The Long Road Inbetween

Here in Alaska we have a road that connects Anchorage and Fairbanks.  There is not much to do and even less places to stop along the way.  Portions of the road are wilderness that go on for hours.  For many this is a beautiful drive filled with incredible sites.  For those that drive the road often it is just merely the road from Anchorage to Fairbanks and the most valuable thing is making good time.

In my own life I have been on a road of transition.  I am moving from one position that I have held for three plus years into a new position that has more challenges than benefits.  It is an adventure but at the same time it is a road that I have taken many times before. I feel almost numb to everything and I am just waiting to lock into this new opportunity and begin to work at 100% again. 

During this time, I have felt myself being drawn closer to God, dealing with suppressed emotions, and reflecting back on what has happened in the last few years.  Having time to look more inward than outward has given me the opportunity to learn who I have become.  Like Joseph having to spend some time in prison to prepare for Pharaoh's courts, I have been able to prepare for what is to come.  To those that read my words on this blog, I apologize for going on vacation from sharing my thoughts but know that my mind is now full of new ideas.  The next year will be definitely interesting.

Just for Fun

One of the more strange bands in Christian music, Family Force 5 has made a reputation for itself as a hybrid of rock, pop, techno, and house. Many have turned their backs on FF5 stating that they are too main stream and irreverent. Now I could go on a long theological rant about why these few are wrong but I won't. I just want to say that, "loosen up and have some fun." FF5 is all about just letting your hair down and having some much needed fun. In a world where we face reality 24/7/365 it is essential that we learn how to laugh and just be stupid. One of my favorite aspects of FF5 is they do not take themselves seriously.

Apart from the value of the band, the music is definitely from another world. Some have called their type of music as "crunk". But due to the variety of music types that every album has, it is hard to nail them down to just one genre. My recommendation is just to listen to their music once. You'll either love it or hate it, but at least give it a chance.

Feeling Blue but Made White

My apologies for being away so long.  As many of you know I am battling a sickness that doctors cannot identify but I am joyful that I have a God that gives me the strength to endure.  This week I have found some great music that I know you will love.  First I know many of you have heard of this band but they just release a new video off their "Woven" album, it is White by Esterlyn.


 This past week, I was having a tough time with a few things.  Have you ever gone through a moment where you want to just drop everything and say "I'm done".  I began to question whether what I do is worth it.  On Air1, the DJ asked the question, "If got stuck on an elevator with Jesus for three hours, what would you ask him?"  I didn't even need to think about it, I would ask "Why is ministering to the unseen, the unwanted, and the needy so difficult?"  I was in short, distraught.

Then this video hit the web last week and I heard the words I needed.  "Restore the joy of my salvation" and "Renew a steadfast spirit within me".  Those old hymn lyrics cut to my very core and I realized that even in the darkest nights His light shines through.  It is all worth it because there are those that need His spirit.  There are those that need the whiteness that comes from salvation through Jesus.

I went on to go onto Amazon and get the rest of the album and it did not disappoint.   The song Reflexion which precedes White is also amazing.  I had heard Esterlyn on the radio but sometimes it is not until you hear a song that really speaks to a situation that you take notice of a band.  I would recommend getting "Woven" and also "Call Out" (which is $3.99 for the CD and mp3 album combo).  Great folk/worship band that would make a great addition to anyone's music library.

 

Sickness and Knowing Who God Is

As many of you that know me personally already know, I have been dealing with sickness lately.  Doctors do not know what is wrong and I am getting frustrated not knowing.  This new frustration added to other frustrations that I have had lately and has led me to my knees to scream to the heavens, "WHY!!!"  Ever been there?  During one of these emotional breakouts I came across a timely new release for one of my favorite artists, JJ Heller.  "Who You Are" met me right where I was and reminded me of a simple fact about God.  I might not know what is going on in life and look upon the journey ahead and have no clue why I am going through these troubles but it doesn't matter.  Even if I feel lost in darkness, I still know the light.  Sometimes we need to just remember who God is and understand that He knows where we are when we don't.

"I don't know what You are doing but I know who You are."

"Who You Are" by JJ Heller

Hope this helps all of you like it helped me.  May God Bless and Keep You.

VOTA Votes for REAL Change

I have to admit that I am impressed with this selfless act by VOTA.  I have seen many bands donate a portion of their record sales to a cause or the proceeds of a concert but never have I seen a band pledge 100% of all of their brand new album's sales to a cause.  On top of that what a cause it is, human trafficking is something that as Americans we need to take a strong stand on.  VOTA wants to save 3,000 girls in the next 5 years from being sold as sex slaves in Nepal.    When I saw the video that VOTA put together explaining where the money is going it felt right and it made me want to get behind this, and I did. If you do not want to support the mission then just sit through the video and you get VOTA's new album "Love Found Me" for FREE.  Goto http://www.lovefoundme.org/ to support this effort.

Not surprisingly the album was really good.  If you listen to Air1 or Klove then you should recognize the sound of VOTA but if not here is a little run down.  Previously known as "Casting Pearls" they changed their name to VOTA to avoid confusion with the band "Casting Crowns" and the rest of it is, as they say, history.  Sounding like a cross between Audio Adrenaline and Royal Tailor they have carved out a piece of the Christian alternative rock scene and have a sound that can only be experienced to understand.

 VOTA Love Found Me Album

Fun album, the sound and tone of the album was upbeat.  Songs like "Lift Me Up" & "Open Up the Sky" have a house feel to them and make great driving songs while songs like "Learning to Dream" are those songs that just uplift you spirit.  I have to admit that when I saw that the album was being given away I did not expect much but I was thankfully wrong.  The album is a professional album worth some space in my phones music playlist (for those that don't know me, that means I personally like the music). Great album and even better cause.


