Music

07/13/2009

Music Monday 7.13.09

You need some good, cheap music...

Explosions in the Sky: How Strange, Innocence - $1.99
Coldplay: Parachutes - $5
The Beach Boys: Summer Love Songs - $5, 20 great tracks

Manchester Orchestra with "My Friend Marcus" (album Mean Everything to Nothing)...

Manchester Orchestra "My Friend Marcus" (Altpress.com Exclusive) from Alternative Press on Vimeo.

Curator: Writing About Music is Like Dancing About Architecture

Blitzen Tapper's video for "Black River Killer" (album Furr) is a little creepy, but pretty cool...

I'm still trying to figure out whether or not I want to buy the new Dirty Projectors album, Bitte Orca. It's getting very good reviews and I like some of the samples I've heard. Nice to get a full track to try out, "Stillness is the Move"...

07/01/2009

Review: Sojourn - Over the Grave

Over-the-grave-album-cover-300x271 For a while now I've been spreading the word about Sojourn Church in Louisville, Kentucky. It's one of those all-too-rare churches that understands both deep theological truth and creativity. Their influence is spreading around the web through Travel Blog, Sojourn Music (blog), The Open Sourcebook, and more.

I have almost all of Sojourn's CDs: Songs for the Advent, Before the Throne, These Things I Remember. They get regular play in my house, especially on Sunday mornings. We also use them pre/post worship at Doxa. They are unique in my collection because the music is so often unexpected. It's a different level of creativity. If I listen to Hillsong I'm basically listening to the same stuff as a number of other worship bands out there. They aren't bad. I like some of them. But they don't surprise me. I don't consider them all that interesting. Sojourn music always surprises me. It's always interesting. And it's a great example of how to be both theologically deep & artistic.

Sojourn's brand new CD is Over the Grave: The Hymns of Isaac Watts, Vol 1.  The first track, "Warrior," continues to blow me away. It's a most unusual worship song and wonderfully creative. Listen to it at Sojourn MySpace.

Honor and majesty divine
Around his sacred temple shine
Grace and might so long foretold
In crowns of glory, not of gold

Your hand shall find out every foe
And as a fiery furnace glows
With raging heat and living coals
They will feel your wrath upon their souls

Oh the warrior will conquer all
The world will fall before His feet

Molly and I had the privilege to be led in worship at the Baptist21 discussion at Sojourn last week. They played one of my favorite new songs, "Only Your Blood." Powerful.

Lord create my heart anew (Father come and make us wise)
Only you are pure and true (Lead us away from our demise)
Lord you are the remedy (For only your blood can set us free)

No bleeding bird, no bleeding beast
No hyssop branch no priest
No running brook no flood no sea
Can wash away this stain from me.

For only your blood is enough to cover my sin
For only your blood is enough to cover me.

One more song I'd like to highlight is "Refuge." This sounds a bit more simple, more like other worship songs you've heard. But that also might make it a helpful bridge to their more complex stuff.

I know my days are in Your hands though I draw near to dust
You are the God in whom I trust, You are my refuge.
So lift up your voice and sing aloud, and praise Him all you saints,
How wondrous is His grace, He is our refuge.

I also appreciate how Sojourn makes it easy for us by providing chord sheets for each song. Here's the track list...

1. Warrior (inspired by “Psalm 21” by Isaac Watts)  view the chord sheet

2. Living Faith (adapted from “Hymn 140” by Isaac Watts)  view the chord sheet

3. How Long? (Psalm 13) (inspired by “Psalm 13”)  view the chord sheet

4. Only Your Blood Is Enough (adapted from “Psalm 51, pt 2”)  view the chord sheet

5. Reveal Your Love (inspired by “Psalm 90, pt. 2”)  view the chord sheet

6. Over Death (adapted from “Hymn 17”)  view the chord sheet

7. Alas And Did My Savior Bleed (adapted from “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”)  view the chord sheet

8. May Your Power Rest On Me (inspired by “Hymn 15”)  view the chord sheet

9. Refuge (adapted from “Psalm 31, pt. 1”)  view the chord sheet

10. We Are Changed (adapted from “Hymn 95”)  view the chord sheet

11. Savior King (adapted from “Hymn 10”)   view the chord sheet

I wholeheartedly recommend you pick up Sojourn's Over The Grave. For now you can buy it at Sojourn's site. In the weeks ahead it should be available for download on Amazon, iTunes, etc.

06/29/2009

Music Monday 6.29.09

The King of Pop is gone. Say what you want after a life with many problems, the dude could bring it back in the day. Feet barely touched the ground.

You need to watch the brand new Avett Brothers' Tiny Desk Concert. Wonderful. This may be the greatest band in the world. Really. Also, new Paste article on them: Rockin' Steady Wins the Race. Resurgence and Matt Johnson has Thoughts on Music for the Media-Gorged in five parts now. Joe Pug is offering a free EP. Nice. I'm going to review Sojourn's new CD, Over The Grave, either later today or early this week. Look for that.

Last chance for some great $5 albums at Amazon. Available for one more day, Reformissionary Recommends these great albums...

One of my favorite new songs is from We Were Promised Jetpacks (great name). Here's "Quiet Little Voices"...

06/17/2009

Music - 6.17.09

A family trip to Six Flags, decided on at the last minute, derailed my Music Monday post. But I haven't forgotten you. A few nuggets.

First, major props to @tpgraham who twittered me last week to tell me about The Low Anthem's new album, Oh My God Charlie Darwin (download, CD). A real find. Metacritic has them at 80 which is really good. Here's "Charlie Darwin" (lyrics)...

I've really been enjoying the new, self-titled album from Other Lives (download only $5, CD). "Paper Cities" should be a good first taste for you...

Lastly, some live Beirut, "Nantes," (off of The Flying Club Cup) to make your day better...

06/13/2009

Lots-o-Links 6.13.09

Doxa Fellowship is moving our Sunday morning worship service to downtown Woodstock, the historic Waverly House.

Jonathan Dodson: Marriage Resources

Rain City Hymnal CD is out at Re:Sound, and on Noise Trade.

Matt Chandler on the role of men

Resurgence (Bob Thune): Is preaching killing your church plant?

Advance Conference MP3s

Art21 is on Hulu. Episode 1: Art in the 21st Century on "Place."

06/08/2009

Music Monday 6.8.09

Go watch the Great Lake Swimmers Tiny Desk Concert.

Paste lists it's 6 gateway jazz albums for rock elitists.

Love this new track from We Were Promised Jetpacks: "Irritable Majesty."

Silversun Pickups rock out with "Panic Switch"...

Doves were on Jimmy Fallon. Great performance and song. Sorry, I can't figure out how to resize it to fit better, but it's worth it...

Fan video of Grizzly Bear with Leslie Feist. Fun. If you haven't picked up their excellent album, Veckatimest (download, CD), you are missing out.

06/02/2009

Lots-o-Links 6.2.09

Molly profile pic Brief Molly Update: All is very well with Molly and her Chiari issues. Sleeping is pretty much completely normal. She is taking no meds, works out regularly, volunteers in the schools, etc. Life is pretty much back to normal. We are so thankful to God for His mercy and her health. For a while we thought there may be no more days like this. 

John Piper: The Pastor as Scholar

Resurgence: Re:Train (Resurgence Training Center) launches & Re:Sound (Resurgence Music) launching soon. Re:Bound (Resurgence Basketball Association, also known as The RBA) and Re:Lative (Resurgence Genealogy Project) still in the works.

John Frame: Questions to Ask a Film

Daniel Block: Gideon's Fleece

Jonathan Dodson: Confessions of a Failing Disciple

SBTS Towers: 3 Questions with Tim Keller

Art of Manliness: The Art of Summer Grilling

06/01/2009

Music Monday 6.1.09

Dude, it's June. You need some music. Amazon has some new $5 album deals. Here are some of the best...

Stream or download the Dark Was the Night concert. If you don't have the album, Dark Was the Night (download, CD), you need it. It's really good.

Manchester Orchestra's album, Mean Everything to Nothing (download, CD), has been burning up my iPod. Still blowing me away, especially as they continue to put out videos for all the tracks.  Here's the just released "I Can Feel a Hot One"...

