Music Monday 7.7.08

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In music news...

The Avett Brothers have signed with Columbia Records and are recording with Rick Rubin.  Wow!  Either they are going to sell out which will lead me to rip their faces off, or they are about to put together the greatest Avett album of all time.  I'm voting for the second since they have yet to let me down.  In case you have forgotten how awesome they are...

Everyone is talking about NoiseTrade.  Ok, not everyone.  Not even most folks.  But it's worth checking out if you want to pay what you like for Derek Webb's The Ringing Bell or a handful of other albums. 

Music...

I've been listening to the new Sam Phillips.  Yeah, something about her scares me, including her former life in Christian music.  But her great album Don't Do Anything is fantastic.  You need to check out her "Tiny Desk Concert" with Bob Boilen's All Songs Considered.  Here's another taste...

I was introduced to Damien Jurado when he opened for Okkervil River last year in Milwaukee.  I liked his stuff, but haven't searched it out or bought any.  But every time I hear something new from him I'm interested, like with this free MP3 "Where Lies My Tarp."  (via, including interview)

Music Monday 6.30.08

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It's an all video Music Monday. Enjoy!

Just got an email from Amy at Original Signal Recordings to drop a hint about David Ford's new video for "I'm Alright Now." It's not only one of my favorite songs from Ford, the video is another great example of his musical abilities. Wonderful. You may also care to know there is a colorful word in the song.

Fleet Foxes in a Black Cab. Well, only one fox, but he's still fleet...

Vampire Weekend on SNL...

Keller, Hell and The Prodigal God

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080208_SO0Xkeller_vl-verticalSome who read The Reason for God found Keller a bit light on the issue of "hell."  Keller's article, "The Importance of Hell" may just alleviate those concerns. (via)

Alex Chediak interviews Keller on The Prodigal God, Keller's new book out in October.  Pre-order it here.  While I can't wait to read it (*cough*...someone send me a...*cough*...preview copy...*cough*), I hope summer doesn't push past us too quickly just for the sake of reading a book. 

The Big 5: Books on Prayer

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Praying Hands2Really pumped to see the lists for this one. 

What are your Big 5 books on prayer?

I'm very flexible on this one, so feel free to get creative in your answers.  Just be sure to list the books you think are most helpful on prayer, for prayer, or about praying people. 

The Big 5: Books that Made You Laugh Out Loud

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Laughing_jesus_1What are your Big 5 books that made you laugh out loud?

We've all read them, right?  You are working through a book and you just can't contain a chuckle at a story or the way the author put something.  Any book that made you laugh is eligible, but I want to encourage you to not list too many books that are in the "humor" or "comedy" section of the bookstore.  One or two of those at most.  I'm hoping to find books/authors with a more natural humor, not just books by comedians.  BONUS: If you want to offer a short (!) quote or funny part, feel free.  But it must be funny.  If it's not funny, I will sound the gong.  Also, please don't list things like Far Side books.  These need to be reading books.  If you don't know 5, list what you have. 

The Big 5: Books on Writing

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Poetry_by_AbstraKtPhotographyI'm always interested in books on writing and becoming a better writer.  It's easier to read books on writing than to write, but the question is still worth asking...

What are your Big 5 books on writing?

These should be books written with the intent of teaching you to write.  I know other books can help you be a better writer (including books about writers), but let's stick to your favorites on the art and craft of writing.  It can be about fiction or non-fiction writing.  It can be about poetry, articles, essays, letter writing, or most anything else.  This is not a list of books on how to write a sermon.  Feel free to throw one or two in there on grammar issues or issues directly related to writing if you like.  If you don't have 5, no prob.  List what you have read that you like.

Music Monday 6.23.08

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Fear_by_xOxChrystalxOxLooking for a great record store?  Paste lists the 17 coolest.  Yep, the wonderful ear X-tacy in Louisville, KY is on the list.

I don't think I mentioned yet that Esbjorn Svensson, the Swedish jazz pianist who founded E.S.T., died last week.  He was only 44.  More here.

Still haven't checked out Shearwater?  What's wrong with you!  I'm gonna make it easy: Shearwater in concert free audio.

Fans of Radiohead, Weezer, stringed instruments, or things that are honkin' awesome need to watch this video of Weezer covering Radiohead's "Creep" with a bunch of fans playing along.  It's just really cool.  If you don't know, the song "Creep" contains an objectionable word that may offend some.  If you might be offended,  don't watch.  If you watch movies that are PG-13, you should be able to handle this.  Either way, if you are offended please don't comment.  Enjoy...


Weezer cover Radiohead's Creep, live in Portland from Dave Allen on Vimeo.

More Bon Iver for those who can't get enough.  This time, "Skinny Love"...

And Wolves...

Hey Now, You're an All-Star!

