Dime Store Queer by SLIDE
This single has been out for a while, but still worth checking out. SLIDE mixes electronica and modern rock to create an infectious sound that also happens to deal with serious subjects. “Dime Store Queer” takes an insult meant to hurt against gays and turns it around into a strong message of hope: “it does get better.” The single also comes with two great remixes. Be sure to visit the SLIDE website to see the professionally filmed video for the song.
Beyond the Crystal Sea by Jimmy Hotz
Classic prog-rock fans rejoice. If you know anything about Christian art rock, then you probably already know about this legendary album. Some would almost say mythical, because it was pretty hard to find for a while (even though copies were available on Hotz’s website for those that cared to search). Comparisons to ArkAngel, Pink Floyd, Yes, and Kemper Crabb are all well deserved. The re-mastered sound on this re-issue is far superior to any bootleg version out there. And where did they did up those two bonus tracks? They don’t sound like throw away tracks at all. They sound like they were just two songs accidentally left off the original release. Many thanks to Born Twice records (sub-label of Retroactive) for resurrecting this classic album.
Old Angel by The Lost Dogs
The Dogs are back, inspired by a trip down historic Route 66. I love to look at Route 66 books when out crusing the local B&N. Old Angel sounds like a perfect soundtrack to listen to while checking out those picture books. Or maybe even on a future road trip. The sound on this album is classic dogs: Americana with touches of all types of music set to quirky and thought-provoking lyrics. So far my favorite track is “The Glory Road.” It’s a bit gritty and it mentions the Grapes of Wrath. Can’t go wrong there. Stylistically this album still finds the Lost Dogs melding the sounds from each individual member into a cohesive hole. Some of the past albums seemed to sway a bit to one particular dog (which wasn’t a bad thing, it just was the way it was), but Old Angel finds the balance between the parts a bit more evenly. A must have for fans of Daniel Amos, The 77s, or The Choir.
Relative by Ojo
Ojo’s only solo album was Relative, and it is uniquely different from anything else you might expect from him. This disc had a bunch of his friends on here as well, it is a who’s who from alternative Christian music. In addition to Ojo playing guitars, there was also Greg Lawless and Gene Eugene. Michael Knott and Terry Taylor handled some vocal duties, and if memory serves me correctly, I believe Riki Michele was on background vocals too. This disc is remarkable, and if I had to define the sound I would say that it falls into the world music category, but uniquely so. This was a hard disc to find for some time, but in this day and age it is available at iTunes. If you missed this one when it came out, it still holds up well today.
It’s All Crazy by mewithoutyou
It took me a while to come around to checking this out. A ton of mixed reviews by Indie Rock Snobs and disgruntled Post Hard Core fans battling it out online. Me being neither just wasn’t in the mood for either musical affair. I love this band, the one and only time I saw them I almost quit playing music. It’s true, they were so tight, so creative, fluid, just reading one another, I never had that in a band, now well into my 30’s I don’t know if I ever will. I have loved all this bands releases thus far, and I knew this was supposed to be a different direction, ect. True this is a mellower album, but the intensity is still there. The desperation in the voice of Aaron Weiss is more present than ever. Lyrically I can only compare it to Return of the Frog Queen from Jeremy Enigk or maybe the Wind In The Willows, or other children’s tales of old. More acoustic based than the other albums, tons of different instrumentation. This album is a bit of an adventure, you can escape with it, you can reflect with it. Truly creative stuff. Glad I came around.
Burning Like The Midnight Sun by The Choir
This is The Choir’s 12th studio release in their prolific career that started way back in 1985, back when they were known as Youth Choir. Burning Like The Midnight Sun is quickly becoming one of my favorite Choir records, and with as many stellar releases as they have, that is quite a feat. I first started listening to these guys back in 1987 at the tender age of 13 years old. The Choir was a band that I have faithfully followed and always admired because there is an honest transparency in the music as well as the lyrics. This band has maintained the integrity of creating music that is unique and artistic, while staying true to themselves and not following the trends of the day.