And I'll leave you with the consistently wonderful Grizzly Bear with new high quality videos up. Here's "Cheerleader." More videos at Stereogum.

05/25/2009

Music Monday 5.25.09

Serge_gainsbourg You need good music downloads. Reformissionary Recommends Serge Gainsbourg's Histoire de Melody Nelson (download, CD). This 1971 classic gets perfect score reviews from Pitchfork, Tiny Mix Tapes, PopMatters, and The Onion, as well as a 91/100 from Paste (all via). It's only $5.99 and it's a stunner. By the way, it's all in French. More on Gainsbourg. Translated lyrics here.

On my iPod: Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing (download for $7.99, CD) is playing most of the time. Maybe the album of the year. Watch some Smoking Section videos at Rolling Stone. Lots of religious, church background in the music.

Go listen to the stream of the entire Dark Night of the Soul album (official website). This is a Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse album that may never actually get a release. At least at this point it's tied up with legal problems. I hope they figure it out because the album is spectacular. What makes it even more interesting is the involvement of David Lynch, who supplies a book of visuals. Here's a weird video intro...sorta...

Watch this great live performance of The Decemberists with "The Wanting Comes in Waves." Are you sure this is The Decemberists rocking out? Very cool...

And one for Memorial Day. If you haven't seen the Cactus Cuties sing the National Anthem, you are missing something very special...

05/18/2009

Music Monday Addendum -- The Blues

BigBoy Over the past years I've learned to respect and enjoy very different kinds of music.  Right now I'm learning to love the blues.  The main reason the blues are making an impact on me are some downloads available from Amazon called The Best of the Blues.  At 75 tracks per volume and with these amazing prices I hope you will find some happiness in the blues...

Music Monday 5.18.09

3542324991_2b9c19ee93 We caught a great concert last night in DeKalb with Sam Lowry, Frontier Ruckus, and headlining William Elliot Whitmore. Sam Lowry was not my style. William Elliot Whitmore was really great. But Frontier Ruckus was the real star of the evening for me.

I had never heard of Frontier Ruckus (MySpace, Wikipedia) before, and I didn't make any effort to know the bands who were playing before Whitmore. But the minute they took the stage, even before they started their first song, I was excited. It was because I saw a trumpet, a musical saw and a banjo.  Add to that an acoustic guitar, bass, and drums and you get a rockin' out performance from a young, talented band.  After viewing some online videos it appears they were without Anna Burch last night on harmony vocals. 

3543130990_3ec8c099d4 As I'm writing this I'm listening to their album, The Orion Songbook (download, CD).  Sometimes hearing a good live band before hearing their CD leads to a letdown. But I'm really enjoying this one.

So I want to introduce you to Frontier Ruckus. Enjoy a few videos...

05/15/2009

Save Paste

Paste Magazine is struggling financially as many magazines are. I think this one is worth saving. Click the picture to donate and receive 70+ songs including many live and rare recordings. A nice bonus. It wouldn't hurt to subscribe to Paste if you haven't already.

05/11/2009

Music Monday 5.11.09

Don't miss Steve Earle's new album, Townes, A Tribute to Townes Van Zandt. It's only $2.99 to download at Amazon today, and it's really good. Read more about Earle's relationship with Townes at Hear Ya.

I can't stop watching White Rabbits' new video for "Percussion Gun." It's really a simple video concept, but the execution is wonderful. I encourage you to watch in HD. The new album, It's Frightening, is out on May 19th.

New Grizzly Bear! Two songs on this video from their appearance on Jools Holland. Their new album, Veckatimest (CD), is out on May 26th.

The excellent Dark Was The Night compilation (CD, download) didn't end with a CD. They recently collected for a NYC concert. First, Bon Iver with "Flume" featuring My Brightest Diamond. Then a very cool, campy version of "This Land is Your Land" that's interrupted by Sharon Jones who takes it a whole new direction. It's fun, so enjoy!

05/04/2009

Music Monday 5.4.09

Music Want some free music?  Sure, no problem.  Here are a few great Daytrotter Sessions (3-5 songs each) from some great artists/bands: The Hold Steady, DM Stith, and Jessica Lea Mayfield. A list of all the free, downloadable Daytrotter Sessions. If you don't know about Daytrotter you will be shocked at all the goodness, so go get some!

We have to pay for most of our music, but we can rejoice that Amazon makes it easier to pay less. Here's a bunch of great albums to download for only $5 each. There are more at $5 than the ones listed here, but these are by far the best. I grabbed some, so should you.

Enjoy a couple of great new tracks from a collaboration between Burial and Four Tet. Stream them here. If you don't know Burial, the album Untrue is amazing.

DM Stith: "French film maker, Armel Hostiou, took this fragment of a pop song [Stith's "BMB"] and turned it into a deep, venomous, cavernous trip, like Lynch on downers, or Bergman on speed."  "BMB" is from Stith's very creative and dark Heavy Ghost, which is well worth owning. Love this video...

DM Stith - BMB from Asthmatic Kitty on Vimeo.

Bell Orchestre likes lightning, and I like their song "Stripes" (from As Seen Through Windows)...

04/29/2009

TGC/BoB: Art & Culture in Christian Blogging

Bob I was asked a while back to speak at the Band of Bloggers event at The Gospel Coalition conference, which was this month in Chicago. I was happy to go and be one of the eight panel members discussing being "Servants and Stewards" through our blogs.  Each panelist was given 7 minutes to answer a particular question on blogging.  Mine was "What is the place for art and culture in Christian blogging?"  Here's a general outline/recap of my talk. It always comes out differently than I write it down, but should still be helpful. You can also view the handwritten notes from my Moleskine that I used for my talk (page 1, page 2 - page 2 is really my talk outline and page 1 quotes that I referred back to).

---

*As I stood to talk I took a shot at my friend and co-panelist, Justin Taylor, who has yet to spent $9 on a domain name, but still has one of the best read Christian blogs in the universe. Justin, seriously, buy a domain name. :)

Context

1. Art - Beauty -- mention I don't have the time to explain a theology of the arts; assume the audience assumes it (later quotes should be an encouragement to look further into the arts)

2. Blogs -- mention that because we have different kinds of blogs with different purposes (pastor blogs, church blogs, personal blogs, family blogs, resource blogs, etc). I will explain what I do on my personal/pastoral networking blog and let the audience determine how to best blog on art & culture on their blogs.

3. Christians in general -- mention the need to enjoy, support, and create the arts; our blogs are a good place for us to do that

Abraham Kuyper quote, found in Art for God's Sake by Philip Ryken -- "Like God himself, we have 'the possibility both to create something beautiful, and to delight in it.'" - and I add "...on your blog"

Use the quote for a two part outline, in reverse. As we delight in and create art (and blog on it), we encourage others to do the same.

1. To Delight

Someone who delights in the arts is called an arts patron (observer, supporter, advocate). Use the questions from and Tim Keller quote in "Are you a patron?"

Questions:

Have you attended an arts event or venue in the last six months? (live music concert, museum or gallery, play, dance performance, independent film, etc.)

Do you have a favorite art form that you particularly enjoy experiencing and learning about?

Do you occasionally attend different types of arts events/venues, besides your favorite?

Do you have a favorite artist or arts organization whose work you follow closely?

Do you ever spread the word about a particular arts event or artist?

Do you sometimes look through the Arts section in newspapers or magazines?

Have you financially supported an arts organization or artist (outside of purchasing tickets) in the last year?

Do you know an artist, are you involved in his/her life, and are you actively supporting his/her career?

- The more "yes" answers = the better patron. Where there is a "no" it's good to stretch ourselves.

Quote:

"Christians cannot abdicate the arts to secular society. We must consume, study, and participate in the arts if we are to have a seat at the table. Whether it has a religious theme or strikes us as irreligious, we must be patrons if we are to have an impact on how the world interprets and responds to the arts. We cannot be wary, we cannot be afraid, we cannot be self-righteous. Christians must look, listen, read, and experience the arts if we are to lead our culture to renewal." - Tim Keller (via)

*As I mentioned I was going to quote Keller I took a second to mention my Tim Keller Resources page.  Then I told the attenders that they received a Tim Keller book in their bags (each received 10 books as a part of attendance).  I told them Keller's new book is very short and titled Unfashionable, which includes a lengthy epilogue by Tullian Tchividjian. As you probably know, attenders did get Tullian's book which includes a 3 page forward by Keller. People laughed. [By the way, get Tullian's book. Like it a lot so far. He graciously signed my copy after.]

