tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40616502024-03-07T13:32:58.523-05:00cheaper than therapyDJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.comBlogger1231125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-50777819262252708072013-02-21T15:11:00.000-05:002013-02-21T15:15:30.839-05:00Why is Good Religion so important?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 28px;">"Like art, religion is an attempt to construct meaning in the face of </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 28px;">relentless pain and injustice of life."</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 22px; line-height: 28px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 28px;">Karen Armstrong</span></div>
While in charge of the spiritual care department at a large hospice, a meeting was called by one of the nurses to discuss the agitation of one of her patients. This patient, an avowed Atheist, had refused the presence of the chaplain earlier in the care cycle. However, his Catholic family had requested the presence of a chaplain. This was not an unusual occurrence There was often conflict between the family and the patient, especially concerning religious services.<br />
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However, this had gotten complicated because the patient was no longer verbally responding and in an agitated state. The proper drugs had been administered but no one could figure out the reason for the agitation. In a serendipitous moment, we decided to ask the patient, who could respond to simple commands, if he now wanted a chaplain. He "said" yes. We then asked if he wanted the chaplain to give the Sacrament of the Sick (similar to Last Rites). The patient responded positively, was administered the sacrament and died within the hour.</div>
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Now, any hospice worker can give many examples just like this. It is common at the end of life for a person to want/need to reengage with a disavowed religious system, one they had left behind years or even decades before. I saw this with Wiccans needing to discuss forgiveness of a higher power, Buddhists needing to discuss heaven and hell or those with no religion becoming vulnerable and discussing a religious upbringing not thought of for 50 years. There are a number of reasons, but as Quiz Kid Donnie Smith says in the film Magnolia, "we may be through with the past, but the past is not through with us." </div>
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As one looks at their own religious or spiritual understanding, that person can mentally assent to a better form of religion, or no religion at all. However, the past is not done with that person. Knowing this gives me pause. Why? Because I have left behind many damaging theological conceptions of my childhood behind. Or have I<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It is my desire, as a "pastor to the irreligious, the non-adherents and the post (or never) believers" to help others navigate their own bad religion, whether recent or long past and embrace a Good Religion, one that gives meaning to life, is life affirming, sustainable, healthy and good for the world around them, whether that religion is the one I embrace or another (this is classic CPE or chaplain speak, in case you were wondering).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It can take years, but dealing with our religious pasts, so we can look forward to the future, and prepare ourselves for eventual crises, is worth the hard work of creating new practices and a new way of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As those that journey with me to look at ways we can create a Good Religion in a world in which Bad Religion resides, I leave with another movie quote... well, one that I have slightly changed for my own selfish desires.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the book/ film Perks of Being a Wallflower, it is said, "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">we accept the love we think we deserve."</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"> To which I would change it, "we accept the God (or religion) we think we deserve."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">*while some of my theological friends may find there posts pedestrian, my intended audience is real people that are walking through life with bad religion, not those predisposed towards big theological arguments. </span></span></div>
DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-86276088488286356362013-02-13T14:32:00.002-05:002013-02-13T15:45:58.948-05:00Give Up Bad Religion for Lent (and beyond)<br />
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Warning, this is about religion.<br />
Warning, this is not about a specific religion.<br />
Oh, and I am trying to convert you.<br />
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I write this as one that has not blogged in many a day, and
even longer if I ignore my satirical and music posts. So, what could bring me
back? </div>
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Would you believe Lent? Would you believe Grammy nominated
artist Frank Ocean? How about a friend and former pastor that came out of the
closet as an atheist? Well, if you add the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh to the
mix you will realize it takes a lot to get me back in the game.</div>
