For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, 'I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.' (Acts 13:47)
Posted by solomon On September - 7 - 20101 COMMENT
Artist: Athlete Album: Vehicles & Animals Release Date: May 18, 2004 Style: Indie / Soft Rock Label: Astralwerks Records
Location: Deptford, London
About:
Since bouncing to prominence seven years ago with the spirited, electro-tinged, indie-pop of their Mercury-nominated debut, ‘Vehicles And Animals’, Athlete have established themselves among the UK’s finest songsmiths. The south east Londoners have sold more than a million copies of their three hit albums (the other two being 2005’s ‘Tourist’ and 2007’s ‘Beyond The Neighbourhood’); packed out venues across the land; picked up an Ivor Novello award; and topped both the UK’s album and airplay charts.
‘Black Swan’, their fourth album, is a musical summary of everything Athlete have been through; the good, the bad and the ugly. But although its songs burn with literate emotion, this certainly isn’t a downbeat record. In fact, the album begins with the hurtling FM rush of glorious first single, ‘Superhuman Touch’, which catapults the album into life with the opening line, “I’m on fire and nothing’s gonna hold me back”.
The album reaches its climax with ‘The Awkward Goodbye’, an intensely personal tale of love slipping away; the snappy ‘Magical Mistakes’, a giddy gush of proud, parental love; and ‘Rubik’s Cube’ which, according to Joel, “Sums everything up. It’s about puzzling through life, working it out as you go along and having to deal with its uncertainties. That’s the magic of life, really.”
Track Listing:
01. El Salvador
02. Westside
03. One Million
04. Shake Those Windows
05. Beautiful
06. New Project
07. You Got the Style
08. Vehicles & Animals
09. Out of Nowhere
10. Dungeness
11. You Know
12. Le Casio
Posted by Matthew On September - 6 - 20103 COMMENTS
Artist: Press Play Album: NY2LA Release Date: August 24th, 2010 Style: Pop / Rock / Dance / R & B Label: Universal Records / Dream Records Location:Los Angeles, CA
About:
“Formed in 1997 by multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter David Hanley as a vehicle for positive and relevant faith-based transformation, effusive Los Angeles-based praise & worship outfit Press Play began to make a name for itself in the CCM community in 2001 after becoming the house band for Angelus Temple’s Dream Center, an inner city, community-based house of worship with “line-array speakers, 52-foot panoramic screen, LED stage panels, and a sound system.” Known for its high-energy, genre-bending sound and huge multimedia show, the band released its’ debut album Life Is Beautiful on Dream Records on May 19, 2009.” - James Christopher Monger, Rovi
Reviews & Opinions:
“Praise God that Press Play’s ministry is taking the nation by storm! Among the naysayers who don’t know what’s the intent for this album- this music is meant to be performed with big flash mob dance groups in public places likes malls and parks, just like that famous T-Mobile ad. I have been blessed by the dance ministry at Dream Center who take music intentionally used for a secular audience but interpret it so that it is used to share the gospel! Please pray that all those who see, hear and experience the NY2LATOUR.com project along with this album will come in terms with encountering God, especially many non-believers. If we make it viral, this could be big in outreaching to our generation with the advancement of web 2.0- representing Jesus for our nation! For all the dance crews and ministries, I provided the DaNcE 4 CHr1sT iMix full of kingdom gospel joints that can be used for public dance in benefit for God’s eternal glory Amen!” - 1BodyNChrist
Track Listing:
1. NY2LA
2. Getcha Hands Up
3. Let’s Dance
4. Let’s Go
5. L.O.V.E. Now
6. Holiday
7. I Love You So
8. Love Somebody (An 80s Tribute)
9. My Destiny
10. Shake the Rooftops
11. My Everything
12. Forever
Posted by Matthew On September - 4 - 20106 COMMENTS
Artist: Kevin Max (member of DcTalk) Album: Cotes d’ Armor Release Date: August 24, 2010 Style: Alternative / Rock / Spoken Word / Pop Label: dPulse Recordings Location: East Nashville, TN
About:
Kevin Max is a maker of art. Let’s set that record straight right now. Here is a man of so many different talents and facets including but not limited to four full-length albums and three EPs, so stylistically different that it hardly seems possible that they could have poured out of the same person; five studio albums with his former band DC Talk; four books of poetry; a memoir; a children’s book; stage and film performances; live shows and spoken word collaborations—that it is often difficult not to view him as some sort of Frankenstein monster of various talents and abilities, all thrown together by some brilliantly mad scientist in an effort to create a perfect patchwork of wild talents.
But make no mistake Kevin Max is not the creation, but the creator: a passionate musician constantly toiling away in his workshop, always pushing his music and his lyrics into new directions and higher heights. He has been heralded with titles that range from “the bad boy of Christian music” to “the next Peter Gabriel,” but Kevin eschews any such stereotypes by constantly recreating himself from album to album and refusing to be pigeonholed.
