Take Back The Scene by Western Grace

Western Grace puts the PUNK back into punk rock. Too many bands have been doing rock with a glossy punk sheen lately. Josh Lory is here to remind them that punk was meant to be in your face and rough. Sissy pop-punk fans should stay away from this – it might make you wet in your skinny jeans.

Okay, I say rough and nasty, but I still find the songs catchy and enjoyable. Josh has laid down some great riffs all over this album. Despite the gruff vocals, you will find yourself wanting to sing along.

The lyrics are also very in-your-face. Not to mention that you get a sound clip of a lecture at the end of the last song to chew on. This album will leave you thinking… and wanting more.

If you haven’t seen it posted all over the place, this album is available for free. Yes – free! Go out and get it now before Josh changes his mind, or some label gets their head out of their rear and decides to release this nationally.

[2009 Independent | Download: BandCamp.com]

We All Gonna Face The Rising Sun by Michael Roe

posted in: December 2009, Music Review | 0

Michael Roe is as unique as they come. His latest solo recording We’re All Gonna Face The Rising Sun continues down the same path as the last 77’s record Holy Ghost Building. I say that it continues down the same path, at least with the song choices it does. This offering has Roe paying homage to the traditional hymns, spirituals and old-time gospel songs that he continues to unearth from a time long by. The major difference here is that Roe plays almost all of the instruments himself, which includes the mandolin and (for the first time) the banjo as well. As told in the original press release, Roe really tried to get in the songwriters boots (so to speak) and emulate that spirit in which these tunes were first recorded. Regardless of which era of Roe’s music you are partial to, this is a welcomed and unique edition. Mike Roe has many talents, and he has broadened the scope of what he is capable of doing so very well. Pick up your copy today!

[2009 Independent | Purchase: MichaelRoe.com]

Broken Reunion by 4-4-1

4-4-1 was one of many bands that re-united for a one night concert event in 2005. I’ve heard rumors of DVDs and other live recordings from this show, but so far, this is the only show to officially surface from that night. This disc makes me wish that other recordings would get released soon.

These are not has-been musicians trying to cash in on resurging trend. I say that not because there is nothing resurging at the moment, but because the guys in 4-4-1 show they still have what it takes to put on a great live show. The recording quality is also great here. Four each songs from 4-4-1’s first two albums are featured here. If they played anything from Sacrifice that night, it was left off of the recording.

The big bonus for this album is the inclusion of two newly recorded songs: “Inside Me” and “Rain Fall Down.” Both were recorded in California with Jason Martin. The 4-4-1 website describes these songs the best: “Inside Me” is a harder edge rock song, while “Rain Fall Down” is more of a classic 4-4-1 sound.

This album has been out for a while, but if you haven’t gotten it already, go to the band’s website and pick up a copy.

[2009 Independent | Purchase: 441online.com]

Cabin Songs by Bill Mallonee

posted in: December 2009, Music Review | 0

Trying to decide which Bill Mallonee discs to review is like trying to decide which child you like best. It was an obvious choice to review this one. WPA Volume 5 is the latest to come down the pipe. It should be available by the time you read this. Bill named this gem Cabin Songs after moving into a small cabin and writing these tunes during a tremendous rainy season tucked away around the changing fall colors in his new home remotely located in the mountains. The surroundings come through here in spades! This offering has it all in abundance… Each WPA Volume is unique in it’s own way, and Volume 5 is basically just Bill and his guitar work, acoustic and electric, mixed in and laid down over the softness of the lyrics which cover faith, loss, love and life in a generous offering of poetry that settles softly just underneath the strumming of the strings.