How I delight in the arts at Reformissionary...

Music Monday: I use my enjoyment of music to fuel a weekly post on music, CD's, music videos, concert experiences, etc.  Illustration: recently at the Brandi Carlile concert my wife, Molly, for the first time heard the background singers because she could see them.  It was a learning moment for her. Patronage increased her appreciation for and delight in music.  Now the CD sounds different to her. As we blog on these kinds of experiences we will encourage others to become a patron and delight as well.

National Poetry Month: Each April I blog on National Poetry Month with numerous poems, poet highlights, videos of poetry readings, etc.  We can take advantage of nationally recognized arts emphases to become patrons and to encourage patronage.

2. To Create

"The characteristic common to God and man is apparently that: the desire and the ability to make things up." - Dorothy Sayers in The Mind of the Maker

"The primal artistic act was God's creation of the universe out of chaos, shaping the formless into form; and every artist since, on a lesser scale, has sought to imitate him." - Perrine's Sound and Sense

How I blog on my creation of art at Reformissionary...

Phriday is for Photos: The last few years I have taken up photography. While I've been a little too infrequent in my Friday photographs lately, it's been a staple at Reformissionary for a long time. When I've slacked I've gotten notes from friends and readers mentioning they've missed it. Because I'm creating and blogging my art, my readers have been an encouragement to me to keep creating. And through blogging my photography I hope I've encouraged my readers to create themselves.  Actually I can say that I have talked to several readers who have taken up photography because (at least in part) they have enjoyed my Phriday is for Photos posts. [One Band of Bloggers attender talked to me after the event and said he just upgraded from a Nikon d50 to d90, to some degree because of my blog. I'm jealous.]

Conclusion: A quote by Luci Shaw from her chapter "Imagination, Beauty, and Creativity" in The Christian Imagination (Ed. Leland Ryken)

"We were each, in the image of our Creator, created to create, to call others back to beauty, and the truth about God's nature, to stop and cry to someone preoccupied or distracted with the superficial, 'Look!' or 'Listen!' when, in something beautiful and meaningful we hear a message from beyond us, and worship in holiness our creator who in his unlimited grace, calls us to become co-creators of beauty."

Select art/culture websites:

Select art/culture podcasts:

04/27/2009

NPM09 - Music Monday Addendum

Andrew-bird2-thumb Andrew Bird is one of those musical artists that loves playing with language, and so is one of our great musical poets.  Here are the lyrics for "Measuring Cups" off his album, The Mysterious Production of Eggs (download/CD).

Measuring Cups by Andrew Bird

get out your measuring cups and we'll play a new game
come to the front of the class and we'll measure your brain
we'll give you a complex, and we'll give it a name

get out your measuring cups and we'll play a new game
can't have the cream when the crop and the cream are the same
liquid or gas no more than the glass will contain

when you talk about the hand of glory
a tale that's rather grim and gory
is it just another children's story that's been de-clawed?
when the tales of brothers Grimm and Gorey have been outlawed

i think they're gonna make you start over
you don't wanna start over
put your backpack on your shoulder
be the good little soldier
take your places now, cause we're all predisposed

measuring cups, play a new game
front of the class, measure your brain
give you a complex and we'll give it a name

when you talk about the hand of glory
a tale that's rather grim and gory
is it just another children's story that's been de-clawed?
when the tales of brothers Grimm and Gorey have been outlawed

so put your backpack on your shoulder
be the good little soldier
it's no different when you're older
you're predisposed
that's all for questions
now, the case is closed

Music Monday 4.27.09

Downloads
Deep Dark Woods - several tracks for free
Sufjan Stevens' song for Sofia Coppola - free
Andrew Bird: Armchair Apocrypha - $1.99, on my best of '07 list
Great Lake Swimmers: Lost Channels - $2.99, great new album
Metric: Fantasies - $7.99, really enjoying this energetic new album
Radiohead: The Bends - $4.99! Amazing deal, amazing music.

I can't embed it, but you need to go watch Manchester Orchestra's new video for "Pride." These guys can rock it out, so crank it up! It's the fourth video off their brand new album, Mean Everything to Nothing ($7.99 download, CD).  I can embed this live performance of "My Friend Marcus"...

Finally, a fitting video to M83's wonderful retro 80's sound and their track "We Own the Sky"...

04/20/2009

Music Monday 4.20.09

I'm really digging the new Metric album, Fantasies (only $6.99 to download). This song is a blood-pumper: "Help, I'm Alive"...

More great Neko Case from Middle Cyclone, here on Letterman with "This Tornado Loves You"...

Antony and the Johnsons album, The Crying Light, is really good. And this live version of "Kiss My Name" is just wonderful...

04/15/2009

NPM09: "This is Just to Say" Poems

The poem, "This is Just to Say" by William Carlos Williams is interesting in itself. It's an apology, sorta. More, it's an explanation of why it's easier (and at times advantageous) to ask forgiveness than permission. It's meant to be playful.

What makes it more fun is how people are responding by writing their own "This is Just to Say" poems.  Some of these are highlighted in the recent This American Life radio episode "Mistakes Were Made" which I recommend you check out. The author of the Somewhere in the Suburbs blog has also asked readers to write their own version of the poem.

First, the original poem by William Carlos Williams. Second, my poem, followed by others from elsewhere.

This Is Just To Say (via)
by William Carlos Williams

I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold

My attempt...

This is Just to Say
by Steve McCoy

I left
an insulting comment
on your
blog

when you
heartily
recommended the new
U2 album

Forgive me
I was already
logged in
and have functioning ears

Two from Kenneth Koch, poet (via)

Last evening we went dancing and I broke your leg.
Forgive me. I was clumsy and
I wanted you here in the wards, where I am the doctor!

(And...)

I chopped down the house that you had been saving to live in next summer.
I am sorry, but it was morning, and I had nothing to do
and its wooden beams were so inviting.

Carol (Somewhere...commenter)

I called
your new husband
by the name
of your old boyfriend.

The one
We thought
Would
Marry you.

Forgive me.
He was familiar
So jolly
And easy talk to.

04/13/2009

NPM09: Song "3 a.m." by Gregory Alan Isakov

This is also a Music Monday addendum, but whatever. My introduction to Gregory Alan Isakov was last Thursday as he opened for Brandi Carlile. More people need to hear about this guy.  I've been listening to him since Thursday and I like his songwriting a lot. Here's good music-based poetry for your Monday night during this National Poetry Month. I found some lyrics for the song with mistakes. Some I could correct, others still may not be perfect. I did my best. Enjoy!

Well, it's 3AM again, like it always seems to be
Driving northbound, driving homeward, driving wind is driving me.
It just seems so funny how I always end up here
Walking outside in a storm while looking way up past the treeline
It's been some time

Give me darkness when I'm dreaming, give me moonlight when I'm leaving,
Give me shoes that weren't made for standing.
Give me treeline, give me big sky, give me snowbound,
Give me rainclouds, give me bedtime just sometimes

Now you're talking in my room, there ain't nobody here
Cause I've been driving like a trucker, I've been wearing through the gears
I've been training like a soldier, I've been burning through this sorrow
The only talking lately is a background radio

You are my friend and I was a saint
And riding that hope was like catching some train
Now I just walk, but I don't mind the rain
Singing so much softer than I did back then

Well the night I think is darker, we can really say,
God's been living in that ocean, sending us all the big waves
And I wish I was a sailor so I could know just how to trust
Maybe I could bring some grace back home to dry land for each of us

Say what you see, you say it so well
Just say you will wait like snow on the rail
Combing that train yard for some kind of saint
Even my own self, it just don't seem mine

Give me darkness when I'm dreaming, give me moonlight when I'm leaving
Give me mustang horse and muscle, oh, I won't be going gentle
Give me slandered looks when I'm lying, give me fingers when I'm crying
I ain't out there to cheat you, see I killed that damn coyote in me

