Lenny Smith – Who Was And Is And Is To Come
If you know who Lenny Smith is, chances are you have great taste in music. He is probably best known as the author of the hymn “Our God Reigns,” but he has recorded many other great songs. Lenny is also the father of Daniel, aka Danielson, aka Danielson Famile, etc. In many ways, his influence can be felt all over the indie rock scene due to his obvious influence on his son. This particular project is a worship album of sorts. Don’t think modern over-processed CCM worship. Think authentic, heartfelt, and a bit quirky. Not quite as quirky as most artists on the Sounds Familyre label, but still much more so than the average radio fodder artist. I can’t say that I have really heard worship music this authentic and Spirit-filled since my days at Antioch Community Church in Waco. Of course, James Mark Gulley and others at ACC are a rare breed, but they are obviously drawing from the same well that Lenny Smith has been for decades. Lenny’s voice is closer to Michael Knott than Danielson – which may or may not be a good thing to you depending on your feelings of those artists. The songs are mostly around the mid-paced level – never hitting a fast heavy note, but never descending into sappy love-song ballad worship. Kemper Crabb would be proud of an album like this – no “Jesus is my girlfriend” songs muddying up things here. That’s not to say that there are no quieter moments. “I Have Everything I Want” is a reflective song that is quite beautiful, for example. On the other end of the spectrum is “How Blessed Is The Man” – a romping song that would fit in on a later-period Havalina Rail Co. record. As you can tell by all of the names I am bringing up, the style here is a bit difficult to pin down. Which is a good problem to have, but folk, singer-songwriter, and Americana are all good places to start. Highly recommended for people that wondered what Havalina would have sounded like on a worship project or pretty much any of the Sounds Familyre family.
3 Car Pile Up – Find Love
3 Car Pile Up was a “blink and you miss it” band back in the 1990’s that released one full length out on Narrowpath Records (that no one recalls seeing in any stores). Such was the state of distribution in the mid to late 90s when the big labels started taking over. Their self-titled 1997 debut was heavily influenced by Starflyer 59’s Silver album, but with a good dose of alterna-indie-rock thrown in. Fast forward 15 years and they are back with a six song ep. The Silver influences are pretty much gone, and the album is better for it. Now they have more of a catchy guitar-based alternative rock sound. If I could get this in CD format, it would probably be some great driving music. For now, it seems to be a digital-only release. Available at many digital outlets, including NoiseTrade – where you can tip what you like. I recommend checking this out – fans of the music we cover here will probably enjoy this release.
A Common Goal – For God and Country
Thumper Punk brings you the EP debut of spirit-filled blue collar punk rock band A Common Goal. The EP is called For God and Country, and that pretty much describes the lyrical content of the EP. There is no doubt that these guys are Christian, but more on the side of “I’m not gonna judge, let’s work this out together” than the “finger in your face, turn or burn” side that so many Christian bands have taken in the past. The vocals are the gruff vocal style that some punks love and others hate. I like that style myself, especially since they are not so rough that it sounds like the guy needs to clear his throat all the time. The punk is a bit above mid-paced range, but never getting to the near speed-metal level of some bands. It’s a nice pace if you ask me. They have a full length coming soon, but until then, check out this 5 song ep (the physical CD is already sold out – so the only option now is BandCamp).
Seventh Circle – The Line (single)
We did a full on interview with Adam Pederson quite a while back, but for your listening pleasure he has returned with the single “The Line” from the forthcoming album Human. This is really good music. It reminds me of the ‘dreamier’ aspects of Pink Floyd – definitely not the same genre, but with headphones and time to listen, you can close your eyes and really get transported away. The music is the storyteller that paints in tones and a dark ambience that is heavy and deliberate. This is kind of the soundtrack to that space in between sleep and reality. The awesome thing is the different types of music that are represented here. The mood is dark and the atmosphere is heavy, the bass is dominant and the programming of sounds build to a crescendo as the vocals echo and invite the listener into a different space and time. There are tribal beats towards the end of The Line which surprise and fit in perfectly. The vocals are haunting and the ethereal feel is precise.
One of the coolest things about this single is the track list…you don’t just get the ‘A’ side and ‘B’ side, you get this:
1. Prelude (b-side, not on album)
2. The Line (album version)
3. Beneath the Skin (album version)
4. Dissent (album version)
5. The Line (blurred)
6. The Line (noisy ghost mix)
7. The Line (instrumental)
8. The Line (sefiros mix)
Joy Electric – Dwarf Mountain Alphabet
This fan-funded release from Ronnie Martin is the latest installment from the Joy Electric front man. What a great addition to a pretty remarkable body of work that has spanned almost 20 years and seen a full length DVD release as well as 27 full studio albums. That is a huge collection of work. The remarkable thing about Joy Electric is that they/he has stayed pretty true to form in spite of the ever shifting change of public demand and attention. How many other bands record completely on analog synthesizers and stay true to vision? I don’t know of any…that being said, let’s talk about the record.
