Josh Garrels New CD - FREE!

If you don't know Josh Garrels, let this be your introduction.  I discovered this guy on youtube awhile back and instantly became a fan.  Hopefully, I'll get a chance to do a complete review for the blog shortly of his new album.  For now, I'll say that my early faves are "The Resistance" and "Beyond the Blue".

The great thing is that for now you can get "Love & War & the Sea In Between" for free at either Garrels' home page or through noisetrade.  I would recommend the artist's site for the simple reason that you can choose practically any download form you desire!

Here's a taste of Josh to whet your appetite...

Bunnies Always Hop

There is no shortage of "worship wars" in the Church today.  I want to say it's sad because it is, but pathetic is probably a better word to use.  There are many within the Church that make music "the issue" all the time. "Numbers are down.  We need to change the music."  The fact remains that numerical growth does not equal spiritual growth or blessing for that matter.  

No doubt, music can draw crowds, but it has little or no power to keep them.  Bunnies always hop.  Oh sure they come for the music, but that's it.  So when someone does it bigger and better, they hop on over.  

And don't misunderstand me either.  I know there is a lot of bad music out there, and there are a lot of churches that need to revisit the issue.  But that is not the only question that needs to be asked.  In fact, it may not be in the top ten.

Kevin DeYoung discusses this idea of music being "the big drawing card", and he offers some better questions to ask in regards to declining numbers (I would offer that they are great questions to ask of a growing church as well).

Is the gospel faithfully preached?

Is the Bible taught with clarity and passion?

Are the sermons manifestly rooted in a text of Scripture?

Do the elders/pastors and deacons meet the qualifications for church office laid out in the New Testament?

Are the sacraments faithfully administered and protected?

Is church discipline practiced?

Do the elders exercise personal care over the flock?

Are there good relationships among the staff and other leaders?

Is the worship service put together thoughtfully and carried out with undistracting excellence (as much as possible)?

Do the people in the congregation sing the songs with gusto or are they going through the motions?

Is a high bar set for church membership?

Are the people of the church engaged in personal ministry?

Is the congregation marked by increasing prayer and evangelism?

Do the pastors believe in the complete trustworthiness of all of Scripture?

Do they take adequate time for study and preparation?

Do they truly believe and eagerly rejoice in their church’s/denomination’s statement of faith, creeds, and confessions?

Are their lives examples of personal holiness?

If these questions are being asked on a regular basis, chances are you will have a healthy church - regardless of the “numbers”.  Is your church asking the right questions?  Or is it trying to please bunnies?  If that’s the case, you need to remember the truth about bunnies - bunnies always hop.

Easter

One of the greatest songs ever written...

A ghost of a mist was on the field

The grey and the green together

The noise of a distant farm machine

Out of a the first light came

A tattered necklace of hedge end trees

On the southern side of the hill

Betrays where the border runs between

Where Mary Dunoon's boy fell

Easter here again

A time for the blind to see

Easter

Surely now can all of your hearts be free

Out of the port of Liverpool

Bound for the north of Ireland 

The wash of the spray and horsetail waves

The roll of the sea below

And Easter here again

A time for the blind to see

Easter

Surely now can all of your hearts be free

What will you do? 

Make a stone of your heart? 

Will you set things right? 

When you tear them apart? 

Will you sleep at night? 

With the plough and the stars alight?

What will you do?

With the wire and the gun? 

That'll set things right 

When it's said and done? 

Will you sleep at night? 

Is there so much love to hide?

Forgive

Forget

Sing never again

Lift Up the Light (Live) ~ Oaks Worship - A Review

It seems all the rage in today's mega-church Christianity to throw together a group of talented musicians in order to "cook" the worship.  While your at it, you might as well make a CD to market to the masses.  Hype is hip so long as you call it worship.  If that's what you're after in a worship album, then I hate to disappoint, but Lift Up the Light is not for you.

This is not hype, this is a worship; this is Oaks Worship.  I say that because when I listen, there is a very real sense of "this is not about me."  And that is what worship is.  It's realizing that you are in the presence of something or someone greater than you.  Lift Up the Light exalts Jesus.  It's message is clear; Christ is King.

As for the team, there is talent for sure.  My love of all things Shane & Shane is well known.  That said, this is not a Shane & Shane joint.    I must admit that my favourites on this CD are not by the Shanes. For the record my fave is "Forever".  Another nice feature, in my opinion, is that this is an album of all original material.  No taking a Church fave and doing your "own" version to pump sales.

