This has been a most unique Christmas for us. My mother died this year. This was my family’s first Christmas without the heart and soul of Christmas celebrations. As we enjoyed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Father and my sister’s family, I was struck by my Mother’s presence in our celebrations. The joy of our feast and our gift giving and our family’s laughter were handed down from my mother. She was there with us.
On Christmas we enjoyed a beautiful candlelight service that included The Lord’s Supper. This very special tradition is handed down from our Lord and when we celebrate in this way, we are touching God in a intimate way.
Christ is with us in a way my Mother can never be. More than in these traditions, our Lord is living with us everyday.
My hope for all is that through our Christmas activities and rituals we all experience Christ and the joy his arrival inspired then and continues to inspire 2000 years later.
Our dear buddy Micheal Delaney was kind enough to conduct, edit, and submit this interview for us. Hopefully you will be seeing more of him in the near future…
The Rocketboys are an indie rock band from Austin, Texas who have been making quite a name for themselves the past few years. After moving to Texas, changing their name (they used to be Homer Hiccolm & The Rocketboys), touring all the time, and releasing their first full length, The ‘Boys picking up some steam. This in part to do with their unique songwriting and incredible live show, but also because they have been hard at it since moment one. The Rocketboys work hard at what they do, and it shows in every aspect of their band.
We love The Rocketboys, so check out this….odd interview conducted at their home here in Austin where they talk about the band’s career, food, the band Grizzly Bear, much more…
Watch the Rocketboys interview Part 1:
Watch The Rocketboys interview Part:2
If you would like to know more about the band, check out:
2009 is almost over, and in the world of music, that means one thing, Best Of lists! At One21, we wanted to wait a little bit to post ours; because to me posting a “Best Of” list before Thanksgiving is kinda like nominating Avatar for Best Drama the week before it is screened for critics.
Wait, yea, that happened….
Anyways, we consider these albums to be the cream of what was released this year. we aren’t going to do a count down though, so in no particular order, here are the last 12 albums that made 2009 great:
Why we picked it: When you are able to marry both catchiness and intelligence, then you created something very special. Manchester Orchestra have done just that with equal parts gritty garage rock, progressive indie, and angry post-hardcore combined to result in a cohesive group of songs that not only build on each other, but also communicate a vast range of emotion and mood. Every song has something that you didn’t hear the first time (or the second), and Mean Everything To Nothing will keep you coming back. In plain English, this is a phenomenal album. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
Best of the rest
Soul Of My Soul Michelle Shocked Why we picked it: Another tour de force featuring musical styles and sharp lyrics, Soul of My Soul is another Michelle Shocked masterpiece. She employs many musical styles from folk to reggae to rock to gospel on this fifth album since she converted to Christianity. Joy, sadness and anger permeate this record about relationships, her faith and the world we face. Another brilliant offering from one of rock’s most respected artists. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
Why we picked it: This side project from Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman and Nickel Creek guitarist Sean Watkins sounds like anything but. Beautiful clear melodies, strong production and mostly acoustic instrumentation enable the songs soar. Hopefully, not a one time side project, Fiction Family could challenge Wilco for the title as top purveyor of middle period Beatles style music. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
To Tell The Story Kelly Parks Why we picked it: One of the Christian scene’s truly great underground artists, Kelly (Jones) Parks returned in 2009 after a 7 year absence from the recording studio. To Tell The Story was worth it. Bouncy songs delivered in Parks crystal clear will have you embarrassing yourself in traffic as you sing along with her direct lyrics about our faith, out joy and our challenges. Buy:iTunes
Why we picked it: If you like your soul music circa 1969; strong, direct without embellishment; then welcome home. This former American Idol third place finisher has delivered the best, least effected, record ever by any AI contestant. She has the pipes so she does not try to impress with histrionics, which is great. That allows us to enjoy these songs about faith and relationships without needing to push aside auto tuners or annoying vocal runs. A fantastic soul record. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