Music Monday 4.13.09

Brandi-carlile-2007

Brandi Carlile (MySpace) put on a wonderful concert on Thursday.  I attended with my gorgeous wife, who is a fine concert companion.  The Pabst Theater in Milwaukee was in good form, as expected.  I wish I could post a video to every song in Brandi's 2 hour set.  She played lots of stuff from her two albums, a few covers (like Let It Be, Folsom Prison Blues and more), and about 5 new songs.  One of her new songs, "That Year," was a highlight and I want to share it with you. The video (not mine) is actually from the Milwaukee concert, too. By the way, if you are a Baptist, like me, you will want to pay attention to her comments about being an "extreme Baptist." Always helpful to hear how the world talks about us. When she said "extreme Baptist" I almost went "Woohoo!" and then realized it was meant in a less than positive way. :)

A few bits and pieces. Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene has written and directed a 15 minute film for Feist's haunting "The Water." It's creepy and well worth 15 minutes of your time.  It stars Leslie Feist, Cillian Murphy, and David Fox. Check this interview with DM Stith. His album, Heavy Ghost, is a great 2009 piece of art. The third installment of Manchester Orchestra's "musical journey in eleven acts" leading up to the release of their new album, Mean Everything to Nothing (iTunes pre-order for $7.99), is available for viewing at MySpace. The video is for the song "I've Got Friends," and the song is available for free download.

04/06/2009

Music Monday 4.6.09 Addendum

Molly and I are going to see Brandi Carlile in Milwaukee on Thursday night at the Pabst Theater. It's going to be a great night. I thought I would put up a video or two in anticipation...



Music Monday 4.6.09

Ahh, more Beirut goodness for you. This is an excellent quality video of their 37 minute set at Music Hall of Williamsburg. I love the first song, "East Harlem," which Zach Condon wrote at 17 years old. If you don't know Beirut, start with their wonderful debut Gulag Orkestar. Enjoy "East Harlem." Watch the whole concert at BaebleMusic.


Watch the full concert at baeblemusic.com

Deep Dark Woods is one of those bands on my radar. I really like "Glory Hallelujah!"...

During this National Poetry Month, I want to try to use Music Mondays as a way to highlight the poetry behind the music. I wanted to start with Bob Dylan because he's, well, Bob Dylan. A favorite of mine is "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall." It's from The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, only $6.99 right now at Amazon. Lyrics are under the video so you can follow along.

"A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" by Bob Dylan (lyrics via)

Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?
And where have you been, my darling young one?
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains,
I've walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways,
I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests,
I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans,
I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard,
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard,
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you see, my darling young one?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it,
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it,
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin',
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin',
I saw a white ladder all covered with water,
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken,
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children,
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard,
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

Oh, what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
I heard the sound of a thunder that roared out a warnin',
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world,
I heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin',
I heard ten thousand whisperin' and nobody listenin',
I heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin',
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter,
I heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley,
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard,
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

Oh, what did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
And who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony,
I met a white man who walked a black dog,
I met a young woman whose body was burning,
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow,
I met one man who was wounded in love,
I met another man who was woundedin hatred,
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard,
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

And what'll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
And what'll you do now, my darling young one?
I'm a-goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a-fallin',
I'll walk to the depths of the deepest dark forest,
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty,
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters,
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison,
And the executioner's face is always well hidden,
Where hunger is ugly, where the souls are forgotten,
Where black is the color, where none is the number,
And I'll tell it and speak itand think it and breathe it,
And reflect from the mountain so all souls can see it,
And I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin',
But I'll know my song well before I start singin',
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard,
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

03/31/2009

Lots-o-Links 3.31.09

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Molly Update: Molly is very, very tired.  Every day she sleeps about the right amount of time and feels like lying down for the rest of the day. She can't nap well and never feels refreshed or energized. It's very frustrating for her. I regularly walk in the house or walk upstairs from my office and find her on the couch or in the bed. Her attitude is in the right place but her body just won't keep step. Calls to the neurologist and medication adjustments continue.

Links...

Curator: An American Beer Garden. If wishing made it so.

Listen free to the new Great Lake Swimmers album, Lost Channels, at Paste.

Seth Godin: Ignore Your Critics

Jonathan Dodson: Is beauty in the eye of the beholder?

Tim Chester: A review of Rob Bell's Everything is Spiritual

Donald Miller: Advice on writing from Stephen King. Unfortunately Miller spells it "Steven" which should be another piece of advice on writing. While we are on writing, what about cut and paste writing?

Kevin Gregg is the Cubs' closer, not Carlos Marmol. It's not as sexy to set up, but Marmol has been good at it.

Rapping flight attendant...

03/30/2009

Music Monday 3.30.09 Addendum

Paintings-bob-dylan Just found out several Bob Dylan albums are only $6.99 to download at Amazon.  Worth picking these up!

Self-Titled
The Times They Are A-Changin'
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Blonde on Blonde
Highway 61 Revisited
Nashville Skyline
Bringing It All Back Home

Music Monday 3.30.09

Manchesterorchestra Write this down: Manchester Orchestra (MySpace). It's not an orchestra, it's the name of a band. Their 2005 album I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child is only $7.99 to download right now.  They also have an EP, Let My Pride Be Left Behind, from 2008. Their new album, Mean Everything to Nothing, is coming out on April 21st (pre-order, pre-order LP with bonus CD). I can't wait! I have a feeling this album is going to be a stunner since the first three tracks I've heard have been outstanding. Download new song "I've Got Friends" for free. In the weeks leading up to the album they are releasing videos for the songs, really an eleven part musical journey. I have really, REALLY enjoyed the first two. Part 1...

View Part 2, "Shake It Out," at Spin.com (can't find embed code). Also see this this wonderful acoustic set by Andy Hull.

As most of my readers know, The Avett Brothers have been a favorite of our family these last few years. I continually get feedback from folks who have found the Avett's through Reformissionary and come to love them as we do. Some good stuff out there right now about the band, including articles by American Songwriter Magazine and Rolling Stone. They also have a new album coming out this summer called I and Love and You. Look for it. I'm sure I'll be talking about it as the release date approaches.

I love throwing more Avett Brothers videos out there for you, and here's a great live performance of "If It's The Beaches"...

And here's a little video interview with The Avett Brothers at SXSW by last.fm...

03/23/2009

Music Monday 3.23.09

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I found two remarkable quotes, from different sources, and realized they were from the same speech from Karl Paulnack about music. Here's one of them (via)...

I have come to understand that music is not part of “arts and entertainment” as the newspaper section would have us believe. It’s not a luxury, a lavish thing that we fund from leftovers of our budgets, not a plaything or an amusement or a pass time. Music is a basic need of human survival. Music is one of the ways we make sense of our lives, one of the ways in which we express feelings when we have no words, a way for us to understand things with our hearts when we cannot with our minds.

With that in mind, I present to you an obvious basic human need...Music Monday. First, Neko Case has a new video for "People Got A Lotta Nerve" off her excellent new album, Middle Cyclone (download, CD)...

DM Stith's Heavy Ghost (download, CD) continues to haunt me. The short, first track is "Isaac's Song." Here's the video with Stith's art, about the story of Abraham and Isaac. Put yourself in that story and walk with them into the forest with your father...


DM Stith- Isaac's Song from Asthmatic Kitty on Vimeo.

Some current Amazon MP3 deals you need to check out: M. Ward - Hold Time ($5) is brand new, The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America ($1.99) is great anthemic bar music, Radiohead -- The Bends ($6.99) is a nearly perfect album that everyone should own, and Alejandro Escovedo - A Man Under the Influence ($6.99).

03/16/2009

Music Monday 3.16.09

Music brain away News...

The new Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Beware, is getting good reviews. Sample it at Amazon. Review and song preview at Paste. It releases tomorrow (download, CD). Remember Radiohead's great performance of "15 Step" with the USC Marching Band?  Awesome.  Go watch the nearly 9 minute video behind the scenes.

On My iPod...

