FM Static – Dear Diary

Punk is dead.  Pop punk, however, is alive and well.  Ask any skinny jean wearing, Ipod touch bearing, 14 year-old boy or girl what the kids are listening to these days and they list bands like Fall Out Boy, Good Charlotte, Hawk Nelson, or Everyday Sunday.  So the name FM Static may mean “radio noise” to anyone older than 25, but mention the name to any group of teenagers and your knee deep in 8 gig nanos.

FM Static started in 2003 as a side project of TFK (Thousand Foot Krutch) singer Trevor McNevan.   Six years and three albums later, April 7 marks the release of Dear Diary, the bands new concept album.  FM Static has always done the pop punk thing well, so there are no surprises when you put the album into your player.  A blend of clear vocals, catchy lyrics and danceable rhythms jump out at you from the first single, “A Boy Moves to Town With an Optomistic Outlook”.  Trevor’s vocal talent and creativity fit the album well and come through very clearly on tracks like “Man Watcha’ Doing”.  Steven Augustine (who founded the band with Trevor) makes the poppy, rhythmic guitar sounds sound complete in the form of very capable drumming.  I find myself drawn to the music on this album more than on any previous CD.  “Her Father’s Song” works extremely well for the band because it is something I haven’t heard.  This track is a down-tempo ballad with a really good drum line and very catchy chorus.  I also really find myself drawn to the song ”Take Me As I Am” because it doesn’t typify that old pop-punk sound.  It’s new ground and that is commendable.

Dear Diary is a concept album because of it’s lyrical themes.  Trevor has decided to appeal directly to his listening audience.  He has taken what most high school kids think about and created songs, weaving together themes of searching and themes of being out of place.  As a whole the album is not the strongest, but it doesn’t fall flat because FM Static has connected with their listeners.  That has to count for something more than just “radio noise”.

7/10

—Luke—

VOTA – Self-Titled

When it comes to the acronym you have to be extremely careful in its use.  According to dictionary.com an acronym is “a word formed from the initial letters or groups of letters of words in a set phrase or series of words”.  So you see, the reader can easily decide that they want to use your acronym as their own.  For example, ETA could mean Easy To Access, LOL could mean Live Our Lives, or VOTA could mean Very Open To Anything.  I hope you catch my drift.

The band VOTA has experienced problems when trying to find a name.  They experimented with Casting Pearls, but failed to make that name stick due to confusion with a group you may have heard of; Casting Crowns.  So they have finally found a name and it happens to be an acronym for Vibration Open Test Assembly.  I try to search for words to relate that to the music, the sound, or the band and I find it extremely difficult.  This points to the outcome of their new self-titled album as a whole.  This CD, titled simply VOTA, does not give me any reason to listen more than once or twice.  I have questions when I listen,  like “are connections in the music industry all it takes to get signed to a major label?”, or “why do musicians make music just to have that music get lost in the smorgasbord of similar bands?”  When I try to categorize the music made by VOTA  it is very easy because there are close to thirty other bands like it in the Christian market.  If you don’t know what I mean, let me explain.  The sound has a distinct rock ‘n’ roll sound and consists of alot of guitar chords being strummed - Newsboys style, bass guitar being picked - Jeremy Camp style, and drums that rock - TobyMac style.  I’m not saying that VOTA has copied the bands I have listed, but I’m sure if you played both back-to-back the sound would be hard to differentiate.  The CD does contain alot of “radio-friendly” hits (I use the term loosely), but that is where I have a problem, I don’t usually like the “radio-friendly” hit.  The band has not taken any risks with the music, therefore, VOTA gets lost with the score of similar sounding bands that have tried this before.

It wouldn’t be appropriate to end the review here because these words do not contain a hint of this CD being good.  That being said, it is not hard to find positives here.  VOTA is full of catchy guitar chords, amazingly positive lyrics, great radio playability, and it serves as a great alternative to what secular radio presents in Tom Cochrane or Bryan Adams.  At least there are some positives to VOTA, much like there are positives to using an acronym.  TTYL.

