We saw a star birthed tonight.  More than a star, I think we saw a music artist emerge tonight.   Tonight we saw a college student from Arkansas assert himself as a music artist, arranger, performer to be reckoned with.  Forget American Idol, I want to hear this guy’s songs.  Worship leader Kris Allen, in the midst of the Adam Lambert mania, took an iconic soul song “Ain’t No Sunshine” and dropped a completely new version on us that was as more soulful than the original.  If you DVR’d American Idol, go back and watch this performance.  If not, go to the iTunes icon below and download the video of this performance.  Kris Allen took one of my favorite songs, a song that has been covered in dozens of styles, and re-imagined the song into a modern soul rave.  That was blazing hot, baby!

I closed my American Idol Top 9 live blog with the comment that Tuesday night was separation night.  Anoop Desai, Meagan Joy, Matt Giraud showed they don’t have the “It”  to compete.  Scott MacIntyre reminded us why we fell in love with him.  That may keep him in the competition for a while, or, at the least, it will enable him to leave appreciated.  Lil Rounds and Allison Iraheta showed themselves as extremely talented singers who made need a little more help to be fully formed music stars.  Adam Lambert once again showed himself as a show pony who can consistently overwhelm us with vocal histrionics to distract us from his lack of substance.  Danny Gokey and Kris Allen proved themselves as masterful music artists and arrangers who deserve, and will experience, more than American Idol.

Here are the performance rankings:

1. Kris Allen-  As you might suspect, this is not even close.  Tonight we saw an American Idol moment.  EW needs to make room on their Top 10 all time American Idol performances.  Kris Allen proved tonight he is the real deal.
2. Danny Gokey- Danny took the opportunity to strip down his performance tonight.  He stood in the middle of the stage with the mike on a stand and just sang Rascal Flats‘ “What Hurts Most”.  The performance was restrained, emotional and powerful.  It was a perfect move my Danny Gokey.  He showed a quiet side we have not seen in a while.  Danny Gokey presents himself as a man of depth and substance and a performer who can deliver that gravitas to his performances.   This performance will Danny enable to power through the next few weeks with big songs and goofy dance moves.
3. Lil Rounds- I am sorry, I cannot disagree more with the judges.  She sang “I Surrender” by Celine Dion.  The judges said she have sang a Mary J Blige or Mariah Carey song, but I a listen to this performance I hear soul singer Lil Rounds obliterate Celine Dion out of my mind when I hear the song.  For that I will be etenrally grateful.  This was a magnificent, soulful performance.
4. Scott MacIntyre- He made the best song choice of the night by singing Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are”.  By stripping the song down to voice and piano he was able to control the song for his voice.  It was beautiful, honest performance.

   This ends the good performances.

5. Allison Iraheta- She made her first misstep.  Tonight she looked like an over-matched 16 year old.  Allison sang No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak”.  This is a highly syncopated song and that undermines Allison’s skills.  She tried to unleash her big bluesy voice but she would lose the pacing of the song and fall back into the small vocals this song was built on.  For the first time, she did not look comfortable.
6. Meagan Joy- I hope she listens to Paula and, next week, sits on a stool, stops all of the goofiness and just sings a song.  Tonight she sang Bob Marley’s “Turn Your Lights Down Low”.  She delivered the quirky, tone-tweaked, round pronunciated bouncy vocal the judges applauded early on.  The judges hated it and destroyed her.  I did not hate it, I was just bored.  If this is all she has, she should be grateful for Anoop and Matt.
7. Anoop Desai-  It was quite telling for Anoop tonight.  He sang some Usher song and his performance demonstrate a substantial lack of soul.  He is Stax records funky in his glee club, but when compared to Usher he is decidedly adult contemporary.  The judges told him tonight that he did not have chops to be a R&B singer and he argues with them that his goal was to become an R&B singer.  That is the problem with Anoop.
8. Matt Giraud- Matt, Matt, Matt I was afraid this would happen.  You forgot your hideous performance of “Viva La Vida” and went back for more.  You chose The Fray’s “You Found Me” the week after you were in the bottom two.  Again, the song stripped you of all your skills and revealed the weaknesses in your voice.  You have the Anoop disease.  You want to be a different type of performer than your skills dictate.  I am afraid we may lose you this week.
9. Adam Lambert- I am sorry, I know the whole world loves this guy, but I cannot take it.  Adam’s take on “Play That Funky Music”  was the worst performance I have seen from him in American Idol’s Season 8.  There was a lot of posing, screaming and bad dancing but there was no funk.  There was zero funk.  It reminded me of this variety shows in the 60′s and 70′s.  They would try to pair a soul singer like Joe Tex with a popular easy listening singer like Robert Guoilet.  It was a train wreck because the easy listening guy knew he had no funk so he would ratchet up his singing to make up for his funklessness.  The result was an uncomfortable combination of frantic dance moves and screams.