I'm listening to a lot of John Coltrane's The Ultimate Blue Train. You can still download it for $1.99 and I highly recommend it. Sale won't last much longer. DM Stith's Heavy Ghost (great reviews!) is eerie and wonderful so far (download, CD). The Pogues are perfect for St. Patrick's Day and a Shamrock Shake. Really, they are great any time of year. No question their If I Should Fall From Grace With God is worth a lot more than Amazon's $3.99 price! Our Sunday morning at-home music before gathered worship was David Crowder Band's Remedy. Only $5 right now.

Videos...

I grabbed the 2008 Missy Higgins album, On A Clear Night, because it was only $5 (still is!) and it's just the kind of music my wife loves. I'll be honest, I really like it too.  Here's a great quality live version of "Where I Stood." This chick can sing...

Don't miss this last video. Maybe the most important song ever made...

03/10/2009

Music 3.10.09

I missed my Music Monday post because we were gone most of the day and I just didn't care to put it together last night. So here's a little music on this rainy Tuesday in Chicagoland.

Neko Case is great on Leno. That chick can sing! Watch it at Hulu.

I'm very impressed with the online samples of DM Stith. His album, Heavy Ghost, has been released today (mp3 download, cd) and you can stream the entire album here.  Some who don't understand my musical tastes may be equally weirded out with Stith, but he's sounding brilliant to me at this point. Here's the creepy, haunting video for "Pity Dance"...

One more, from My Brightest Diamond. Not new, but new to me...

03/02/2009

Music Monday 3.2.09

Neko-case-for-blog

At the advice of some wise friends I've been listening to the free stream of Neko Case's new album, Middle Cyclone.  I liked her previous album, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. For some reason I didn't expect something this good from Neko to follow it up. Really enjoying it. It will be released tomorrow so today is probably that last day to stream the whole thing for free.  Wonderful (buy CD for $7.99!, download).

NPR's All Songs Considered thinks 2009 is already a better year for music than 2008. High praise for the new crop.

I shared the Avett Brothers cover of "Glory Days" on Wednesday of last week.  It was from a project called Hanging Out On E Street that includes other artists covering Springsteen.  Here's one from a dude I really like, Mat Kearney...

If you missed The Weepies $1.99 album, Hideaway, you are too late. I'm really enjoying it. Sounds a lot like a favorite band of mine, Winterpills. Here's The Weepies with "Can't Go Back Now"...

One last video, for fun. I don't watch Ellen. But I came across this by accident on YouTube and I thought it might be fun to share it with you...

02/25/2009

Avett Brothers: "Glory Days"

I just can't wait until Monday to let you know about The Avett Brothers' video where they cover Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's "Glory Days." It's a great cover...

02/23/2009

Music Monday 2.23.09

There's a lot of good new music out there lately, and my two most recent purchases are wonderful.

Beirut march of the zapotec Beirut's new double EP (download) lives up to my high expectations. The first EP, March of the Zapotec, is the kind of music you expect from Beirut, with lots of horns and emotion.

Holland, the second EP, is mostly the work of Beirut creator, Zach Condon, working under the alias  "Realpeople." It's electronic music that seems far from his Beiroots. Truth is, Condon's electronic music is very much at the root of Condon's musical background and a big part of his teenage years.  Pitchfork loves the EPs and has a helpful review.

Dark_Was_The_Night-Dirty_Projectors_480 Dark Was The Night (download) is a compliation for the Red Hot Organization that funds the fight against AIDS.  Compilations often look better than they sound and are too often only worth a few individual downloads.  The artist list for this 2 disc album made me believe it would be better than most, and it is. There are a few *meh* songs as expected, but as a whole it's a great collection of songs by some of the best bands and songwriters around.  I highly recommend it.  Check out this review, and the Dark Was The Night website for more.

If you haven't heard Bruce Springsteen's great song from The Wrestler (download) you are missing out on something special. Here's a new video for it (via)...

This isn't the best performance I've seen from The White Stripes, and there's a Marty McFly humm, but it's neat ending to Conan O'Brien's show finale (via)...

02/16/2009

Music Monday 2.16.09

Quick Hits: Indie labels win 50% of this year's Grammys. BOOM! Don't miss the $1.99 Gillian Welch album, Revival.  This is a GREAT album, and at well worth trying out for that price. Also check out these deals: Daft Punk's Musique Vol 1 for $1.99 is fun; Portishead's Dummy is tremendous, and only $5; and classic U2 is still only $5.99 an album.

Speaking of Daft Punk, this is always worth revisiting...

I've recently picked up Los Campesinos! Hold On Now, Youngster, and it's a playful and enjoyable album. Watch "Death to Los Campesinos"...

One more. After the backlash against Beirut last week, which I can only attribute to too much American Idol-atry, I have something from Beirut that sounds very little like the Beirut we know. Zach Condon has returned to some of his electronic roots on some tracks from March of the Zapotec (releasing tomorrow). Try out this one...

02/09/2009

Music Monday 2.9.09 Addendum

STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING. Trust me, I'm about to make your Monday MUCH better. Watch this video of Beirut on Letterman singing "A Sunday Smile" from their second album, The Flying Club Cup. Beirut's March of the Zapotec EP is coming out on February 17th. Woohoo!

If you don't own any Beirut, you need to. Download Beirut's albums immediately...

Music Monday 2.9.09

I know why you are here. You watched The Grammys and need some real music now. I'm here for you. But first, a diamond in the rough. Radiohead and the USC marching band was awesome...

Antony and the Johnsons new album, The Crying Light, is stunning. Antony sounds different than most anyone you've ever heard. But it engulfs you. It's a rare beauty. You must check it out. (Download is $8.99, CD is $10.99). Here's a video that really is just the song with the title. But I want you to hear this song.

I was born, A curling fox in a hole
Hiding from danger, Scared to be alone

One dove, To bring me some peace
In starlight you came from the other side, To offer me mercy

I've recently been introduced to the music of The Deep Dark Woods. Their album, Winter Hours, comes out in 8 days. Sample them on MySpace. And watch this video, if you don't mind seeing men in long underwear...

The last video is not about the music for me. But the video is very cool. Don't skip it!

02/02/2009

Music Monday 2.2.09

Music please

Since we have 6 more weeks of winter on the way, we need something to do to keep warm and shake the winter blues.  To that end I submit this post.

I guess I should start with an apology. I don't think I mentioned on the blog that Bon Iver's new EP is out, Blood Bank. I think I mentioned it on Twitter and Facebook. My bad. It's a wonderful follow-up to For Emma, Forever Ago. Only $3.89 for Amazon download. What? That's not enough to merit your love? Ok, how about 7 free live tracks of Bon Iver at the Rock & Roll Hotel in D.C. There. Now we can be friends again.

High quality Avett Brothers video for "Go To Sleep"...


The Avett Brothers - Go to Sleep, Live at Memorial Hall from Leon Godwin on Vimeo.

Here's some M83 with their wonderful retro 80's sound on Conan...

The Gaslight Anthem rocks, as usual, on Letterman. Love this song...

And Andrew Bird on Letterman is spectacular as usual...

How about we finish with a super-cheap download from Amazon. It's MGMT's 2005 Time to Pretend EP for $0.99.

01/26/2009

Music Monday 1.26.09

Boom! It's Music Monday!

I got Animal Collective's Feels (MP3 download) a couple of years ago. I found it weird and difficult to enjoy.  It's grown on me and I like it now.  The new album, Merriweather Post Pavilion, sounds absolutely glorious. The reviews are very good. If you are an MP3 downloader, you can get it now, and you should.  It's $8.99 at Amazon.  I'm waiting until tomorrow when the CD is officially released. You need to watch this outstanding video for "My Girls" off the new album...

Arcade Fire is one of the best bands in the world. I have no doubt about that. Here they are with what I think is their best song, "Intervention," at Obama's Inauguration staff ball. It's an in-crowd camera, but it turned out pretty good...

If you have never gotten The Velvet Underground's classic album, Loaded, it's only $6.97 as an Amazon MP3 download. It's a great album. Pitchfork gives it 10/10 and says "there's no excuse for not owning this album." Get it.

01/19/2009

Music Monday 1.19.09

New Beirut.  Zach Condon and the boys are headed toward a Mexican sound.  Very cool.  New video...

Fleet Foxes were on SNL...