3/10

— Luke —

NHL 09 Review

What is the best way to capture the intensity of the best sport in the world?  Is there a gaming system that will translate the action from a cold hockey rink to a TV set?  Can a video game make the NHL more interactive or more addicting?  And most importantly, will a company step up and make a video game that my dad can finally play?

Tough questions to answer in a world full of sports video games, but I believe that EA Sports has come very close.  NHL 09 is the newest title in EA’s yearly hockey series for the XBOX 360.  Graphically this game is the best yet and runs very smoothly on Microsoft’s system.  Let’s start with the hitting; it is much more realistic and believable in comparison to last years installment, which really lacked that smooth “run the player through the glass” feeling.  This year the energy and fluidity of the game have been pushed to a whole new level.  You believe the game, you feel the game.  The menus are great and the ability to tweak almost every gameplay setting is also a good feature. A gameplay editor allows you to customize any portion of your experience, making the game more personal and making you the next Colin Campbell.  In addition EA has kept the “Skill Stick”, making the controls amazingly simplified and a million times more enjoyable than the ”button-mashing” of old.  Even though the controls are brilliant and the gameplay is much more realistic, I still don’t think my dad could play this game, but that is not EA’s fault.  He’s just too old to play video games.

This game comes close to getting high marks but still falls short.  There are a few annoyances in the game that hinder its playability.  The camera angles available are not the best, there are some glitches in the realism of player deeks, the fighting could be much better, and the physics of certain shots sometimes make the instant replay feature needed so you know the answer to, ”how did I get that shot off?”  Xbox will hopefully release a game patch to solve some of these things, but if EA Sports is taking note and read Inspired Magazine, they will know what to change for NHL 10.

7.5/10

— Luke —

Lecrae – Rebel

Being counter-cultural these days is extremely hard.  Everything around you says “do things this way” or “if you have this item you need nothing else”.  The Bible calls all christians to something different, to be counter-cultural.  What if we lived a lifestyle unashamed of Jesus Christ and no longer conformed to the patterns of the world.  Or in this case, the culture.  We would then line up with the teachings of the Bible and be better equipped to live a life that is set apart, unique.  We will also find our music taste may change and we will find ourselves listening to more hip-hop.

A music review for Rebel by Lecrae; written by a white kid from Saskatoon, SK, Canada, nothing is more counter-cultural.  For some reason there seems to be a theme running through these words, but bear with me.  When I listen to hip-hop I usually lean towards East-Coast stylings, so it’s really interesting that I find myself being “all about” a West-Coast album.  There is something really satisfying when “truth” and “honesty” are woven into lyrics, no matter what style of music it is.  Rebel starts, like most hip-hop albums, with an intro track.  But this intro track is arguably the best lyrical track on the CD, and introduces themes of transformation, rebellion, servanthood, and anticonformation.  The effective use of sampling a sermon containing these themes makes this one of the best intros I’ve ever heard in hip-hop.  Track 2 is highlighted by Lecrae’s honest lyric “…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/see my whole world is built around him He’s the life in my lines”.  God has blessed Lecrae with an amazing talent to make these lines flow smoothly, suited perfectly to the genre.  Track 5 is even more honest when we hear an argument between Lecrae and sin in the lyric, “Lets go smoke a Kool or sumthin/Talk and sip a brew or sumthin/Naw man I aint trusting you/Aint nothing but lust in you/Thanks be to God I obeyed the teaching I was entrusted to”.  The use of biblical language abounds on the CD.  Track 14, titled “The Bride”, portrays the roal or goal of the church in modern hip-hop language that communicates the Bible to the culture, “Yeah she may look gritty/When her man come back she gone look so pretty – She the Church/You might see her acting crazy, be patient with her tho cause she still God’s baby – She the Church”.  Challenging.

Musically, Rebel is distinctly West-Coast.  You hear it in the pounding bass, catchy R & B choruses, and smooth raps.  Even through the cover, you can tell that Rebel will sound very “thug”.  As you listen more to the CD you can immediately compare Lecrae to 50 Cent, Cam’ron, or even Tupac.  Christian comparisons may include any of the Cross Movement dudes or any of Lecrae’s label mates; Trip Lee, Tedashii, and Sho Baraka.  Production and listenability are very strong on Rebel, you can listen to the CD repetitively and never get sick of it or be dissapointed with the quality.  Isn’t that what good music is, freshness and uniqueness?