Predictions:

Probable bottom two: Anoop Desai and Matt Giraud

Going home: Matt Giraud

Possible alternatives in bottom two: Allison Iraheta or Scott MacIntyre

Judges save: only if Allison Iraheta is voted off.

Download the performances and the full length recordings of these songs at iTunes

Don’t forget to join us tomorrow night as we begin live blogging the American Idol results shows.

We are live, blogging the American Idol Season 8 Top 9 performances.  At One21music we are covering the five remaining Christian music artists competing in Season 8: Danny Gokey, Matt Giraud, Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre, and Kris Allen .

Check out my preview of tonight’s American Idol show at our Top 9 Performance Preview.  We found out that the theme for tonight is iTunes top 100 downloads.  Who knows what that means?  The current Top 100 is loaded with rap, country and Disney machine songs.  I guess the American Idol performers could make something great out of that mix but there does not seem to be a lot of songs of substance to use.  We will see.  American Idol Season 8 is heading for the first shocking moment (maybe tomorrow night, maybe next week) as the three weakest remaining contests, Meagan Joy, Anoop Desai and Scott MacIntyre have pretty big fan bases. See our Top 9 Power Rankings.

Remember tonight’s show runs 1 hour 20 minutes.  Will they have enough time?  They will if they cut the judges goofing and focus on the performances.

Once again the American Idol contestants start the show all serious like.  The Top 9 will sing any song they want as long as it is an iTunes top download.  The American Idol contestants trade Motown for Ryan Seacrest’s radio station.  Letdown.

Anoop Desai sings “Pilot”? by Usher.  He is trying to get his high energy groove back.  Okay, Anoop does not have as much soul as he thinks.  It does not feel like he ever gets the groove of the song.  It almost seems that he is singing as an adult contemporary artist and the song is pretty funky.  Not so good for me.

Kara is making a bad face. She is right, he played it safe.  All the judges think his vocals sounded good but he doesn’t have much stage presence.  Except Simon who thinks it was “wannabe” with no originality.  I agree.

Interesting, Anoop disagreed with the judges saying that he just sang an R&B song and he wants to be an R&B artist.  The judges told him he copied a R&B star but was not one himself.  He doesn’t have the star quality and he doesn’t get that.

Meagan Joy is going to try to re-establish herself with a Bob Marley song.  She desperately needs a good performance.  This may not show us anything new about her but maybe she can pull this off.

Meagan Joy will be singing “Turn You Lights Down Low” by  Bob Marley/Lauryn Hill.  She certainly does have a different ear for phrasing and tone.  This is so much better than her last few weeks, but it does not show us anything new or exciting about her.  Safe performance to keep her in the game.

Kara doesn’t like it. Kara thinks her singing was irritating.  Paula is right in telling her that she needs to be surprising us.  Simon says boring, indulgent and monotonous.  Randy says boring.  She will have another week, so let’s see what she will do next week.

So far, the big song choice box has proven to be a booby trap.  Let’s see if Danny Gokey and Allison Iraheta can pick great songs for themselves.

They are talking to Danny Gokey about song choices and he has gone with “What Hurts The Most” by Rascal Flats.  Danny is going country so he can tone it down and sing his heart out.  Good plan.  Good execution.  Danny stands in the middle of the stage and sings the heck out of that song.  This is exactly what he should have done.  Not mind blowing, but good job, Danny.

Paula wants to hit repeat on this performance and Simon calls it the best performance of the night.  Simon even applauds.  Kara says Danny moved everyone in the room emotionally.  Is tonight a separation show?  Are we seeing the contenders separate from the pretenders.

Allison Iraheta is happy with the freedom to sing “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt and she is rocking the guitar.  She looks like a crazy rock star chick.   The start is really cool but I am not sure I like her voice on the soft parts.  I think Allison is too powerful for this song.  This doesn’t quite work for me.  Her first stumble.

Randy can only talk about her clothes.  Kara thinks she was trying too hard.  Simon was bothered by her outfit and felt it distracted from her talent.  Good comments.

Scott MacIntyre is singing Billy Joel’s ” Just The Way You Are ” and he desperately needs a strong performance.  Scott and his piano and a leather jacket.  This is a good song for Scott and I think this is Scott’s best vocal performance of Season 8.  Good job, Scott.

Kara thinks he made the right choice in song and arrangement.  I can’t quite figure out what Paula is saying. Simon agrees with me “your best performance by a country mile”.  Randy thinks it was one of the best of the night.

Matt Giraud is going to sing The Fray.  Is he repeating his mistake from the Top 36 elimination show by singing a piano rock song?  Lil Rounds took the judges advice from last week and it looks like she is going to sway back and SING with a Celine Dion song.  We will really be able to see what she has as a singer.

Matt Giraud is singing The Fray’s “You Found Me ” and he needs to pull this off big.  It could be his final stumble.  The start is a little off key and the music is overwhelming his vocal.  I like this song, but not with his voice.  He ends it big, but I don’t think this will pull him out of the bottom 3.

