I’ve been diggin on some David Crowder lately. He’s such a great Christian artist, if you don’t know him already. Here’s a video that hits home

You make it easier to be
Easier to be me
It’s hard to believe
You make it easy

I went to see Lifehouse in concert earlier this month, and really enjoyed the show. Before the concert, I never really got into Lifehouse much. I do like the song they have out now, “Whatever It Takes”. But, before that song, a few of their songs have been overplayed in my mind, and thus I kinda tuned them out.

But, I gotta say, after the concert I went out and purchased both their old and new album. The new album is really great, and substantially better than the first IMHO.

But Lifehouse is not really the point of this post. The other night at CharlotteOne Dave turned on the house lights and asked people in attendance to stand up and speak about what CharlotteOne has meant to them. I’m not a good public speaker, and I’m definitely not good at speaking on my feet, so I didn’t volunteer to speak. But, after thinking about it for a moment, I realize what this year has done for me.

About 9 months ago I was introduced to a group of Christian friends. Christian friends are ones that I never had much of in the past. I always seemed to have one foot in church life and one foot out. But, these past 9 months have been different. I now have more christian friends than I know what to do with. At first I found this so overwhelming. Being the new kid in the group, I was constantly getting questions about myself, my personal life, my friends, my struggles, and daily life issues. I didn’t know how to adjust to all of this genuine interest. But, over time I did, thankfully.

Looking back over the past years of my life and comparing them to the past few months, I must say that living a better christian life is an EASIER life than before. The support group, the community, the friendships, the mutual desires and aspirations, and the diversity among my new friends are all things that really make a life full. Never having this, you really are unaware of what you are missing. But, now having it, I can’t imagine living without it. It truly is an easier life. The stress is less. The frustrations are less. Your friends, your community, and your confidants are there to support you and most importanly are there to reinforce the great promises and blessing of our God. Thanks be to Him!

Lifehouse – Storm
[See post to listen to audio]

how long have I
been in this storm
so overwhelmed by the ocean’s shapeless form
water’s getting harder to tread
with these waves crashing over my head

if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I’d see you
the storminess will turn to light

and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
and everything will be alright

Blue Merle – Places
[See post to listen to audio]

And this bartender is selling a lie
That all of these travelers are buying
Cause everyone’s looking for something to find
But bars, they ain’t nothing but places you hide
They ain’t nothing but places to hide

Blue Merle – Part of Your History
[See post to listen to audio]

I always knew that you do great things
I didn’t ever want to slow you down
I was there when you learned to use your wings
And I saw you leave the ground
The time spent in your sweet arms
Was the best time that I’ve known
Maybe the reason I was here at all was to see you carry on

In fact, Tom says this specifically in a few of his interviews.

“I was born and raised Christian. My mom was an extremely conservative Christian and I very much have those roots in my life. “I’m extremely spiritual and I have my own ideas of what happens when you die and how we’re all connected. “I think that will play some part in what this band’s about.”

This is a bold statement for someone who made his living in a very secular punk rock scene. Even during the concert last Saturday, Tom said to the crowd that when he and his friends decided to form AVA, they wanted to make a conscience decision to play positive music, and that this band would be about “love”. That too, I found bold. This is a man that I see searching for God, wanting to play those spiritual thoughts out. But, there is clearly some reservation in his dialogue with the crowd -as he’s careful to ensure he doesn’t lose that common edge the young crowds seem to connect with.

Over time, I pray he’ll lose that fear and step out even further. I pray that he’ll grow closer to God, and use his stage for His glory.

But regardles of that background, I love AVA’s song “Secret Crowds”. It says a lot. It’s motivating, it’s captivating, and it’s encourages people who listen to stand up, come together on this common message of a good world, and together we’ll make a difference. I love the inspirational undertones…

Here’s the song: Angels & Airwaves – Secret Crowds
[See post to listen to audio]

If I had my own world
I’d build you an empire
From here to the far lands
To spread love like violence

Let me feel you, carry you higher
Watch your words spread hope like fire
Secret crowds rise up and gather
Hear your voices sing back louder

If you have God in you heart, and a message to share, I think the Lord wants you to speak it boldly. (Acts 4:29-31). This song connects with me. And it’s a message I would love to be portrayed in churches everywhere.

WATCH YOUR WORDS SPREAD HOPE LIKE FIRE!!
RISE UP AND GATHER!!
HEAR YOUR VOICES SING BACK LOUDER!!