The summation of this review is served up good through the last line of the album, “Go, go, go (run with those beautiful feet)/Go, go, go
You hold the truth that saves so run and shout it to the world/They can’t believe in something they ain’t never heard/Go, go, go and run with those beautiful feet”.  Is that counter-cultural?  Let this serve as a challenge to all of us, let’s go, let’s be a Rebel.

9/10

—Luke—

Fiction Family – Self-Titled

“Americana”, as a genre in music, is defined simply as classic American music.  There are many styles that serve as influences to the genre, from bluegrass to folk and blues to country.  All of these sounds make it distinctly related to the American culture, hence the title ”Americana”.

Jon Foreman (lead singer of Switchfoot) has been immersing himself in this genre recently.  It started with his Fall & Winter EPs, continued with the Spring & Summer EPs, and now his new project Fiction Family.  Jon has joined creative forces with Sean Watkins (lead singer of Nickel Creek) on a project that reminds me of The Beatles or Bob Dylan.  The album starts with “When She’s Near” and prominently features Jon’s vocals and an extremely catchy Beatlesque chorus making it the second best song on the CD.  Fiction Family remains strong with the second, and best song, “Out of Order”.  This song may never get radio play, but because of the unique guitar line and lack of a distinct chorus, this song is worth a listen.  Jon and Sean use many “mountain” instruments to make the remainder of Fiction Family just enjoyable.  As I finished the album I couldn’t help but wonder if Jon is over saturating the “Americana” genre by releasing too many projects in the same vein and in such a fast time frame, thus making Fiction Family fall a bit short.

Switchfoot, this is not, but if you are a fan of “Mountain Man Music”, old style instruments and strong musicianship, then you will find enjoyment in Fiction Family.

7/10

—Luke—

Reasons for Excitement!

I suppose I should explain the reason for all of the CD reviews lately.  You see, I have been developing a passion for writing (thus the reason for this Blog) and it seems that God has started to open doors.  This gives me lots of reasons for excitement.

At work Colin and I visit 4-5 christian music news websites on a daily basis.  It helps us do our job better and gives us things to look forward to in our industry.  One of these websites (shameless advertisement), www.indievisionmusic.com, is an extremely good resource.  I had this idea, to e-mail the founder/operator of the site just on a whim and a prayer.  Good news came back in the reply to my e-mail.  Brandon (the founder/operator) liked my e-mail, and directed by God, replied to the effect that he’d love to have a new CD reviewer for the site.  I am that guy!  So, right now, I am a CD reviewer for www.indievisionmusic.com!!  I also have a second e-mail and it is luke@indievisionmusic.com.  If you want to check out my reviews on the site, I go by reviewer name: Luke J.  I plan to include 2-4 reviews a month on the site and will also post the review to this blog as it serves as my writing folder.

After I finished my e-mail to Brandon I received a second e-mail from my friend Tony in Ontario.  He is the head of a music/youth culture magazine called Inspired Magazine.  I have done a few quotes on CDs for Tony before, but nothing long or in the form of a full review.  His e-mail asked me to write a review for the next issue on the band Cool Hand Luke (which is below this post).  More exciting news!  And since then I have received a second e-mail from Tony asking me to do a second review.  Look forward to that second review on here soon.

God is extremely good!  Love him.

—Luke—

Cool Hand Luke – The Sleeping House

It really is amazing when you let your passions guide or influence your direction in life.

