Category: Christian Music

Friday New Releases – August 10th

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As we get further into August things keep getting better.  One more really, really busy week ahead at work and hopefully things can relax a little.  To help me get over the stress, there are a handful of releases I am going to check out and maybe you will as well.  I have highlighted my choices in Blue.  Let me know what you are interested in and if I missed anything interesting (which J. will tell you I usually do!!)

  • 41ZjEis7TUL._AC_US436_QL65_  Rhett Walker Band – Rhett Walker Band EP – (Provident Label Group) – I really dig Rhett’s music.  It is Christian rock with a little southern rock and blues thrown in.  A great combination.  Always powerful and thought provoking at times and all around a joy to listen to when you drop the needle (or push play on your phone…either way works).  My only sadness is that it is an EP and not a full length album…hopefully soon.

  • 51hgLuCCTjL._SS500  Jason Mraz – Know – (Atlantic Recordings):  Jason Mraz finally releases a new album after 4 years…it seems much longer.  The Mr. A to Z wordsmith has a way of writing that is unmatched.  He can go pop, reggae, hip hop and anywhere he wants and it is always fun to follow along.  High hopes for the new stuff as always.

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Friday New Releases – August 3rd

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We are not into August. Summer is in full swing, but releases are not.  Only a handful this week and nothing I am overly excited about, however, there a couple I will listen to as I listen to everything they put out…they will be highlighted in Blue (as usual). Let me know what you have a hankering for this week or if I missed anything.  Enjoy and have a great weekend!!

  • 518UpIs4YxL._AC_US320_QL65_  James – Living in Extraordinary Times – (BMG):  James has been around since 1982 and have been solid all along so I will give it a listen for that reason.  I am not ready to run out and buy anything, but a good stream will suffice nicely.

  • 51XTXkyOEeL._SS500  Phil Wickham – Living Hope – (Phil Wickham):  This Christian singer has one heckuva voice and always has some standout tracks on his releases so of course this one will be played.  Always happy to fly his flag when he puts something out and this will be no different.  Give him a try!!

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Needtobreathe – Forever On Your Side (Niles City Sound Sessions) E.P. – Album Review

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Needtobreathe released their new E.P. titles ‘Forever On Your Side (Niles City Sound Sessions)’ which is a longer name than the album as the album is merely an E.P. featuring only 4 tracks.  The Niles City Sound Sessions is actually a place in Fort Worth, Texas with a trio of producers that call themselves Niles City Sound.  Needtobreathe sat with them for a time and these four songs came from that session.

I have ordered this on a beautiful 10″ Pink Vinyl, but it won’t actually come until September which is a long way from now.  I will have been to the concert supporting this release before I actually have the physical product.  The concert is August 21st out in the blistering heat at the Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre.  Nothing like a concert, outside in the middle of Summer!!!

The band consists of the following members…

  • Bear Rinehart – vocals
  • Bo Rinehart – guitar, banjo, mandolin
  • Seth Bolt – bass, percussion
  • Josh Lovelace – piano, organ

Since it is only 4 tracks, let us get right to it…

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“Bridges Burn” was is the first track and it opened up with some weird “da-doo, da-doo, doo, doo, doo, doo nonsense (it isn’t that bad once you hear the rest of the song).  I became skeptical real quick. Thankfully that was extremely short-lived. The song then turns into a classic Needtobreathe.  The slow groove along with the piano accompaniment and Bear Rinehart’s vocals pouring out the emotion and allows you to feel everything he is releasing into the song.  They are still incorporating some electronic elements, but not enough to distract.

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1995 – The Greatest Year in Music?

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If you are new to the site, I started this series with the year 1987 and then noticed that 1991 and 1983 were also a couple of the greatest years in music.  I got to thinking, was there a pattern that every 4 years we have another great year in music.  Well, I am not sure the theory held up for me with 1979, but now I am exploring the year 1995. If you want to explore the other years, click on the link below…

1979 – The Greatest Year in Music?

1983 – The Greatest Year in Music?

1987 – The Greatest Year in Music?

