Thursday, November 26, 2009
WE'VE MOVED!
Also, if anyone is familiar with JesusFreakHideout.com, my review for Seabird's Christmas EP was featured recently as a "Reader Review." Please check it out at JFH and my Tumblr site and let me know what you think.
Love you guys!
-FISHER
Monday, November 9, 2009
Switchfoot- Hello Hurricane
Before I get started with this review, there's something that Jon Foreman--the lead vocalist of Switchfoot, also known for his solo project and work in Fiction Family--said about Hello Hurricane that I really agree with. This album is not one that you can listen to and enjoy and not know a single thing about the story behind the music. Each individual song has a unique message about love and hope that has really touched me. That's one great thing about this album. Rarely do you find music with this much meaning put into it. Looking through the tracklist, I can't think of a single song that--while reading Foreman's commentary on--I didn't have a "wow" moment during, whether I said it in my head or out loud. This album has made an impact on me like none this year. And so that you can experience this album the same way that I did, you can link up to Jesus Freak Hideout's song lyrics/commentaries provided by Jon Foreman by clicking here. Sure it's a lot of reading material, but it is well worth your time.
Having nearly a hundred songs to work with for Hello Hurricane might have seemed a bit overwhelming for the band, but you can bet they had plenty of good ones to choose from. Some bands go into the studio and do all of their writing at that time--Switchfoot is obviously not one of those bands. So to be able to work with and experiment to see which of these tracks would be the absolute best for the album, the guys in Switchfoot built their own studio so that they could take their time picking through each song. I can tell you now that all of their work payed off. With the exception of the final track, "Red Eyes," which didn't really catch on for me, there is not a single track that I would be able to overlook when listening to the entire album.
The song-writing, as usual, is strong. Without a doubt strong enough to withstand a hurricane. Jon Foreman is a master of song-writing, made evident most recently by the work put into his solo projects. Switchfoot's lyrics separate them from the mediocre song-writing that is found so often in our day and age. Songs like "Your Love Is A Song," "Enough to Let Me Go," "Always," and "Sing it Out," are some of the best. For those looking for the fun rock style of Switchfoot's biggest hits, I think the phenomenal lyrical content of this album might make up for what it lack in heaviness. Of course, you do have tracks like "Mess of Me," "The Sound (John M. Perkin's Blues)," "Hello Hurricane," and "Bullet Soul," that you can still have a great time listening to. And that isn't to say that all of the slower-paced tracks don't sound any good. Quite the opposite--they sound fantastic. Switchfoot is not your average group of guys--to go with the great song-writing, their musical genius is without a doubt some of the best in the industry. Switchfoot could take on any genre, and I'm positive it would sound great. The perfect combination of exceptional lyricism and music makes Switchfoot such an exceptional band.
From the chorus of "Needle and Haystack Life," you know you're in for something good. Foreman sings, "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." The lead single off the album "Mess of Me" has really distorted electric guitars that create a unique sound. The same sound is used again in a few latter tracks, giving them a fun style that isn't like every other rock song on the radio. "Your Love is a Song" is a beautiful song, one of the strongest on the album. It's a great metaphor of God's love and a fantastic worship song. Foreman's vocals sound almost perfect on this track, and the instrumentals are moving. "The Sound" breaks the calm that was set by the previous track. From the start, you know it's destined to gain popularity. Already, millions of people have heard it through the newest Blackberry Storm 2 commercial. It's great that a Christian band can display their music to such a wide audience. And Hello Hurricane is not overly oblique about God being a huge part of these guys' lives, so I'm sure they're planting a seed in plenty of people's hearts. "Enough to Let Me Go" is a song that, again, talks about love, but this time talks about how it is not selfish. The acoustic sound that the song carries is great. "Free" is a darker song that asks God to free us from ourselves, kind of like the same idea as "Mess of Me."
There are a lot of recurring themes throughout Hello Hurricane. Sometimes that could be a bad thing. For example, there are albums that have songs again and again that talk about some breakup or bad relationship. But the topic of God's love and asking to be saved from the hurricanes that plague our lives can never get old. And, frankly, I don't think it's a topic that's talked about enough. We hear about worldly love all the time, but God's love is just so much more powerful.
The title track is another fun one, singing "Hello hurricane, you're not enough/Hello hurricane, you can't silence my love/I've got doors and windows boarded up/All your dead end fury is not enough/You can't silence my love." "Always" is another beautiful song, following in the steps of "Your Love is a Song." Another highlight that uses great metaphors to describe God's love for his children. It compares a father's love for his newborn son to God's love for us: "I am always yours." "Bullet Soul" is an instant classic, using the same distorted guitars in "Mess of Me." It's one that you'll find yourself singing along to involuntarily. It would definitely be something to look forward to at a Switchfoot concert. "Yet" is another awesome ballad, about looking for hope. "Sing It Out" is one of the best on the album--one more worship track. The bridge sings, "I'm holding on/I'm holding on to you/My world is wrong/My world is a lie that's come true/And I fall in love with those that run me through/When all I need is You." The music that accompanies the already amazing lyrics has some deep meaning behind it. According to Foreman, "The song is singing about itself--struggling for melody, for life, for meaning. Singing about rebirth, the song spends most of its time in the grave and comes to a bright, glorious finish, held out until the very end. To match the lyric we saved almost every instrument for the end of the song." I think that's pretty cool. The only song on the album that I couldn't really connect with was the finale, "Red Eyes." It ends with a reprise of "Needle and Haystack Life" which is kind of interesting to hear at the beginning and end of the album. But still there wasn't much for me to like about it. But that doesn't in any way change the album as a whole.
Hello Hurricane is one of the most brilliant, well-written albums to come along this year. Foreman and crew have managed another beautiful effort to add to their other successful albums. It's great that people will be hearing about God through their music. There's so much to learn from Hello Hurricane about how God's love can defeat any hurricane that comes against us. Expert song-writing and unbelievable instrumentals make this seventh album an epic one, ready to be loved by all who enjoy Christian rock.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Almost- Monster Monster
The name Underoath has become a common one among... well, anyone who knows what Christian rock or metal is, and even those only familiar with the secular version of these genres. It's not difficult to see how such a talented band has gained the best of both worlds in today's music industry. And as most successful vocalists do, Underoath drummer/vocalist Aaron Gillespie created a side-project. But The Almost wasn't just any side-project. 2007's Southern Weather was one of the most successful side-projects Christian music had ever seen. And, just like Underoath, The Almost caught the eyes of those categorized by secular music, partly because of their Tooth & Nail/Virgin Records partnership. This year brings us another healthy dose of Almost, titled Monster Monster.
The opening title track has the fun guitars and vocals found the last time around. Except this time there's something different--it all feels like more of a band effort. Not only are the vocals and lyrics extraordinary (something typical for a vocalist's side-project), but the music is as well! "Monster Monster" exhibits these elements perfectly. Repeating everything in the chorus twice gets monotonous, but it doesn't take away from the song in any way.
One other thing that this first song demonstrates is the beginning of a concept album. The theme running through Monster Monster has to do with the dark side of our human nature. We all have a monster living in us that defies God's will for our lives and does what it wants for itself. But we can't let that monster win. Every day we have a choice to make: do we fight the monster or give in to its wicked desires? This is what Gillespie and crew structured Monster Monster around. In what may be the highlight of the album, he sings, "When I am a monster, You never wince when You look at me. When I am a freak, You never stare. When I am a leper, You never say 'unclean.' And when I am lost... You come and get me free." God loves us even when we do give in to the monster, and is waiting to welcome us back into His arms when we realize our mistake.