This was a Kickstarter project, and it was pretty amazing to see Martin hit, and then escalate past, the mark in terms of fundraising goals. Joy Electric really delivers here… this might be my favorite release from them. There is something very seasoned in the sounds on this release. The record sounds very full and intentional; there isn’t so much stuff going on that you worry about slipping into seizures and falling out. There is something very relaxing and whimsical about Dwarf Mountain Alphabet. Martin takes the listener on a journey through sound and imagination. My favorite track so far has to be “Further Into Light,” which has a soundscape of really amazing and unique sounds. The closing track “Notes From a Chapter” is a perfect closer. There’s an echo of loss and emptiness here at the end, but it reminds me to live in the moment and appreciate where I am in the present. I think the minimal sounds on this track, punctuated by the fullness of Martin’s delivery, really accentuate the depth of emotion that encompasses this entire album.
There are ten tracks of substance here that are a remarkable addition to the ongoing, spaced out, dramatic and wide-eyed world of Joy Electric.
[2012 Independent | Purchase: joyelectric.com]Gasoline Heart – Thanks For Everything
Louis Defabrizio and crew have done it again! I am hooked on this band! Very open and live feel to this recording. Honest “heart on the sleeve” lyrics that you come to expect from Gasoline Heart. Thanks For Everything has a bit of a darker vibe than their 2009 release Nostalgia Ain’t What It Used To Be. Like their other releases some of the lyrics are not for sensitive Christian ears – a few f-bombs are dropped (oh no!). Louis is one of my all time favorite lyricists, up there with Michael Knott and Bill Mallonee in my book. The music is a passionate blend of Rock, Americana, and Folk Punk. Not a bad track on the album! I couldn’t pick favorites because I always take the time to listen to the full album. I can’t say that about many artists. This band is worth your time and support, I have liked every release. One of my top ten albums of 2012. RIYL – Bill Mallonee, Pearl Jam, Michael Knott, Tom Petty, Lucero, The Hold Steady.
180 OUT – Black and White
180OUT is a newer release from the Thumper Punk label, one of their lighter bands on the label. This is more pop music with the occasional surf lick thrown in for good measure. It’s catchy music and its fun, but it more on the side of CCM-ish type tunes (if that’s what you’re into). I’m not knocking it, there are plenty of folks out there that would dig this genre, but it is not my favorite stuff the label has released. The lyrics are definitely scriptural and Christ centered, but borderline cliché lyrics about the Christian life and the evangelistic push of the Gospel. Again, not trying to be offensive, but if you are into the Thumper Punk label because of the punk genre, this is probably not going to be your cup of tea. If you are looking for just fun, poppy music with a positive message, you would probably enjoy this release.
Fear God – God Bless The World, Not Just America
More punk rock along the lines of Social Distortion and TSOL from the Thumper Punk label. I definitely hear a strong skate punk vibe here – This CD could almost be the soundtrack for a Bones Brigade video. Have I said that before about other Thumper Punk releases? They sure do have a knack for finding punk rock bands along a certain vein. There are a couple of oddball tunes here – “Kelly Testimony” (a gripping testimony with a back-drop of ambient music) and “Happy Birthday Dad” (a cow-pokish song that pretty much says what you think it would from the title). But the rest are fast and furious rock ditties with the occasional melodic moment thrown in for breathers. I’m starting to think that all I need to say is: It’s Thumper Punk. You like punk? You’ll like this.
Starflyer 59 – IAMACEO
The fan-funded Kickstarter success is here! Well, ready for pre-orders, at least. When some had thought that Jason Martin put SF59 to rest, he came out of nowhere to announce their first independent effort. What would SF59 sound like without the backing of Tooth & Nail? Well, they still sound really good. The values, tones, etc, are all very high quality. The album is still really short, even with 10 songs. The biggest problem with the last SF59 album (The Changing of The Guard) was that every song sounded the same. Somehow with IAMACEO, Martin & company have cracked that thin line between “monotonous” and “consistent.” Those hoping for Martin to rock out will be a bit disappointed – there are a few moments that are more aggressive than The Changing of the Guard, but this is no Americana. As I stated on the SF59 fan forum, I wish that they had added 3-4 more songs that really rocked out a bit more, raising the total to 13-14 songs. But that is a minor gripe – I still love the album as a whole. It is more contemplative and personal than any SF59 album in past. I still don’t like the cover, but I will see if it works with the overall package when the vinyl arrives.
Skypark – No Ambition
Do you remember Skypark? They released two albums on one of Word Record’s attempts to “go alternative” and then disappeared. Turns out they are still kicking around to some degree and have released an album on a “pay what you want basis” on BandCamp. What I remember about Skypark is that I liked the quirkiness of lyrics and songwriting. That quirkiness still seems to be here, if maybe a bit older and more mature. “Sex is a Weapon” being a good example of that (and probably also a song that Word Records would have never released). But a very catchy and heavier song that is probably my favorite of the album. Overall, they stick with the sound that they had on their first two albums – guitar-oriented rock with catchy grooves and an alternative sensibility. You can listen for yourself on BandCamp and drop them some $$$ if you like what you hear.