I agree with Paula that we lost Matt in the song.  Simon says it sounded like someone being someone else.  Randy is saying that her is hiding the beauty of his voice.  Kara is right in that he going from the rock and r&b side of pop.  I think Matt is a R&B singer who wants to do rock.

Lil Rounds is singing “Surrender” by Celine Dion.  She is bringing a little cool soul tone to this Celine Dion.  There it is, that big huge voice.  She slays this song.  I have chills and tears.  Lil is back!  Wow.  I am buying that one.

Randy doesn’t like the song choice but he thinks she sang it well.  Shut up judges she dominated that song.  The judges are just wrong about this performance.

This has not been a great night.  it looks like Danny Gokey, Scott MacIntyre and Lil Rounds are the only ones who have been able to handle the responsibility of  broad sing choices.  Lil Rounds just proved who is the best singer in American Idol Season 8.  The judges need to stop pigeonholing her.

Adam Lambert comes with “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry.  The old Adam is back.  Great vocals and no connection with the song.  There is zero funk in this song. I can barely stand to listen to this.  Axel Rose plays funk.  I don’t think so.

Of course, the judges will love it.   Paula calls it true genius.  Did she really compare Adam to Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler?  I give up.  Kara was completely right.  It was like Studio 57.  All of the really great funk music was played at the crazy club called Studio 54.

Kris Allen finishes the night singing “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers.  Kris will try to make the song current he is playing the piano.  He changes the pace of the song but kicks up the harmonic dynamics.  He brings a little soul kick to the chorus.  Masterful performance by Kris Allen.

Randy thinks it was cool and creative.  Kara pulls out her artistry whoop.  I agree with Paul that he took a 30 year-old song and made it current.  Simon loved it calling it his best performance of the night.

I think this was a separation night.  More on that later.  Check out our performance review that will hit your desk top overnight.

Don’t forget to download the best of these performances on iTunes

Eisley
Genre: Rock
Styles: Atmospheric Rock, Progressive, Pop
Location: Tyler, TX
Label: Reprise/Warner Bros. Records
Website: eisley.com
Christian label: No
Category: The Light whats this?

It will be a long time before you hear about a band like Eisley. Comprised of the three Dupree sisters, their brother, and cousin, the band arose from humble beginnings in Tyler, TX to meet an overwhelming response from fans and critics alike. They began in coffee houses as a musical experiment for the sisters, and soon after traveling to Cornerstone festival in 2002, Eisley (known for a while as Moss Eisley) embarked on their very first tour opening up for none other than  Coldplay. At the time the oldest person in the band was Chauntelle, who was only 21 (sister Stacy was 15), and their father took over as tour manager.  Six years, countless tours, several EPs, and two full-lengths later, the kids that began Moss Eisley are seasoned indie veterans, completing their 3rd full album, and once again building on their already story-book career.

Eisley‘s sound can best be described as dark pop. At its heart, the sisters craft well rounded melodies around interesting hooks and whimsical lyrics; but an almost ghost like atmosphere surrounds the songs, giving their music an other-worldly feel.  Eisley‘s two and three part harmonies give the band a unique take on the typical girl indie-rock sound, while the sister’s voice’s can be similar at times, there are distinct differences between main vocalists Stacy and Sherri’s styles.  Also unique is the fact that they write all their music, and play all the instruments (two of the girls play guitar, Stacy plays piano) required, which unfortunately is a rarity in the music world today.  Their first full-length, Room Noises, saw Eisley in an almost playful mood, with lyrics about fantastical kingdoms and dragons. 2007′s Combinations, on the other hand, reflected the band coming of age with more focus on matters of family, disappointment, and rejection of the world around them.  The complexity of the songs and the progressions have also matured, taking the listener on a journey that most happily revisit time and time again.

The band has be gaining recognition since almost the moment they began playing. Within four years of playing in their parent coffee house as a three piece, Eisley released their major label debut to critical success. On that album, the song “Marvelous Things” is a stand out, seen here performed acoustically by the Dupree sisters for MTV.

Leaving behind their child-like view of the world, a darker, more accomplished Eisley emerged in 2007 with songs like “Invasion”, performed here at Fearless Music in 2008.

We ran across these guys at their very first Cornerstone performance in 2002. They were these five, very small kids who apologized to the crowd after every song for not playing well enough. Despite their condolences, their music was mesmerizing. Over the years, we have watched from afar as they have become a force in the indie-pop scene. Bands like Coldplay, Taking Back Sunday, and Brand New all list the Dupree gang in their top bands.  Not band for a bunch of home school kids from a Texas family of believers.  Though they have never wanted to exist within the Christian music world, the band has never hidden their faith, and approached their career with a wisdom and integrity (both morally and artistically) that has brought them more positive recognition than using their beliefs to define their art.  As we look into 2009, and a new album from Eisley looms on the horizon, and the next chapter of this great band awaits the sunshine.