Other highlights of the album include the singles "Lonely Wheel," a punk-rock track that sounds born to be played on the radio, and "Hands," a song that not only has the catchiness and amazing lyrics to go with it, but the melodic piano fused throughout that gives The Almost a better chance to shine their musical talent. Without the piano in "Hands," I'm not sure it would even be the same song.
The diversity of Monster Monster is one of the things that makes it so enjoyable. From the punky, fun-loving mood of the opening four tracks, to the rougher and darker "Young Again," to the ballad "Summer Summer," all the way to the country tinge in "Hand Grenade," we can see that the monster that The Almost has created is definitely a diverse one. The closing track, plainly titled "Monster"--set up to inevitably be confused with "Monster Monster," the opening track--perhaps demonstrates the range and utter talent that this band is capable of the most. Starting off with just the acoustic guitar and Gillespie's voice sets the stage for something epic to unfold. Halfway through the song, it explodes with the rest of the band, with the main highlight being a guitar solo with a real blues feel. I wouldn't have been surprised if a harmonica had suddenly joined in. The band claims that the piece was recorded live, making an already epic track seem completely unbelievable.
The amount of effort and genius put into this sophomore album is above and beyond what I had expected. It's rare to find a band with the incredible gift to make such great music and still choose to label themselves as "Christian." Although the band isn't overly blunt about any of the Christian messages found throughout, their fame might cause some people to look into their background more, and hopefully through Tooth & Nail, discover God's love for them. I look forward to seeing what will happen with The Almost in the future with such a fantastic album. Best Christian rock album of 2009? We'll see...
Friday, October 30, 2009
Dear fans and followers...
Now, what I said before about "exploring music by writing about it" may turn out to be another blog that I want to start. Basically, I find that God teaches me so much through music, and I'd just really like to share that and write it out for whoever might need it. I have lots of good ideas, and I really hope I can get that started soon.
So, again, Christian Rock OBSESSION is far from finished, and look for some crazy stuff to come mid-November. Thanks!
-FISHER
Monday, September 21, 2009
Pillar- Confessions
"Fire on the Inside" kicks off the album after a short intro, bringing your average Pillar rock to the table. No surprise. The follwoing two songs, however, caught me a little off guard. They both seem a lot bigger and better. It feels like Pillar suddenly gained a ton of confidence in themselves and realized they can make great music! "Whatever It Takes" and "Secrets and Regrets" are remeniscent of RED, or another band that has been singled out because of their talent. But sadly, the mood doesn't continue for long.
The record has the normal ballads that you would expect from Pillar. Out of the three, I don't find any of them particularly attractive. All other songs are heavy and aren't bad, just not anything people should be raving about. I really wish Pillar could maybe pull off something fantastic, because they have the potential--they just don't really know how to put that to use. "Not Without a Fight" is the best of the heavier tracks (besides the earlier mentioned two), full of screams courtesy of Rob Beckley. Longtime fans are sure to find that track to their liking, especially those who were into "Bring Me Down" from their Where Do We Go From Here? album. The rest of the songs seem to run together a bit too much.
I was hoping Pillar could pull off something good. The album is decent--don't get me wrong--but it's nothing that'll drastically change the way Pillar is viewed. Maybe if they keep up the style of a few songs with a tad more tweaking, they can achieve something a bit more impacting. Until then, we'll just have to wait and see what the future holds for this long-time rock band, and hope they can change into something great... which we all know they're perfectly capable of.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Thousand Foot Krutch- Welcome to the Masquerade
For years, formerly Canadian-based rawk band Thousand Foot Krutch has been delivering their crunchy adrenaline-powered music to the Christian music scene. Their energy has earned their music spots in a ton of sports montages on ESPN, including various other televised sporting events, the 2009 summer movie trailer for GI Joe, and even made them champions in Taco Bell's "Feed the Beat" contest earlier this year. Their single, "Fire It Up," helped to increase the hype for fans, as well as land TFK in the track listing for EA's NHL '10. So if not for the earnest lyrics, driving music, and impressive trakc record, Welcome to the Masquerade is at least worth checking out because of the raving reviews that have been floating around this week... not to mention that it's quite possibly their best yet.
"The Invitation" opens the album with an instrumental track that slowly builds the hype even more for fans, leading up to the title track. Crunchy guitars fill the song while mixing more melodic components into the chorus. Trevor McNevan (a very common name in Christian music) sings about the masks we all hide behind the cover our insecurities at times in our lives. That theme vaguely carries on through the album (kind of like Emery's ...In Shallow Seas We Sail), giving it something of a concept. Songs like "Bring Me to Life," "Scream," and "Look Away" showcase the theme of having hearts and feelings that need God's fixing.
Continuing the album are the previously mentioned tracks, "Fire It Up" and "Bring Me to Life." The former is one of the most amped-up, energetic songs ever to come from TFK. Trevor yells the chorus: "I've got a bad case of turning it up, it's getting cold in here, so fire it up..." It's definitely one of those songs you'd want to be listening to before a game or something to get you pumped. The following song pales in comparison, but is overall not a bad song, besides a slightly weak piano piece that opens before jumping into the action. There is a small difference between the "Bring Me to Life" free single that was released when TFK won "Feed the Beat" this year, but only a scream at the end of the chorus that wasn't as deep as the original and seems to blend with the rest of the album a little better.
Thousand Foot Krutch reunited with producer Aaron Sprinkle for Welcome to the Masquerade, who also produced Phenomenon back in 2003, which is one of the reasons why everything might be so much bigger and better, considering that he's worked with bands such as Demon Hunter and Emery. Also, Project 86 guitarist Randy Torres made a few heavy contributions. So overall, the sound is solid and has a much bigger and more professional sound than any other TFK album to date.
The song "E for Extinction" is another powerful one, and although I wouldn't say it's fantastic, it has that "always stuck in your head" factor and is very likable. The song after, "Watching Over Me," allows the listener to take a short breather with a signature TFK ballad. It's a good song by all means, but suffers because of its mediocre and rather cliche chorus, which says, "I know You're out there, and I know You care, 'cause I feel You like an angel watching over me." It's honest and has a good message, but I feel that there are just too many others songs with similar meanings, which gives it a little bit less of the impact it would have initially had. The verses are much more original, and the orchestration sounds great with the guitars. Two other ballads make up the tracklist, both of which are very strong, lyrically and musically. They're very emotional songs, and are without a doubt two of the most heartfelt.
Things pick back up with one of TFK's best songs ever to be released, "The Part That Hurts the Most (Is Me)." The hard-rocking guitars and piercing vocals are accompanied by intense lyrics that sing, "The part that hurts the most (is me), the most (is you), it's everything I do without you." It's the most outstanding song on the record, and definitely a Thousand Foot Krutch favorite for me. The final rocker on the album is a song that is very similar to Queen's "We Will Rock You," and is very enjoyable.
To say that Thousand Foot Krutch improved this time around would be an understatement. To say that they've crafted the perfect record would be an overstatement. But overall, Welcome to the Masquerade is a very well done effort from the rawk trio. I'm sure we'll be seeing (and mostly hearing) a bit of them in the near future, especially with football season started. Just know that the adrenaline from this album won't be wearing off anytime soon.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Update 9/5 and Poll Updates
To start off, everyone that's been enjoying the new Skillet album and contributing to it's success (being the #1 album on iTunes for a day) should be happy to know that they've released the video for "Monster," which you can watch here. Jon Cooper, strangely, reminds me of Superman. Haha.
Showbread, Project 86, The Wedding, and Children 18:3 have announced plans to tour in October, which sounds like a pretty unbelievable lineup. But it's true. No dates have been announced yet, so stay posted and I'll get you those when they pop up somewhere...
Anybody hear Anberlin's new single? It's a cover of a song called "True Faith" and I think it's pretty good!
