Suggesting a Song

Today was a great day because I wasn't in the office except for writing two press releases and a game summary. GLIAC basketball media day was a hit with the local media, the soccer game was mildly entertaining because there were 11 goals scored and seven cards handed out, and volleyball was over in three games...always a plus!

But the problem with today was that I didn't get any time to sit and reflect on anything. So instead, I thought I'd use this time to toss out some of my favorite songs of the past and present in case any one wanted to hear something new.

Paper Thin Hymn - Anberlin
I'm listening to this song right now. It's not new, probably two/three years old, but it has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. Excellent guitar work and catchy in a way that only Anberlin can be. Anberlin is my favorite band of the present time. They all say that they are Christians but not necessarily a Christian band. I find this to be true. While their songs have religious undertones, like the lyric in Paper Thin Hymn "Never know what temporal days may bring, laugh, love, live free and sing; When life is in discord, praise ye the Lord," they aren't overtly religious and do perform songs about other topics. Still, musically, a fantastic band. For a new Anberlin song, off their new "Cities" album, I'd pick Hello Alone (which served as my ring tone for the last three months). Here's the video version of this song. I have no idea what this video has to do with the song, but just listen to it and don't pay attention.



Breathe into Me - Red
This takes me back to my heavy metal youth. Red is a newer hard rock Christian band. The chorus on this song totally sucks me in. Also, check out their myspace page and give a listen to the acoustic version. Very different. Like I said, not for everyone.

We Delight - Caedmon's Call
Yeah, I know I'm about 10 years behind on Caedmon's Call. They've been a pretty prominent band in Christian music circles since the early 90's but I didn't start listening to them until just recently. I fell love with their stuff. I could hear this song being played on any Sunday morning in any church (sans the orchestra and organ).

Fellowship So Deep/Rest Upon Us/Let Me Be - Caedmon's Call
All three of the songs are great. Slower tempo and more towards the praise and worship style. These three can be found on their "In the Company of Angels" album.

Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay
I don't care what anyone says, anything that Jars of Clay has released since their first album has been junk--especially if you listen to the first album. Musically and lyrically, it might be the greatest album I've ever heard and I'm not exaggerating. It's amazing. They got some mainstream exposure from the song "Floods," which also happens to be my least favorite song on that disc. But after that got hugely popular, producers stepped in and told them what they should be instead of what they were, and it ruined them. But at least I'll always have their self-titled album (1996?). Here is a live version of this song. Not quite the same, but it gives you a taste.



Gomer's Theme - Third Day
Look, I've been a Third Day since before most people even knew they existed. I saw them at King's Island in 1995 following the release of their self-titled CD, which NO ONE has ever heard except for a few classic songs like "Consuming Fire" and "Thief." But "Gomer's Theme" is off their second effort, Conspiracy No. 5. This album is and forever will be ranked as my No. 1 all-time album. While it is great, it hit me at the right time in my life where I was listening to straight hard rock with absolutely no Christian influence in the music. This was their least successful record but all TRUE Third Day fans know beyond of a shadow of a doubt that nothing will ever match this record. After this, they got soft and went back to their "roots." That Rock-a-billy style, which is OK. They still write amazing songs but nothing will ever compare to the Conspiracy record. It disturbs me that for some fans, the first thing they ever heard from Third Day was off the Offerings album, which was a compilation of live songs and like two originals. But I saw a recent poll taken of Third Day's best album and it was overwhelmingly in favor of Offerings. What a joke, considering that Offerings is not much more than a live album of previously recorded tunes! I dare any one that has ever heard Third Day to buy this record, listening to it a couple of times and tell me it isn't the best Third Day effort by miles.

Shades of Green - Phil Keaggy
No list of mine would be complete without a Keaggy song! I was going to pick "Epilogue/Amazing Grace" in honor of his The Master and The Musician 30th anniversary re-release. But instead, I'm going with Shades of Green which is off his Music to Paint by series. This song is most impressive live and even tough to appreciate fully with video. By the time he's 3/4's through the song a huge wall of sound just hits you in the chest. Amazing. I can't embed this video, but here's the link.

HERE!