I've been looking into some new stuff. I found Ezra Furman and the Harpoons through Filmspotting. I like their sound (MySpace). Joe Thorn has led me to Isis (MySpace). I like them so far, as does Pitchfork (also). After discovering my need, Cameron Mizell threw me a copy of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska. Awesome! Thanks Cameron. It will help me practice (fool around) with my harmonica.

Amazon MP3 downloads worth checking out:$5 --> Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack & Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.  $1.99 --> R.E.M's Automatic for the People.

01/12/2009

Music Monday 1.12.09

I've enjoyed everything I've heard from the dreary and dark Woven Hand. Biblically and theologically haunting music/lyrics. Check this Tiny Desk Concert.

Here's a video (not great quality) of Jeff Tweedy, some Radiohead guys, and Liam Finn playing Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees."  Because of the quality, it will probably only be really enjoyable for folks who already love Tweedy/Radiohead/Finn or who have "Fake Plastic Trees" streaming constantly running through their heads (like me).  But as a fan of all, it's very cool. (via)

The Black Cab Sessions are always fun, and a great way to find new-to-you artists or some of your favorites singing newer songs. Ryan Adams...

I've been discovering some 2008 albums that are high on 'best of' lists but I hadn't heard.  I mentioned Welcome Wagon last week, but now I have video...

Ra Ra Riot is a ton of fun. Try them out at Daytrotter and enjoy this Letterman appearance...

Let me end with The Gaslight Anthem.  Matt Redmond commented on my blog last week, curious about what I think of The Gaslight Anthem. Having never heard of them I checked their MySpace and loved it.  Pitchfork does too. Early Springsteenish.  The title track is really great and I want to share it with you. Check the lyrics as you listen/watch...

01/05/2009

Music Monday 1.5.09

Artist_banner_welcomewagon My buddy, Kevin Cawley, has listed his favorite 20 albums of 2008.  Some good stuff on there, including The Welcome Wagon.  I totally missed this album and just ordered it online because I love their stuff at MySpacePaste has a nice article.  Sufjanesque sound.  From their label, Asthmatic Kitty...

The Welcome Wagon is a married couple, the Reverend Thomas Vito Aiuto and his wife Monique, who execute a genre of gospel music that is refreshingly plain. Their hymns are modest and melodic takes on a vast history of sacred song traditions, delivered with the simple desire to know their Maker—and to know each other—more intimately.

Bon Iver covers The Outfield's 1985 hit "Your Love." Cooler than cool...p>

Alaska in Winter with "Berlin." Crank it!

If you like Conor Oberst, and you should, then you probably will like David Dondero's Tiny Desk Concert. For a taste, here's his video for "Rothko Chapel." You may want the lyrics nearby.

12/31/2008

Good n Cheap Music

Amazon's Top 2008 MP3 Albums for $5 sale is a good one.  Five of my top 21 are there (Bon Iver - #1, Portishead - #2, Fleet Foxes - #8, Cut Copy - #10, and Vampire Weekend - #12) as well as several others I'd recommend and a few I'd like to check out (like M83, Calexico, The Hold Steady, She & Him, TV on the Radio, and others). A few other good deals: Liam Finn - #5: $5.99, Elbow - #11 = $7.99.

12/30/2008

Lots-o-Links 12.30.08

Brief Molly Update: Mayo Clinic has turned Molly away.  Twenty minutes before leaving for my Dad's house for Christmas Molly received the letter saying that they turn down a lot of people and that Molly isn't a good candidate for an appointment.  Essentially they don't think they would find a solution to Molly's Chiari issues.  Maybe it's because they know Molly's surgeon is already a recognized expert and he would know more than they would. Dunno. We can appeal that decision by sending any info that may change their minds.  I don't know that we have anything like that.  Still looking into it, and other options.  Molly has been sleeping a lot better with her new sleep meds.  Glad for that.

Two quick prayer requests...

  • David Wayne (JollyBlogger) has colon cancer and is now home after surgery.
  • A good friend and pastor, Shawn Kemp (no, not that one), has to go 3 weeks without talking: "I have a cyst on my vocal cord. I have to go without talking for three weeks in an attempt to let it heal. If it doesn't heal, I will have to have surgery to remove it....there is a risk that it would leave me permanently hoarse."

Links...

Run to Amazon to download The 99 Most Essential Beethoven Masterpieces for $1.99.  World class orchestras and artists in this collection.  I'm listening to it now and it's wonderful.  C'mon, 2 bucks!  Go get it now because the SALE ENDS TODAY!

2009 is the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, so decorate your church stage with tulips!  Or maybe make it a year of reading Calvin.  Here's a year through the Institutes reading guide.  The Reformation 21 guys are blogging through Calvin's Institutes in 2009 (You can request a reading schedule).  John Piper's new book John Calvin and His Passion for the Majesty of God is officially released tomorrow.  Piper's pastor's conference message on Calvin is also worth a listen (or re-listen).

I don't think I've linked to this yet (and it's late), but Tim Keller had a Christmas article in Christianity Today: "The Advent of Humility."

JD Greear:

Todd Hiestand: Books of 2008 - Leadership

Barnabas Piper: 22 things I admire about my parents on their 40th anniversary

Tim Chester has a new book coming out - The Ordinary Hero: Living the Cross and Resurrection

Virtual church leader hangout at www.churchstaffbreakroom.com

The year in photographs - 2008

12/29/2008

Music Monday: Best Songs of 2008

45_rpm_record Here are my best 21 songs of 2008, each with a lyric snip and brief comments. I have an iMix of my Best Songs of 2008, though iTunes missed 2 tracks (#6 & #15).  I'm trying to fix it, but not sure if I can.  Shoot, you can search for them. C'mon! 

I have to say this list was nearly impossible to form.  It's easier to pick favorite tracks from albums.  I like different songs during different moods, at different times of the day, etc.  I should also add that great albums don't always produce the most or best stand-alone tracks.  So while my Best Albums of 2008 list often coincides with this one, that isn't always the case.  So here's my list of the Best Songs of 2008, starting with honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order): "You're Not Broken" and "Baker Lake" by Sera Cahoone, "Wucan" by Black Mountain, "American Hearts" by AA Bondy, "Tornado Longing for Freedom" by The Music Tapes, "My Backwards Walk" by Frightened Rabbit, "Godspeed" by Jenny Lewis, "Nine in the Afternoon" by Panic! at the Disco, "Old Enough" by The Raconteurs, "For Emma" by Bon Iver, "Soul on Fire" by Spiritualized

21. "Out There on Thin Ice" by Cut Copy -- "If that's what it takes, then don't let it tear us apart, even if it breaks your heart." -- Fun and relational. What? Yeah, fun.

20. "The Rip" by Portishead -- "Through the glory of life, I'm scattered on the floor, disappointed and sore." Starts sad and introspective and rolls into a cool synthesizer (not an oxymoron).  And of course it's trippy, it's Portishead.

19. "The Snow Leopard" by Shearwater -- "Well, i've had enough, wasting my body, my life. I'll come away, come away from the shallows." I don't know what this song is about (more here?). But it's beautiful and a bit enchanting to me.

18. "Furr" by Blitzen Trapper -- "And now my fur has turned to skin. And I've been quickly ushered in to a world that I confess I do not know. But I still dream of running careless through the snow." I see this as a coming-of-age story of a young man who loses ties with mom and runs wild until he meets a girl, who tames him.  Love it.

17. "White Winter Hymnal" by Fleet Foxes -- "And, Michael, you would fall and turn the white snow red as strawberries in the summertime." No idea what this song is about, or if they intend to say anything. Whatever. Gorgeous.

16. "Lost Coastlines" by Okkervil River -- "And every night finds us rocking and rolling on waves wild and wide, well we have lost our way, nobody`s gonna say it outright." Boundaries? Morality? Politics? What it means to tour as a band? A great song featuring both Will Sheff and Jonathan Meiburg on vocals.

15. "The Wolves (Act I and II) by Bon Iver -- "Someday my pain, someday my pain will mark you." I'm a sucker for a slow build. Sadness. Mourning. Love lost. Icy cold in a grey world. This was stunning in concert. It still gives me shivers.

14. "I'm Alright Now" by David Ford -- "And television is just some weak anesthetic to numb the senses til you're out like a light. Like all these drugs they seem to promise you the earth and then they don't keep you warm in the night." Ford knows he is seriously flawed, yet holds a sense of hope.

