Crying for a Vision and Other Essays: The Collected Steve Scott Vol. One
Steve Scott: poet, musician, world traveler, song writer, and all around deep thinker. If you have wanted to dive into the mind behind the art, this book is a great place to start. So just what is in the mind of Mr. Scott? Well, two-thirds of the book is focused on examinations of artistic movements, thoughts, and principles. So if you are looking for something that goes into detail about his history with The 77s, Larry Norman, or other music-related topics, you won’t find a lot of that here. There is some – the last third is a great interview that does cover much of his musical / spoken word output. But that is really a minor (albeit interesting) part of the third section of the book. One major theme of the entire book is the need for multi-cultural awareness in church and art. We don’t need to be forcing the entire world to follow our Westernized way of doing things in any realm. But at the same time, Scott examines how the art world is straying down paths that ultimately lead to emptiness apart from God, and how Christians need to be bringing truth to the conversation in all venues and cultures. You will probably need to brush up on your art history (or at least have a browser open to Wikipedia) while reading parts of this book, as Scott can get into rather deep academic territory at times. But those willing to dig in will find gold at every turn. The interview in the third section of the book is very informative and well conducted by Gord Wilson. It pretty much covers Scott’s entire life and also hits on a wide range of topics – some that were covered in the book, and others that weren’t. If you are thinking that an interview is an odd addition to a collection of Steve Scott writings – wait until you read it. It makes perfect sense. Wilson also contributes a study guide for the first part of the book, with questions and activities appropriate for individual or group study (as well as ideas for art projects). This book may be only 130 pages long, but it will probably take longer for you to dig through all the meat here than most modern trilogies out there.
Living Fire – Jesus Rules
If you are short on cash and can only get one CD from Thumper Punk… well, just randomly pick one and it will be some great old school punk. I have heard a large number of bad punk albums through the years, so I know it is fairly easy to get punk rock wrong. But Living Fire is another in a long line of new punk bands that get it right. The lyrics are straight out evangelistic or praise and worship in nature. So in a lot of ways, this CD takes you back to the early days of the Christian punk rock movement (before the pop-punk invasion crashed the party with a long line of posers). Living Fire is a Brazilian band, so in a few places the accent comes through thick and a bit difficult to understand. But to me that gives this album a bit of original flavor that makes it stand apart from the punk rock crowd. You can buy this album digitally now, or pre-order the physical CD that is releasing in September.
Bill Mallonee New Orleans House Show 8-1-12
I have been wanting to see Bill perform again for a long time. The last time I caught him live was sometime around 1996 with The Vigilantes of Love . I have really enjoyed his WPA (Works (in) Progress Administration) series and was excited about seeing him perform in the stripped down fashion of the WPA releases. (read the rest of this review here)
Glower / To Leave a Trace Split
Another split from the good folks at Veritas Vinyl. Glower is space rock with a bit of a punk rock edge. If the 1990’s alternative scene had not died but kept growing, Glower is probably what that scene would currently be producing. “Spectra” is a catchy tune that is not wimpy or poppy at all. There is a definite complexity and metaphor to the music and lyrics that is missing from many bands today. To Leave a Trace is almost the polar opposite of Glower – a female fronted screamo-metal band from the Ukraine. Lots of intensity and grinding guitars on their song “Against The Flow.” This song is also catchy without getting lost in the noise that so many screamo bands seem to get themselves mired in. Not sure who thought to put both of these bands on a split, but I love the combo and find myself interested in full lengths from both bands. Pre-orders are still open for different colors of vinyl, with each order coming with an instant download of the music.
Mist Giant – Glass Walls
Velvet Blue described this EP as “Indie electro-post-post rock” – so I had to check something like that out. Space and/or math rock might also fit in there – there are some really complex parts to many of the songs. Song lengths and structure are also all over the place– in a good way. You definitely don’t feel like you hear the same song over and over again. This is first in a series of digital only eps, so look for it at the digital outlet of your choice.
