Music Review: Passion Awakening

Faith,Music,Review 6 March 2010 | 0 Comments

AWAKENING2

I’ve been to quite a few Passion events since my first experience in 2000 in Memphis TN.  Back then I was just a sophomore in college, awakening to the idea of a big God with big plans.  God has been pleased to use Passion again and again to renew my heart and vision for God.  Though I’m no longer in college, I’ve been able – in one way or another – to continue to attend events and bring others with me.  Passion 2010 was especially moving for me because I got to attend with both my brothers (one a sophomore in college and one a college minister) and my beautiful wife Magen.  We’re all still reveling in what God was pleased to accomplish in our lives as His word and glory were lifted high in Atlanta.

The new Passion album comes out March 9th, but you can preview the whole album for free right now on Yahoo Music.  The album features songs by:  Charlie Hall, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Christy Nockles, FEE, Kristian Stanfill, and Hillsong UNITED.  I’ve listened to it all day, and the album goes far beyond serving as a simple reminder of good memories from a few months ago.  It’s a great album that helps stir my soul towards God.  My favorite tracks are:  King of Heaven (Isaiah 61), Where the Spirit of the Lord is, Awakening, Like a Lion, and With Everything.  The whole album sings with fresh vision for the church and the collegiate generation.  I’m especially impressed with Chris Tomlin’s writing on this album (which may sound trite to say, but I’m honestly more of a Charlie and Crowder fan).  Tomlin’s songs are just rock-solid and encouraging on this album.  I’m really excited that Louie Giglio and team decided to end the cd with a track by Hillsong UNITED!  I had feared that Hillsong would fail to make it due to licensing issues.  The Hillsong concerts during the event were some of the most moving moments during Passion 2010, and I welcome their song to conclude the album.

I suppose this isn’t really a music review so much as it’s an encouragement for you, the reader, to grab the album when it comes out Tuesday.  In the mean time check it out for free on Yahoo.

Thanks again Passion for pointing fresh generations of college students towards the glory of God!

http://www.268generation.com

http://www.sixstepsrecords.com

Related Posts:

Tagged in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreak

Music 15 January 2009 | 0 Comments

I just bought a house — which is another reason there have been no blog updates because buying a house is crazy — so money is scarce these days.  However, I did manage to snag the latest Kanye West joint.  I’m a big Kanye fan (not the man, the music) so this was a must buy.  I knew going in that 808s & Heartbreak was going to be quite a departure from Kanye’s previous work, and it is.  iTunes labels the cd as R&B rather than hip hop for example.  After quite a few listens I’ve got to say this is a pretty good cd, but fails in comparison to Kanye’s other albums.

One the big themes of the album seems to be Kanye’s attempt to deal the with death of his mom; he focuses more time thematically on relationships with people and less time on living the “Big Life” of money and posessions.  All in all my favs on the album are:  Welcome to Heartbreak, Amazing, Love Lockdown, Heartless, and See You in My Nightmare.  The overall sound can get a little repetitive due to the use of the autotune effect on West’s voice in every single track.  I appreciate the attempt to go a different direction creatively, and the attempt to use art as an outlet for dealing with sorrow, but I think overall Kanye slacked a little bit in the creativity department.

If you’re a big Kanye West fan, I say this is worth the buy, but otherwise I’d iTunes the few tracks that stick out.

Rating:

3.5 cups of coffee

Related Posts:

Tagged in , , , , , , , , , ,

In a Hip Hop Mood

Music 28 October 2008 | 0 Comments

I’ve been addicted to hip hop lately.  It’s a natural phenomenon, like the universal love of the movie Dumb and Dumber by all men everywhere, that simply effects my consciousness.  It never fails, as time passes I inevitably fall back in love with hip hop.  The current listening includes:  Talib Kweli, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Common, and last but certainly not least:  Lecrae. If you haven’t picked up Rebel, Lecrae’s latest joint, then you are seriously missing out. Lecrae continues to produce inspiring hip hop that pleases both lyrically and musically. My current routine entails listening to Lecrae on the way to church to get ready to worship and sing to God.  Much love to the following tracks:  Rebel Intro, Don’t Waste Your Life, Go Hard, & Change. Admittedly, I’m more into the East Coast sound these days, but Lecrae’s album is so good that it bucks that trend in my listening habits.

Rebel earns 4 & 1/2 cups of coffee!

Related Posts:

Tagged in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Charlie Hall – The Bright Sadness

Faith,Music,Review 24 September 2008 | 0 Comments

Charlie Hall’s music is a security blanket.  There are an enumerable amount of personal thoughts, recollections, good times, and God-thoughts attached to his music in my life. There are specific times in my life when God enlivened a Biblical truth in my life in part due to a Charlie Hall lyric.  As a former worship leader he influenced my leading style probably more than any other person.  His words inspire, his style is always a little different from the norm, and as I’ve heard Louie Giglio say, “He’s a worship leader’s worship leader.”  Charlie Hall, from what little I know of him, is an awesome guy.  He has cool facial hair and he drinks his coffee black (I know because he came into Starbucks one time when I was working, ordered black coffee, and I got to talk to him for just a second).

The Bright Sadness, Charlie’s newest effort, does not disappoint.  The lyrics are honest and Scripture-saturated.  Musically you have to listen a few times to really dig the feel, but it will grow on you like kudzu if you let it.

I unabashedly give this record 5 out of 5 cups of black coffee!


Related Posts:

Tagged in , , , , , , , , , ,