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While I am not sure if I will continue this writing endeavor
here or move it to another blog (Patheos, give me a call), I am going to
attempt over the coming days/ weeks/ months to write about my experiments with
something I am calling Good Religion. What is it? Well, it is the opposite of
what many of us practice… bad religion. It is the what the movement I have been
part of for 15 years, led by names like Brian McLaren, Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt,
Diana Butler Bass and the good folks at the Wild Goose Fest, has been trying to
journey into. As I have journeyed in and out of traditional Christian faith,
agnosticism and emerging Christianity during the past decade plus, I have come
to realize that many of those that have embraced Emerging Christianity, found a
new belief system, left Christianity all together or embraced atheism have all
been on the same journey out of Bad Religion. </div>
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There are many good folks out there documenting Bad
Religion, folks like <a href="http://matthewpaulturner.net/">Matthew Paul Turner</a>, <a href="http://theamericanjesus.net/">Zach
Hunt</a> and <a href="http://www.stuffchristianculturelikes.com/">Stephanie
Drury</a>. Each is doing yeoman’s work documenting the type of behavior that
leads people of religion, and Christianity in particular by holding a light to
the darkness of some parts of Evangelicalism and fundamentalism. However, to
say that these groups have the market on bad religion is preposterous. There
are very bad forms of mainline and progressive Christianity. There are bad
forms of Islam (easily documented), Scientology, Hinduism, Judaism and yes,
even Buddhism. This post and this blog over the next few months is not going to
be another documentation of such. </div>
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However, it needs to be acknowledged that Bad Religion (no matter what tribe it is in) is
killing us. It is what millions of people have left behind, including a huge
swath of my friends. It is what I have been fighting since I was an eleven year
old being told my baptism from the year before wasn't good enough because it
was in a different Christian tradition and therefore I had to be re-baptized to
join a Southern Baptist Church. It is what I tried to steer people clear of as
a youth minister, pastor and church planter. Sadly, as I was trying to steer
them to good religion, it was still part of an oppressive system and only
technically better. This bad religion is what my friend who is now an atheist
is fighting against, now on the outside looking back at the harm it did to him
and his family. </div>
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And it is the religion I thought of when listening to Frank
Ocean’s album a few days ago. I am a fan of Ocean’s music, even if I think his
previous album was better than “Channel Orange.” That album, nominated for many
Grammys, had a leadoff single called “Bad Religion,” a profoundly sad song by a
gay man realizing that it’s a “bad religion to be in love with someone who
could never love you.” He is not talking about another man, but about God who,
according to his understanding of Christianity, cannot love him. Now some would
say this is not true, but one cannot ignore his experience in the church, the
church of Bad Religion.</div>
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So, as Lent begins, I am asking those that read this to
spend this 40 days leaving behind Bad Religion, even if they are not part of organized religion at all. Most of us would say that we don’t embrace bad religion. We
are smart. We are emerging. We are open-minded. We live in grace. We practice
the opposite of bad religion. We practice good religion. Why else would we be
reading this?</div>
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But, during the Lenten season (or whenever you want), I ask
you to give up bad religion, or give up your notion of religion. In the past,
during lent I have given up alcohol, chocolate, caffeine and cokes. I have even
given up reading the Bible, the Bible itself, church and Christianity during
lent, spending the time in the desert, trying to understand what I leaned upon
and what I needed. But, at this time, I am evaluating my own beliefs, practices
and understandings of the world around me during this time. Even though I am a fairly
progressive person with an open mind and a view of religion that would scare
the heck out of those that grew up with me (and not willing to share exactly what I believe, lest anyone write what I am saying off), I need to evaluate it in light of
its impact on me, others and the world around me.</div>
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In fact, this is how I think we should evaluate. I am not
going to give you a formula. I am not going to complicate this, even though it
is terribly complex. I am merely going to ask all of us to evaluate our
religion in simple ways:</div>
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<li>Does it make us better human beings, or as a friend says
(more human humans)? We may need to ask others to evaluate this (and please do), but it
matters. I remember sitting in a Sunday School class at my parents’ church
years ago. It was filled with a bunch of angry, scared 60-somethings, made