I agree with Mallonee that “Did I Tell You The Bullets Still There” might just possibly be one the best song that he has ever written. That one has the staying power and the resilience of favorites like “Blister Soul“, “Skin” and “Welcome To Struggleville”. “Dressed Up In Love” has a nice pop feel to it and reminds me of the Brit Pop feel that “Sad Parade” carried from the Lower Case EP. Volume 5 has a total of 7 songs that breathe a new life into Bill discography… “Long Lost Friends” starts off the recording and sets the pace for what’s to come, “Stop Breakin’ Down” picks up the pace with choppy strumming that pulls a really unique sound out of the strings acoustically. “Autumn Graces” is the song that really shows the surrounding where it was born and reminds me of the beauty in nature as well as the beauty that lives and breathes in those closest to me, and it tips it‘s hat at the grace of second chances. “Warm Up Act” is a foreshadowing of the life yet to come.

There is another tune as well that I haven‘t had the privilege of hearing yet, but I know that it has to be amazing as well. If you are a long time fan of Bill’s work, you will welcome this release. If you have been away for awhile, this is a hearty welcoming back that is sure to be enjoyed. The music is settling and relaxing, the lyrics are poetic and honest. Pick this one up from Bill’s website and then go back and get the other four as well!

“So have some mercy on yourself and the skin you’re in, might be the greatest act of faith there’s ever been.” – Long Lost Friends

[2009 Independent | Purchase: VOLSounds.com]

Book Review: Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music

posted in: August 2009, Book Review | 0

Whether or not you like this book may depend on what you think of the title. You see, this is the most deceptively titled book in recent memory, mainly because it contains a lot of opinion and criticism. I read somewhere that this book was supposed to be called something else akin to “Mark Allen Powell’s Guide to CCM.” That would be a much better title for this book. Any album that Powell doesn’t like gets trashed. But he doesn’t stop with music – any theological stance of any artist that Powell disagrees with gets shredded, too. At some point, you will read an article in that trashes your favorite album or espouses a belief that you disagree with.

But I would say to look past all that, because there is a wealth of information here. Obscure indie artists are included in here next to big time CCM faces like Amy Grant. Powell also praises Starflyer 59 more highly than Petra, so bonus points in my book. In fact, large sections of this book cover bands that were never considered CCM. There are some obviously glaring omissions, but still a brave move to cover so many obscure artists.

Also of note is the fact that Powell doesn’t sugar coat any controversy. Conflicts, divorces, and controversies are all covered here – where as they might have been covered up by other authors. Overall, a great reference for fans of the weird world of CCM.

[2002 Hendrickson Publishers]

Surge Et Illuminare by Idle Lovell

posted in: August 2009, Music Review | 1

Before Saviour Machine, before Dead Artist Syndrome, there was Idle Lovell. Idle Lovell was a side project by Michael Knott designed to be only for non-Christian audiences. So, while this is not the first Christian Goth band, it is one of the earliest examples of Goth music made by Christian artists. This six-song vinyl album is very hard to find today, but well-worth the search if you are in to bands that play dark synth-based dance music like the Sisters of Mercy.

Two of the songs on this disc – “Shallow” and “I Can’t Wait” – were re-recorded by Knott on later albums. I like these early versions better. “Touch Me In the Wind”, the lead off track, was also included on the re-issue of The Lifesavers Poplife (of all places). If you have heard that track, then you pretty much know what to expect from the rest of this too short album.

This album was self-released (as the first album on Knott’s Blonde Vinyl records), so the production values are a bit thin. But to many fans, that only adds to the coolness. I’ve read that there are some weird ownership issues that might make a full re-issue of this album impossible. Too bad – this album needs to be heard.

[1984 Blonde Vinyl Records]

Sombre Romantic by Virgin Black

posted in: August 2009, Music Review | 0

Virgin Black first released this album in 2000. Entitled Sombre Romantic, this disc is full of dark, ethereal, heavy, ambient and operatic songs. The music is diverse, at times very low and quiet, then it builds and breaks and crashes around the listener as the crescendo is reached in an heavy metal-ish dirge. There are many classical elements to this recording as well. The vocals here range from gritty to haunting, then chanting to everything else in between. Probably one of my favorite aspects of this record is the cello and the feel of being in a concert hall when listening… the echo, the somber restraint and the frenzied pace of what can best be described as ‘symphonic – gothic doom’. The lyrics here are heavy and introspective, but a definite reflection of faith in Jesus Christ and how our faith steadies us as we navigate the world and the emotions that surround us. Don’t let the corpse paint throw you off, these guys are rich in imagery, musicianship and emotion. A definite plus to your collection.