13. "On the Death of the Waters" by Shearwater -- "Turn your bow to the biggest wave, but your angel's on holiday and that wave rises slowly and breaks." First delicate, then in your face, and then hyper-delicate. True Shearwater. 

12. "One Day Like This" by Elbow -- "So throw those curtains wide! One day like this a year'd see me right!" Feel good song of the year. Easily. "Cause holy cow, I love your eyes."

11. "Song for the Road" by David Ford -- "For this evening i will play back every message that you sent so i can sleep to the sound of your voice." Titled well, it's about Ford missing his girl while on the road. A truly lovely song that almost hurts with longing.

10. "Only as the Day is Long" by Sera Cahoone -- "All my insecurities are breakin' me up inside. You light another cigarette and my eyes are on fire." I think this is about a crappy relationship. Sera's voice is haunting to me. 

9. "Bob" by Drive-By Truckers -- "Bob ain't light in the loafers, he might kneel but he never bends over." A descriptive song about a single man who lives life his own way. It's not an appealing lifestyle, but we've all probably met "Bob" before.

8. "Grounds for Divorce" by Elbow --"There's a hole in my neighborhood down which of late I cannot help but fall." <<< Tremendous lyric.  A rocking song worth an upgraded subwoofer.

7. "Murder in the City" by The Avett Brothers --"Always remember, there is nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name." A quiet, simple acoustic ballad about family, fathers and brothers.

6. "Wise Man" by Liam Finn --"He's a coloring in book that's been all colored in." Is this John Lennon? Holy cow. I play this one over and over. A fun beat and curious lyrics.  About his dad? The transition from father to son?

5. "Oxford Comma" by Vampire Weekend --"Why would you lie about something dumb like that? Why would you lie about anything at all?" Despite the f-bomb, this is a catchy and playful song that keeps you thinking.

4. "Goodnight Girl" by The Nadas -- "Crumpled up and thrown away, to resurrect another day. Goodnight girl. Say goodbye." A rock ballad about the closing of the bar where The Nadas were the house band. I really dig this tune.

3. "Blue Tulip" by Okkervil River -- "Hats off to my distant hope, I'm held back by a velvet rope, and he's behind the wall the smoke machine has made between us." A soaring ballad apparently about groupies. Whatta song!

2. "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver -- "In the morning I'll be with you, but it will be a different "kind." I'll be holding all the tickets, and you'll be owning all the fines." Could be #1 on a different day. Sounds like a Justin Vernon hasn't gotten over a past relationship (album is For Emma, Forever Ago, a former flame).  It's painful and he's vulnerable.  Powerful.

1. "Flume" by Bon Iver -- "Only love is all maroon." While I flip-flopped my #1 and #2 for a long time in creating this list, I went with my gut on this one and think I have it right. But I'm still trying to figure this song out, which is a part of the intrigue. It has some pregnant lyrics (pun intended). I hope Bon Iver keeps this kind of magic around for the next handful of years.  It's a beautiful thing.

12/22/2008

Music Monday: Best Albums of 2008

Mc_psp_loud I'm not a music critic, and I don't (can't) buy & listen to all the good stuff out there each year.  But it's an enjoyable hobby for me and so I make my best effort to search out, find, and enjoy good music.  It's a wonderful bonus for me to then share that good music with you.  I gave you my best albums of 2006 & 2007Metacritic is now listing many "best of" lists for 2008.  All of the albums on my list below are linked for purchase through the Reformissionary Music Store at Amazon (which also has a special page for 2008 best albums). Here are my 21 best albums of 2008 with brief comments.  First let me start with a few regrets and honorable mentions.

I REGRET (haven't heard these albums): TV on the Radio: Dear Science (on many year-end lists), Girl Talk: Feed the Animals, Deerhunter: Microcastle

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Calexico: Carried to Dust, Sam Phillips: Don't Do Anything, Spiritualized: Songs in A & E, British Sea Power: Do You Like Rock Music?, The Avett Brothers: The Gleam II EP, The Walkmen: You & Me, Juno Soundtrack

21. Quiet Village: Silent Movie -- Mood music. This stuff is a vibe, a feeling, an emotion, a moment in time made into music.  It may be perfect for changing your mood, remembering, or seeing yourself in a place you've never been.  Being lyric-less, it's also good for listening while reading or working.

20. Black Mountain: In the Future -- I love this band.  This is thoughtful, heavy rock music with a psychedelic twinge.  This is classic rock after hitting refresh.  It's creatively-crafted rock music.  It's thick rock music.  It's very good rock music.  

19. Jenny Lewis: Acid Tongue -- I didn't expect a lot from Lewis' follow up to her stellar Rabbit Fur Coat with the Watson Twins (#12 in my 2006 list), but I like this album a lot. As usual she speaks to the brokenness of humanity and humans...a lot.

18. My Morning Jacket: Evil Urges -- I really tried to avoid this album. I'm glad I caved. This is a band worth following if only to see what they do next.But they are never as good as so many say they are. 

17. Okkervil River: The Stand Ins -- Not its equal, but a worthy follow-up to The Stage Names (my 2007 #1).  I'm not sure I could shrug my shoulders at anything from this very talented, lyric-driven rock band.

16. Raconteurs: Consolers of the Lonely -- I'm pretty sure The White Stripes can't compare to the Raconteurs. These guys are really exciting.  Lots of talent.  Lots of fun.  Plus, they make me turn it up to 11.  It big music meant for big speakers.

15. The Music Tapes: Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes -- Not what I expected, and still unwraps my expectations when I put it on.  It's just different, sometimes spooky, sometimes curiously antiquated. Yes, the saw is still an instrument. Always a feast for the ears.

14. Blitzen Trapper: Furr -- A fun mix of sounds, from southern rock to piano ballad, from trippy Beatles to straight-up Wilco to a Conor Oberst ditty.  I'm always intrigued how their music come across on my subwoofer.  Interesting beats.  A great album by a band that's going places. 

13. Drive-By Truckers: Brighter Than Creation's Dark -- At times full of energy southern rock.  At other times sad or frustrated or lonely.  When I want country music to be so much better than it is, this is where I often turn.  They are coming to Milwaukee soon.  I hope to be there.

12. Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend -- Melodic post-punk songs full of energy and spunk. You don't rock out, but your heart beats quite a bit faster.  Tons of fun throughout this literary album.  You will hear stuff that just doesn't fit in your musical categories, and that's a good thing.

11. Elbow: The Seldom Seen Kid -- Elbow makes good albums.  Always solid.  Never the best I've heard, but always very good, enjoyable, interesting.  And always with a standout track or two (see: "Grounds for Divorce"). 

10. Cut Copy: In Ghost Colours -- This whole album is like a post-Red Bull heartbeat.  If you ever need to wallpaper a room...or a whole house!...just throw on Cut Copy and do it while singing and dancing and letting the time fly by. Zoom!

9. The Nadas: The Ghosts Inside These Halls -- The definition of "bar band" has a pic of these guys.  More accessible than The Hold Steady and more straight up real.  Nothing fancy here.  It's just good ol' rock music meant for people who drink beer and still high-five.

8. Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes -- There is no lack of love for Fleet Foxes out there. If you aren't a fan yet, you should be.  These guys are the real deal.  Melodies and harmonies abound.  Did I mention harmonies?  These guys float in the ether.  I will get grief for putting this album this low on my list, but it's my list so deal with it.

7. Sera Cahoone: Only As the Day Is Long -- Hard for me to not put this album higher.  I'm entranced by Sera Cahoone, the slow build of her songs, the heart-wrenching lyrics.  I'm always pulled in and involved with each song.  I can't wait for what she does next.

6. Shearwater: Rook -- I own both versions of Shearwater's powerful last album, Palo Santo (my #1 in 2006).  This band is a staple in my music diet, and this album is no let down.  The expressive vocals of Jonathan Meiburg is the band's best instrument, but that is no dig against these excellent musicians. One of the best bands working, and they are just getting started.

5. Liam Finn: I'll Be Lightning -- A late addition to my list, I picked this up recently and have been playing it almost daily since.  Liam is the son of Crowded House singer, Neil Finn.  I liked Crowded House, but this is a whole other category.  His style has been built on a steady diet of The Beatles, to be sure.  And it's fantastic. 