This new disc is full of ambient guitars, steady bass lines, vibrant drumming and the well placed sax notes that provide warmth that is full, flavored and dense with texture and layers. There are so many standout moments on this album, from Dan Michael’s peppered sax notes on the opening track “Midnight Sun”, to the eclectic sounds of ‘A Friend So Kind”, the warm fuzziness of the guitars that set in and settle the tones, turning them into a velvet breeze that falls over the notes of “Legend Of Old Man Byrd”, down to the punctuated guitar that emphasizes Derri’s voice on “I’m Sorry I Laughed”, the sparseness of the chiming cymbals at the opening of “Invisible” that winds into the piano keys that begin the wistful last track “Say Goodbye To Neverland”. It’s all in there from beginning to end, and every track in between. Other tracks not already mentioned are “That Melancholy Ghost”, “Mr. Chandler”, “Between Bare Trees”, “The Word Inside The Word” and “It should Have Been Obvious”.
This disc is solid throughout. Derri’s voice is still spot on, full of emotion and what I would describe as a gentle fragility. Steve Hindalong’s lyrics are (in my opinion) some of his best. Hindalong is probably my favorite lyricist in music, definitely in my top 5 of all time. He has the unique ability to convey and relate life and all that it entails, from the mundane things that we all encounter, to the truths that define who we are, all are here in his unique delivery and perception. If you hang around on the message boards you will see that the lyrics have created controversy with some, for others it has refined and allowed some to reimagine with greater love the truths we hold dear. This is a must have for any Choir fan, and a great introduction to anyone who might be new.
[2010 Independent | Purchase: TheChoir.net]III by Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster
Dallas Taylor, former Underoath (was never much a fan) vocalist formed Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster in 2004 and released I in 2005. II followed in 2007, both stellar albums. Dallas is back with a new Maylene album and a new band line up (Taylor is the only returning member). III goes with the progression of the previous albums, a little more polished, and slightly more pop. Classic Southern Rock mixed with Screamo/Hardcore/Metal, and a touch of early Guns N’ Roses. Great guitar work throughout, a lot of acoustic, slide, and even banjo mixed into this shred-fest! Stand out tracks for me are ‘Just a Shock’, ‘Step Up (I’m On It)’, and ‘Oh Lonely Grave’. If you liked the first two, you’ll like this one for sure. Good for driving around on a hot Summer day, turned up to 11, alone, rockin’!
O Ye Devastator by Doug Burr
This is Doug Burr’s follow up to his acclaimed On Promenade album. O Ye Devastator is hands down simply a brilliant album. True to form for Burr, this is poetic melancholy at its finest. Burr’s voice is haunting, hitting the notes where the need to be hit and straining with emotion that drips through every verse and chorus. Doug has a storyteller’s heart and is able to write in a way that I think most can relate to. This disc opens with the standout track “A Black Wave Is Comin”, and continues to build musically and sonically like stepping stones to the last breath that we exhale before the heartache and hazardous lessons of life fall around us, threatening to fall upon us. This is a record that you must have, full of reflection and the often longed for promise of hope that exists just beyond our grasp, relational missteps and upsets, and love that is present and intoxicating. Doug Burr has crafted a masterpiece that exceeds the boundaries of On Promenade.
Possibilities by King Never
Some of you might remember an underground Christian alternative band called Able Cain back in the 90s. Matt McCabe, the guitarist for Able Cain, went on to form King Never. That was just a bit of background for you. King Never has released several albums. The most recent release Possibilities is “A concept album featuring ambient, alternative and progressive rock songs that chronicle Sonja’s journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening.” Don’t let the fact they decided to put “ambient” first in the list fool you – this album does frequently rock. Songwriting and recording qualities are both very high from beginning to end. In fact, you don’t have to take my word for it – you can listen to the entire album on their website before you decide to purchase it. And you will decide to buy it (hoping my Jedi mind trick skills are still up to snuff). For influences, McCabe lists everyone from The Police to King Crimson to The Choir. If you like music in that arena of alternative rock, you will also like this album.
Infinite Titanic Immortal by A Hill To Die Upon
I have to admit that I never got black metal when I first heard it. I think I was trying to listen to it as if it were death metal, but there are subtle differences. Black metal is more like alternative death metal… if that makes sense. I went in to listening to the debut CD from A Hill To Die Upon a skeptic and came out a fan. Of course, reading other reviews online, it seems that Infinite Titanic Immortal is considered one of the better black metal releases of the year – so maybe that was what helped convert me. The opening instrumental track sounds like a modern-day Viking call to war. The brutality just continues from there on out. But the brutality is not just created by playing all the instruments at breakneck speeds – although that does frequently happen. There are also many subtle and obvious touches of atmosphere throughout the songs that work quite well. Whether you are the type of person that loves all extreme music or just has the occasional itch for extreme music – this album will be just the fix for you.