Im not really sure how to describe Finland’s Revival Hymns to you. No, it isnt a worship band, despite the name leading you believe that. Yes, its rock; but not really indie rock, hard rock, or progressive. Its kind of all of those mixed in with a little shoegaze (dont worry I didnt understand the sub-genre either at first). I can tell you this: Feathers is a album that takes its time (the first track is over 9 minutes), but it never gets boring. In fact, Revival Hymns are a very interesting band, and they have crafted a sound that Im not really sure anybody else is currently playing.
After a few times listening to Feathers, Im fairly sure that it will end up on our “End Of The Year…” lists, and will remain in my heavy rotation for a long while. Grab this album before the band realizes they have crafted a incredible album and stop giving it away.
I’m holding on to the hope that one day this could be made right
I’ve been shipwrecked, and left for dead, and I have seen the darkest sights
Everyone I’ve loved seems like a stranger in the night
But oh my heart still burns, tells me to return, and search the fading light
I’m sailing home to you I won’t be long
By the light of moon I will press on
Until, I find, my love
Trouble has beset my ways, and wicked winds have blown
Sirens call my name, they say they’ll ease my pain, then break me on the stones
But true love is the burden that will carry me back home
Carry me with the, memories of the, beauty I have known
I’m sailing home to you I won’t be long
By the light of moon I will press on
So tie me to the mast of this old ship and point me home
Before I lose the one I love, before my chance is gone
I want to hold, her in, my arms
Im not sure if many people are aware of this, but there was a time when the term “emo” didnt describe a bunch of winy scene kinds with bad haircuts and My Chemical Romance. Back in the 90s, “emo” was a shortened version of the term “emotional rock”, which was essentially a bunch of kids from hardcore bands wanting to do melodic music that had a more personal feel to it. Sadly after the demise of bands like Further Seems Forever, Twothirtyeight, The Early November, and bands like Saves The Day tapering off, the genre that was Emo became the new word for Goth (both of which have nothing to do with the actual genres of music).
Pieced together from various bands in the hardcore scene, Friends is here to take back the term, and the beginning of revolution is the Better Off Alone EP. I know, Im being a bit dramatic, but I used to love this type of music, and Im glad some talented dudes are trying to bring it back.
Watch the video we took of Friends playing their first Cornerstone set and then go download the EP with the link below.
There really are few other words to credibly describe this work of staggering import and breathtaking beauty. Love & War & The Sea In Between will pull you onto a dance floor, inspire you to raise your hands and shout to God, push you to your knees in prayer and, as it has me on several occasions, cause tears to stream down your face. On his sixth release in a little over a decade Josh Garrels has perfected his musical vision.
For those of you new to Josh Garrels‘ music, it is unique in the 21st century music scene. Yes it is folk music based on Josh’s acoustic guitar. Much instrumental depth and color is added in the studio, but these songs stand up well when performed on just Josh Garrels‘ guitar and his beat sampler. Yes, Josh Garrels marries his folk music with a beat sampler to create an acoustic hip hop no one else is doing. But Josh Garrels is no hip hop artist. The vocals, on his epic theological rants, spew forth with a rhythm, emotion and precision that rivals any beat poet. At other times his vocals float in an acapella tenderness that add depth and weight to his lyrics. And it is the lyrics are what set Josh Garrels apart. The theological weight and unwavering honesty of his lyrics force you to listen over and over and over again.
Josh Garrels is giving the album away for one year on his website www.joshgarrels.com. But we implore you to support one of the most important Christian musicians playing today by going to Amazon and buyingLove & War & The Sea In Between. Let’s make a statement that great music and great artists should be rewarded.
On Love & War & The Sea In Between, there are several trademark Josh Garrels beat folk lyrical poems that challenge and embrace our faith. Here are a few examples:
“Farther Along” ..But I still get heartbreak
Stoned everyside between the Rock and the compromise
Like truth and a pack of lies fighting for my soul
I got no place left to go
Cause I got changed by what I been showed.
It’s more glory than the world has known
It keeps me ramblin’ on
Skipping like a calf freed from his stall
Free to love once and for all.
Even when I fall I get back up
Through the joy that overflows my cup
Heaven filled me with more than enough
Broke down my levees and my bluffs
Let the flood wash me…
“The Resistance”
In this admonition to Believers to stand up and resist evil at any cost Josh Garrels bellows these lyrics over a driving beat:
…Through grief and through suffering
We find the joy that it brings
To be free
It’s gonna cost us everything
To follow one Lord and King
True love endures everything
To be free
I could go on and on copying lyrics for you but I think I will just let you experience a performance of “Beyond The Blue” from Cornerstone 2011. This is one of the highlights of Love & War & The Sea In Between and pretty good example of what your will get on this new release
Josh Garrels sing Beyond The Blue from Love & War & The Sea In Between
Love & War & The Sea In Between is filled with these beat, folk, worship, protest songs but what sets this recording apart from Josh Garrels’ previous works are the stunning ballads and love songs that flow through Love & War & The Sea In Between. “Bread & Wine”, “Million Miles” are two beautiful love songs. However, the show stopper of this entire recording is “Ulysses”. In our opinion, this song of longing and determination is the most beautiful vocal we have ever heard from Josh Garrels.
