimately, there is a mystery about the new birth; we cannot understand everything about it, for our minds are finite." I found this to be an interesting quote. Graham points out that humans try to fill the void in their lives and souls with many things including fame, alcohol, eastern religions, and academics. Of intellectuals, he writes: "They would like to save themselves, because pride nourishes self-esteem, making us believe we can manage ourselves without God." What a grave error this is! Graham believes that we should not reject the Gospel just because we don't fully understand it. There is much in life we accept but don't fully grasp. He writes: "If the human mind could fully prove God, He would be no greater than the mind that proves Him."
     Graham tackles the question of the eternal destiny of those who have never heard of Christ: "I am convinced that when a man sincerely searches for God with all his heart, God will reveal Himself in some way. A person, a bible, or some experience with believers will be used by God to reach the one who seeks." This answer will not satisy everyone, but I think it is pretty decent. Graham believes there are false religions who will use Christian terms such as 'messiah' and 'salvation', so we have to be on the lookout. He believes, as do I, that there is only one way to heaven: "Nothing could be more grossly wrong than the old cliche that 'any religion will do, as long as you're sincere'." He reminds us that Abel brought God a blood sacrifice that pleased Him, while Cain did not.
     Sin is what separates us from God. It is 'living for self'. He writes: "Sin is like cancer. It destroys step by step. Slowly, without our realizing its insidious onslaught, it progresses until finally the diagnosis is pronounced; sick to death." There is hope though. God sent His innocent and pure, only Son, Jesus, who was fully God and fully man at the same time, to redeem us. Graham proclaims: "The only human hope for peace lies at the cross of Christ, where all men, no matter what their background of nationality or race, can become a new brotherhood." The resurrection of Christ is key to the Christian faith. If Jesus did not rise up after three days, then our faith is worth nothing, and is 'folly'. If we believe in this tremendous event there is much to be gained: "If you trust the resurrected Christ as your Lord and Savior, He will be with you when you die, and will give you life with Him forever."
     In order to come to Christ, we must repent of our sins and change our lifestyle. Johnny Cash is an example of someone who did this. Only God can help us do this. (Anyone who is a Christian knows this is a lifelong process in many ways in my opinion). When we become a Christian, we are forgiven of our sins, past, present, and future. We are adopted by God, and filled with His Spirit.
     To conclude the book, Graham prescribes three things to help a new Christian grow in their faith. These three things are spiritual food if you will. They are Scripture reading (the Bible), prayer, and Christian fellowship (church, small prayer groups, etc).
     Having been a Christian since 1986, I found HOW TO BE BORN AGAIN, to be a good refresher on the basics of the Christian faith. It was also a good reminder of how salvation works and what follows.

LISTEN UP!

2010-09-24T17:53:00.001-04:00

     Cindy Morgan's fourth album, LISTEN, was released in 1996 on Word Records and was produced by Brent Bourgeois. It begins with 'The Master's Hand', which is about reliance on God during life's difficulties: "You carry me through the hard times in life/Oh and You rescue me from the storms in the night." 'Moon Days', the rockiest song on this project has a similar theme. If it were to be covered by one of today's more popular artists, I'd choose Natalie Grant. 'To Fly' is a story song of sorts. It is a pretty ballad that finds her on a train imagining what it would be like to rise up above life's hardships and find purpose: " 'Cause in our hearts/We seek the part/God designed for us."
     The lyric for the title track 'Listen', was written by Cindy's father Cova Morgan in the 1970's. It is a plea for people to listen to the Gospel with their ears and their hearts. 'Gravity' concludes that we need God's help to believe in Him and that it is crucial that we believe: "Dear Lord, help us believe now/In the true light, burning tonight/'Cause we won't survive/If we don't believe now."
     'The Promise' is a ballad about the pain of divorce. At the other end of the emotional spectrum, 'They Say it's Love ("Stars")' is a jazzy, fun, pop tune about falling in love.
     LISTEN is a fine pop album. Impressively, Cindy wrote ten of the twelve tracks alone. Vocally at times she sounds like Tammy Trent. I'm giving this one 84%.

REAL CHRISTIANS (DON'T) DANCE!

2010-09-16T13:12:00.000-04:00

     I just finished reading John Fischer's REAL CHRISTIANS (DON'T) DANCE! which was published by Bethany House Publishers in 1988. Mr. Fischer is a Jesus music pioneer who used to have a column in the now defunct print edition of CCM Magazine. This book is relevant for today though it was written twenty-two years ago.
     One of his first main points is that we have made Christianity into a list of do's and don'ts. He says the things we should be focusing on, we aren't. These include envy, lust, loving our neighbours. That being said, he believes Christians should be known mainly for what they do, not what they abstain from.  He also believes that we have made the Gospel into something that makes us 'feel good, sensational, and glamorous', and furthermore we are materialistic. He writes: "...By and large, we busy ourselves making each other feel good. We're rich, we're full, and we're saved while two-thirds of the world is poor, hungry, and hellbound." Some of the most popular preachers today in my opinion are more into teaching 'self-help' and 'self-improvement' than sharing the true Gospel. We need to filter everything we hear from the pulpit as it may not all be correct. In addition, we have tried to make being a Christian 'hip', writes the author.
     Fischer delivers a couple more blows to modern Christians. He criticizes our attitude toward non-believers. I agree with what he has to say when it comes to Christians on the whole. Here are a couple of quotes: "The truth is, we don't love non-Christians; we don't even like them. They swear, they have different values, and they wear smelly bandages." "We have to get beyond being shocked and horrified by what we see in the world and get on with walking into it with the love and mercy of Jesus."
     Another point Fischer makes is that we have to live authentic lives in order to reach the unsaved: "Real Christians are marked by sincerity-the whole truth about themselves and the whole truth about God. Real Christians stand before people the way they stand before God-transparent and vulnerable. Anything less is a dressed-up Gospel." I don't know about you but the churches I attend (when I do) don't devote much time to public confession or at least admission of one's shortcomings. There seems to be an unspoken law that says if you were to admit you didn't have victory over certain sins, you'd be considered a second-rate Christian or possibly an unbeliever. Fischer also warns against thinking we know God completely. The way some Christians talk you'd think they spoke for God and knew His complete will regarding every minute detail of life. This is one of my complaints with the Religious Right.
     The last point I want to touch on from the book is that we have our priorities all screwed up. He notes: "Everyone seems to know what to buy, what to wear, what to see, and what to hear; but the deeper questions of who we are, why we're here, and where we're going have been buried under an avalanche of trivia". I think if we're honest with ourselves we don't spend near enough time on soul matters. The truth is we do have a soul and it will far outlive our physical bodies. That's worth thinking about. Where do we want ours to spend eternity?
     I recommend this book to those people who have been raised in a Christian home and are still following the Lord, or to those who wish to work out their salvation and what it truly means for how they live.