Government Hate Mail – Government Hate Mail
Featuring two members of Crux, Empty Tomb, and The Clergy along with their sons – Government Hate Mail sounds exactly like what you think it would. Loud, punk, and intense. Well, punk-ish at least. I also hear some classic rock and 90s alternative influence in the mix. This four song ep is short and very limited in number. Fans of any of the bands previously mentioned will love this – so grab a copy before they are gone.
Unteachers / Grace & Thieves split
This record is one awesome chaotic hardcore punk rock jam from start to finish. I’m not totally sure how to describe the music here. Unteachers features Stephen Mark Sarro, formerly of Tantrum of the Muse. TotM fans will quickly love both songs by the Unteachers here. Grace & Thieves describe their music as “emotionally disturbing hardcore” – that sounds about right. Overall, you only get two songs from Unteachers and one song from Grace & Thieves – all three leaving you wanting more. Full lengths of both bands are coming, but for now pick up this 7-inch record. It comes in three cover colors, each custom hand-screened to match the vinyl color. You also get an immediate download when you purchase.
The Choir – The Loudest Sound Ever Heard
I was surprised and excited that The Choir were already putting out a new full length – it seemed like Burning Like the Midnight Sun and de-plumed had just come out recently. I was pleasantly surprised to get a new album so soon! The unique thing that really struck me about this new release is that the music itself is so incredible and crafted so well that this album could be released as an instrumental and be just as powerful. I’m not knocking Derri’s vocals at all – I love them and I really dig his voice. It is one of the qualifying factors for the band, but musically this album is absolutely amazing. There is a rainbow of sound that I find each time I dig in and listen to this record.
There is strength and comfort in this recording that underlines the truths that these guys have personalized through their music and their songs. Hindalong’s lyrics continue to be absolutely brilliant and immediate as he conveys a sense of wonder and grace that only comes from experience and something that is so much bigger than self. There is a sense of nature that is revealed in these songs, both physical and spiritual nature that is united, conveyed and intertwined in a beautiful ambience. Christine Glass Byrd’s backing vocals are absolutely amazing; her sound fits so perfectly and really gives a deeper definition and radiance to these songs.
This is a must have for any Choir fan that has to be listened to through the headphones to really appreciate every sound, every nuance and every shade of the music. This is one of my favorite bands of all time, and these guys continue to get better and better with each release. Support independent music with your money and support these guys when they roll through town next time on tour. We are fortunate to have these guys still making such great records!
[2012 Galaxy 21 Music | Purchase: thechoir.net/]True Liberty – Marked for Life
Thumper Punk Records was new to me, but this is the kind of stuff I love! Nothing screams indie and underground to me more than loud, amped up, white hot sounding punk rock. I miss hearing new bands that really sound like punk rock (not pop punk, but punk rock) steeped in socially and spiritually conscious lyrics, demanding a call to action and supporting the scene that gave birth to them. That is where True Liberty comes screaming in the door! I was hooked on this as soon as I heard it. The gang style vocals remind me of bands like H2O while the music recalls classic sounds from The Descendents or Agnostic Front. This is fun stuff with an edge, 17 tracks that clock in a bit less than 40 minutes – that means plenty of music that doesn’t overstay its welcome. True Liberty leaves your voice hoarse and a ring in your ears. Check these guys out and check out the label as well, support this music with your money, for fans of the bands mentioned above, you won’t be disappointed!
The Beckoning – War
The Beckoning is a study in extremes and opposites that really works where so many bands usually fall into cacophony. Their goal is to “fuse the aggression of Extreme Metal with the majestic ambience of Gothic soundscapes.” I’ll be honest – I was skeptical of that description when I first read it – especially since they also state that their debut album Demystifying The Oracle did not quite achieve the sound they wanted. But, for at least the two songs on this demo, they achieve their goal quite well. This demo is supposed to be leading up to a full length release in this stride – so I am really looking forward to that album when it is finished. You can listen for free at their BandCamp page to see for yourself.