Project 86 is going to be shooting their video for "Dark Angel Dragnet" this month, as well as a short film. Sounds interesting. They'll be releasing info on how you can be an extra in the coming days.
Relient K's new album "Forget and Not Slow Down" will be hitting stores on October 6th, but you can choose from three pre-order options TODAY! Click here to prepare yourselves. Also, you can hear the title track on their Myspace. Enjoy!
Earlier I told you that Secret & Whisper's new album would be coming this October. But now I'm hearing that it'll drop in February? But if that gets you down, I hope you'll be please to at least know that it's titled Teenage Fantasy. Excited? Me too.
So for the most recent poll, I asked what everyone's favorite Children 18:3 song was. The results:
LCM 33%
Even Sleeping 33%
Homemade Valentine 33%
So that was kind of a tie, but I'll agree that those are some of their best. Look for a new poll soon, and PLEASE VOTE!!!!!
Look for an overall review of Purple Door 09 coming soon--I know it's been a while, but I promise it soon. See you soon!
-FISHER
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Philmont- Attention
Now, if you aren't familiar with last year's EP, let me fill you in. To start off, Oh Snap--the rather punny title, taking into consideration the rhinoceros crushing the title on the cover--pretty much sets the tone for the EP. Their pop/punk style mixed with a few electro elements and crunchy guitars suits their quirky--and sometimes slightly cheesy--lyrics. Of course, it's evident that they do love God, and however odd their method of displaying that might be, they've done a good job of creating some honest music. They're without a doubt aiming at a younger audience, but that only makes their meaningful lyrics more impacting. For example, the line from their single: "Tear down these walls; I'd climb, but I can't stand to fall without You." It's a good, heartfelt lyric, and at the same time holds a quality that's just kind of childish. But that's not always a bad thing, right? Just look up Matthew 18:3. The simpleness of it might not satisfy those looking for deeper, more intriguing lyricism. But, songwriting aside, Philmont managed a fairly respectable pop/punk first effort. Songs like "The Difference" and "My Hippocratic Oath" hold Philmont's heavier guitars. "Photosynthetic" and "I Can't Stand to Fall" are the more punk sounding tracks, while a rather boring and anti-climactic ballad, "Another Name," parted the EP in two.
Those songs from the EP take up a good portion of the newer album, which fans of Oh Snap might be slightly disappointed about. But if they're fans of the EP, they'll find the full-length much to their liking, so that's not a huge issue. The first track, "Hello, Jack," is one of the heaviest songs on the album. Some fans will recognize it from before they were signed. It sounds identical, except for the screaming in the bridge which is a little bit quieter and harder to hear over vocalist Scott Taube's singing. The song talks about a plane crash and questions who's really in control of the flight. We know that nothing is out of God's control, and the song points that out very well. "To Say They Hit It Off Would Be An Understatement" gets a little boring, and uses a lot of synths, which kind of makes things sound even more juvenile. In fact, a good majority of the songs have a point or two where a dance beat or synths are introduced. It sounds good in spots, but I don't think it complements the punk style or should be a prominent factor in a lot of songs.
The song "Back Down," has something of a pre-chorus that says over and over, "Back down, get your back down, baby, tonight," and almost wrecks a very good song with the cheesiness of it. Other than that piece, it's one of the most fun songs on the album, whith a chorus which sings, "I'm growing tired of climbing higher. Your love is all I have to keep me strong. As I'm ascending, I feel You with me. You wait with outstretched arms in case I fall back down." "Setting Off" is one song that is a little bit more different from the rest, and stands out considerably among the newer set of songs ("The Difference" standing out the most, for me, on the EP). The lyrics are still not enough, but the song loses all electronic influences for the entire song, something that is very rare. The song is also very catchy and very hard to get out of your head once it's in there. "Letter to the Editor," the next song, works a lot better for Philmont than "Another Name" did on the EP. This is one point where the lyrics are a bit more grown-up, and you can tell they're sung passionately, just like the final song, "The Terminal."
So if there was one thing that would make Philmont a better band, it would be maturity. It's great that they're reaching out to younger kids, but what kids listen to nowadays could be anything. It's hard to deny that these guys do have great hearts for God, and I give them lots of credit for that. Maybe as they grow up as a band, their music will follow...
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Oh, Sleeper- Son of the Morning
"Vices Like Vipers"--the track from which the album title was taken from--talks about how "When I am God, the church is unsound," letting God be God, and allowing Him to rule your life. See? So this time, when their sophomore album cover was released to the public, revealing part of a pentagram, people might have taken a second look to see what this one was really about. And by not jumping to conclusions, they discovered that, again, things are not what they seem at first look. The upside-down star normally has the bottom two points at the top (those being the devil's horns) and the single point at the bottom (that being the head). However, the horns are missing, relating the the final song, "The Finisher," in which God tells Satan, "My angels will sing to a world reborn as I cut off your horns. I'll cut off your horns." Makes sense now, right?
So to start off the album, the title track speaks from Satan's point of view. A bunch of things against God and His children are said. The only part seen from God's point of view is the chorus, where He says, "If you could see like Me you'd see you haven't won anything, If you could see like Me you'd see it's by My grace you're breathing." It's a really powerful son, and can easily make us angry at Satan's mindset, all building up to the satisfying finale where God promises his demise. But between the beginning and the end is where God goes about bringing people to Him and preparing an army to defeat Satan. That's what takes up the eight tracks between.
As far as the music goes, it's your typical metal. There isn't a whole lot that sets it apart. Micah Kinard's screams are intense--as usual--but aren't as deep as a lot of metal vocalists'. They're more like the higher screams of TDWP's Mike Hranica. In most songs there are spots where things slow down temporarily, but nothing is too shockingly drastic. Kinard's singing voice is crystal-clear in places, and in others sounds like a combination of the growling and singing. The usual doubl bass becomes highly impressive in the songs "World Without a Sun" and "Commissioned by Kings." Some might even find themselves wondering how it's even possible that someone could move their feet that quickly. It's unbelievable.
Other than the fact that there's only one song over four minutes and only ten tracks, I'd say Son of the Morning is a great sophomore album for Oh, Sleeper. Any fans of Solid State should be prompted to give this album a listen with no hesitation. A great album that fantastically displays spiritual warfare, any fan of Christian metal should check this out--and always remember to look past the surface of things. They aren't always what they seem.
Demon Hunter's 5th Album
Not too long ago, I told you about Don Clark leaving Demon Hunter. Well guess who's replacing him? Randy Torres of Project 86!!! Also, Ethan Luck's tour fill in, Patrick Judge, will be permanently replacing him. In Ryan Clark's announcement, he also released some rather exciting news:
"...We have been busy working on material for our 5th album, which we will be entering the studio to record in October. At this point, I would say about 90% of the music has been written, and probably about 40% of the lyrics/melodies. As cliche as it can be to say, the album is shaping up to be heavier, faster, and more aggressive than previous Demon Hunter material (and there might be a ballad or two in there for good measure). As always, we're doing our best to maintain the classic DH sound, all the while introducing some new and exciting ideas to keep things exciting. I'm extremely proud of what we have so far, and I can't wait to enter the studio and hear it come to life!
Stay tuned in the coming months for additional news regarding the new album!
Thank you, everyone, for your continued support.
-Ryan Clark & Demon Hunter
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Skillet- Awake
The now three-year-old Comatose was the album that put Skillet where they are now. Where exactly are they? Stuck somewhere between tons of Christian fans and tons of mainstream fans. Their fantastic live show and hard-rock/cello style combination have been pulling in more and more loving fans from both sides over the past few years. But it seems that this time, Skillet aimed more at mainstream fans with their newest, dozen-track effort, Awake, than Comatose originally was.