The surprise of the movie for me wasn’t really the plot of the movie, but the incredible soundtrack perfomed entirely by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. Every song just fit the scene, and was clearly crafted for each exact moment in the flick. I personally feel it’s some of Eddie’s best work. And it reminds me of the final scene in the Mark Wahlberg movie Rock Star where Mark’s rock star persona flees the big stage and is found in a local Seattle coffee shop belting out heart-felt ballads. The Into The Wild soundtrack by Eddie Vedder provides exactly the same escape for Pearl Jam’s lead vocalist.

Some of these songs relate mostly to the movie, but there are two or three songs which will be long time classics in my playlists.

Here are my favorites.

Eddie Vedder – Rise
[See post to listen to audio]

Eddie Vedder – Guaranteed
[See post to listen to audio]

Mute Math – Progress
[See post to listen to audio]

Pulling your confidence through
Some courage is well overdue
I believe solely in all your promise
Why waste a second in doubt
You could be helping you out
Keeping your head in the clear

Like an instrument for a song
Like the sun for tomorrow’s dawn
Every moment of time’s just an answer to find
What you’re here for, what you breathe for
What you wake for, what you bleed for

Everyone’s counting on you
Save for yourself what to do
Life is a card that you lay down sometimes
To search for the best way of all
Is finding the best way to fall
Keeping your head in the clear

Every moment of time’s just an answer to find
What you’re here for, what you breathe for
What you wake for, what you bleed for
What you hope for, what you live for
What you’re here for, what you breathe for, what you live for
What you’re here for, what you bleed for, what you live for

Lucas Reynolds, the genius behind Blue Merle, is now out on his own and is writing songs in a frenzy.

I’ve spent the past 2 years writing now over 115 new songs and have really grown as a writer.

A soon-to-be-released movie called August Rush will feature Lucas’s music. The movie looks awesome. It features a great cast, including Keri Russell (Felicity), Robin Williams (Good Will Hunting), Terrance Howard (Hustle & Flow), and Freddie Highmore (Finding Neverland).

Be sure to check out Blue Merle, Lucas Reynolds, and August Rush.

Andy also brought us Lazy Sunday and D@#k In a Box.

Grab the “Iran So Far” MP3 here.
Grab the “Lazy Sunday” MP3 here.

“Iran So Far”
They say true love comes only once in a lifetime
And even though we’re from opposite ends of the earth
My heart tells me you’re the one for me

Mahmoud, I remember when it started, saw you on the news
You hating gays, I was eating food
I was feeling you, and even though I disagree with almost everything you said
You ain’t wrong to me, so strong to me, you belong to me
Like a very hairy Jake Gyllenhaal to me
Mahmoud, make my heart beating out of my chest
my mind says no but my body says yes
You ain’t no threat, the only threat I see, is the threat of you not coming home to me
Our love for each other is like when atoms collide
Can’t express how I feel, and yo Adam let’s ride

And Iran, Iran so far away is your home, but in my heart you’ll stay

He ran, for the president of Iran
We ran together to a tropical island
My man, Mahmoud is known for violence
Smiling, if he can still do it then I can
They call you weasel, they say your methods are medieval
You can play the Jews, I can be your Jim Caviezel

S&M, (?) when we’re wrestlin’
You can be the port that I put my vessel in
So I try to (?) but you can still see me
With your sleepy brown eyes, butter pecan thighs
And your hairy butt… Yeah.

And Iran, Iran so far away
Come home, and in my arms you’ll stay
Used to look at the stars and dream
Around the world the same stars we’re seeing
And a twinkle in your eyes Mahmoud

Talk smooth to me, in the night sky
With you pants high waisted, damn so fly
We can take a trip to the animal zoo
And laugh at all the funny things that animals do
Like Eugene, you got me straight trippin’ boo
Hope you look at my eyes and say I’m trippin’ too
You say (?) but they already do
You should know by now, it’s you

You crazy for this world Mahmoud
You can deny the Holocaust all you want
But you can’t deny that there’s something between us
I know you say there’s no gays in Iran
But you’re in New York now baby
So time to stop hating and start living

Jason Mraz – I’m Yours
[See post to listen to audio]

If you haven’t heard of Mute Math before, you are really missing out. Check their PureVolume page, or Myspace page to sample some of their music.

If you haven’t seen them in concert yet, then this show is a must see! Seriously. You have to go! You won’t be disappointed. Go to the Amos’s Southend website now and buy your tickets.