4. David Ford: Songs for the Road -- Though a 2007 UK release, it was available in the U.S. in April.  And it's hard for me to believe this album hasn't been discussed more. This talented singer-songwriter has packed together a creative set of heart-on-his-sleeve songs about love, longing, and love lost.  At times I get a Josh Ritter feel.

3. Frightened Rabbit: The Midnight Organ Fight -- There are many fun and shockingly frank (!) tunes on this upbeat album.  This Scottish band is an instant favorite for me.  I can listen to this album again and again without growing tired of it.  It reminds me a bit of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah without the crazy vocal extremes. 

2. Portishead: Third -- This was my introduction to Portishead, but I beg them to not let it be farewell.  What an album!  Full of fuzz and clanging and creepy-crawly things. It's gorgeous, thickly layered, and deeply trippy (even hypnotic).  An enjoyable album from beginning to end. It may not be immediately accessible to Portishead virgins, but it's brilliant.

1. Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago -- Self-released near the end of 2007, but most are putting it on their lists for this year after a label release.  For me there is no competition for #1.  I had no other options.  This wintry album from Wisconsinite Justin Vernon is just about as good as it gets, this year or any year. It's cozy but not always comfortable.  Light up a crackling fire to thaw out your frostbitten fingers and toes and experience these songs without distraction.  Bon Iver, you complete me.

12/15/2008

Music Monday 12.15.08

Wassail

More 2008 album of the year lists coming out: SPIN, Rolling Stone (Metallica, GnR, and John Mellencamp in top 12!), and NME. The hear ya blog is starting their top 50 albums.  Pitchfork is starting to list their 100 Best Tracks of 2008 and lists their 20 Worst Album Covers of 2008.  Also, Advertising Age's Ad Songs of the Year and Most Questionable Ad Songs looks like fun.

My list of Best Albums of 2008 is planned for next Monday. I've been working my list for about 3 weeks now, re-listening to some things I've neglected for a while, listing my favorite songs of the year, etc. I'm no music critic, but I'm hopeful that my list will be a helpful resource for you as you look for music worthy of your time and money.

There's some new music on my radar...

First, Bifrost Arts (HT: Kevin Cawley's del.icio.us and Brent Thomas' tweet). This is a collective of sorts including Dave Bazan, Damien Jurado, Leigh Nash, Rosie Thomas, Denison Witmer and many others to produce an "Anthology of Hymns and Spiritual Songs, entitled "Come O Spirit!" (with songbook)." It sounds like a great idea, and it's confirmed by listening to the three tracks offered at Bifrost Arts' MySpace. Here's some helpful stuff from Isaac Wardell on the project. Brilliant.

Second, Laura Gibson.  I watched Laura Gibson's Tiny Desk Concert this week and just loved it.  Beautiful music.  By the way, go see other Tiny Desk Concerts when you have time.  All are great, including Shearwater, Dr. Dog, and others.  So I looked for more Laura Gibson stuff online and found her free Daytrotter Session downloads from last year.  Here more at her MySpace.  Here's a video with some lyrics. Stunned and haunted by "The Longest Day" (also on the Daytrotter Session)...

Look, I don't know how long YouTube will keep this up, so watch it NOW.  It's the great Bon Iver with "Skinny Love" on Letterman.  If you haven't joined the Bon Iver bandwagon yet, it's time.  Watch this to understand why...

Joe Thorn is in love with Casting Crowns, and pretty much anything in Contemporary Christian Music (JT hearts CCM). Here's a Casting Crowns Christmas song that is speaking to his heart lately. Merry Christmas Joe.

12/08/2008

Music Monday 12.8.08

If you haven't listened to my advice yet on Alaska in Winter, here's a good chance to open your ears to something new.  Their new album, Holiday, is out. Pitchfork likes it.  Check it out on MySpace.

Speaking of Pitchfork, they have listed their top 40 music videos for 2008.  Hard to beat the funny Weezer vid...

If you like LCD Soundsystem, this isn't quite what you expect. But I have enjoyed the song since Sound of Silver came out. And it's an interesting video. Don't miss the lyrics. "New York...you're still the one pool where I'll happily drown."

I know, you need some Christmas. Here's Nsync with "O Holy Night." Say what you want about the band...it's well done.

And here's a classic you still see around. Bing and Bowie duet...

12/01/2008

Music Monday 12.1.08

More year-end lists coming out. Here are lists from Uncut and Mojo. I think both do a pretty good job with higher choices. Paste explains how year-end lists work. Brilliant!

Frightened Rabbit covering N-Trance, "Set You Free". Good stuff, and much better than the original...

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness is one of those bands I return to from time to time. I found this compelling video for "The Owl" just this week. Really simple, yet stunning...

It's Christmastime, so we need some Christmas songs.  As best I know I've never heard Stevie Wonder's "Someday at Christmas" before.  Caught it on the radio last week and really loved it.  It's an oldie, but worth following the lyrics.  Here's the song at YouTube (video is worthless)...

Here's Low with "Santa's Coming Over." This is anything but cheery. A must listen just because it's a bit creepy and about Santa...

11/25/2008

Keller: Preaching to the Heart

Thanks to an email from Wodu Majin (obviously a made up name or a Witch Doctor) you now have new Tim Keller audio, namely two lectures at Oak Hill College called "Preaching to the Heart"...

Lecture 1
Lecture 2 

You will learn from these lectures if you just listen to your heart...

11/24/2008

Music Monday 11.24.08

Some best of the year lists are starting to come out, like Blender's top 33 (meh) and Paste (Paste website appears to be down, but the link should work again at some point).

I can't listen to Christmas music until I've eaten Thanksgiving dinner, but the minute I belch I'm playing Dunham Van Durham's Christmas from the Heartland.  I'm a bit biased since this album's artwork is one of my photos, but it's a really enjoyable and unique Christmas album.  It may be the perfect Christmas album for use during work because there's no singing.  It has a folksy, Americana flair.  I'm telling you, I think you'll like it.

I'm checking out a bunch of new music lately, mostly due to a friend passing me some Paste magazines from a couple of months ago.  One band that has me very pumped is Right Away, Great Captain! Check them out on MySpace.  Check out their new album, The Eventually Home at Amazon.

41QPWH9EWWL._SL500_AA280_ My computer speakers have been an embarrasing part of my music enjoyment.  The built in speakers in my Gateway Notebook are terrible so I always use external speakers, which are probably 6 years old.  For a year they have been continually cutting out because of multiple frayed wire issues.  So I went to pick up another cheapo pair of externals and discovered a whole new world of computer sound systems that I didn't know existed.  Shame on me.  Thanks to some birthday money (given by people who love me!) I purchased the Logitech Z-2300 THX-Certified 200-Watt 2.1 Speaker System (click for proper response). I didn't go surround 5.1 or anything, but I can now rattle the windows upstairs with an 8-inch long-throw subwoofer (click).  One of the best purchases I've made to increase my enjoyment of great music. 

Here are two of the first songs I played to see how great this system sounds. First, Elbow: "Grounds for Divorce" (warning: come chick is dancing around in a bar)...

Radiohead: "The National Anthem"...

11/17/2008

Music Monday 11.17.08

RUN to Amazon and download Justice: Cross for $5. Just do it. Awesome.  Ends Thursday, I think.

Some good news for people with ears: A new Bon Iver EP comes out in January. By the way, I have a bunch of readers in Louisville, KY and Bon Iver is playing there in December at Headliners. Well worth the effort.

Here's and interview of Okkervil River in which the questions and answers take place in song.  Weird, a bit annoying, but also sorta funny and creative.

I've heard from several Reformissionary readers who have discovered Fleet Foxes here and just love 'em.  Here's a new Pitchfork interview of the Fleet Foxes, and an amazing Take Away Show...


Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Here's a great video and a kickin' song from the Raconteurs, "Old Enough." Crank it up!

The Raconteurs "Old Enough"

I have to admit that the literal music videos are kinda funny. My whole family enjoyed the Red Hot Chili Peppers "Under the Bridge"...

See more funny videos at Funny or Die
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