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DSC_00102008-06-21My 7 year old, Elijah, is in the 7-8 year old Little League division here in Woodstock, Illinois.  Elijah is small for his age, one of the smaller kids in the league.  That hasn't stopped him from being one of the most important players on our team: a pitcher, first baseman, infielder, etc.  He is a natural at baseball with good form and a heart to be good at what he does.  Plus, he just loves the game.

The tryouts for the 7-8 year old all-star team was on Saturday.  They had three stations: pitching, fielding and hitting.  I was proud at how Elijah did.  He was solid at each task, as were many of the kids.  With him being younger, smaller (the smallest at tryouts!), less powerful at the plate and so on, it seemed easy to assume that Elijah would be better suited for next year's all-star team.  I worked hard to convince him that it's okay to wail until next year and that he probably wouldn't be chosen for this year's team.  I was wrong.

We got a call from the coach on Sunday who informed me that Elijah was an all-star.  We were surprised he was chosen, but not surprised at how Elijah has showed that the size of your body matters less than the size of your heart, effort and passion.  He now has a number of new practices coming up and a new uniform to wear to a tournament in mid-July.  I'm so proud of my boy, who is much like his Daddy at his age (though I was taller).  Looking forward to a few fun weeks ahead.

The Big 5: Books for Seekers

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Job postings fhcc binocularsLike you, I'm always on the lookout for good books for seekers.  You know who seekers are, right?  These are the folks who come to your church NOT because they occasionally like to feel less guilty by attending, but because they are actually looking for answers.  These are the folks who want to sit down and ask you questions about life, suffering, truth, the Bible, or where is God in all this mess, and seem to genuinely want answers. So...

What are your Big 5 books for seekers? 

These will likely be books on the gospel or apologetics.  You should try to stick to books that are meant for seekers or books that unintentionally just work very well with seekers.  As best you can, stick with general books for seekers and not books on one issue only.  If one really stands out to you, that's cool, but I would prefer lists that will help us all with good books for seekers in general.  And please don't mention Scripture.  We get it, the Bible is good for seekers.  :) 

The Big 5: Study Bibles

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Esvsb-featureI'm very happy to see the ESV Study Bible coming out in October.  I will own and use a copy and provide them on my church's book table.  So, it makes me wonder...

What are your Big 5 study Bibles? 

This is a list of the study Bibles you personally think are the best.  If you think you would choose the ESV SB as one, please mention that.  Also, let us know what version of the Bible you like for each study Bible (if they vary).  Go!

Music Monday 6.16.08

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Blind musicIf you are a fan of some Nickel Creek goodness, you might want to check out Chris Thile's next move after Nickel's departure.  They are the Punch Brothers (MySpace), a really interesting bluegrassy, folksy (even classical?) mix.  Punch isn't Nickel Creek, but this is good music, deeper and more rich than NC but not as easy to appreciate.  Check out some video.

I'm also checking out the Fleet Foxes (MySpace), who are very intriguing and not hippies.

I finally picked up the new Shearwater (MySpace) CD, Rook, yesterday (it was my Father's Day quest with the fam to find it).  I've avoided listening to too much online because I wanted the album experience to color my take.  On first listen it's amazing.  I had the highest of hopes after Palo Santo (it was my #1 album of 2006).  And as expected the glowing reviews are piling high.  You can download "Leviathan, Bound" for free.  If you don't know, Shearwater is the band led by Jonathan Meiburg who just left Okkervil River to focus on Shearwater.  Here's a taste...

 

Need more Bon Iver?  I hear you.  These are out-honking-standing.  How about "Flume"...

Here's a little "Lump Sum"...

And yes, the trifecta, "For Emma, Forever Ago"...

10 Things that Happened at the 2008 SBC

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Here's a guide to understanding what happened at the 2008 meeting of the SBC in Indianapolis.  I wasn't there, but I didn't need to be to know what happened.  I'm sure there were many great things that happened, including networking and building new relationships as well as renewing old ones.  But here's my list, just for fun, of the 10 things that happened at the SBC because they, to some extent, always happen at the SBC. 

10. Many thousands made "a decision for Christ" during the Indy Crossover evangelism push.  Most of them won't join churches.

9. Someone proposed a stupid resolution that got more discussion than someone who proposed a significant resolution.

8. Some bloggers discovered that blogging influence doesn't amount to much, and shouldn't.

7. Someone blew a shofar, metaphorically at least.

6. Some guys who preached included lines merely to hear the applause of the masses.

5. Mark Dever had 14 disciples following his every move and seeking his advice on bookstore purchases.

4. No less than 7 people had beer with their meal, to the shock of onlooking SBC messengers.

3. They mostly voted on stuff that won't change minds, churches, the convention, or the world.

2. Guys in suits won elections.Johnny_hunt

1. Indianapolis is now officially out of beef and butter.