Cool Hand Luke have never been afraid to allow their passions to shape the music.  The Sleeping House, like their first release Wake Up, Oh Sleeper and the amazing Fires of Life, has retained a huge sense of creative freedom.  Those convictions have made their music unique and set them apart from mainstream trends.  Calling this album a “concept project” is not completely accurate, but “Fast Asleep” serves as an introduction to something reocurring.  You see, a “concept album” will introduce a theme and, in some way, highlight it through lyrics, an instrument, or narrative.  The Sleeping House doesn’t necessarily dwell on one theme, but instead creates a mood.  The mood created gives a feeling of being submersed and makes the listener feel like they’re sinking.  “Cast Your Bread” expands more on this feeling with soft piano notes and eerie vocals, while “The City Prevails” manages to kick things up a notch in the form of quicker drums and faster timing reminisent of Mutemath or Thrice.  ”Wide Awake” finishes the album well with an effective piano build and creative distortion, making the listener feel something new; like floating.

While The Sleeping House succeeds in the music and creativity, it is lacking energy.  Somehow the production has not captured a full sound that I know this band is capable of.  But don’t let that stop you from experiencing this album.  And for a whole new experience, put the disc in your computer and check out the story behind the art.

6.5/10

—Luke—

#1 Thrice – The Alchemy Index 3 & 4: Air & Earth

Fire, water, air, and earth; the elements of our planet, created by an amazingly unique God.  I can think of nothing better to consume a bands time with.  Thrice has done just that, they have created two astounding sets of music history.  In late 2007 The Alchemy Index 2 & 3: Fire & Water came out and I immediately thought “that will definitely be in my top ten for the year!”  Now, six months later, Thrice have created The Alchemy Index 3 & 4: Air & Earth.

The word alchemy defined means “any magical power or process of transmuting a common substance, usually of little value, into a substance of great value”.  An index is a volume of works or a set of books being in a numerical or alphabetical sequence.  The Alchemy Index, coming up with a title like that would take years of living in a convent discussing the meaning of life with Brother Obediah.  The title serves as a glimpse into the genius that is The Alchemy Index and really does align itself with the Bible.

I refuse to define The Alchemy Index by giving it a genre.    So, like Thrices’ myspace, I’m not going to go there.  Air starts with a song that will lay down the foundations to all of Volume 3.  “Broken Lungs” starts the album in a mournful tone, making me feel guilty and shameful with lines like “A fire burns beneath Manhattan and still we breath with broken lungs; but we act like none of this matters”.  To me that screams of the fact that we do not help others when they are clearly crying out before us.  By the end of the song (permit me to paraphrase Dustin’s lyrics) I’m feeling like I want justice, I want truth, but in reality the scales have not fallen from my eyes to see reality.  The album follows that lyrical theme mixing ambient sounds, powerful rock chords, and effective vocal distortion throughout.  I am surprised by the final track “Silver Wings” when it breaks off of the lyrical themes and slams me with the realization that I don’t know it all.  It’s like God gave me a wake up call and, through Dustin Kensrues’ brilliant lyrics, said “After all of this you are amazed, that you are cursed far more than you are praised”.   I’m humbled.

Earth follows a very down south almost country feeling.  Musically Thrice has followed the feeling of lead singer Dustin Kensrue’s solo album Please Come Home.  The folk/americana sound on Volume 4 is unmistakable.  “Digging my own Grave” follows a lyrical theme of living with the vices the world throws at us.  “Can someone else please save myself from me?  Oh, Lord I know, I’m just digging my own grave”.  Themes of despair and helplessness resonate through the vocals.  Track 5 starts to change things again.  The title, “Come all you Weary”, and the beginning lyric of track 6, “Dear prodigal son, you are my son…” speak of relief and of rescue.  After experiencing what the world may throw at us, we can be encouraged of something much bigger and much holier than us.  I’m encouraged.

You may wonder if Thrice is a “christian” band.  After experiencing The Alchemy Index I really don’t think that matters.  With words that speak to despair, guilt, redemption, and ultimately rescue is this “christian”?  Maybe, but isn’t this what a hurting world needs, hope in something greater?  Belief in the invisible?  Realization of the inevitable?

9/10

—Luke—

#2 The Myriad – With Arrows, With Poise

When the Myriad released their first album You Can’t Trust a Ladder I liked it, but wasn’t totally turned on by the sound.  They had a great thing started when they released this album in 2005 and created a name that has something to do with seeking meaning beyond the earthly and ordinary.  The sound was new, they weren’t going with the same old pop-punk/alt-rock sound that so many delivered in 2005.  Distinguishable and unique with a refreshing splash of a sound that appeals to humans.  That is the best way to describe You Can’t Trust a Ladder.