You can get Eisley‘s music digitally on and Amazon

You can also pick up their CDs on Amazon:
Laughing City
Marvelous Things
Room Noises
Combinations

One21music.com is covering Christian music artists performing on Season 8 of American Idol.  The Top 9 includes Christian music artist Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud and Scott MacIntyre. The remaining music artists performing on American Idol Season 8 are Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, Meagan Joy and Anoop Desai.  See our Top 9 Power Rankings.

Programming Note: American Idol’s Top 9 Performance show has been extended to one hour twenty minutes.  I will end at 9:20 edt /8:20 cdt.  set your dvr’s accordingly.

Normally, on Tuesday mornings we preview the current week performance show with song predictions and analysis of who we think will thrive and struggle.  This week is a different animal.  American Idol has been very quiet about the musical theme for this week’s show.  Internet rumors point to the iTunes Top 100 downloaded songs as American Idol’s playground this week.  A quote form Paula Abdul sent everyone thinking it would be the iTunes “all time” Top 100 downloaded songs, which I cannot find anywhere.  So, no song predictions this week.

Let’s talk about what we think might happen over the next few weeks.

Contest most likely to stay beyond performance quality- Many of you would say that Megan Joy has already stayed beyond when she should and I agree.  However, I think we may see her a little longer, especially if she can pull off one of those quirky performances.  Why? She has three groups of people voting for her.  First she has a group of American Idol fans who think she is great.  Second, she has group of people voting for her because she is a good looking blond.  Third, the website “Vote for The Worst” is rallying its readers to vote for her.  I don’t think any of that will change.

Contestant most likely to be voted off American Idol before their time- Matt Giraud fell into the bottom two last week and I don’t think that was a mistake.  He is caught up in the white boy soul singer mass that includes Danny Gokey, Kris Allen and Anoop Desai and I don’t think he has any type of constituency that differentiates him.

Biggest disappointment- Anoop Desai sang “Angel of Mine” in Round 1 of the Top 36 elimination shows.  He disappointed that night and has yet to perform up to the level of the other American Idol performers.  He was one of the heavy favorites early on and he is struggling to hold on.

Contestant most likely to receive the judges “save”- Allison Iraheta could lose her footing in the next few weeks.  Rockers have tended to get under valued in American Idol and it seems Allison’s performances are always over shadowed by one person’s or another’s breakout.  She is an amazing singer who will be saved by the judges in week six or seven.

Of course all of that is subject to change based on a really great performance or a really bad performance.  Li Rounds, Megan Joy and Anoop Desai could really use breakout performances tonight.

Get a better look at the performances that drove this analysis by downloading performances at iTunes

Join us tonight and see what actually happens as we live blog the American Idol Top 9 performance show.

Michael Sarver is gone and we are down to 5 Christian music performers on American Idol Season 8.  What happened? In this group of talented American Idol performers Michael Sarver was definitely in the bottom half of the Top 10 and probably was one of the bottom three.  I had him ranked ninth in our Top Ten Power Rankings article last week.  There is a groundswell of appreciation for  Michael Sarver on both faith oriented and secular American Idol blogs across the Internet.  He is generally regarded as one of the nicest contestants ever on American Idol. Here is an excerpt form his exit interview that shows why:

“Do you really smile as much as you do on the show?
I do, I really do and I’m going to tell you why: I’m a very fulfilled man. I’ve been screwed up just the same as anyone else, there are things I’m not proud of. But my life is so good right now. I’m blessed beyond words. I have nothing to frown about. My smile? I mean it from one end to the other, I’m just a happy man and I just fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine.”

Before we move on from Michael Sarver, I also found this quote from him that reveals a side I did not know (the writing part, not the hard living part (see our post on Michael “7 Chrsitian Performers on Amerrican Idol”)):

“I am a serious writer,” Sarver told reporters. “I have written over 890 songs since the age of 14. There is a lot of stories, a lot of life, a hard-lived life and a good-lived life … and I’m going to share it.”

I hope that we will see Michael Sarver again.  Maybe he will follow the route of Chris Sligh, also a 10th place finisher, and pursue a career in the Contemporary Christian Music business.  Best wishes, Michael.