The opening band, Eisley, looks interesting as well – and should be a hit with the ladies. They sound so much like Sixpence None the Richer that I could have sworn that the lead singer was the same from Sixpence. But, apparently not.

Give it a listen. It sounds very Mute Math-y.

Incubus, Dig.
[See post to listen to audio]

Lyrics…

We all have a weakness
But some of ours are easy to identify. Look me in the eye
And ask for forgiveness;
we’ll make a pact to never speak that word again.
Yes, you are my friend.
We all have something that digs at us,
at least we dig each other.

So when weakness turns my ego up
I know you’ll count on the me from yesterday.
If I turn into another
dig me up from under what is covering
the better part of me.
Sing this song
remind me that we’ll always have each other
when everything else is gone.

We all have a sickness
that cleverly attaches and multiplies
No matter how we try.
We all have someone that digs at us,
at least we dig each other.

So when sickness turns my ego up
I know you’ll act as a clever medicine.
If I turn into another
dig me up from under what is covering
The better part of me.
Sing this song!
Remind me that we’ll always have each other
when everything else is gone.
Oh! each other when everything else is gone

If I turn into another
dig me up from under what is covering
the better part of me.
Sing this song
remind me that we’ll always have each other
when everything else is gone.
Oh! Each other when everything else is gone
Oh! Each other when everything else is gone
Oh! Each other when everything else is gone

From her site…

We are a two piece brother and sister acoustic duo from the south east of England. We formed this band in April 2003 and have performed at several live events in our local area.

Rea and her brother have a beautiful simplicity to their music and voice. The stripped down acoustics and melodic vocals make you feel like you are listening to the Cranberries playing an unplugged set. Take a listen to the songs below and then visit their YouTube and MySpace pages. Good stuff!

ReoRae original song – Home

John Mayer cover – In Repair

As the band Live put it…

I don’t need no one to tell me about Heaven. I look at my daughter and I believe!

Congrats, Wes and Kari!

Press play to listen to the song: Live – Heaven

Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes
you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with
yourself. Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you
succeed in doing this, tell me how. Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements. Stretch Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your
life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they
wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year
olds I know still don’t.

But can you believe now
When youre on your knees now
Begging and pleading now
Can you believe
When all that youve got is doubt
And no one to pull you out
When your heart is slowin down
Can you believe

Can you forgive in your heart
Can you ask for forgiveness
When nobody else believes can you believe
Can you believe in yourself

In the last few years, American music has been dominated by bands such as Coldplay, James Blunt, Keane, Corinne Bailey Rea, Snow Patrol, and others. I actually love it. Gone are the boy bands and being inundated with Britney Spears, the Euro music scene has quitely put out some solid acts.

Listen to Paolo Nutini, and you’ll see what I mean. Enjoy!

Paulo Nutini – Rewind
[See post to listen to audio]
This song has a great video as well. Give it a look. Click here for PC’s. Click here for Mac’s.

Paulo Nutini – Last Request
[See post to listen to audio]

In lieu of a pillow, I prefer a song that cuts to the heart of the issue. Put your headsets on, and crank it.

This works for me from time to time…Phil Collins – I Don’t Care Anymore
[See post to listen to audio]

I have a few more, but I’ll keep those for myself.

The link took me to Chris’s blog (which has been taken down due to AI contract clauses, I’m sure). The first thing I noticed was his “About Me” section of the site.

I am first and foremost a Christ-follower. I am also a rock star. I don’t feel the two are diametrically opposed. If you do…I feel bad for you.

I thought this was cool. Love that he proclaims his devotion to Christ, and his love for music. It’s interesting how his personality is transparent in his writing.

The story originally linked has now been removed, but Chris’s blog entry was a list of his top 100 songs. Seen here now. Obviously, I skipped through songs 100-11 and got right to the good stuff. There I found bands which I personally hadn’t heard of before. The two which caught my eye were Muse and Mute Math.

So, off to Google and Myspace I went to find samples of these artists. What I found was pretty cool stuff. Muse and Mute Math have a distinct feel which really isn’t heard much on radio today. Kind of an electronica, punk, orchestrated, rock feel. Much different, and much cool in my book.

Here are the songs I was able to find by Muse.

Butterflies & Hurricanes
[See post to listen to audio]
Hysteria
[See post to listen to audio]
Stockholm Syndrome
[See post to listen to audio]

And here are the songs I was able to find by Mute Math.

Chaos
[See post to listen to audio]
Typical
[See post to listen to audio]
Plan B
[See post to listen to audio]

I think these are all great finds. What do you think?