Category: Christian Music

My Sunday Song – “Maybe They’re on to Us” by Needtobreathe

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic4 Comments

For My Sunday Song #165, we are talking about the song “Maybe They’re On To Us” by Needtobreathe.  The song is off their wildly successful album “The Reckoning” which came out in 2011.  The song was not a single, but still a favorite of mine.  The album did really well and went to #6 on the Billboard charts thanks in part to this song and all the great songs on this album.

The song is about paranoia.  For the band, that paranoia is a wondering if the fans know too much about the them and will figure out who they really are and not like them.  Maybe the will stop listening and it will all just go away.  They were starting to get successful and they had a fear of it disappearing in a flash.  That is an honest fear.

I think people feel that way in everyday life as well.  You walk around in life wondering if people will realize you are just faking it trying to get by day-to-day.  Maybe they will discover you really don’t have your stuff together after-all…but honestly who really does?  I don’t think anyone.  We are all faking it a little each and every day.

Musically, I really love Bear’s vocals.  His delivery of the lyrics, his pacing and everything he sings is so purposely and perfectly placed.  There is a smooth, driving groove that takes you through the song.  Then throw in the backing vocals on the bridge/chorus that help give it that church-like/choir feel.

81NF-xh4B6L._SY355_-1

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Maybe They’re on to Us” by Needtobreathe” →

Friday New Releases – October 8th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic22 Comments

Another great Friday of new releases this week.  I’m telling you this is shaping up to be a great month.  I have another item this week on order that will hopefully be there when I get home from work.  We have lot of Rock this week which is always good, but so much so that there is no way I will get to it all…ever!  My choices are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what I missed and what you might be interested in hearing.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful music weekend.  I know I will!!

  • michaelsweettencd  Michael Sweet – Ten – (Frontiers Records):  Lead singer of Stryper is here with his 10th solo release…10 is hard to believe, but it is true. I just did a Michael Sweet album ranking and can’t wait to see where this falls on the list.  I am hoping for some hard and heavy stuff.  Check out the song below and go gran this one.

  • 71yVfmGk8RL._AC_UL115_.jpg  Eclipse – Paradigm – (Frontiers Records):  I love this band.  This Swedish rock band is now on their 8th album and it is pure melodic rock, glam rock, hair metal bliss.  They seem to be getting better with age kind of like a fine wine.  Give them a try.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – October 8th” →

My Sunday Song – “Difference Maker” by Needtobreathe

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic4 Comments

For My Sunday Song # 164, we are talking about “Difference Maker” by Needtobreathe.  The song was the debut single off their album ‘Rivers in the Wasteland’ from 2014.  The song reached #16 on the Christian charts and might be one of the most powerful song they have ever written lyrically.

The song is best described by Bear Rinehart himself.  I found this on the Newreleasetoday.com website. It is an article written by Kevin Davis when he interviewed Bear about the song.  Bear states the following…

This song is my story of trying to understand my role in God’s plan. We were on tour with a secular artist, Taylor Swift, playing to 20,000 and even 50,000 people per night. We felt like we were doing what we were supposed to be doing. Despite our efforts, I didn’t feel like we were having the impact we are called to have.

I think God was asking us at this time, “What are you doing this for? Are you doing it for Me?” And, I think that’s where this song was birthed. That confusion is almost a good thing. The bridge says “I am on the fence about nearly everything I’ve seen.” I meant that in how the whole band was going through a “we surrender to God” kind of way.

We don’t need to be concerned about what happens after we’ve given up this gift we have to God. That was really powerful for us. We had ambition and let that take too much of a priority in things that led us down a road that wasn’t good. I think that in trying to re-prioritize, God wants us to sacrifice those things, those idols in our lives. Some idols for us were wondering what the outcome was going to be, that we had the upper hand or maybe we were the best band out there, or we thought we were the most clever at it.

I feel like the beginning of the song is us asking ourselves are we really difference makers. How valuable are we, really? Towards the end of the song it comes around that God makes us a part of what He does, which is so crazy. It starts with us realizing that we don’t get to make the rules. We don’t control it, and we don’t get to say what the timing is. It’s not because of our talents. He doesn’t need that. He needs our willing hearts.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Difference Maker” by Needtobreathe” →

Friday New Releases – September 27th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic13 Comments

Welcome to the last Friday of the month and the last of the September new releases.  Let me tell you there are a bunch.  There seems to be a little for everyone from Metal to Pop to Christian to Country to Jazz to Electronica to Soundtracks. You name it and it is probably here.  I have a few I am interested in and will stream, but nothing that I am running out and buying until I have heard it first.  Those choices are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know who you want to hear and what I might have missed as it is known to happen (quite frequently actually).  I hope there is something for you.  Have a great weekend.