The American Idol  Season 8 Top 9

We are down to nine performers on Season 8 of American Idol and five of them are Christian music artists.  Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud and Scott MacIntyre will all perform Tuesday night as part of the American Idol Season 8 Top 9.  Here is how I rate the Top 9 based on the performance I have seen so far in Season 8:

1. Danny Gokey has been consistently, consistently, consistently good.  Michael Jackson, Motown, Grand Ole’ Opry, Danny has delivered every week with every genre.  There continues to be a DannyGokey backlash on the Internet but that will not derail his American Idol train.  The biggest challenge he has is the success that keeps him at number one in the power rankings.  American Idol winners tend to have improvements throughout the season usually have a breakthrough moment (Jordan Sparks with “I (Who Have Nothing)” and David Cook with “Music of the Night”).  Danny needs to find a performance to shock people, in a good way.
2. Allison Iraheta blew us all away last week when she remade “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” into a Janis Joplin blues romp.  did you hear the note she blew out at the end?  She is one of the best blues/rock singers to ever hit the American Idol stage. She is better than Carly Smithson from last year or Gina Glocksen form Season 6 and without the uncomfortable desperation.  I would really like to see her take on a big ballad, but I agree with Kara’s foaming at the mouth praise of her after last week’s performance.
3. Kris Allen once again last week took a well known song “How Sweet It Is” and created a new version of an iconic recording.  he has now taken on Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks, Marvin Gaye and James Taylor and created Kris Allen songs.  The arrangements are subtle but the phrasing and meaning he brings to the songs transform them.  I agree with Simon, sort of, that he is being a little quiet.  I want him to drop his guitar and show us some dance moves and stage presence.  If  he can step out a little more, he can make it to the American Idol Top 3.  If not, he may be a shocking casualty in the next couple of weeks.
4. Lil Rounds better get her groove back.  Her lack of musical training in starting to show as her last two American Idol performances were weak renditions of songs that great singers would be able to sing.  It is almost like she is overwhelmed by her respect for the music.  Lil, quit being grateful for performing these great songs and make the writers grateful you are performing their songs.
5. Matt Giraud has the talent and he has the musical skill.  His last two performances have been exceptional.  For some reason, he is not connecting with the audiences.  Is he too closely associated with Danny Gokey, Kris Allen and Anoop Desai? Maybe he needs a change of pace.  Leave the piano behind and sing a rock song?  That did not work for him in the American Idol Top 36 elimination shows.  I think he needs to just press ahead with his best stuff, hope some of the others stumble, but get ready to leave over the next few weeks.
6. Adam Lambert can sing, no doubt about it.  He performed  “Tracks of My Tears”  exceptionally well.  It is the first time I have seen a glimmer of connection with a song all season.  I still think Lambert is a contestant  that the American Idol judges love much more than we all do.
7. Meagan Joy can really sing.  I wonder if she will ever set aside her affectations so we can hear that.  If she allows us to see her talent just one week, she will have plenty of time to show off her experimentations.  I place her above Anoop and Scott because of potential, not because of her performances.
8. Anoop Desai is still boring.  He has yet to deliver a performance that rivals performances of the other American Idol Top 9.  I just do not think he has what it takes to compete on this American Idol stage.   He does have a fan club that could carry him a few more weeks.
9. Scott MacIntyre is not a very good singer and I do not like the lite FM rock stylings he arranges into every song.  Scott is the most acclaimed musician on American Idol this year but pop music is not his bailiwick.  I would pay good money to hear him in a jazz club or on the classical stage.  It is time for his pop adventure to end soon so we can enjoy his true talent.

Look back on the all of these American Idol’s performances and download full length recordings of their performances songs at iTunes:

Check in with us in the morning when I will preview Tuesday night’s show and make some predictions about how the American Idol voting might go over the next few weeks.

Alright, so here are the CDs hitting stores tomorrow, Tuesday March 31rst 2009. Not a whole bunch to choose from but I know metal fans have been really excited about The Serpent Servant, and the The Tonic is always great. I will get those iTunes links up as soon as they are available, but be sure to pick up the releases through the links I have posted, so we can ALL help each other out…

Let me know if I missed anything…

The Serpent Servant
Impending Doom
Facedown Records
Metal
Buy CD on Amazon

The Dash
The Tonic
Cross Movement Records
Hip-Hop
Buy CD on Amazon

Triumph
Sharon MaRee
T. Records
Gospel
Buy CD on Amazon

The Farmer
Tre9
Much Luvv Records
Hip-Hop

The Antidote
G-Rod
Adullum House Records
Hip-Hop
Buy CD on Amazon

As Cities Burn
Genre: Rock
Styles: Screamo, Progressive, Post-hardcore
Location: Mandeville, LA
Label: Solid State/Tooth & Nail Records
Myspace: myspace.com/ascitiesburn
Christian label: No
Category: The Message whats this?

The world of underground rock and hardcore can be a roller coaster for most artists.  With fickle but devoted fans, little to no money, and an ongoing pressure to be relevant and innovative, most bands crumble under the pressure.  It is some where in the middle of never giving up and innovation that we find a band that knows this all to well,  As Cities Burn.