Being a predominantly mainstream artist with Christian faith isn't exactly a bad thing. By sticking subtle messages into the lyrics, the band can reach out to non-believers without overwhelming them. And, as we all know, any clean music nowadays is greatly appreciated among Christian fans, and is a great witness to unbelievers. Something is different about Skillet, and one of these days those mainstream fans will figure it out. It seems abundantly clear in the track, "Lucy," which talks about the loss of someone who was loved. Lead vocalist John Cooper sings, "I'll see you in another life, In heaven where we never say goodbye." All songs can be traced back to God in some way, but you'd have to know Skillet was a Christian band to realize the connection, as there can be many interpretations to more than a few songs.
Another thing the band seemed to aim for this time was to bring back fans of Comatose's musical style. While it seems that in 13 years, an ever-changing band would find some other direction to go with, musically, Skillet seemed content to stick very closely to the style heard three years ago--almost to the point where things are scarily similar. The song "One Day Too Late" sounds way too much like "The Older I Get" in certain places (it even sounds similar lyrically). And while Ben Kasica's guitar solos are pretty unbelievable, the one in "Awake and Alive" almost sounds recycled from "Rebirthing" and would even work as a better sounding continuation of it.
A few differences on the album come from the new drummer fro the UK, Jen Ledger. She does vocals on a few songs (yet she doesn't have any solo songs, which seemed like an obvious thing to do), and is a great addition to the Skillet team. Her vocals are most prevalent in the songs "Hero" and "Awake and Alive," providing a better change from Korey Cooper's more solemn voice. Also, the album is a bit heavier. Granted, there is no screaming (sans a distorted growl during "Monster" just for effect), which I suspected might have been present because of their live CD/DVD. Half of the songs are power ballads, all of which makes it a bit more radio-friendly. That's just one other way they'll be able to reach out to the mainstream. Although half of the time Cooper's growly voice is just enough, I think it would've been cool for him to do a little "Savior" type screams.
There are a few other spots here and there where Skillet went out on a limb to try something new. Besides the mainstream focus and the new BGV, a lot of Kasica's guitar solos are even more impressive than previously thought. Also, a lot of the violins and cellos are a lot more intense in places--and others rather calm and peaceful. They're something that makes the album a lot more enjoyable, added in places where things would've been too dry without.
So, given three years, I think Skillet should've been able to come up with something a little newer for them. That's what an artist is--not making the same album a bunch of different ways to please people. Just ask Emery. But given that the gap between albums was three years, it's good to hear anything new from Skillet. A lot of the songs are very enjoyable, but I think most fans will consider Comatose to be their favorite, something which is always a little hard to duplicate. But Skillet will definitely be picking up a lot of mainstream fans, and I give them a lot of respect for reaching out to those kids who need something good to listen to. The band members all have great hearts for Christ, and this album is going to help stretch out their ministry on a huge scale.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
OFFICIAL Capital Lights Breakup Statement
Hello everyone,I just signed on the myspace for the first time in forever and I realized that it's been a long time since we have given our friends and fans an update on whats going on with Capital Lights. I know there are rumors, and a lot of people have come to us asking whether or not it's true that the band has broken up. The truth is that yes, with a whole lot of prayer, we have decided to call it quits. All of us in Capital Lights discussed and prayed about this for a few months before we mutually agreed on the decision. Although it's sad to see something that meant so much to us come to an end, it's with complete confidence when I say it's for the better. We all felt God had different plans for our lives, and it would have been impossible to pursue those plans while continuing with the band. I know that's the same thing you have heard time and time again with so many bands. I've always hated when bands break up because members feel themselves being pulled different directions... but the truth is, you never really understand it until your at that point yourself. Words can not stress how thankful we are for everyone who supported us over the past couple years. We loved playing music for all of you and thank God for providing us with the opportunity. Without our fans, we wouldn't have ever done anything more than just jammed in a garage somewhere. We had a blast touring the country for the past year and a half and feel lucky that we were able to meet so many new people. To everyone who ever bought a cd, shirt, sticker, or even dropped change into the tip box at our merch table, thank you so much... without realizing it, you were a blessing that helped us get from one town to the next. Maybe somehow we will see you all again one day. We also want to thank the Hill family, and everyone who ever gave us a home to sleep in. You all made us feel very welcome and ANYTHING beat the van!
It's crazy to reflect on the last year and a half and realize how much has happened. We signed with Tooth & Nail, recorded an album in Seattle, then toured the country. It was something we all wanted to do and once again, we appreciate you all for helping us live our dream. All of us in Capital Lights are back in school and as of last night, Brett is now engaged. So message him and tell him his life is over.
Just kidding.
God Bless you all and thanks again!
-Bryson, Brett, Michael, Jonny, Jon, and Justin.
ps- As of right now our cd's are still being sold in Best Buy, Fye, Indies, Hastings, etc... so go and buy a copy if you haven't already!!!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thousand Foot Krutch Countdown
If anyone would like to let me know how to fit this on the sidebar, I'd greatly appreciate it. :)
RED- End of Silence
Back in 2006, I wasn't too familiar with a whole lot of Christian rock bands. Even then, I wasn't familiar with any form of rock that fused their heavy guitars with such melodic orchestration. And then there was the fact that Mike Barnes's fantastic voice and violent screams came with heartfelt and passionate lyrics. To say the least, RED won me over in very little time. And since then, RED's debut, End of Silence, has had a ton of singles that have made it really far on CHR and Rock Radio, quickly building on their success. It also proved to be just one more album to forever change the way we look at Christian rock.
The eerie piano/violin orchestration in the beginning demonstrates the mix of soft and hard, light and heavy. The soft music doesn't last long, however, as the first single to come from the band hits hard, asking God to "Breath Your life into me, I can feel You. I'm falling, falling faster. Breathe Your life into me, I still need You. I'm falling, falling. Breathe into me. Breathe into me."
Lyrics are nothing to question when coming from RED. All songs are, without a doubt, expertly written--penned by none other than guitarist Jason Rauch. Every song has lyrics that will haunt you or lift you up. Some are for worship, and some will give you something to think about. For example, we have track two, "Let Go," and track six, "Pieces." "Let Go" is about defeating the sin in our lives, and repeats that "You can't have me anymore" before launching into the longest and most brutal scream I've ever heard-- "LET GO!" And then in "Pieces" we find a beautiful worship song that asks God to put us back together again. There's quite a difference between the two, lyrically and musically. RED does a great job of executing both without leaving any doubts about talent.
The singles take up half of the album, and all are songs that must be heard at one point or another. Because if not, let me tell you, you're missing out. But other than the singles, tracks like "Wasting Time" and "Already Over, Pt. 2" stand out. While both are drastically different, they are both worthy of quite a few listens.
The End of Silence Deluxe Edition DVD is definitely a big addition to an already amazing CD. It features a live portion that displays the intense live show they deliver. If you've never seen RED live, this DVD will make you wish you had.
So 2006 proved to be a year that challenged us to forget what we knew about Christian rock. It taught us that talent can come from the oddest of places, and to listen to things a little more closely. Without RED and this release, I don't think Christian music would be the way it is today. So if you're at all into Christian music, this album is a definite must-own. And if you're into really good live shows, invest a little more to get the Deluxe Edition.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Relient K New Album Update
Above is the album cover of Relient K's next album, Forget and Not Slow Down. Not the best or most creative album cover they've ever had, but that doesn't really matter does it? What matters is what lies behind that album cover. And for that, you can listen to Radio U tonight at 6:00 Eastern to hear the title track on the Battle of the Buzz. Let me know what you think of it, because I wasn't too crazy about it. But nobody cares about my opinion, right? That's why I only have five followers...