VOTA God of the Universe

First single off of the album above.

Off with Stomptown

This week I have a two for one deal for you, a new video and album, so let's jump in.

Off With Her Head by Icon for Hire

Yes, I know that Icon for Hire has caused some waves through the Christian community but I for one have to give them props for what they are doing.  Refusing to conform to the Christian Rock Band mold Icon has carved out a niche in the alternative rock scene that reminds me a lot of what Stryper did back in the 1980's with the hair band metal scene.  This offering, "Off with Her Head", is an amazing video showcasing the art that is behind their music.  Like last weeks video, "Bombs Away", the video adds to the story of the song and explains what Ariel, lead singer, was thinking as she penned the lyrics.  I have high hopes for this band as they move forward as a band and as followers of Christ.

Stomptown Revival

Okay, now I know that this album came out last October but I am sure that many of you didn't even know that it existed.  Combining the talents of Brandon Bee and Gabe Martinez, who up to this project were both successful front-men, created a sound that is both familiar and distinctive.  Combining blues, southern rock, folk, and a little bluegrass for style the sound of Stomptown is the best sound to come out of Christian music in years and I can't help but play the album repeatedly.  The guitars, a harmonica, and even a slide guitar brings me right back to my grandfathers den and those old pickin' parties.  When I first got the album I listened to "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" over and over remembering those old hymn lyrics that pierce right to the soul.  In today's world where hope seems lost I have to give it up to Stomptown to remind us all of whom we have to lean on, "Safe and Secure from all alarms."   I encourage everyone who can part with $6 to pick up this mp3 album or from their store at http://stomptownrevival.com you can pick up a vinyl copy of the album for $15.  Either way it is a great deal for one of my a top 5 albums of 2012.

Bombs Away...It's time for some Videos

I must admit that I was surprised by how many liked the new direction that I started last week.  I am having a blast and honestly this has become the thing I look forward to sharing every week.  Today two videos premiered and while one is probably going to be the popular pic I am amazed by the second.

Eye On It by Tobymac feat Britt Nicole

I have to admit that even though the song is great and Britt Nicole's vocals are a welcome addition, I am a little disappointed by it.  The video honestly looks like something that could have been thrown together in a weekend by the road crew.  While this is an okay look for new and upcoming bands I think Toby can give us a little more.  Also even though "Eye On It" is the albums title song, there are so many other stronger songs on the album like "Me without You", "Forgiveness" feat Lecrae, or "Unstoppable" feat Blanca.  With such an amazing album, why choose a relative "b-side" song to make your first video out of. 

Bombs Away by Jonathan Thulin feat Rachael Lampa

Now for this week's favorite.  This song is an amazing mix of vocals, strings, and drums that pulls at the heart strings but the video takes it to the next level.  In the behind the scenes video Jonathan states that he believes that a video should explain and enhance a song and with "Bombs Away" he definitely makes the song powerful.  I have to admit that at the end I had tears in my eyes.  The emotion and passion portrayed by the singers is believable and relate-able.  The visuals of a once white room (representative of our soul) becoming trashed by the decisions and mistakes that we make made this song more than a song and moved it more into a six minute presentation of the Gospel.  I would encourage you to view this and to also share it.

Thanks once again for reading my thoughts and I look forward to continuing to show you more of the music that drives me.  

A bit of My Personal Passion Every Week

If any of you know me personally then you know that I love music.  Since I was a child I have had a fascination with music.  Some remember the first baseball glove they bought, first bike, I remember the first album that I bought and called my own, Petra's "Back to the Streets".  My favorite experience is when you here a fresh song that you have never heard before.  That is why I am starting a weekly post that will be devoted to this passion of mine and introduce you to new music that has hit and my review of it or a new video that has hit YouTube.  This week I will do both.

My Taste in Music:  I know you've probably heard this before but there is not one genre of music that I dislike.  This is not to say there are not bands I would rather not listen to but I can almost always find a band in any genre that I can appreciate.  This being said, if you don't like the style of music featured this week check back next week and you might see something you do like.

NEW ALBUM

There is a new band that has spent most of the last few years working to make other bands sound better.  This band is none other than Capital Kings and their brand new self titled album hit shelves today.  I have to say, they have out-shined my expectations.  Tobymac put out a video to introduce their album and frankly when I saw it I was skeptical that the twosome could put out an entire album of original material because for the past few years they have just put their own spin on other artist's work.  Well now that I have heard the album I have to say I was wrong in being skeptical because they put out an album that was not only fun but also a great album to drive to, work out to, or dance to.  Their sound is electronic-dance so be ready for some awesome mixes but I was happy to see that unlike their main backer, Tobymac, they did not remix their own music to add tracts. "The Paradigm" featuring Soul Glow Activatur of Family Force 5 has gotta be my favorite just because of its unique sound and its message of leading the way as the next generation. I was also glad to see that the artists that have benefited from their superb remixes, Britt Nicole and Tobymac, lent their talents to this album.  The last and best part of this new release is that it is only $5.99 for the MP3 album and digital booklet on Amazon, awesome deal for ten brand new songs that now show us that Capital Kings is not just about the remixes anymore.

NEW VIDEO

Britt Nicole: Home
Britt Nicole is mostly known for her pop hits such as Gold, Headphones, etc. but this shows a little of her acoustic side with only a guitar and percussionist.  The sound of this song is amazing having an old southern folk sound to it.  As a southerner I felt myself transported back home and hearing music like this echoing from the old church house.

Hope everyone enjoyed this entry and I look forward to continue sharing what I love...music.