Their first release, Son, I loved You At Your Darkest, was a breathe of fresh air for many hard music fans. Instead of slick production and overdone song-writing, As Cities Burn decided to keep their sound raw and open.  With songs that twist and turn through feelings of remorse, redemption, and searching, As Cities Burn in one album single handily brought the intelligence back to heavy music.  Their lyrics were deep, openly talking about their faith in a way that both believers and the world could understand. Not only celebrating the love of Christ, but also exploring the struggles that all believers experience here on Earth. While the music was loud and heavy, it sounded more progressive and emotional than that scene had seen in a long time. The songs were unpredictable, most times throwing mellower, melodic parts in places that seemed strange, and bursts of heavy raw emotion would erupt like fireworks from those softer areas. Midway through 2006, As Cities Burn had secured a spot in peoples hearts as the leaders of their own brand of art-rock and hardcore.

It was at this time that the band announced that they were going to be breaking up.

I usually don’t like to give big histories in these posts, but understanding that this band not only looked extinction in the face and came back, but also changed their sound in a way that they were able to once again blow people away without losing their core spirit, is nothing short of incredible.  Due to the out cry from fans, As Cities Burn decided to continue on with a few changes.  The most obvious was the replacement of vocalist and frontman TJ Bonett with younger brother Cody. The other was the embrace of a new sound, more focused on melody than hardcore. Somehow, without anybody knowing, As Cities Burn had become a progressive rock band.  The greatest thing is that it doesn’t matter.  The newer sound is just as emotionally driven and honest, allowing you to get lost in a sea of pleading vocals and gritty guitars.  Cody’s heart-breaking lyrics lend themselves to As Cities Burn‘s sound, and the evolution of the band was well received by fans and critics alike.

The band still plays the music that made them a household name (well some households at least), and they are able to seamlessly blend the newer material in with old. Their shows are still full of energy and expression, and the fans have never left their side.

To showcase the two sides and sounds of the bands, I wanted to share two videos. The first is a live video taped at Cornerstone Festival in 2006. It features the original crew including CJ.  This is the song “Love At Our Throats”

The second video marks the band’s triumphant return with the song “Empires”. With more focus on melody, the band never lost their core sound, and were able to take what people had loved so much about them while still creating something new.

As Cities Burns have done a lot in their short time as a band (in one form or another).  Most bands do not survive official break ups and the loss of a frontman. Most bands also don’t get some many fans begging them to come back that the have no choice but to figure out a way. With Cody at the helm, the band will continue to change the perception of the band and the music that comes from the underground Christian world.  I will say that if you didn’t like the first video, or heard As Cities Burn in their first version, please give them another try with Cody.  With As Cities Burns, you are the one truly missing out.

You can buy As Cities Burns music digitally on and Amazon

You can also get their CDs on Amazon:

Son, I Loved You at Your Darkest

Come Now Sleep

Hell or High Water (released on 4/21/09)

We are still recovering from SXSW still, but things are beginning to return to normal for the site. We are working hard to get the database built, get the word out, and talk to new bands. We will be rolling out a ton of new Christian Artist To Know posts, so get ready to expand your mind.

Here are the new items to come out of the Christian music world this week.  There isn’t much, but I try to post REAL news items such as interviews, announcements, developments, ect.  A lot of bands post new songs on their myspace or talk about pre-ordering their CD. That’s cool and all, but I try to keep this a bit more focused. Anyway, links to iTunes and Amazon MP3 are included in the headlines so you can go check out the music we are talking about..

Let me know if I missed anything

TobyMac ( Amazon ) posted a huge update concerning videos, The Dove Awards, and a whole bunch more. Read TobyMac update

Solo artist Vicky Beeching ( Amazon ) posted pics and discussed her recent mini press tour. Read Vicky Beeching update

HXCChristian.com posted an interview with Facedown Records punk band The Reckoning ( Amazon )this week. Read The Rekoning interview

Mark of Cool Hand Luke ( Amazon ) posted a statement concerning the future of the band as far as touring and new albums go. Read Cool Hand Luke update

Metalcore band War Of Ages ( ) posted an interview this week. Watch War Of Ages interview

Listenin.org posted an interview with The Afters ( ). Read The Afters interview

Relient K ( Amazon ) posted update on the band, the tour, the new album, and Mono VS Stereo. Read Relient K update

Hip-hop duo Cook & Uno ( Amazon) have posted another video blog while they are in the studio. Watch Cook & Uno update

Deathcore band Impending Doom ( Amazon) were interviewed by Hardtimes.CA this week. Watch Impending Doom interview

Mellow indie band The Winston Jazz Routine ( Amazon) has decided to change their name, but they also have a new album. Read Winston Jazz Routine announcement.

Patrol Magazine posted an article by Falling Up ( Falling Up) member Jessy Ribordy. Read Falling Up article.

Cornertone Festival have announced their next round of confirmed band for the event taking place this summer. View band roaster for Cornerstone Fest 09

It is 11:00 and I am just sitting down to watch the results show.   For Valentine’s, I gave my wife tickets to the one year anniversary of Austin’s performing arts center.  The party was highlighted by a concert with Pulitzer Prize winning composer Marvin Hamlisch, who wrote “The Way We Were” and A Chorus Line, and great, great singer Linda Eder.  A wonderful evening with my wife caused this article to be late.