Matt Thiessen (the lead singer) says, "It's a bit weird because there are some untitled outros and intros throughout the album. Basically, if the track list skips a number, something is up. There are eleven songs, but whole thing runs about 43 minutes." So the numbered track listing is as follows:
1. Forget and Not Slow Down
2. I Don't Need A Soul
3. Candlelight
4.
5. Part of It
6.
7. Therepy
8. Over It
9. Sahara
10.
11. Savannah
12.
13. If You Believe Me
14. This is the End
15. (If You Want It)
See what he means? You can look for the album to hit stores October 6th.
-FISHER
Monday, August 17, 2009
Poll Results & Update 8/17
Warped Tour 28% (2)
Sonshine 14% (1)
Purple Door 14% (1)
Creation 09 42% (3)
Other 28% (2)
The only comment I have is on Purple Door--WOW. That was seriously amazing. Look for an overall review to come in the days to follow... I also posted my review for The Fear of God below, so I'd really appreciate if you read it and let me know what you think. I've also got a Classic Review for RED's debut and a review of Philmont's debut coming, which I managed to get my hands on before its release. I put a new poll up, so please VOTE! I'll try to get the CROBSESSION Flickr site done so I can put lots of pictures up. So keep checking back, because there's gonna be a lot of new stuff!
Here's the most recent news:
Ethan Luck and Don Clark have recently stepped down from Demon Hunter. Ethan is now full-time Relient K, and Don will continue working at Invisible Creature. You can read Ethan's blog here. Also, check out Relient K's tour dates for this fall. The tour kicks off on October 1st in New Haven, CT (WOOO-HOOOO!!!!!) so you can link up to check out those dates here.
Austrian Death Machine announced that they will be releasing a new album titled Double Brutal. It's actually two discs, which ought to be interesting. One disc is full of covers, while the other is full of some broooootal new tracks. If you actually intend to take it seriously, look for it to drop this fall.
And Then There Were None and Jonezetta both released new videos not too long ago. ATTWN's "Reinventing Robert Cohn" can be seen here, and Jonezetta's "Busy Body" can be viewed here. Being a huge ATTWN fan, I'm slightly disappointed with the video. It's not that it's a bad video, just slightly odd. Jonezetta, on the other hand, is a little comical. Both are worth checking out, though, so get over there already!
And last, but certainly not least, Flyleaf's sophomore album will be dropping October 27th. It's called Memento Mori. You can look for the first single, "Again," to hit iTunes August 25th (which, BTW, is when Skillet's new album comes out). Be excited. Be VERY excited.
So that's it. Check back for all the sweet stuff to come. I really appreciate you reading this!
-FISHER
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Showbread- The Fear of God
After putting out Anorexia and Nevosa last year, Showbread decided to make the purest form of raw rock imaginable by mixing the styles from each of their previous albums. The Fear of God has the chaotic screaming found on their Solid State debut, the more electrified and organized effort that was Age of Reptiles, and the dark hardcore style of last year's dual release. Keeping the witty, scarcastic lyricism found throughout, The Fear of God is a release that no Showbread fan should overlook.
The album opens with an odd and funny intro at the beginning of the track "I'm Lost," similar to the one found on No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical. The rest of the track continues creepily, but nonetheless has some very honest lyrics. The album picks up with "Nothing Matters Anymore," a track that holds the same hardcore screaming from the band's most recent releases and the singing more prevelent in earlier albums. Lead singer/screamer Josh Dies' lyrics shine masterfully as he sings, "No fear, no doubt, I've bottomed out, I've lost myself I'm letting go. No pride, no me, I've set them free, I've lost my mind and now I know no pain, no death, they're put to rest, we leave them here, we close the door. No earth, no man, now take my hand, 'cause nothing matters anymore."
The theme of this album sticks closely with "the fear of God." Mainly what Dies wrote about was how those who are not believers view Christians. It must look crazy, right? Believing that nothing on earth matters--only what comes after. Serving others instead of yourself. Believing in something you can't see. So when Showbread wrote The Fear of God, they wrote about "losing your mind" for God--the truest form of fearing Him.
One of the album's catchiest songs follows, building on the theme set in the first two tracks, again using sometimes comical lyrics to get the point across. Musically, this track uses synths more heavily, reminiscent of Age of Reptiles' more pronounced electronic sound. It's still heavy in a lot of places, something only Showbread could pull off--having an electronic hardcore flavor: "Regret Consumes Me" opens with a fun dance beat and contains other electronic noises throughout; "The Great Emasculation" opens with a synth piece similar to Showbread's sophomore "Pachycephalosaurus" and progresses into the newer hardcore style; "Let There Be Raw"--a tribute to Showbread's style of raw rock--uses a lot of synths while screaming "RAW ROCK!" again and again. So overall, The Fear of God has quite a range of different styles mixed together, which will probably make it appealing to a larger audience.
The album's light dims for a moment in "Out of My Mind," a song written for Dies' wife. It suffers musically with a short and bland chorus, and not much to make it memorable. A guitar solo close to the end makes it a little more enjoyable, but not much otherwise does. Things get better with "Vehement," which talks about overcoming pride so that we can be able to tell someone they're doing something they shouldn't be. Dies says over and over that "I've got to get myself to forget myself" and afterwards asks "Lord, I hate the sin so much, and I love the sinner, I certainly do. But how will they know how to purge the evil if I don't tell them what to do?"
"Shepherd, No Sheep" is one of the most musically and lyrically interesting songs on the album. Dies speaks to those who dislike Showbread because of a certain way things were put or what style was used. He sarcastically asks for forgiveness for not finding out what they wanted before putting out the music. In the end he says, "At Your feet I admit defeat, my work is now in your hands. If they want to hear stupid music, then so very bad, they can start themselves a band." For Showbread--and most other Christian bands--writing music is not just something they do to please people. It's to do what God wants, and anyone who questions that is just dead wrong.
"I Think I'm Going To See You" is one of the most fun songs on the album, again going back to the theme of losing your mind, saying, "The more the world puts in my mouth, the less I feel like chewing it. I found the way to madness and I'm opening the door. The more I say what's on my mind, the more I feel I'm losing it. They tell me what to care about and I don't care anymore." The following song, "Precursor," is another heavy track, slowing down enough at the end to say that, "Believing in nothing is scary. Believing in something is scarier still." From there the album slows down for good, with the title track and a song written to a deceased friend wrapping things up. They're both very melodic songs that might not entirely appeal to Showbread fans, but are actually some of the best songs on the album. The latter might be a bit emotional for some people, "Once sick and frail, once weak and pale, now made perfect and new. No more aching and crying, no more breaking and dying, finally home in the arms of Who loves you."
The Fear of God manages to satisfy those of us who may have been looking for some more fun music this year. It's also very deep and well written--something that is always a plus. Showbread's mish-mash of previous styles was a genius move that I very much appreciate. But of course, you just know something crazy is coming next, as Showbread never likes to stay in the same place, musically, for very long. And hopefully the time between albums doesn't differ much, so that we can have something to look forward to next year. Have fun losing your mind while waiting!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Recent Breakups :(
Also, it has been known that Hell or High Water would be As Cities Burn's final album. The band recently announced that they have called it quits after six years. RIP :(
Let's hope all of our other favorite bands don't get any ideas...
