Music

Sharon Van Etten - Are We There

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There isn't a chance that I would pass up the new Sharon Van Etten album, Are We There. Her previous albums, Tramp and Epic, are great. I don't even need to preview the new album in order to buy it, but I know some of you do. Just watch this video for "Afraid of Nothing" and I know you will do what's right and buy this album. Looks like Are We There is a few bucks cheaper this week as Amazon's "Album of the Week."

Love Me Like I'm Not Made Of Stone

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Lykke Li has made a breakup album full of power ballads. And it's nothing short of amazing. I've liked Lykke's music in the past, but never really became a big fan. That's all changed because of her new album, I Never Learn,* and the standout song for me, "Love Me Like I'm Not Made Of Stone." Here's the video, which is simple and remarkable. The lyrics are also posted below. If you go to this page you can listen to the song free and repeatedly while perusing the lyrics.

Listen to this song for what it is, and then also think about it in the context of how we love our neighbors. 

*Let me give you a hint. You can buy the album on CD for $0.50 cheaper than the download and still get the automatic download as you wait for the CD to show up. If that sounds like too much trouble, just download. I think you will love it.

Saintseneca -- Dark Arc

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My new piece on Saintseneca and their album Dark Arc is up at Christ & Pop Culture: "Saintseneca's Dark Arc: Stripping Off The World's Varnish." Here's a blurb...

The entire album is a juxtaposition of style and substance. It’s subversive, kind of Banksy. I can’t help but think that this is similar to what the church should be doing in the midst of our consumer culture. We should be taking the shiny, happy things of this world and breaking them, showing they aren’t what we think they are. We should be stripping off the varnish, seeing through the luster. 

Go read my whole article, and please do go pick up Saintseneca: Dark Arc.

 

Stream New Manchester Orchestra

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Lead singer of Manchester Orchestra, Andy Hull, says, "Our mission statement was to make a crazy-loud rock record." That right there is what's so compelling about Manchester Orchestra's previous albums and why I'm excited about this one. Would love to hear your take in the comments.

Future Islands - "Seasons"

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This may be the most interesting performance of a song that I've ever seen. I've seen some wacky performances, but there is an earnestness to this that's compelling to me. Future Islands new album, Singles, has released to great reviews. Their lead singer, Samuel Herring, performs his songs more than sings them. If I can be so bold, he preaches his songs. Enjoy.