Why we picked it: If there are any emcees reading this right now, I want to ask you to do something this year; listen to Guest Room and take notes. Every track on this album is quality, each one lending something to the others: there are enough fun, chill songs to balance out the more serious, darker tracks. On top of that Cas Metah is a great emcee, and on top of that he has attracted an amazing line up to guest on each song (hence why it is called Guest Room). All of this and you got some really interesting beats to make it all come together. This is what hip-hop should be; Christian, Underground, East or West Coast, whatever. Like I said, take notes… Buy:Amazon MP3, iTunes
Why we picked it:Paper Route continues to amaze with a striking blend of electronic indie rock music. Layer upon layer of sounds create a collage of music and soundscapes for the love songs of joy and pain. “Are We All Forgotten” is one of the most beautiful songs of 2009. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
Why we picked it: This little known, in the States, folk, country singer from Canada delivered a marvelous debut album in 2009. Lisa Heinrichs has a striking, clear voice, a sense of humor and a sense of purpose. Her combination of faith based songs and political statements will make you think and dance, all at the same time. Buy:Amazon MP3, iTunes
Lost Animals Josh Garrels Why we picked it: Another treasure chest of beatbox, stream of consciousness theology from our favorite hippie troubadour. Listening to Garrels you will surely dance. You will also pull out your Bible, pray and contemplate your theology and your relationship with God. You will have a good time at it all. Buy:iTunes
Why we picked it:Advent IS spirit-filled hardcore. Naked And Cold IS Advent. There simply isn’t anybody doing this particular brand of abrasive metal-core anymore, and I’m starting to think that it may be because it might kill lesser men. Not Advent though, this is the type of music played to start revolutions and break down walls. Unlike their Black Flag predecessors, Advent is trying to start a revolution of the heart, a re-emergence of people proud to call Christ their Savior, and willing to die for His name. Some people might call that a revival, and I think that’s what Naked And Cold might be all about. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
Why we picked it: Put Cheaters & Thieves in a mix tomorrow with any of the big names in rock today, and I guarantee that you ears will perk up every time one of the tracks shuffles in. There is something very dark and painful happening here, and there are many times you actually feel like you are witnessing vocalist Andy trying to sing away his demons. Slow, trudging progressions allow this album to breathe the way it should; it’s as if they went any faster the songs might shatter. This is the kind of music that sticks with you long after you stop listening, and Dignan might be the best at it. Buy:Amazon MP3, iTunes
Why we picked it: Now for something completely different than anything you have heard in the Christian or secular scene this year. Mara Lee Miller, the heart and soul and voice of Bosque Brown, sounds as if Tom Waits and Patsy Cline had a child gave her a collection of Kris Kristofferen and Joy Division records and left in a trailer in the desert. This record is a haunting mix of minimalist, indie folk, classic country. We have been mesmerized all year. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
It’s All Crazy! It’s All False! It’s All A Dream! It’s Alright mewithoutYou
Why we picked it: Perhaps one of the more debated albums of the year, the latest installment in the mewithoutYou saga sees the band fully embrace their indie folk influences. All the aggression from past albums is replaced with a joyful celebration of instruments and voices. We are getting to see a different side of a band that has always marched to their own drum. The ironic part is that in the age of Sufjan Stevens, Panda Bear, and The Avett Brothers, this may be mewithoutYou‘s trendiest album yet. Funnier still is that this album may be one of the best in that era. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
2009 is almost over, and in the world of music, that means one thing, Best Of lists! At One21, we wanted to wait a little bit to post ours; because to me posting a “Best Of” list before Thanksgiving is kinda like nominating Avatar for Best Drama the week before it is screened for critics.
Wait, yea, that happened….