-FISHER
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Anchor & Braille- Felt
Those who are familiar with Christian's genius know that any new material by him is to be highly anticipated. And the fact that this debut has been worked on for almost four years now is
just one more reason why it should be considered a big deal. But anyone looking for the fun, pop-rock style of Anberlin will probably be disappointed, and maybe a bit surprised at the genre. It's mainly acoustic and very laid back. Such is evident with the first track, "Rust (The Short Story of Mary Agnosia)." Stephen uses his falsetto vocals in places, oftentimes reflecting Marsh's singing style. But his voice perfectly displays the ever-so-sad lyrics to follow along. The acoustic guitar, electric keyboard, some violin, and drums all come together to form a style drastically different from what Anberlin fans are used to. Although I must say that while some of the drums in the song seem out of place with the slower style, they help to keep things a little bit more upbeat than they could have been without. It seems somewhat awkward at first, but after a while it shouldn't be difficult to get used to.
The following track and first iTunes single, "Like Steps in a Dance," is a very beautiful song, with lyrics to match. The drums here are, partially, what give the song its character, and fit just fine. Christian uses his fantastic voice to go with his lyrical talent in an expert manner, again using his falsetto in a lot of the chorus. The song is one of the most outstanding tracks on the album. An electric guitar solo in "Blur" is executed perfectly, keeping the tone set by the first two songs. There is not a moment where the music does not strike as beautiful, except maybe shortly at the end of "Introspect," where the guitar just seems a bit haphazard--but entirely acceptable for a song ending and nowhere in between. Also, at the beginning of "Wedding/Funeral" the music seems to stutter for a bit before taking off. I find this slightly irritating, but nevertheless it assures that things never become too dry.
Christian and Marsh manage to keep things diverse, but not so much that there is any unexpected turn. Things stay true to the style throughout, but they mix up things enough to where there aren't any sound-alikes. A crunchy, static-filled guitar solo in track nine (which has a rather lengthy title) goes against the traditional sound found in the majority of the album, which I would say is the only point where they stray from the original concept.
Something that gives a lot of the songs their calm feel is the violin. I found myself drawn to that more than anything else. In places it's eerie--others it could almost put you to sleep with its peacefulness. It's at its most beautiful in "Summer Tongues." The piano throughout is, also, flawless.
"Sleep. When We Die." is another outstanding song, featuring vocals by Marsh in the bridge, accompanied by a sax or trumpet or some other wind instrument, and an electronic drum beat. Those who've heard Punk the Clock, Vol. 3 will recognize the song as formerly labeled, "Still Sleeping," with a few different sounds in places. Marsh also does some vocals on the following song, "Forget Love, I Just Want You To Make Sense To Me Tonight," the lengthy title I spoke of earlier.
Anberlin fans might be attracted to the song, "Sing Out." I found it slightly reminiscent of Anberlin's sound, while keeping it acoustic. It's a bit more upbeat and catchy than the rest of the music, and it's a rather nice addition. Fans of the "Feel Good Drag" acoustic version should give it a listen. And the final track is yet on more beautiful reminder of why Stephen Christian is so lyrically and musically talented.
From originality to the diversity to the unbelievable mind behind it, Anchor & Braille has managed a debut that will most certainly be remembered among Anberlin fans. While it may not satisfy those looking for another fun album this summer, it's certainly something you could find yourself chilling to. Felt is highly recommended to anyone who's into good music in general. I'll definitely be listening to it for a while.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Hawk Nelson- Letters to the President (Classic Review)
The youthful "California" opens up, perfectly describing how everyone who doesn't live there feels year-round. Things become a little more mature as the album progresses, starting with "Things We Go Through." While the song does keep the fun, "Wake up everyone around you, Let's rock until the clock strikes two," there are a few serious parts about the difficulties in life, asking God to help to see them through.
One of the reasons Letters to the President was so successful was because of the unashamed spiritual content. A lot of it is very bold, and Hawk manages to mix it with the fun content perfectly.
The title track is probably the most standout song on the album. The song deals with some serious issues, addressing, "Same sex marriage in a state where they don't care, murder is wrong, but the jail time's not fair, not to mention date rape, felony, and car theft." Lead vocalist Jason Dunn sings about wanting to do something to change the way our world is today. It's a very powerful and energy-packed song. The next two songs, "Right Here" and "Take Me" are both excellent tracks, separated by an instrumental song, and, for however short it may be, is verly lively, filled with the usual punk "Hey"s. The ever quirky and fun natured, "Someone Else Before" and "First Time" follow, leading into the album's heaviest track featuring McNevan on guest vocals. The album slows down at "36 Days," a track that is stays the same throughout, killing the mood presented by the previous tracks. It's a very heartfelt song, but just doesn't seem to fit with the rest.
Hawk's cover of "My Generation" by The Who is a great addition to the Deluxe Edition. They manage to still give it that old feel, and actually cover it very well, filled with those familiar stuttering vocals. On the other hand, the final three acoustic songs ("Every Little Thing," "Take Me," and "Letters to the President") only serve as nice additions to any Hawk fan's library. The best of the three would have to be, again, "Letters to the President," because of the sincerity felt through it.
So really, what made this '04 debut so successful was the spiritual depth. Yes, the punk rock was fun and exciting to listen to, but I think what really drew people in was the honesty and love for God that came with their lyrics. It's something that they've been incorporating lately in their music, and you can expect to find the same depth in their upcoming release, Live Life Loud.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Neon Horse- Haunted Horse: Songs of Love, Defiance, and Delusion
Their odd and somewhat creepy style is something that would repulse most listeners. But those brave enough to listen all the way through a full album found the style growing on them. Rock, fueled by dancy synths and catchy beats sounds great right? Something like old-school Jonezetta or maybe even some newer Falling Up? Not even close. The vocals used by Neon Horse are what sets them apart. They are not in any way normal. It's difficult to describe... very nasally and very eerie. There is not much that is melodic about it, either. And the background singer is even stranger. I don't think words can do them justice--you'd have to check them out for yourself. Nevertheless, they have released a sophomore album that very well lives up to its name.
The grand opening, "When Daddy Gets Home," is somewhat catchy, but still very creepy. Trying to keep it out of your head is more like trying not to scratch a bug bite. And you most likely won't find yourself tapping your feet (although I was tempted to during the final two songs). Haunted Horse was a good name choice for this album. Most of these tracks will have listeners cringing--unless, of course, they're fans--at the spookiness and strangeness. "Strange Town"--track two--has very good synths, but the title describes the song well. It's not anything that you will immediately want to like. Something like this would have to grow on you... and even then it would probably take a long time. I can't say I even like it now, listening to the album through and through. For the third track, "Yer Busy Little Beehive," the even creepier background vocalist takes over. With the addition of some piano, the only word I can use is haunting. And the line, "Dancing with the devil on the edge of the abyss--don't look down" just somehow does not seem right. I question this band's sanity.
Songs such as "When Daddy Gets Home," "Follow the Man," "Some Folks," and "Comin Up Theventh," start with instrumentals that sound somewhat like Starflyer 59--which would make sense if the specualtion about SF59's Jason Martin being in this group is true. I find this odd because of SF59's laid back, slow, normal style--completely contrasting Neon Horse. But then again, Martin is very multi-talented. And I would think that releasing the new SF59 album, Ghosts of the Past, on the same date might be a ploy to throw people off of their suspicion of his involvement with Neon Horse. Very clever.
I would say that the music in "Some Folks" outweighs the vocals, so that I would actually enjoy listening to it again, just for the music. And the following song, "Haven't Sinned In Years" sounds like there's actually some real singing in places, and it doesn't sound half bad! That's a definite highlight for me. The ending synths sound really cool as well.
Altogether, I would recommend this to fans of Starflyer 59, just for kicks. I don't think too many people could take it as serious music, but I suppose it's possible that it could grow on you if you let it. As for me, I'm going to try my hardest not to let that happen. But I'll let you decide that for yourself.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Update 7/28 PART 2
a) Quit
or
b) Make the best album of their career
Oh boy. If I were you, I'd give this post a thumbs up. Just kidding--you don't have to. But I would. Expectations are unbelievably high.