1991 – The Greatest Year in Music?

Will 1995 be another great year or is my theory fully debunked with this year.  Let us explore and see and then decide a the end.  But first we have to ask What were the top albums of the year?, What were the debut albums from some of the great rock bands? and What was going on in the world of music that year?

NEWS:

1995 didn’t have any major news story that changed music like 1979 with the Sony Walkman and 1983 with the release of the CD, but a couple big stories did happen.

KISS_UnpluggedOn August 9th, a major even happened in the history of Kiss.  Kiss performed on MTV’s Unplugged series.  That in and of itself was nothing special, but some special guests were invited up on the stage and out walked Ace & Peter.  It was the first time in 16 years the original members of Kiss (Gene, Paul, Peter & Ace) had played together.  It was so well received that the following year, Kiss put their make-up back on and the first reunion tour was kicked off and the Kiss Unplugged album was finally released.  This event started it off.

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Friday New Releases – May 4th

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Happy Friday and May the 4th Be With You!!  Yes, I went there on Star Wars Day!!  There aren’t a ton of releases but a few I am excited about.  I will highlight those in Blue as usual.  Go through and let me know what you like or what I might have missed.  I hope you enjoy and have a great weekend.

  • 51JgZnr7AML._SS500  Shinedown – Attention Attention – (Atlantic Recording):  The main one I want to hear is the new Shinedown album.  The song “Devil” was freaking awesome and I love the whole idea of loose concept album.  It isn’t a full on concept album, but the songs will take you on a journey of a person who is starting in a very dark, ominous place and take you all the way through to the other side where this person is done battling his mind and his issues and coming out a changed person.  Check out “Devil” and then get this album.

  • 71idNtL4rWL._SX522_  Mat Kearney – CRAZYTALK – (Tomorrow Music):  Mat Kearney is one of the finer singer/songwriters out there and he never gets enough credit.  He has some great pop sensibilities, but takes risk and tries new things.  I don’t like to listen to his albums ahead of time, I like to be surprised and I hope this will bring many.

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Friday New Releases – April 27th

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Welcome to the last Friday of April and the new music releases.  There isn’t a ton, but there should be something for everyone.  My choices are highlighted in Blue.  Take a look through and let me know what you are interested in or what I might have missed.  Have a great weekend!!

  • 41BJkKihPEL._SS500  Sanctus Real – Changed – (Framework Records):  Sanctus Real are one of the few Christian bands I still follow.  They are consistently great and there are always some gems on each album. They are more pop than rock, but just as good as anything on the radio.  Now, here is the twist.  The lead singer of the band, Matt Hammitt, has left the band and so they have a new singer.  I am going to try this one out, but not sure how much I will dig it as it was Matt’s vocals that always drew me in.  He was also the principal songwriter.  We will see, but hopes aren’t high.

  • 61cGx3YOHDL._SY300_QL70_  Anthrax – Kings Among Scotland – (Megaforce Records):  A Live DVD and CD that was recorded last year.  It is Anthrax, of course it is going to get a spin or two.  Plus, the album is a shout out to Kiss’ Rock & Roll Over cover!  Not much else to say on this.

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Friday New Releases – April 20th

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Welcome to another Friday of new music releases.  There are a handful of good ones that are coming out and I will highlight the ones I want in Blue.  Take a look through and check them out and see what else you want to get this week or what I missed.  Whatever you do, support the bands you like.  Enjoy!!

  • 61CaDGJBrVL._AC_US436_QL65_  Stryper – God Damn Evil – (Frontiers Records):  The first single off this release, “Take it to the Cross” was a shock to the system.  It was more thrash than the normal Stryper music, but it was awesome.  The second single, “Sorry” was more of what you expect.  Either way, they have me excited about this release and can’t wait to check it out.

  • 61HFVOPvWmL._SX120_SY120_  Black Stone Cherry – Family Tree – (Mascot Records):  Black Stone Cherry have been releasing albums every 2-3 years and they are right on schedule with this one.  I love their Southern Rock/Metal sound and they haven’t missed a beat with this one.  Looking forward to hearing the rest.  Looks like it is going to be a heavy week.