From beginning to end, Lift Up the Light does not and will not disappoint. That is unless, you want to be made much of.  If that's the case, run, run now, there is nothing for you here.  Sorry, it's all about Jesus.  If that's what you're after - look no further.

1971

In honour of hitting 71 followers - and the fact that that is my birth year - I figured I would celebrate the amazing albums of 1971.  I mean seriously, most of these are pure classics.  It was quite simply a great year for music.  I challenge any of you to have a better list from your birth year!

Led Zeppelin IV

The Who ~ Who's Next

Marvin Gaye ~ What's Going On

Joni Mitchell ~ Blue

John Lennon ~ Imagine

The Rolling Stones ~ Sticky Fingers

David Bowie ~ Hunky Dory

Carole King ~ Tapestry

Yes ~ Fragile; The Yes Album

I seriously could go on and on....  The Allman Brothers ~ At Fillmore East; The Doors ~ LA Woman; Pink Floyd ~ Meddle; Don McLean ~ American Pie.

Do a search and you will find 10-20 more beauties from this year.  What do you think?  Is your birth year better? 

Marillion: Crash Course - Free Album!

I am a Marillionaire!  For those that don't know what that means - it is simply a way to say that I am a huge fan of the band Marillion.  "WHO?" Is usually the question that follows. Ask no more.  For those who have ever wondered, the band has offered a free CD sampler of their music called Crash Course.  It is just that - a "crash course" in Marillioneze.  Check it out; It's FREE.  It is ten full tracks from the band from a variety of albums.  Have a listen and then love 'em or leave 'em.  I think you know where I stand!

Marillion are used to fighting misconceptions.  Marillion are not what you think they are.  No, really, they’re not. Just remember that whatever your preconceptions are about this band, chances are they are wrong.

Listen.

Find out for yourself.

Make up your own mind.

Super 8 Debut - Top 8 Debut Albums

Today, I am participating in another nice little blogging challenge.  It is the Super 8 Debut.  The challenge is to list the top 8 debut albums ever.  Of course this would be easy if you were to go purely based on sales, but I couldn't in good conscience - or in any form of sanity - list anything by Britney Spears or the Backstreet Boys.  So, these then are my personal selections for top 8 debut albums ever....

Number 8 - The Eagles ~ Eagles

The Eagles talent should be obvious to any and all who have ever listened.  Take It Easy has to be one of the most recognizable songs to ever come out of America.  Plain and simple - this band has talent!

Number 7 - Guns N Roses ~ Appetite For Destruction

You knew it had to be on the list!  Seriously, if you lived in the 'burbs back in the day this one was mailed to you.  It is safe to say that almost everyone knows or has heard at least one track of this classic.  I remember being in Steve's Music Store in Ottawa and the guy working went completely insane when someone picked up a guitar and started playing the riff for "Sweet Child of Mine", because that was what everyone played when they picked up an axe...too funny...the guy seriously went bonkers...and you have the riff in your head RIGHT NOW, don't you?  LOL!

Number 6 - Pearl Jam ~ Ten

Classic!  This is the one that really rocketed the Seattle grunge scene or "Alternative" music to the forefront.  For all the Nirvana fans out there - this is the one that drove Cobain nuts to the point of calling Vedder a "sell-out".  Personally, I never liked Nirvana so, that makes me laugh.  Seriously though, this one was a beauty!

Number 5 - Marillion ~ Script For A Jester's Tear

All the album's from the "Fish" era were nothing short of musical genius.  Those first three albums - this one - along with Misplaced Childhood and Clutching At Straws are brilliant.  If you consider yourself any kind of music - as an art form - lover, you need to check those out!

Number 4 - Marillion ~ Season's End

The "debut" of Steve Hogarth proved to be a massive success for Marillion.  I kind of cheated - I know - but this is a debut of sorts and as a die hard "Marillionaire" (fan), this was a new beautiful beginning for this band.

Number 3 - U2 ~ Boy

Seriously, I don't need to defend this selection do I?  This really should be on every list.

Number 2 - Rush ~ Rush
If you know anything about me at all, you know that I love this band.  They are quite simply the best at what they do.  Start to finish, this is money - Finding My Way to open and Working Man to finish up - come on!  Classic deluxe factor 10!

Number 1 - Boston ~ Boston
You knew this was going to be number one.  Even more than "Boy" this one really needs to be on every list.  If not, I seriously question your ability to do just about anything requiring logic or rational thinking.  Seriously though, forget about debuts, this is one of the best albums of all time - period!






And now for a couple of honourable mentions...

Garth Brooks self-titled debut is argued - by many - to be his best.  I'm not the biggest fan of country music but this guy is country's answer to The Boss - he can put on a show!  He is great live and with close to 130 million albums sold, he has some serious clout and influence.

