I think that what makes a beautiful song sometimes is not in its complexity or originality, but sometimes from its simplicity. Repetition can help drive ideas home sometimes, and steady rhythm can make you feel like you are floating down a quiet river in spring. The Innocence Mission have made a career out of honing those particular elements, and none quiet as elegantly as a track from their 2010 album ( My Room In The Trees ) called “God Is Love”.
Some Of the truths in the song are so easy to understand, while other lines can be interpreted in so many different ways. I feel like this song is perhaps about moving through life, eyes open, but… Continue reading
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… Continue reading
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… Continue reading
With the release of 2009’s Beggars, Thrice once again not only trumped their previous effort, but also dug farther into the vast symbolism that acts as singer Dustin Kensrue’s declaration of faith. While previous songs have only hinted at Thrice’s more spiritual side, Beggars contains more vivid and frank imagery concerning Kensrue’s relationship with God.
The lyrics speak for themselves, and “In Exile” may as well be named “In Exile From Heaven” as Thrice pour out what is to be separated from our true home in Heaven. With equal parts calm acknowledgment and constant yearning, “In Exile” could be song over congregations as well as concert goers. Partner the beautiful lyrics… Continue reading | 4 Comments
Misty Edwards is a worship leader and pastor of sorts for The International House Of Prayer in Kansas City. She has been writing and recording music for almost 10 years now, and in most circles is considered one of the best worship leaders of our generation (along side names like Jason Upton and David Crowder). She remains humble in the midst of her success, and still manages to fly some where under the radar so she can focus more on her ministry duties for IHOPKC.
Misty Edwards has this to say about her life:
“I have a great desire to see the knowledge of God flood this generation. I mean the real knowledge of God… Continue reading
Sleeping Giant may seem like a hardcore band on the surface. They have down-tuned guitars, scream vocals, and tough looks. One moment spent beyond that surface reveals a band that truly loves God and wants to spread His love through music. Though the approach is very extreme, the themes an lyrics of this band rival most groups leading worship in churches today. In fact, that is what Sleeping Giant does, they lead worship. They lead worship to a group of people who don’t know how to relate to a traditional church, and they lead worship with righteous anger and energy.
This is most apparent in their song “The Army Of The Chosen One”, a plead to… Continue reading
In 2003, a post-hardcore band calling themselves Thrice unleashed their major label debut on the world. The Artist In The Ambulance was a crushing display of talent, energy, and honesty. Despite the fact that the band was labeled as “hard rock”, leader Dustin Kensrue’s lyrics reflected a more insightful and passionate way of looking at the world. For many, the crown jewel of this album was the title track; a song warning against apathy and being grateful for the time given.
The Artist In The Ambulance by Dustin Kensrue and Thrice
Late night, brakes lock, hear the tires squeal
Red light, can’t stop so I spin… Continue reading
On the surface, this is a fun quirky rap tune. However, if you listen closely and you watch the video the real meaning begins to surface. As frontman Fischer stands in the supermarket check out line we begin to fill his isolation as a series of characters cross his path. He observes them from afar,so immersed in his own needs that he never connects with another human being despite encounter after encounter. The isolation of modern living permeates Fischer’s mundane activities, just as it does our lives.
Christian music artist Joy Whitlock burst onto the national scene in 2008 when Ardent Records released her debut CD God and A Girl. This song captivated me when we received the CD and I have not been able to move past “Don’t Look Down”. Everytime this song comes through my music mix I stop whatever I am doing. “Don’t Look Down” from Hebrews 12:1-3 compels us to shed our facades, to take the big risks, to trust in God, to live our calling fearlessly. I cry everytime I listen to this… Continue reading
For those that were not fortunate enough to know this band’s name, Beloved was a highly innovative post-hardcore band in the early 2000s. When most heavy bands were softening their sound, and melodic bands were trying to scream a little to pull in new fans, Beloved came up with a formula that distinguished them above most of the popular names in underground rock at the time; they decided to do both. They played really great post-hardcore/emo, and then combined (notice I didnt say “blended”) it with very brutal, intense hardcore. The result was a group of very passionate, creative songs that earned the respect of fans across the board. Even though all the members have now moved on (the band’s rhythm… Continue reading