American Idol’s Motown performance show was a disappointment for me (see our American Idol performance wrap-up).  Adam Lambert gave his first sensitive performance of American Idol Season 8 and Allison Iraheta blew everyone away with her version of “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”.  Christian music performers Danny Gokey and Kris Allen also delivered, but everyone else disappointed.

I think Michael Sarver, Scott MacIntyre and Meagan Joy will be in the bottom 3.  I predicted, unfortunately, Michael Sarver will go home tonight.

So I am watching this live three hours later, compliments of  DVR technology.  The American Idol guest performances have a chance to be great tonight with Joss Stone and Smokey Robinson singing a duet, Reuben Studdard singing and Stevie Wonder performing.   According to Ryan, 36 million votes were called in, the most in American Idol Top 10 history.  Will there be a surprise?

The Top 10 group performance looked like it was taped.  Yep, no audience. Everyone sang better than they did last night.  This is a nice medley arrangement, interspersed with classic photos of Motown greats.  It looked like Lil got a big chunk of the solos in this number.  The Ford commercial was more  lame than usual.

Reuben Studdard strolled up to the mic a little too slowly and had to lunge to hit his opening.  I am not a Reuben Studdard fan and I did not enjoy this.  Everyone else liked it.  Why was he sweating like he played four quarters of basketball?

I know why I don’t live blog the American Idol results shows.  So much fill.

Wow, Adam Lambert was the first to safety.  What a shocker!

But, Matt Giraud in the bottom 3?  That was a true shocker.  Michael Sarver and  Scott MacIntyre joined Matt in the bottom 3.  Scott was immediately sent back to the safe couch.  Matt Giraud looked ticked off.

Others safe: Lil Rounds, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Meagan Joy (concentration of voting constituencies saved her)

Time out.  I am giddy, Joss Stone and Smokey Robinson singing together.  Unfortunately, I fall on my giddy sword.  What a terrible song.  American Idol should have turned their mic’s up?  Why were they whispering?  Boring, disappointed!

Two disappointing guest performances were followed by a Motown medley performed by Stevie Wonder.  They show Meagan Joy trying to dance to Stevie Wonder and she can’t dance.  Stevie delivered as usual.  Is he great or what?

Why did they make Michael Sarver and Matt Giraud sit over by themselves during the Stevie Wonder performance?  They are in the bottom 2 but did they need to be in timeout?

So we come to the elimination of Michael Sarver.  Did we really need to do the save ritual?  They pretty much told him last night.   Goodbye Michael, we have enjoyed your presence on this year’s American Idol.  We appreciate the sincerity and integrity you brought to American Idol. We are proud of your commitment to your community (see our article on Michael Sarver).  God’s blessing on your future music career and see you on the American Idol tour.

Check out Michael’s journey and all of the other performances by clicking on the iTunes logo below.

Look for my power rankings on Monday, my Top 9 performance preview on Tuesday morning and then my live blog on Tuesday night.

Several weeks ago fifteen questions were posed to a number of music artists in the Christian music scene, ranging from the light-hearted to the deeply spiritual. We received many responses, some very helpful, and some…. not so much. Some of the answers were short and sweet, some were very drawn out and eloquent. Many expressed frustrations with the current landscape of the music industry, while others were hopeful for a future of uncertainty. We heard from guys who had been performing for years, and bands that are just now starting to get names heard. From indie rock to hip-hop, from hardcore to worship, the Christian music scene spoke back to us.

Realize that these answers are by the people making the music that you are listening to, and these are un-edited and real. The opinions expressed don’t always reflect ours, but we aren’t perfect either, right?

This week we will explore which part of the process artists enjoy the most when it comes to making and playing music.  Some people are strong song writers, and then others love to play their music. Some are torn. What we end up with is a series of artists talking about what they love about being a musician. Also this week, two new faces, Dowd from A Thousand Times Repent,and David from Echocast.

What is the best thing about making music?

Dowd(guitar for Tribunal Records metal band A Thousand Times Repent)
With music each step is pretty necessary. I like all three and this is why. Writing is great because that is when you put all of your feelings and ideas into song form. I like recording because that is when all the hard work gets put down and you finally get to step outside from playing it and get to hear the whole product. I love performing cause that is when you get to take your music to the kids and let them hear what you have been hard at work on and also get to share the fact that we are a Christian band and nothing will change that.

Chris Taylor (BEC solo artist/song writer)                                           
I prefer sitting in my room and recording ideas. Just being creative

Johanna Miller (keyboardist/singer for South Pawl pop/rock band Fellow)
I love that there are so many things you can say with lyrics that would never be accepted by the general public otherwise. Music really allows God to use us in ways we could never imagine.
Wow, I like it all but if I have to choose it would be performing. There’s nothing quite like seeing people touched by the music God gave you.

