Rob Bell is a person who helps stretch me in my faith. Most of the time when I read what he writes or listen to his podcast I feel like he is helping to expose various aspects of my thinking and soul that I have not yet thought about. His perspective on religion is one that I feel is right on, in most parts, and has really helped me grow in my faith as well. Bell is a pastor at a large church in Michigan, but is also a well known author. He has written 4 books, with his most current one being Drops Like Stars.
When I first got Drops Like Stars in the mail I was shocked at the size of it. Bell’s books have had the same dimensions and style, physically, and this book looked like a Rob Bell book on steroids. But I was very anxious to crack it open and start reading into Bell’s mind and teachings once again. The entire book is based on the idea of why art happens, why we create. That suffering is a universal feeling we all can relate to and usually leads to great connections with people on many levels, including art.
This is not a deep and theological book. It is not a book, like his others, that will speak tons of truths into your life. But it is a book that will make you think, and for me helped me appreciate art in a different way, I am not an artsy type of guy. But now I do understand it in a deeper sense. This is also a book that will only take you 45 minutes or so to read, but I imagine a book that you will come back to again and pick it up.
The one downside to the book is that it is expensive. I got mine off Amazon for $20, but it was retailing for around $50… yikes… so my advice, is to hunt around and find it at a good price. I would also strongly suggest and recommend Bell’s other books; Velvet Elvis, Sex God and Jesus Wants to Save Christians… check out his podcasts too!
9/29/09
Derek Webb – Stockholm Syndrome
One of my favorite singer/songwriters of all time has a new album out entitled Stockholm Syndrome. This is a release that was preceded by a fun and long process of a scavenger hunt mainly around the southern portion of the US. Actually a good friend of mine took place in the hunt and received a free album, concert tickets and other goodies. So, there was a lot of anticipation in the Smith household for this new release from Webb.
Derek Webb used to sing in a Christian group called Caedmon’s Call, but left back in the early 2000’s to pursue a solo career. He has released 5 albums so far, but he went a different way in his 5th album than he has in the previous 4. Some of these songs you just want to dance to, there is a more of a dance beat and electronics than in previous albums. And yet, this singer/songwriter, who seems most comfortable strumming chords behind an acoustic guitar, pulls it off.
Most of Webb’s albums have some sort of theme and meaning. His first was about the church, his fourth about politics and the most current one deals with the most current issue of pulling down the “normal” barriers of Christians and loving as Christ loved. Some have called Webb a prophet for this generation, which I believe to some extent as well.
The new album did receive some problems from the record label. One song, What Matters More, covers a very ‘hot’ topic of the day and is one that the record label did not feel right releasing, but I think it is poignant to the message that Webb is trying to portray.
His music is available on iTunes and at some Christian/Big Box retail stores. But to get the What Matters More song you will need to go to his website, www.derekwebb.com , and I believe it is available for a free download. I highly recommend any of Webb’s albums… he is a must have in your music collection!
Derek Webb used to sing in a Christian group called Caedmon’s Call, but left back in the early 2000’s to pursue a solo career. He has released 5 albums so far, but he went a different way in his 5th album than he has in the previous 4. Some of these songs you just want to dance to, there is a more of a dance beat and electronics than in previous albums. And yet, this singer/songwriter, who seems most comfortable strumming chords behind an acoustic guitar, pulls it off.
Most of Webb’s albums have some sort of theme and meaning. His first was about the church, his fourth about politics and the most current one deals with the most current issue of pulling down the “normal” barriers of Christians and loving as Christ loved. Some have called Webb a prophet for this generation, which I believe to some extent as well.
The new album did receive some problems from the record label. One song, What Matters More, covers a very ‘hot’ topic of the day and is one that the record label did not feel right releasing, but I think it is poignant to the message that Webb is trying to portray.
His music is available on iTunes and at some Christian/Big Box retail stores. But to get the What Matters More song you will need to go to his website, www.derekwebb.com , and I believe it is available for a free download. I highly recommend any of Webb’s albums… he is a must have in your music collection!
Music Pick: Church Music by David Crowder Band
A new album just hit the stores last week from the David Crowder Band ( http://www.davidcrowderband.com/churchmusic/ ). I was in high anticipation of this album, due to the fact that their last album, Remedy, was so well done and had such a great message within it as well. I was so excited that I even participated in a preorder package where I received the album, a few extra songs, some stickers, a poster, and the Vinyl (that means record album to those born after the 1980’s). I still haven’t cracked open the vinyl and played it on my record player, but I have listened to the new album quite a bit.