[2001 The End Records | Purchase: MySpace.com]

Whispers In Rage by The Last Dance

posted in: August 2009, Music Review | 0

The Last Dance is a great band, and this album is solid! I bought this disc years ago and it fell to the bottom of the pile quickly because I sometimes buy too much music and I overlook and forget about things. A couple of weeks back I was digging through some discs and came across Whispers In Rage. I popped it in and I have listened to it every day since – literally every day for the last 3 weeks. I was describing the sound to someone else and I said it was a dash of Peter Murphy mixed with equal parts Sisters Of Mercy and Depeche Mode. This disc rocks and should be listened to loud! The thing that grabs me most musically is the synth pop that is peppered throughout most tracks, and then run over at a high rate of speed by the guitar work and drumming bass lines. It is a wonder that these guys have not blown up and become a huge band. The bands homepage sums it up, “There is an expression, in which a true musician ignites solely through his emotions. He is wise of his surroundings that profoundly affect his daily life. He sees life not through rose-colored glasses, but through a veil of expression. He experiences mental and physical injury, which leaves no other choice but to manipulate emotions through music. The musician, like any artist, cannot exist – cannot survive – cannot grow without the healing salve of expression. Not until then, will he feel the healing that beckons. For The Last Dance, writing Whispers In Rage was not a choice, it was release.”

[2003 Dancing Ferret Discs | Purchase: TheLastDance.com]

Ethereal Menace by The Awakening

posted in: August 2009, Music Review | 0

The Awakening have been around for quite some time. Led by Ashton Nyte, who also has an impressive solo output, The Awakening are the quintessential gothic band. I chose to review one of their older albums because it was the first one that I purchased by them. Ethereal Menace came out in 1999 and was a glorious mix of gothic, doom, dance and industrial. Nyte’s vocals are heavy but crisp, and his extremely deep voice compliments the dark emotion of the music. Nyte’s singing bleeds through while running the gamut from haunting and angry, to mournful and elegantly sad. The guitar work here is atmospheric, driving and powerful as it sets the stage for the industrial style bass and drums. Nyte is a one man machine as he has played most, and sometimes all, of the music on most of his albums. This one he wrote, engineered and produced by himself. To date The Awakening have released 8 full length records, one record of favorites/hits and Ashton has released numerous solo records as well. Originally hailing from South Africa, and after 14 years in the business, their latest record Tales Of Absolution and Obsoletion should be checked out as well.

[1999 Intervention Arts | Purchase: The-Awakening.com]

Ride The Madness by Eva O

posted in: August 2009, Music Review | 0

Eva O may or may not be an unknown to many here. She has been one of the originators in the “death rock” scene. Probably best known for her band Shadow Project that she started with her late husband Rozz Williams, Eva O is a staple in the scene she helped create. She was married to Williams who fronted the band Christian Death, and many call Williams the originator of the death rock style which basically is a mix of punk rock and goth. Without getting too involved in her history or her story, let’s just review this classic album! This record caught many in the scene by surprise because Eva O had openly confessed to becoming a believer. She had an encounter with God and it carried over into her music. She released Damnation in 1999 and it was produced by none other than Eric Clayton of Saviour Machine and also released through MCM music.

This album is classic Eva O in style, and lyrically has her confronting her past in the darkness in which she lived. The music here is a vehicle that carries the depth and delivery of the emotion. The lyrics here are dark and are a narrative of her life, seen through her eyes. In true goth fashion this is theatrical by nature, and because the story was just being written, lyrically there is not redemption until the very end of this CD. Again, very dark and serious which you can tell from the haunting vocal at the beginning that chides “This is not make believe”. Musically this is what you expect from Eva O… crunchy, angry guitars backed by driven, bitter soaked vocals underneath a mountain of heavy beats. Great music and a great story if you can stomach it!

[1999 MCM Music]