  • 81TxYOBjwUL._SX522_  Hellyeah – Welcome Home – (Eleven Seven Music):  The band’s sixth studio album and first since losing founding member and drummer, the great Vinnie Paul. Luckily for us, he is featured on this album so fans need to grab this for that fact alone.  For me, the band is hit and miss.  They are hard and heavy, no doubt, and sometimes I need it that way.  It will get blasted in the car for sure (and at home).

  • 91STECUG+ML._SX522_  Steel Panther – Heavy Metal Rules – (Steel Panther):  Yet another release by the Steel Panther.  Let me tell you they don’t hold back on this one. Their porn rock has kind of grown old for me and I really wish they would do a straight up rock record that isn’t such filth.  It was funny at first, now it is old and boring.  I will give it at least one listen, but honestly, not expecting much…sorry guys.  Seeing them live is where the fun is really at so go check them out.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – September 27th” →

Needtobreathe – The Albums Ranked Worst to First

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic11 Comments

Back in 2006, my brother told me I had to listen to this album called ‘Daylights’ by the band Needtobreathe. I had never heard of them and I trust my brothers opinion since he did bring me in to the Kiss world when I was like 6.  He said they were a Christian Rock band and they were amazing.  Well, he was sort of right.  They were awesome, but they aren’t just a Christian rock band.  They are a rock band who happens to be Christian and a lot of their views are in their music, but they aren’t bible thumping.  They are telling honest stories that will hopefully impact you in some way.

And impact me they have.  Their music is what I go to when I need inspiration, I need to feel better or I just need some good roots rock music sometimes with a Southern Rock flair.  For me, it is all good and there is no “Worst Album”.  After 6 studio albums, 2 live albums and numerous E.P.’s, they are still one of my all-time favorite bands out there and I hope they continue for years to come.   The band is as follows:

  • Bear Rinehart
  • Bo Rinehart
  • Seth Bolt
  • Josh Lovelace

I am keeping this list to just the 6 studio albums and let this be your gateway in to the band.  Remember, these are in order of my least favorite to my very favorite and that might not be your order, but that is fine.  It is only my opinion.  So be kind. And here we go…Needtobreathe!!

WORST – THE HEAT (2007):

Continue reading “Needtobreathe – The Albums Ranked Worst to First” →

My Sunday Song – “Washed by the Water” by Needtobreathe

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic7 Comments

For My Sunday Song #162, we are going to discuss “Washed by the Water” by Needtobreathe.  The song is off their 2007 album ‘The Heat’ and in 2009 it won the GMA Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.

The story of the song is about an incident that happened to their dad at their church.  Their father was the preacher and apparently some gossip went around and things were said about him and his wife that in the end turned out to all be false. Their father held his ground and kept his integrity in tack during the whole process.  Bear and Bo were so impressed by their dad that it inspired this song.  It goes to show you that your kids are always watching you and they see how you act and that can be really impactful.

The song has this whole church, gospel vibe to it with the organ and keyboards.  At the same time, there is southern rock feel to the song.  I love that church vibe as it really emphasizes the story.  And let’s talk about the lyrics.  There aren’t a lot, but what is there is powerful.  The title alone of “Washed by the Water” is fantastic, but it is the following lines are the most impactful to me…

Even when Earth crumbles under my feet
Even when ones I love turn around and crucify me
I won’t never ever let you down
I won’t fall
I won’t fall
I won’t fall as long as you’re around me

Their dad showed them the importance of faith and standing up for what you believe no matter what the devil throws at you and it sounds like he threw a lot at them.  We are defined by our choices and our actions, pretty impressive in my book.

819pYFvybiL._SY355_.jpg

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Washed by the Water” by Needtobreathe” →

Friday New Releases – September 20th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic17 Comments

Another great Friday with another huge selection of releases.  However, the selections aren’t “huge’, if you know what I mean.  There a handful I am interested in hearing, but nothing I am running out and buying.  Streaming for me on these…unless one is so good it warrants a purchase.  I wonder if I have gotten through all the ones from last week (I am writing this two weeks out)  but I doubt it.  Anyway, my choices are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you want to hear or if there is anything I missed.  Enjoy and have a great weekend!!

  • 81ejtYxP8SL._SS500_.jpg  Keane – Cause and Effect – (Island Records):  Keane’s debut in 2004, ‘Hopes and Fears’ was fantastic and their second was pretty great as well.  As a result, I do enjoy checking out anything they put out.  Nothing has lived up to those two releases, but still find a golden nugget in each release and they hope is the same on this one.  “Is It Any Wonder” why I would keep trying?  Not really.  Great English Pop.