And the verdict is that David Crowder Band has recorded another great album. It took a few listens to like this new endeavor, but it did start to speak to me in cool and exciting ways. They had an idea to create an album that could be played from end to end without stops, and then the Church Music Album was born.
Many of you may know a lot more David Crowder Band music than you think. Some Sundays at church it seems like we sing 2-3 of their songs, which I am not complaining about at all. We actually have already sung a new song off the album, and potentially my favorite song from the entire new album. That song is How He Loves and is a great look at the love God has for us. My favorite line is “if grace is an ocean, we are surely drowning”.
So, in my opinion, if you were going to one David Crowder album, get Remedy, if you were going to own a few pick up Church Music and give it a few listens.
And the verdict is that David Crowder Band has recorded another great album. It took a few listens to like this new endeavor, but it did start to speak to me in cool and exciting ways. They had an idea to create an album that could be played from end to end without stops, and then the Church Music Album was born.
Many of you may know a lot more David Crowder Band music than you think. Some Sundays at church it seems like we sing 2-3 of their songs, which I am not complaining about at all. We actually have already sung a new song off the album, and potentially my favorite song from the entire new album. That song is How He Loves and is a great look at the love God has for us. My favorite line is “if grace is an ocean, we are surely drowning”.
So, in my opinion, if you were going to one David Crowder album, get Remedy, if you were going to own a few pick up Church Music and give it a few listens.
9/17/09
Pete's Pick: Mute Math
Back in March of 2005 I read about a new band in one of my favorite magazines, Relevant Magazine (www.relevantmagazine.com), that sounded very interesting. Their upcoming album at the time was withheld for some reason or another, but I was able to locate an EP (an album with less tracks on it) at a local record store and loved the sounds that came from the speakers. A highly energetic and eerily Police-sounding music was what I heard from this new band Mute Math.
This band has a special place in my music collection. I have enjoyed their music from that first cd I listened to in 2005, I have attended at least 4 concerts as they have come through Denver, and one of their songs is what my wife walked down the aisle to at our wedding. They have also had songs that appeared on a few big movie soundtracks, "Transformers" and "Twilight. " And they have a new album that just came out a few weeks back.
A thing that I like most about this band is that they are a group of Christians who are choosing to live their lives in the mainline music industry. They even fought hard to not be put on a Christian music label; in my head I like to think that is because they desire to have their ministry be one that reaches people in bars and mainline radio. To me, this is pretty cool and difficult. To live in the world but not be of the world. I almost think this is something that we all, as believers and followers of Christ, are called to do in our daily lives. To reach out to this hurting world and provide a light that points to our God, our Savior.
So check out their new album, "Armistice," or their other albums such as their self-titled debut, the "Reset" EP (the album I mentioned earlier), or their "Spotlight" EP. This is a Grammy-nominated band that puts out solid music, with solid lyrics (not so sold on Armistice’s lyrics yet) and are striving to live out the Great Commission. Follow the link to a great video of their new single, "Spotlight." And feel free to surf around Youtube to find other great performances by a great band.
pete
This band has a special place in my music collection. I have enjoyed their music from that first cd I listened to in 2005, I have attended at least 4 concerts as they have come through Denver, and one of their songs is what my wife walked down the aisle to at our wedding. They have also had songs that appeared on a few big movie soundtracks, "Transformers" and "Twilight. " And they have a new album that just came out a few weeks back.
A thing that I like most about this band is that they are a group of Christians who are choosing to live their lives in the mainline music industry. They even fought hard to not be put on a Christian music label; in my head I like to think that is because they desire to have their ministry be one that reaches people in bars and mainline radio. To me, this is pretty cool and difficult. To live in the world but not be of the world. I almost think this is something that we all, as believers and followers of Christ, are called to do in our daily lives. To reach out to this hurting world and provide a light that points to our God, our Savior.
So check out their new album, "Armistice," or their other albums such as their self-titled debut, the "Reset" EP (the album I mentioned earlier), or their "Spotlight" EP. This is a Grammy-nominated band that puts out solid music, with solid lyrics (not so sold on Armistice’s lyrics yet) and are striving to live out the Great Commission. Follow the link to a great video of their new single, "Spotlight." And feel free to surf around Youtube to find other great performances by a great band.
pete
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