-FISHER
Update 7/28
Thousand Foot Krutch released another single from their new album. It's called "Fire It Up," and if you had any doubts about the new record, this should clear things up for you. It's sweet. You can link up to the iTunes page here, and look for their album, Welcome to the Masquerade, to drop September 8th.
August Burns Red released their video for "Meddler" today, which you can check out by clicking here. I like it because, unlike most metal vids, this one isn't too dark or creepy. It's actually really good, and definitely worth checking out.
Family Force 5 announced the new dates for their Dance Rawr Dance III tour, so to see if they're gonna be near you (cause I know they'll be near me!) link up here.
Today there were two new releases... one from Starflyer 59 and one from Neon Horse. Both are being streamed on AOL, so you can listen here for Neon Horse and here for Starflyer 59. The SF59 album is a two-disc thing, but only one of the discs is being streamed. I'm not very familiar with Starflyer, but I'm liking what I'm hearing. But Neon Horse is being streamed in it's entirety, so I'll do a review for that. Even though I'm not entirely fond of them.
And one other thing! When you enter the site, the pop-up is for your Twitter account. I made mine private because of all the odd and inappropriate followers I was getting, so this way I can approve you all and not look bad. So if you want to be able to view my Twitter updates from this page, follow me, and when you sign in you'll be golden!
Okay.... make this two other things. Do you see the two little boxes below this post? Feel free to select one when you read. I'd love to hear your feedback, even if it is a simple "Thumbs Up" or "Thumbs Down."
So that's really it. Thanks guys!
-FISHER
Monday, July 27, 2009
Update 7/27
To start off with some rather exciting news, Falling Up announced that they are recording a new album. It's due out in 2010, and it'll be a continuation of this year's Fangs! Yes, it's kind of soon, but they (supposedly) left us hanging with the ending of the last album, so it's only fair that they'd continue without hesitation, right? Also, they have a website in the works that will (supposedly) help us to understand the Falling Up mystery. It will be called "Neptuenn's Cavern," and I'll let you know when it's up, because it might be something you want to check out. It sure might help with understanding what we've been listening to all this time.
Hawk Nelson's new album, Live Life Loud, will be hitting the street on September 22, but it's available for pre-order NOW. You can get it from MusiChristian and receive a t-shirt/autographed photo combo package. Also, you can check out the album artwork, which is pretty cool. If you like dogs and 3D glasses, that is.
And, last but not least, Family Force 5 release the full-length version of their anticipated "Dance or Die" video. It might help to have a little background on it, but you can click here to view it. I liked the beginning, but after that it was a little weird. And Soul Glow needs a haircut.
Thanks for reading, guys! Purple Door is gonna happen soon, so I'll try to write an overall review. I'm pretty sure it's gonna rock.
-FISHER
Monday, July 20, 2009
Update 7/20
Most recently, Showbread has posted a song from their upcoming album, The Fear of God, on their Myspace. It's called "Lost Connection With The Head," and I like it a lot. And while you're there, check out the album artwork and pre-order the album. And if you wish to hear another new song unveiled from the new album, check out "Nothing Matters Anymore" from the Fuel Magazine Sampler 2009, which is free, so do hesitate to download it.
In other new release news, Abandon, Philmont, and Skillet are releasing new albums on August 25th.
You can pre-order Searchlights, by Abandon, here.
Philmont's new album, Attention, is available for pre-order here and get an autographed booklet.
Skillet's new album has a few different options. The first features the CD, an Official Fan Club membership, and the immediate download of their single "Hero." The second has all that and an autographed VIP pass. The biggest and best has all that plus a t-shirt. Click here to pick which one you want. And if you don't want to go with those, there's a fourth on MusiChristian.com, which comes with a free t-shirt. All of these options are pretty great, so choose wisely! Also, be sure to check if they'll be near you on their upcoming "Awake and Alive Tour" featuring Hawk Nelson, Decyfer Down, and The Letter Black.
Thousand Foot Krutch will be releasing their fifth studio album, Welcome To The Masquerade, September 8. You can take a look at the pre-order options here. They include the CD, a t-shirt, autographs, and a belt buckle. You can also get their 3-disc anthology, Deja Vu, on the same page.
September 22nd is the date when Pillar's new album, Confessions, releases. More details on pre-orders to come.
Also, pre-orders for Switchfoot's newest album, Hello Hurricane, begin this August. There will be five options: a digital download, standard CD, vinyl w/ digital download, deluxe CD/DVD, and the collectors deluxe edition, which will have the CD/DVD and b-sides, a hardbound 84 page photo book, and an exclusive poster. Stay tuned for more to come...
That's all I've got for now, be sure to check out my latest reviews, look for classic reviews to come, and vote on the poll! Thanks for checking out the blog!
-FISHER
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Project 86- Picket Fence Cartel
While not all songs carry this theme, an idea spawned off of this one does carry on throughout the album. As Project 86 explains it, our society is so driven to get fame in one way or another. But once someone gets what they've wanted (power), they end up being controlled by it, to where it is their sole obsession. The question that Project explores in this album is "Who do I belong to?"
Front-man Andrew Shwab's oftentimes genius lyrics help us discover the answer to this topic. Songs like "The Butcher" use powerful lyrics, declaring that "There is no weapon, there is no blade, you'll never kill Him that lives inside of me." The track obviously points out that if we belong to God, "Who can be against us?"
Picket Fence Cartel has some of the most spiritual lyrics to date. Project 86 is, of course, a Christian band, but sometimes oblique lyricism takes away from any meaning to the listener. Most, if not all of the songs on this album can be easily interpreted to have some sort of spiritual meaning. The opener, "Destroyer," tells of the end times, and the demise of Satan--"The lives that you thought that were your to devour, Destroyer, the tables have turned in this hour." "Cement Shoes" is a song that comes across as downright worshipful, screaming "And so we bow it to, bow it to, kneel before You, just like a child here, I'm not ashamed." "Two Glass Eyes" cries out to God to "Rescue me!" "Cyclonus," the following track, opens with a Bible verse, and afterwards commands that "Devastator, Complicator, Bringer of Pain, why won't you fly away." The track following that, "The Black Brigade," reinforces its predecessor, asking God for deliverance from the evil that chases us. But the finale is the strongest, lyrically, and the most worshipful track on the album--maybe even the most worshipful ever to come from Project 86. The track says that "We've lost all our control, our faces fall to the ground, we're powerless to Your voice, surrender to the sound," and after answers the question we've been pondering the entire album. "Who do I belong to? Not earth, not world, not evil, not mortals, not wretches, not horrors. Who do I belong to? Unchanging, Unbreaking, Unfailing, Creator, Immortal, Eternal." It's an extremely powerful song, and even if you're not a fan of Project, it's worth giving a listen to.
I'm vaguely familiar with Project's older work--mainly their singles such as "Spy Hunter" or "Evil (A Chorus of Resistance)." But I have heard the majority of 2007's Rival Factions, and I must say this album is much heavier than the synth-laced style of their last album. While the synths are present in a few songs, such as a little in the background of the chorus of "Dark Angel Dragnet," and predominantly in "A John Hancock With The Safety Off," most of the songs are more metal than their last attempt. With only three members, I'm not sure who they have on the drums, but some of those beats are pretty amazing. The start of "Dark Angel Dragnet" has a very interesting drum piece, and songs like "Cold and Calculated" and "Two Glass Eyes" have intense rhythm that almost come across as catchy. The most interesting part of the album, musically, is halfway though "To Sand We Return," where there is a short acoustic break, accompanied by vocals that will give you goosebumps at one point or another.