  • 81IXOqiMnXL._AC_UL115_.jpg  Slash with Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators – Living the Dream Tour (Live) – (Snakepit Records):  Let’s see…Slash √…Myles Kennedy √…both of them together √…and Live √…I don’t think I need any other reasons to “check” this out do I.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – September 20th” →

My Sunday Song – “Cops” by Needtobreathe

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic6 Comments

 

For My Sunday Song #161, we are now taking over with the next 10 songs coming from one of my favorite bands Needtobreathe. A rock band with a Southern Rock sound, folk, Americana, gospel all with a Christian background and some of the best songs I have ever heard.  I usually try to stick with the non-singles, but as I want more people to know this band, I won’t always stick with that philosophy…although this song is just that.  The song this week is called “Cops” and it is a B-Side for the song “Keep Your Eyes Open”. The song is also a bonus track on the LP version of the album ‘The Reckoning’ from 2011.  Yes, the LP has the bonus tracks!!

The song is one of the bands heaviest songs and completely rocks out.  The reason for that is the subject matter of the song. Needtobreathe has always been labeled a Christian band, but they are not.  They are a rock band that has a Christian upbringing and that subject matter bleeds in to the music from time to time.  But that is not their focus.  They don’t deny they are Christians, they just want to play music and have a good time…nothing wrong with that.

The song is about the Christian people that are trying to tie the band down as a Christian band.  The constant opinions about how they are disappointing God when they don’t sing about him and they should be out there spreading the word.  Sorry, they are a Rock band first and they are not apologizing for that.  The band likens this pressure to being chased by “Cops”…so there you have it.  I find it funny how Christians are supposed to be holier than thou, but yet they are the first to cast the stone and point the finger when they should be looking in to that mirror themselves.  Another problem I have with religion although I am a Christian, their hypocrisy is sickening at times.  Soapbox, getting down now.

81NF-xh4B6L._SY355_

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Cops” by Needtobreathe” →

Friday New Releases – September 13th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic17 Comments

Welcome to Friday new releases on this Friday the 13th.  And let me tell you this is a lucky Friday…no bad news here.  There are an abundance of releases this week that I am excited about and it might be the best week in quite a long time or even all year.  There are over 25 on this list and maybe 1/2 I am interested in at listening to once. How long is that going to take…it could be next September.  My choices will be highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you see that you like and what I might be missing (could there be anything???).  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

The most important…

  • 717mqiZN3dL._SX522_  The Defiants – Zokusho – (Frontiers Records):  Man, I am super excited about this one.  Paul Laine and the Danger Danger boys are back with their second release and if it is half as good as the debut, then we are in for a treat.  The first 3 songs they have previewed are sensational!!  So expectations are HIGH!!  I don’t usually listen to songs that are previewed on albums I am anxious about, but I could wait.  If you like 80’s brand rock with modern productions, you will be in for a treat.

  • A1EaP+943DL._SX522_.jpg  Tom Keifer – Rise – (Cleopatra Music): The voice of Cinderella is back with his 2nd solo album.  His first was fantastic and nothing less is expected on this one.  His blues rock and the gravely voice is just what the doctor ordered so grab a copy and crank it up.  A great weekend is ahead.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – September 13th” →

Friday New Releases – September 6th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic14 Comments

Summer is over and School is back in session, now we need some new music.  Who am I kidding, I don’t need a reason to want new music. Every week is a good week for that.  However, this week is a little limited on the releases.  There are quite a few, but not a lot to excite my senses.  There are a few I will check out and they are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what interests you and what I might have missed.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

  • A1JK4IW57yL._SS500_  Black Star Riders – Another State of Grace – (Nuclear Blast):  Black Star Riders are back with their fourth studio release and I am eager to hear what is in store as well as a little apprehensive since Damon Johnson is no longer in the band.  He was a big draw.  I will keep an open mind and give it a try as Ricky is still on vocals and Scott is still there as well, but I hate they are only down to 2 of the 5 original members.

  • 61UWCoZUdoL._SX522_  Lindsey Stirling – Artemis – (LindseyStomp Records/BMG):  This young lady plays one mean violin.  I find her to be sensational and always entertaining and I don’t expect this to be any different.  A couple vocal tracks on this one as well with guest Amy Lee and Elle King which should be incredible, but the highlight is always her playing.  If you haven’t checked her out, do yourself a service and do so.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – September 6th” →