Dominic Balli (independent Reggae/hip-hop artist)                           
I love recording cuz you can do whatever you want and really let the creativity fly in the studio. I lover performing because I get to relate to people on a personal level and communicate truth in a conversational way. I think sometimes it’s easier for people to receive truth when you’re looking then in the eyes. I love writing though because it’s where I get to paint the picture of what’s going on inside my heart mind and life.

Brooke Waggoner(solo indie/pop artist on SlowMoon Music)         
I love writing the most! Performing can be really magical as well.. I just recently got done recording a new project and it was the most positive recording experience I’ve ever had and I enjoyed every moment!

Dave (half of Holdfast Records electro-house duo Poorly Built Parachute)
I like writing and performing, recording is stressful.

DIRT (underground hip-hop artist and founder of Shadow Of The Locust)
The best thing about making the music is that I can get a small taste of what it was for God when He created the world. How excited He must of been, flowing with ideas, bursting at the seems to get them out. The only difference is (and its a BIG one!) that he awesomely created out of nothing! In his omnipotency and all-knowing way, He didn’t need anything but His presence and His Will and His authority to create.
We, as humans, need a pencil… a piece of paper…. some sound (which, again is created by ‘something else)…. God WAS and IS the ‘something else’. He is the music without the sound.

Seth (singer for independent hard rock band Endeverance)                   
I would have to say that the best thing about music is getting my heart out there and sharing it with people in a way I usually can’t. But I prefer all pieces of the musical process I don’t think you can have one without the other they all mesh together…

Daniel(guitarist for Facedown Records hardcore band Take It Back!)
I think its safe to say we (Take It Back!) all prefer performing over anything. Being at a hardcore show where kids are singing along to your songs is really something that you cant compare to anything else.

Amy Courts (independent pop/folk artist)                                         
I love all of it, really, because different parts of who I am, at my core, go into each aspect. In the writing, I’m forced to dig into the depths and offer what’s there, however it looks or feels, and suffer (yet enjoy!) a sort of vulnerability found nowhere else. But when it comes out in song, it’s utter relief. In recording, I love the daunting task of taking a skeleton of a song and giving it muscle, tissue, skin, and a face by doing my best – with the help of gifted producers and musicians – to make a full body out of the bones. And the live performance is like icing on the cake, where I get to pour my heart out and share something very raw and real with people who may or may not “get” it. And there is always such deep satisfaction in finding and knowing the people with whom it resonates. A new community is born.

Brandon (bass player for independent pop/rock band Say You Will)
Writing is like a puzzle frustrating yet satisfying. I love to write. Recording is pretty boring unless your recording and even then it gets old. Still satisfying tho. Performing is probably where we have the most fun. Interacting with the kids and showing our musics potential live is so exhilarating. At the same time it probably is the hardest to do b/c most shows are on tour and at our level tour is tough. Sleeping on floors, eating ravioli’s, and doing all of the work our selves kind of tough. haha.

Vito (half of Asthamic Kitty indie/folk band The Welcome Wagon)
Performing our music—whether it be alone in our apartment, or in front of people—is probably what we like best. It’s us singing to one another and to God. That’s where the magic happens for us, and hopefully for others.
I do the writing alone, and I do like that process. It’s an electrifying thing to have a guitar in your hand, trying to fit sounds together and all of a sudden a melody line emerges alongside a chord change and you know it’s right. Recording is also fun, but stressful—that red light on the recording console is like the Eye of Sauron. But performing, for the most part, is the place where we become our band. When we play together we have to let go of all expectations and assumptions and all our ego and we sing and play and the transcendent stuff happens and the mistakes happen and we have to give it all to God. And because we are doing that together before God, it’s an intimate, wonderful thing.

David ( singer for independent nu-metal band Echocast)                    
Most musicians that I’m friends with love writing and recording above all else, I’m the complete opposite… My favorite part of making music is the actual performance, touring, presenting your music to a live audience…

Heath (bass player for Holdfast Records metal band In Irons)                 
It can all be very stressful, yet extremely fun at the same time. The writing process is definitely the hardest because we’re all throwing around different ideas and sometimes we don’t all agree and it can easily turn into an argument. But its very rewarding when you do actually come together and finish a song. Recording is very rough as well. It’s definitely the most tedious part about being in a band because you put so much hard work, money and time into it and you want to sound perfect. But there is nothing like listening to the finished product of your own songs for the first time. And performing live makes it all worth it. It can be stressful at times when you’re having to deal with all the technical difficulties but its definitely rewarding. We all just have fun doing every bit of it, to be completely honest.

Bryan (bass player for Forefront Records pop/rock band Abandon)
Can i choose “D” all of the above? haha… If i had to pick just one it would definitely be Performing. That’s where all of the excitement is at, but i truly do LOVE writing. That’s the intimate part and there is nothing quite like strumming the first few chords to what you know will one day become a masterpiece.