This list is simply our celebration of the amazing music that came out in 2009. We understand that many may disagree with us on the albums we picked (or didn’t pick), but we completely believe that this is the best of what came out this year. In 6 months we will do a retrospective list for 2009, so it will be interesting to see what makes it onto that list. Feel free to leave your thoughts…
In no real particular order, here are the first 12 albums that made 2009 great:
Why we picked it: When you are able to marry both catchiness and intelligence, then you created something very special. Manchester Orchestra have done just that with equal parts gritty garage rock, progressive indie, and angry post-hardcore combined to result in a cohesive group of songs that not only build on each other, but also communicate a vast range of emotion and mood. Every song has something that you didn’t hear the first time (or the second), and Mean Everything To Nothing will keep you coming back. In plain English, this is a phenomenal album. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
Why we picked it: Coming off their incredibly diverse and profound Alchemy Index project, Thrice once again has proved that they may be the American band of this generation. Once again, Dustin Kensrue and the boys dug deep and came out with a collection of soulful, passionate songs that play to all their strengths. Every member of the band shines bright on Beggars, so there is a lot of radiating going on. With another album full of gems under their belt, Thrice pushes on and continues to remind us what true rock looks like. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
Why we picked it: This may be the most joyfully depressing album you will ever listen to. Channeling Bob Dylan, mewithoutYou, and Daniel Jonhston, the one time poet in Bradley Hathaway fully bloomed into a indie folk genius with A Mouth Full of Dust. Deeply personal, every song attempts to create the sound of Bradley’s emotional state, ranging from sweetly content to painfully chaotic. Never relying on over-musicianship, A Mouth Full Of Dust is simple enough to be called folk or lo-fi, but has so many twists and turns you won’t know how to describe it when the last note rings out. You will be a little out of breath though. Buy:Amazon MP3
My First Love The Red Baron Why we picked it: The hardcore movement was supposed to be about having heart, and The Red Baron have plenty to pass around. Every track on this blistering, fast paced album just kicks you in the chest, and at the same time is able to hit an emotional chord. The term “blood, sweat, and tears” may have been coined a band like this, the music is an all-encompassing mesh of ticked off punk and old school hardcore. On top of that, the lyrics are more theologically honest than most worship songs, making My First Love the perfect (and I mean perfect) Christ-centered hardcore album. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
Why we picked it:Enigk‘s work has been legendary for almost a decade and a half now (Sunny Day Real Estate, The Fire Theft), and OK Bear seems to be a return to more simple times. Not to say that Jeremy Enigk‘s work is by any means simplistic now, but in terms of an album, this seems to be the first time his solo work has been able to focus his genius. The songs have a more straight forward feel to them (similar to Sunny Day), but somehow Enigk is able to make the simplest of structures somehow very unique. Drenching every song with his deep, introspective lyrics, and then letting his soulful and painful vocal style do the rest of the work, OK Bear is the album that every underground band wishes they could write. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
Why we picked it: In 2008, solo songstress Shara Worden, under her moniker My Brightest Diamond, released her latest dark pop masterpiece, A Thousand Sharks Teeth. In 2009, she allowed several electronic artist to remix the album, resulting in several interesting volumes of The Shark Remixes. The most profound of all these was the collaboration with trip-hop genius Son Lux, who took My Brightest Diamond‘s sound and twisted it into something very different. In addition to Shara’s uniquely operatic vocals, distorted jazz horns, fuzzy base lines, and creepy backing effects made Son Lux and My Brightest Diamond‘s collaboration a match made in dark electronic heaven. Buy:Amazon MP3, iTunes
Why we picked it: Want to have some good clean fun? The boys in Rootbeer got ya covered. The latest collaboration between LA Symphony alum Flynn Adam, and Pigeon John has proved you can have a lot of fun being better than most everybody in the hip-hop club scene. Each song is created to get the party started, and is chalked full of Flynn and John‘s unique sense of humor (heck, we have been hearing about this pink limo since the very first LA Symphony single). I dare you to listen to this EP and not be a little happier afterward. Go ahead….try. See? Not possible… Buy:Amazon, iTunes
Why we picked it: There is simply not any band quite like The Chariot. They combine noise rock with metalcore, chaos with genius, and some how always come up with music that is easily better than 90% of the music put out in the metal/hardcore scene. On their last album, we saw The Chariot go experimental; on Wars And Rumors of Wars, we see them light everything on fire. Then they throw firecrackers at it. Vocalist Josh Scogin’s lyrics are top notch; the crazy parts are crazier, the heavy parts are heavier, the experimental parts are more….well you get the picture. The Chariot is on a rampage, and Wars And Rumors Of Wars is the warning siren. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