Ulysses by Josh Garrels
Love & War & The Sea in Between features 18 songs, including three instrumentals. In my iTunes I have 12 songs rated five. This is a huge work of staggering depth and beauty. I cannot imagine this will not top the One21music Best of 2011. You can go get this for free at www.joshgarrels.com or you can contribute to greatness buy buying Love & War & The Sea In Between at Amazon
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Listen to Love & War & The Sea In Between by Josh Garrels
Find it
somewhere in your soul
the last bit of strength that will take ya on home
Just find it
somewhere in your heart
to put the past be the past and go back to the start
selfish, prideful, come get an eyeful
of an ugly dark stain on a once wonderful resume
easily strolls down the road of perdition
leaves a man wishin for his own position
I know its so empty but its still so tempting
and if I ever lose sight come and get me
you gotta dig
She’s a jewel in your crown
Dont trade a million dollar future for a nickle right now
Mama said leave a place better than you found it
and lookin in your eyes I realize how profound that is
Dig
Like theres no tomorrow
Dig like your livin on time thats borrowed
Dig
Homie its in there somewhere
Dig like your life depends on it ’cause it does
Dig
And grand mama touched down
Fresh from TX a block from Ghost Town
Natural born rider, Watts Riots survivor
Loved them four kids, but those streets were a beast
God’s grace alone, three outta four made it
Now the son of second born is rockin microphones
Its so lovely, wish it could hug me, dirty and it stinks but its mine for the keeps
Cold piece of work, the son of a nine-to-fiver
Civil Rights and Vietnam War survivor
Told my grand papie that blacks were not human
but that didnt stop the movement
You gotta dig
You can find it
The wind sings the songs of the dedicated few that wouldnt fall head long
Just find it
Watch me tighten my belt
When the prayers of this rapper is a desperate cry for help
I desire a higher outcome than we
Cant you forgive me if I dismiss ya it aint to diss ya
I am not a Rasta dont let the dreads fool ya
Though I take Ja seriously
if its cool let me school ya
Dig
I cant say Im not tired
Felt a little envious of names on flyers
Empty handed and homesick, though I know my flow’s sick
If yall only knew how cold this road gets
You gotta dig
and if I ever lose sight come and get me
you gotta dig
Im not the artist Im the canvas
Remind of my own words, though I cant stand it
Hold me accountable
Call me on my laziness
Call by my birth name
Look me in the face and dig
You gotta dig
and if I ever lose sight come and get me
you gotta dig
Would you like some pop with your rock? Well, yes of course right? Storyline has been in the scene for a while making quality rock music for the masses. After a bit of a break and a new lead singer, the band is back with the Feel Alive EP. Featuring three new songs and a a cover of OneRepublic‘s “Apologize”, Feel Alive is a preview of the future of Storyline. Driving rock mixed with pop hooks and plenty of energy, the band is now poised to tear some stuff up.
Download the EP and say you were there before Storyline hit the big time.
Look, he’s covered in dirt
The blood of his mother has mixed with the Earth
and she’s just a child who’s throbbing in pain
from the terror of birth by the light of a cave
now they’ve laid that small baby where creatures come eat
like a meal for the swine who have no clue, that he is still holding together the world that they see
they don’t know just how low he has to go lower still
Look now he’s kneeling he’s washin’ their feet
though they’re all filthy fishermen, traitors and theives
now he’s pouring his heart out and they’re fallin’ asleep
but he has to go lower still
there is greater love to show
hands to the plow
further down now
blood must flow
all these steps are personal
all his shame is ransom
oh do you see, do you see just how low, he has come
do you see it now?
no one takes from him
what he freely gives away
beat in his face, tear the skin off his back
Lower still, lower still
strip off his clothes, make him crawl through the streets
Lower still, lower still
hang him like meat on a criminal’s tree
Lower still, lower still
bury his corpse in the Earth
like a seed, like a seed, like a seed
Lower still, lower still
The Earth explodes
she cannot hold him!
And all therein is placed beneath Him
and death itself no longer reigns
it cannot keep the ones he gave himself to save
and as the universe shatters the darkness disolves
he alone will be honored
we will bathe in his splendor
as all heads bow lower still
all heads bow lower still
. Let’s make a statement that great music and great artists should be rewarded.