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My Sunday Song – “Dark Horses” by Switchfoot

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For My Sunday Song #86, “Dark Horses” by Switchfoot is my choice.  The song is off their ‘Vice Verses’ and the single was released on July 20, 2011.  It reached #1 on the Billboard Christian Rock Songs and #1 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (I don’t really know this chart very well).  It went to #5 on the Rock Alternative Charts as well.  Needless to say, it did very well for the band.

What I like about Switchfoot is they have Christian roots, but can pass as a mainstream act as well.  They are able to get the message out and most people don’t even realize they are getting a positive, heartfelt message of some kind whether it is religious or some point they want to get across.  I love how he can turn that message into such great music.

“Dark Horses” might be a familiar term to those in the sporting world.  A dark horse is a term used to describe a person, team or horse that is not well-known but rises to the top.  The song is talking about the homeless children that aren’t well known, but they have something to offer if they were just given the chance.  Jon & Tim Foreman are wanting to spread the word and put the focus on helping these homeless kids so they have that chance to shine.  For Jon, these kids are the kids he sees on the streets of his home town in San Diego and he works with the organization Stand Up For Kids.  I agree with the band and we shouldn’t write them off, they deserve a chance to shine and succeed just as much as anyone.

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Friday New Releases – April 6th

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It is already April and I can’t believe how fast time flies.  We just got back from New York City for a family vacation and what a great time we had.  I love that city!!  Now, what do we have new this week you might ask.  Well, we have a lot of different things, Metal, Rock, Southern Rock, Pop, Christian and so much more.  My choices are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you want, if anything.

  • 91P3HWlQIsL._SX522_  The Dead Daisies – Burn It Down – (Spitfire Music):  John Corabi and boys are back with yet another Dead Daisies release.  They are pumping out the music and thankfully so.  Since Corabi came on board, I have really loved these guys.  And coming of Corabi’s recent Live album playing his one Motley Cure album in its entirety, I am ready for some more.

  • 31iUJMAkz3L._AC_US320_QL65_  Thirty Seconds to Mars – The New Album – (Interscope):  Jared Leto and company are finally returning with some new music.  He shares his time between movies and music and although I like his movies, he is one of the few actors that actually has some musical chops and Thirty Seconds to Mars rarely disappoints.  Looking forward to this one as I have loved the first song and here it is…

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Friday New Releases – March 23rd

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Happy Friday!  Of course, all Friday’s are happy.  The last day of the work week and new album releases.  What could be better…maybe everyday being a Friday.  There are a handful of albums this week for me and one was on pre-order and should be at my door when I get home from work…yes, it will be a great Friday.  My choices are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you are interested in or if I missed anything which happens all the time.  Have a great weekend and enjoy any new music you pick up.

  • 51eohOeVCWL._AC_US436_QL65_  W.E.T. – Earthrage – (Frontiers Records):  Jeff Scott Soto is a busy man between his solo album, Sons of Apollo and now a new W.E.T. album.  And it has been too long since the last one, 5 years I believe since the last studio album and that is way too long.  Jeff’s vocals are what keep me coming back to everything he releases.  With W.E.T., he teams up with Erik Martensson and Robert Sall to form this sensational trio.  The bands this trio is from makes up the name…Work of Art, Eclipse & Talisman…all three great bands in their own right.  If this first song is what we can expect, hold on tight!!  Check them out!

  • 51i8VbzMIkL._SS500  Kip Winger – Solo Box Set Collection – (Frontiers Records):  Kip Winger is such an underrated talent…well at least he used to be.  He is now a Classical Composer (Grammy nominated I think)…pretty cool!  This set is a collection of all his solo works (it isn’t classical music though). We get 5 CDs, the 3 solo albums, an acoustic album (with Winger songs included) and some rare demos and an unreleased track.  Pretty damn fine set of music and worth picking up.  This is what I have on pre-order and should keep me busy for awhile!!  Here is the collections trailer…

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