Alanis Morissette "debut", Jagged Little Pill was a great album, and it stands as the second best-selling debut ever behind Boston.  But above and beyond sales, this is just a well written album, with great songs that defined a generation.  And it cleaned up at the Grammys - not a litmus test I know, but still. Plus I knew her so there!

Technically this shouldn't be included as a debut album because as a young teen Alanis released something that I hesitate to call an album. Yes, it was that bad.




And a couple of "where are they now" selections...

Just did a post on this guy a couple days ago.  Talk about drop and disappear!  Great music none-the-less, and another Grammy sweep!

What's he up to now? Listen...you can almost hear the crickets.

Remy Shand, The Way I Feel is the one that maybe nobody has heard of.  It did garner 4 Grammy nominations - no wins.  That said, this guy has some serious talent and not just musically.  He did everything on this album, and by everything, I mean everything.  All instruments, mixing, production and whatever else there was to do.  Good Canadian boy from the 'Peg...but...WHERE ARE YOU NOW!

30 Years Ago Today

30 years ago today, back when the Grammy Awards were almost worth watching, Christopher Cross cleaned up with this classic.  Cross won 4 Grammy Awards that night including record of the year - sailing; album of the year - Christopher Cross (self-titled); song of the year - sailing; and best new artist.  Sailing remains as one the best soft rock songs ever, IMHO.  Enjoy...

Sovereign Grace SALE!

  

There are not too many things to like about February.  This however, is one of them!  The annual February sale at Sovereign Grace Ministries is on.  Now is the time to stock up on those items that are great to give away.  Now is the time to stock up on what is missing from your church library.  Now is the time to finally get around to getting those CD's that you've always wanted.  They are offering free shipping within the US on orders over $15.  Here are a few items I would to put on your short list:

The Cross-Centered Life

Living the Cross-Centered Life 

Humility: True Greatness 

Worldliness: Resisting the Temptation of a Fallen World 

As for the music...take your pick; they are all worth the investment.

Love in the Truth.

The Impossible Task

What is it you ask?  Try picking your 10 favourite songs.  A task set out by Alex Cavanaugh today. Well, it's Monday, so I figured I would give a go.  I'm quite certain that when I'm done, I'll kick myself for missing one, or two, or...you get the idea.  Here goes...

 10.  Lunatic Fringe ~ Red Rider ~ Neruda

Great song from a great album.  Although, I prefer the live version on "The Symphony Sessions".  One of those songs that is hard to forget.

9.  Purple Rain ~ Prince and The Revolution ~ Purple Rain

Had to include this one simply for the album alone.  It is definitely one of the best from back in the day.  

8.  Bad ~ U2 ~ The Unforgettable Fire

This is my favourite U2 song, and my favourite U2 album.  If I were to make a list of the top 10 albums of all-time, I am quite certain this one would make it.

7.  Time ~ Pink Floyd ~ Dark Side of the Moon

Simply a classic by Pink Floyd off yet another great album.

6.  The Prodigal Son Suite ~ Keith Green ~ The Prodigal Son

Simply put, this is a perfectly written song.  Keith Green was/is one of my favourite artists - Christian or otherwise.  So much talent!  Really wish he was still here, butI know he wouldn't want to come back!

5.  More Than A Feeling ~ Boston ~ Boston

I know what you're thinking - "too predictable".  But, here's the thing.  I bought this album on vinyl three times because I literally played "through" it.  So, for me, it needs to be included.

4.  Keep It Dark ~ Genesis ~ Abacab

I owe my big brother, Troy, all the credit for this selection.  He played it all the time growing up.  This was my introduction to progressive rock.  So, thanks Troy (insert, "I told you so" here)!

3.  Subdivisions ~ Rush ~ Signals

This one was really hard for me because, I could easily pick 10 Rush songs to fill this list.  And, Moving Pictures is my favourite Rush album!   

2.  Easter ~ Marillion ~ Seasons End

Easter on any given day can easily top this list.  It is a stunning display of music genius by my favourite band.  When Fish left, I was - like many I suspect - devastated, but when I heard "H" and this song in particular all was indeed well.  

For the record - my fave song from the "Fish era" would be Incubus from Fugazi.

1.  Endless Dream/Silent Spring/Talk ~ Yes ~ Talk

All I can say is you have to listen to it!  (Why I can't buy this on iTunes is a daily source of anger for me - I need your prayers!)

No doubt that tomorrow this would change.  For today, this is the best that I came up with.

Love in the Truth.