Why we picked it: Out of all the albums that came out this year in the Christian music scene, this may have been the most talked about by far. Once again sparking controversy with the song “What Matters More”, Derek Webb once again reinvented himself in both his lyrics, and in musical style. No longer content with folk music supplying the background to his messages, Webb instead harnessed a Thom Yorke-esque electronic sound with incredible results. With so much of today’s music being released with no real meaning or depth, Derek Webb was able to pave new trails for artistic musicians, be the music sacred or secular. Is this album and it’s messages for everybody? No. Is Stockholm Syndrome important? Without hesitation, yes. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
Ascend The Hill Ascend The Hill Why we picked it:Ascend The Hill should be the new benchmark for worship music. Deeply theological, heart-breakingly honest, and unrelenting; Ascend The Hill is able to capture their passion for the Lord on their self-titled debut. This is the kind of music that God can use to knock down walls, to change lives, and renew hearts. Ascend The Hill‘s music isn’t a gimmick, a routine, or a performance. It is an expression of a heart truly and completely in love with God. Buy:iTunes
Why we picked it:Hands hit the music scene this year like a freight train. Their ability to weave together the brutal nature of progressive metal and earnest Christian theology could have so easily turned into a cheap parody. Thankfully for us, it didn’t, because Hands approached their music like a lion tearing apart its meal. Every song has layer upon layer of creativity and aggression, while at all times acting as a 10 song prayer. If the music was acoustic, this would be some really deep Christ centered folk/worship; if the lyrics weren’t about Christ, then these guys would be one of the most brutal progressive bands on the planet. Creator is neither, and it is both. Creator is a totally unique album from beginning to end, one we will be talking about for a long time. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
The Things We Can See & The Things We Cannot So Long Forgotten Why we picked it:So Long Forgotten is yet another band testing the limits of the term progressive rock. Strange tempo changes, tons of stark guitar sounds, horns, and the cathartic lyrical style make this one you need to listen a few times before you truly grasp what is going on. What is going on is that Things We Can See And The Things We Cannot is a powerhouse of an album that is sure to satisfy an underground rock fan. The honesty in the lyrics make this a stand out on its own, but every song evolves in a singular way so that the listener will be left with something truly profound and beautiful with every track. Buy:iTunes
Why we picked it: The kings of southern metal-core proudly display why they were the first and they may be the last. All the grit and rawness from previous albums are here, but III just kicks it up 10 notches. No holds a bar rock guitar solos, banjos, monster ballads amidst the scream vocals, and of course plenty of metal pound at you track after track. This is the CD you will listen to when all your windows are down, and you are driving just a little too fast down the highway. Can’t wait for IV. Buy:Amazon, iTunes
When Sunny Day Real Estate broke up in the late 90s, most people didn’t know that not only would the band would splinter into several different musical entities, all of which would make profound impacts on the music world. One of those was The Fire Theft, which featured many of the key members of Sunny Day, but united after vocalist and chief song writer Jeremy Enigk‘s profound salvation to Christianity. The Fire Theft‘s music was hailed by critics, and the band found themselves once again as trend setters in the underground rock community.
The biggest difference was Enigk‘s lyrics, which reflected his transformation and struggles after coming to Christ. The most obvious example is “Heaven”, a spiritual realization of the amazing world his eyes were now open to and a acknowledgment that his home was indeed in another place. Most fans of Jeremy Enigk‘s work consider this to be one of his best songs (including Gileah Taylor of Gileah & The Ghost Train as stated in our Voices of The Underground series), it also just happens to be one of his most plain expressions of faith.
Heaven
Are you really waiting outside the door?
Never thought I’d hear the words before the road
Sever
It’s the simple things that are so hard to grasp
Can’t find myself in all the days that passed
But I can feel it when it shines
Nevermind, I’m falling in love with you
Can’t find the road that runs through
Falling in love with you
Heaven
Are you really waiting outside the door?
Never thought I’d hear the words before the road
Sever
It’s the simple things that are so hard to grasp
Can’t find myself in all these days that pass
But I can feel it when it shines
Nevermind the way they shy
Turning round along the trail
My whole world is falling in love with you
Can’t find the road that runs through
Falling in love with you
Can’t find the road that gets through
We are going to keep the Christmas music thing going with the addition of DJ Promote‘s Lights Up, Eyes On EP. At its core, this album is a cool little Hip-Hop inspired Holiday mix. Fun songs with some happy rap lyrics, remixes of holiday songs, and in general a cool little addition to you Christmas music collection. Things get kind of interesting with the track “Commercialism Theme Music” when DJ Promote provides the background music to a really awesome sermon concerning the true meaning of the season. On every track Promote brings the focus back to Christ, which is unfortunately very rare when this music comes up.
I think you guys will really like this, and this will be the last one for a few weeks. Im gonna take a small break during the next week or so, things are a little crazy on my end. Enjoy the download!
It seems that Ben Olin, vocalist from This Beautiful Republic has left the band.
Carmen is going to start doing movies again….yep, we just mentioned Carmen on The One21.