So overall, Picket Fence Cartel is a great improvement--musically, lyrically, and spiritually. The theme is fantastic, and the songs help to very well portray it. And it can only be uphill from here, as we watch and see where this band will take us next.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Fireflight- Unbreakable (Classic Review)
Through all of their hardships, Fireflight has managed to put out one of the most encouraging and inspirational albums in the hard rock industry than I have heard in a very long time. Two years after the release of their debut album, The Healing of Harms--an extremely successful debut, featuring two #1 singles "Waiting" and "You Decide"--2008's Unbreakable is quickly becoming more and more successful. Recently featured during Taco Bell's "Feed the Beat" contest, they've gained a few promotions and a chance to perform at this past Winter X-Games. And while they may not be as popular as Flyleaf or Paramore--two more female-fronted artists--with a new album in the works, Fireflight is about to gain more success than previously thought possible from this small, Orlando based rock band.
The title track, "Unbreakable,"--featured on promos for NBC's late "Bionic Woman," adding even more to their success--is a solid rock track with lyrics inspired from the story in John 8 about the woman accused of adultery. Jesus forgave her, and, like he's forgiven us, "Now I am unbreakable."
Almost every song on this album has a highlight of its own--without them all being too much alike. Each song has very encouraging lyrics, which is why they're popular among some contemporary markets as well. Songs like "You Gave Me a Promise," "Brand New Day," "Forever," and "Stand Up" are among the most encouraging on the album. Other songs aren't so much encouraging as they have a good message for the listener. "The Hunger" talks about someone who needs God but refuses to accept him. "Go Ahead" is about asking God to work in our lives to make us more like Him. "So Help Me God" is about a relationship that pulls us away from God. And for the ultra-powerful finale, "Wrapped In Your Arms," Fireflight gives us a beautiful worship song. It ends the album perfectly, and all hopes of this sophomore album are very well satisfied.
A lot of the album is appreciated by contemporary listeners and hard rock listeners alike. Fireflight balances the hard and contemporary styles perfectly. One minute they're rocking out with "The Hunger" and two songs later worshipping with another powerful track, "Forever." Dawn Richardson's amazing voice matches the intensity of the music as she belts out the chorus: "Oh, tell me You're here, that You will watch over me, oh, take hold of my heart, show me You love me, forever." Guitarist Justin Cox shortly takes over vocals in parts of "The Love We Had Before," adding a little bit of diversity to a very catchy song.
All in all, Fireflight has created an excellent second album. Their popularity is sure to increase with their next album, and who knows where they'll go next? But judging by where Fireflight went this time... it's got to be all uphill from here.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
August Burns Red- Constellations
The album's first single and first track, "Thirty and Seven," is your typical ABR song. Lots of double bass and guitar riffs with nothing but screaming thrown in between. Due to lead vocalist Jake Luhrs's screaming style of half-screaming/part-yelling, a lot of the words are a little easier to discern than those of other metal bands. One line that is easily recognizable in this song is "Your mind is the mountain before you," telling of a person who is holding on to their guilt and shame and not realizing that they've been forgiven by God. "Existence" and "Ocean of Apathy," the next two songs, have great guitar parts, the first containing a mind-bending guitar solo, ABR style. They're a little more melodic in places, making them some of the more memorable songs on this album. They both also have excellent lyrics, which is a big highlight in this album.
Lyrically, this album is very sound. All of the songs have deep and thoughtful lyrics. That is one of the things that separates ABR from the normal--they are entirely open about their faith, and are not afraid to let it show in their music. That is a huge part of why they are so successful in the Christian metal market. The song, "Paradox," is a perfect example, telling of a foolish person who can't control their words. And "Meridian" is one of the simplest, yet most meaningful tracks on the album--"I will build you up again, you will be rebuilt. I am the painter making this mess a masterpiece. I will rebuild you up again."
Songs like "White Washed" and "Marianas Trench" have long intros without vocals until about a minute into the song, giving a temporary break from the brutal screaming. The song, "Meridian" holds the record on this album for the longest time without any screaming. Putting the vocals to rest is a great way to make the album more diverse. While Luhrs is belting out screams, some things tend to sound the same after a while and get boring. The solos and instrumental bridges really help to change things up a little. Of course, if you're looking for a song that's brutal all the way through till the end, "The Escape Artist" will be to your liking, although there is a very nice sounding piano piece for a few seconds at the end.
This being my first August Burns Red album, I am very impressed. Their lyrics are fantastic, and while things do become slightly redundant after a bit, their talent is well worth it. Melodic in places and brutal throughout, this album is a must-buy for fans of Christian metal (other bands like Demon Hunter, Underoath, The Devil Wears Prada) and August Burns Red. I will definitely be checking out their older work, based on this.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Update 6/30
"'84 Sheepdog" by As Cities Burn, "All My Balloons" by Children 18:3, FM Static "Boy Moves to a New Town With Optimistic Outlook," Emery "Cutthroat Collapse," Ivoryline "Days End," August Burns Red "Thirty and Seven," Copeland "The Grey Man." There is a song by Hawk Nelson, The Showdown, And Then There Were None, Family Force 5, Jonezetta, and Underoath. There are a few that I was too lazy to name, but they're good.
If I were you I'd get over there and download that sampler.
In other news, Mutemath has this amazing new song you can listen to on their Purevolume called "The Nerve." Also, they're going to be having a mobile listening party that could come to your city. For details on that and a very cool preorder, click here.
Also, (and I don't know why I haven't posted this earlier) Project 86 has made their next album, Picket Fence Cartel, available for preorder. Check it out on their Myspace.
So that's it for now, check back soon. Tell your friends!
-FISHER
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Search the City BREAKS UP!?!?!
Sorry to break this news, I know it's going to be hard on a lot of you if you haven't found out yet already. They were a great band, very musically talented. Their first (and, sadly, only) album will always be remembered. RIP. :(
-FISHER
Friday, June 26, 2009
Skillet- Comatose Comes Alive (Classic Review)
Known for their fantastic live performance, Skillet was very wise in putting out this album. On one hand, you have those who have never seen Skillet live. This album will motivate them to try harder to make it to the next show in their area. On the other hand you have fans who have seen Skillet live, or maybe even this exact tour. For them, this album will be a perfect reminder of that amazing show they went to. So either way, they'll have most real fans buying this album.
And for those fans who think that they don't need this album because they already have all of Skillet's older albums, you're wrong. There isn't a song that doesn't sound different in some way or another. Songs like "Comatose," "Better Than Drugs," and "Those Nights" have different intros written specially for their live show. A good majority of the songs also contain screams by lead vocalist, John Cooper, which helps make the show even heavier and more exciting than thier album. He also inserts fun Skillet facts and jokes with the audience, and it makes the album a lot more personal from Skillet to the fans. But no need to worry, all of the talking is at the end of the tracks, so you don't have to skip through it to get to the music part. A big highlight of the album is during "Yours To Hold" in which Skillet's new drummer, Jen Ledger, does vocals for a verse. She has a great voice, and I'm sure we'll be hearing it a lot more on the new album, Awake.
As far as the video goes, the quality is phenomenal. At times the video is distorted for effect, and can get a little annoying, but otherwise it's very well done. It makes the audio portion twice as good. You get to see how the band uses their energy to perform--mainly headbanging. Lots of headbanging. But they also do some cool stuff with their guitars, and the pyrotechnics are amazing.
The whole thing makes you feel like you're at an actual Skillet show. They put on just as good live show for this album as they did when I saw them on the same tour. The only exception here is the volume and the people stepping on your feet. So, in a way, it's nice to experience a Skillet show from the comforts of your home, even though it's not even close to the real deal. So if you like this album, go to a Skillet show the next time their near you. It's a lot of fun!