His dPulse releases Crashing Gates and Raven Songs 101 (with Adrian Belew) have won acclaim from fans and critics alike, and set the stage for the forthcoming long-player Cotes d’ Armor, released August 24, 2010.
Reviews & Opinions:
“Cotes D’armor contains Kevin’s newest spin on some of the material from his previous album, along with new material. He certainly takes some chances with Cotes musically, but with an artist like Kevin that is not only to be expected, but also welcomed. Listening to Cotes makes me thankful that he is not afraid to take his music to different and interesting places. Although the album probably works best for die hard fans such as myself,(I direct people who are unfamiliar with Kevin to begin with Stereotype Be or The Imposter), Cotes is a fine addition to Kevin’s discography. Kevin Max should be a household name, but until that day buy Cotes D’armor and tell your friends. ” - John
“There really isn’t anything Kevin Max can’t do well, and there isn’t anything he’s afraid to do either. Since going it alone back in 2000, Kevin has put forth records of so many varying flavors, all of which *should* have him far distinguished from his confining CCM past. Never content to stick to a formula he knows will work – instead preferring to hang from the cliff by his fingernails – Kevin has once again reinvented his sound as if it were as simple as changing shirts. This time we see him making a foray into a rock-electronica hybrid. The album starts on hot asphalt with a provocative shove and a smirk and takes the listener through a seamless, fluid journey ending in a dark, haunted place, hovering a few feet off the ground. It goes without saying that Kevin is a master lyricist, and not one who is given to spoon-feeding an audience. You could just sit back and enjoy the sounds if that’s your thing, but I’d suggest taking the opportunity to fully absorb to the work of a man who has language and nuance wrapped around his little finger. <<While we’re on the subject of language, the man is an amazing writer. You should check out some of his poetry.>> For the naysayers (there are always a few) who are still soggy in the pants over dcTalk… this is not CCM fare! The next album won’t be either! Kevin is an artist, not a machine! Enjoy, kiddies!” - Brand
“I have been a fan of Kevin Max since his dc talk days. It’s a shame that Kevin’s solo career doesn’t garner the same attention as his former bandmates. With three full length albums,three EP’s, a Christmas album, and the artsy, spoken poetry of Raven Songs 101; Kevin Max will not be denied.
Cotes D’Armor(True Rebels) is the latest addition to Kevin’s discography. 16 tracks of ear candy that are sure to please old and new fans alike. New renditions of songs from Crashing Gates EP are a real treat. I enjoyed the originals, but may just like Kevin’s latest interpretations best.
The new material is the real highlight of Cotes D’Armor(True Rebels). From the infectious openning track of ‘On Yer Bike!’ to the hypnotic ‘Train To Transylvania’ to the bold ‘Death Of CCM. Add my personal favorites ‘Walking Through Walls(Just To Get To You!)’,'Even When It Hurts’ and ‘Unholy Triad’, and Kevin treats us to a kalaidescope of melodies. Kevin Max has nothing to prove, yet he proves again that he is always full of surprises. GET THIS ALBUM!” - WB
Track Listing:
1. On Yer Bike!
2. 2099
3. Out Of The Wild
4. Walking Through Walls (Just To Get To You)
5. Even When It Hurts
6. Magadhi Prakrit (Slow)
7. Baby, I’m Your Man
8. We Love Dangerous
9. Train To Transylvania
10. Future Love Song
11. Your Beautiful Mind
12. Traveler
13. Abyssmal (More Than This)
14. Saint Of Lonely Hearts
15. Death Of CCM (Cybergenic Cyclic Machines)
16. Unholy Triad
Posted by Miguel On September - 2 - 20105 COMMENTS
Artist: Various Artist Album: X Christian Rock Hits Release Date: April 6, 2010 Style: Rock/Alternative/Pop Label: Bec Recordings / Emd Location: USA
About:
Since 2003, the “X” brand has been a yearly must-have among the Christain Rock community. “X” consistenty showcases the years best rock hits. The perfect album for those who are trying to find new Christian rock artists or those who just want the best-of-the-best that Christian rock has to offer. X 2010 is sure to be another HUGE success. Featuring artists like Kutless, Thousand Foot Krutch, Hawk Nelson, The Almost, and more!
Track Listing:
01. Fire It Up – Thousand Foot Krutch
02. Dead Inside – Skillet
03. Again – Flyleaf
04. Hands – The Almost
05. Fight Inside – Red
06. Collapsing (Radio Edit) – Demon Hunter
07. Desperate – Fireflight
08. You Save Me – Kutless
09. Live Life Loud – Hawk Nelson
10. Take Me As I Am – FM Staic
11.. Hanging On By A Thread – The Letter Black
12. Meddler – August Burns Red
13. Let’s Go – KJ-52
14. From The Inside Out – Seven Day Slumber
15. Whatever It Takes – Pillar