Brett Detar, former vocalist for The Juliana Theory and former guitarist for Zao, is going to make a solo album.
The van carrying all of Underoath‘s equipment crashed on a way to a show. Everyone was ok, but three days later, the band was literally snowed into their hotel, and had to cancel more shows. Its tough touring!
Wow, Jennifer Knappwill be on the Lilith Fair tour in 2010. Congrats!
Alyssa Duncan, vocalist for Ilia, has stepped down from the band with no real explanation.
12 Stones, Blood And Water,Letter To The Exiles, Juliagrace, Shonlock, Pergamum, Our Last Night, and Fairgreen are all in the studio recording new music for your ears!
Below is the album artwork and tracklisting for Dreamt Music’s progressive rock band Shapes Stars Make‘s upcoming January 19, 2010 release These Mountains Are Safe
1. Giant Bird
2. Le Dodici
3. (We Are) The Hurting
4. Be Gentle, Young One
5. Sunrise
6. Fireflies and Lights
7. The Calm
8. And the Sky Opened
Next we have the album artwork and tracklisting for The Saving One by Starfield, which will hit stores February 23rd, 2010.
1. The Saving One
2. Rediscover You
3. Declaration
4. No Other Savior
5. Something To Say
6. Absolutely
7. Overwhelm
8. Top Of My Lungs
9. Beautiful The Sound
10. Father
11. The Saving One (Acoustic Version)
It is unfortunate that the world of Hip-Hop is populated by insincerity. For most people, the genre has become over run with a parody of its own devices: auto-tuned hooks, empty lyrics, and flash over substance. Even in the Christian Hip-Hop community it rare to find an artist with both depth and talent. Lecrae is not one of those people.
Deeply rooted in spiritual truth, masterfully executed, and all the while still fun to listen to, “Don’t Waste Your Life” is a warning to those who are living for the things of the world. The song is part declaration of faith, part plead to Lecrae‘s community. In fact, Lecrae felt so strongly about the message of this song that it became the central theme of his country wide tour that was deeply steeped in ministry, not fame.
In all fairness, Lecrae is very new to the game, but with songs like this one and albums like Rebel, I think we are looking at the new face of Christian Hip-Hop.
I know a lot of people out there scared they gone die
Couple of em thinking they’ll be livin in the sky
But while I’m here livin man I gotta ask why, what am here fo I gotta figure out
Waste my life
No I gotta make it count
If Christ is real then what am I gone do about
All of the things in Luke 12:15 down to 21
You really oughta go and check it out
Paul said if Christ ain’t resurrect then we wasted our lives
Well that implies that our life’s built around Jesus being alive
Everyday I’m living tryin show the world why
Christ is more than everything you’ll ever try
Better than pretty women and sinning and living to get a minute of any women and men that you admire
Ain’t no lie
We created for Him
Outta the dust he made us for Him
Elects us and he saves us for Him
Jesus comes and raises for Him
Magnify the Father why bother with something lesser
He made us so we could bless Him and to the world we confess him
Resurrects him
So I know I got life
Matter fact better man I know I got Christ
If you don’t’ see His ways in my days and nights
You can hit my brakes you can stop my lights
Man I lost my rights
I lost my life
Forget the money cars and toss that ice
The cost is Christ
And they could never offer me anything on the planet that’ll cost that price.
Don’t wanna waste my life
Suffer
Yeah do it for Christ if you trying to figure what to do with your life
If you making money hope you doing it right because the money is Gods you better steward it right
Stay focused if you ain’t got no ride
Your life ain’t wrapped up in what you drive
The clothes you wear the job you work
The color your skin nah we Christian first
People living life for a job
Make a lil money start living for a car
Get em a house a wife kids and a dog
When they retire they living high on the hog
But guess what they didn’t ever really live at all
To live is Christ yeah that’s Paul I recall
To die is gain so for Christ we give it all
He’s the treasure you’ll find in the mall
Your money your singleness marriage talent and time
They were loaned to you to show the world that Christ is Divine
That’s why it’s Christ in my rhymes
That’s why it’s Christ all the time
My whole world is built around him He’s the life in my lines
I refused to waste my life
He’s too true ta chase
That ice
Heres my gifts and time cause I’m constantly trying to be used to praise the Christ
If he’s truly raised to life
Then this news should change your life
And by his grace you can put your faith in place that rules your days and nights.
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