Fast forward three years and one album and welcome With Arrows, With Poise to my musical pediatric ward.  I listened to this album for the first time in March of last year and thought it was extremely interesting.  Another stand out in the world of the same old lame old.  It is unique with its vibe, really painting a wild picture of bowman hunting wild elk through the mangroves.  First impressions of the CD are definetly the cover art.  The artist really paints (literally) an image of, what seems like, the whole world coming at this hunter and all he has is a bow and single arrow to fight it off.  Amazing how the cover really speaks more words than the few words I have to describe the scene.  Music really comes down to a good cover doesn’t it, where has that been stated before?  hmm.

The Myriad has done something that Christian music rarely experiences or has experienced, they have created a great fusion of modern rock and UK epicness (*see below for definition).  This album does not limit the Myriad to just being in the Christian genre of music, it really does transcend genres.  They have left the lyrics open to great individual discernment and opinion.  Great music, like great writing, leaves the listener wondering “what just happened there?” or thinking “where can my thoughts take that?”  The Bibles’ grey areas are alot like Jeremy Edwardsons’ writing in the fact that they make you look at things a new way or think a new way without defining things.  Spending your time in God’s word is good, it cements your beliefs and gives you a great guidebook before you get to Greatness.  With Arrows, With Poise, while not being as important as the Bible, was important in 2008 and if you spend time with it I’m sure you will discover greatness.

Favorite tracks:  “You Waste Time Like a Grandfather Clock”, “A Clean Shot”, “Holiest of Thieves”, Throwing Punches”.

*UK epicness is defined as a distinguishable voice because of the british accent and a song that is epic in scope and is likely to be featured in a war movie (ie. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2).

9/10

– Luke –

#3 Underoath – Lost in the Sound of Seperation

When I heard that Underoath had a new album on the horizon in early 2008 I thought “oh my, they better blow me away with this one, cuz their last one did not do anything for me!”  In my mind they had a lot to live up to in comparison to “They’re Only Chasing Safety” (2004).  Here are my thoughts.

The first opinion is always based on the cover art for any album.  If an album does well in the presentation or look you are interested to see, or in this case, hear more.  But if an album stumbles and has no “eye-candy” on the front you really have nothing that pulls you in to the album further.  Lost in the Sound of Seperation (herein referred to as LITSOS) does well but does not do anything amazing.  It seems that the boys did not want to do anything drastic on the cover, none of the eye-popping bloody skulls or gory scenes of destruction that most bands use in metal these days.  But the direction taken is refreshing and totally fits the sounds on the disc. 

I got to preview the sounds on the disc with a pre-release sampler that I got access to in May of ’08.  “What is wrong with the beginning of the disc?”  This was my first reaction upon hearing Breathing in a New Mentality (track 1).  Wait 20 seconds and then the difference becomes apparent.  “Wow, that is what I was waiting for!”  I can’t begin to explain the rush of adrenaline you get when the recording goes “off the hook” and becomes the Underoath of old.  You see, the Underoath of old is extremely catchy choruses and huge breakdowns (herin referred to as HBs), this first track features mainly HBs.  You have to catch your breath and gather your thoughts before you get any catchy choruses.  LITSOS requires the listener to experience the music.  I can’t stress enough how much you have to “get to know” this CD.  The method of finding a favorite track on the disc and listening to it an infinite amount of times (thankyou FM radio!) may work on this disc, but I can’t do it.  This CD requires you to put in the full 40 minutes everytime.  Any CD that makes me listen all the way through and hooks you on every sound is worth putting in my top three.  The sounds hook you and mesmerize you like any good painting.  Wait a second, that explains the cover.

Favorite tracks:  “Breathing in a New Mentality”, “The Only Survivor was Miraculously Unharmed”, “The Created Void”, “Desperate Time Desperate Measures”, “Desolate Earth: The End is Here”.

8/10

— Luke —