bitter by life and scared of the world around them by talk radio. I remember
thinking, if this is what I have to look forward to, I want out… NOW. Whatever
I believe, does it move me forward towards love, acceptance, friendship,
hospitality, etc?</li>
<li>Does it make those we are in regular contact with better
humans? I was once asked if my friend Brian McLaren was a real Christian, based
upon some of his perceived writings. I told the person, Brian makes me a better
human being. He makes me want to be more like Jesus. To me, that was all that
mattered. I need to practice something that gives hope/ freedom, but never the possibility of oppression. No matter your religious views, or lack of views, does your system
make those around you better, more complete humans? Again, you may need to ask your friends and family.</li>
<li>Speaking of oppression, does it oppress anyone, whether its adherents (like Scientology has been accused, as well as forms of Christianity that have hurt women), its innocents (like a number of Christian groups) or those outside its walls (like many churches have done to those outside their faith or groups they shun)?</li>
<li>Does it make the world around you a better place? I believe
spirituality and religion should make us better and the world better. Does your
system make the world better, or curse the world that isn't perfect? I know
plenty of angry progressives and Buddhists that embrace a dark religion of
hatred (of those closed minded fundamentalists), that never make the world
better. They just complain about the world in which they live. As the
sociologist Dallas Willard says, “in a pluralistic world, a religion will be
judged by how it treats its non-adherents.” Does your system welcome, love,
embrace, and care for the other (even when the other is closed minded)?</li>
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Over the coming weeks or months, I will try to unpack some
of this, along with some other ideas regarding what makes religion good or bad (and I will try to convert all of us to the notion of good religion).
I will be discussing some of my other thoughts on a different way of expressing
religion, one that takes on the ideas of Thich Nhat Hanh’s engaged Buddhism,
which I believe can be translated well into Christianity or any other belief system (a religion beyond belief, but not against belief). I will think about Bad Religion and the potential
for Good Religion (something I have been obsessed with for a long time) and I
hope a few of you will journey with me and discuss.</div>
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For now, I leave you with a song.</div>
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DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-35990589580933826042012-07-25T13:48:00.001-04:002012-07-26T13:45:27.083-04:00Mark Driscoll supports Chick-ified Chicken Sandwich<div style="text-align: left;">
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In an about face from previous pronouncements on the issue, Pastor Mark Driscoll has come out in support of Chick-fil-A. In an interview with this satirist, a spokesman for Mars Hill Church said that Driscoll would like to throw his considerable weight behind the fast food chain.<br />
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Driscoll, who has made waves before with his statements regarding the manliness of food (sushi is notoriously off limits because it is used to catch meals, not eat) had previously been in the anti-Chick-fil-A <span style="background-color: white;"> movement, not due to politics, but due to the name </span><span style="background-color: white;">and</span><span style="background-color: white;"> cuisine.</span><br />
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Pastor Mark, as he is known, has felt for some time that chicken, is in fact, a feminine meat-like product and not true meat (close supporters say he calls is "girly meat"), the kind Jesus and other men of Biblical times, would have eaten. In fact, there is no mention of Jesus or other prominent figures of the Bible, within the Old or New Testament. Pastor Mark does not eat pork, due the biblical injunction against it (besides bacon), nor does he eat poultry unless it is all that is available. Pastor Mark's prohibitions also include raw fish, like sushi and all shellfish. As Pastor Mark said from the pulpit, "Men do not eat anything that has not been cooked on a open fire. They also do not eat any fish or meat that could not put up a fight, besides cow."<br />
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When asked about his public change, the spokesman indicated, while it is unfortunate that word "Chick" is used by this fast food restaurant, making it difficult for any real man to eat there, the fact that this chick has taken a stance against chickified men has caused Driscoll to rethink his stance.<br />
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Since there is no Chick-Fil-A for Driscoll to eat at in Seattle, he and his family will be taking an elder's private jet to Georgia on August 1, to eat at Chick-fil-A as part of Mike Huckabee's "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day." He will then post pictures of the dinner, as well as his meeting with Dan Cathy, to whom he will speak about serving sandwiches of a more Christian persuasion, like hamburger.DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-24782101756374959352011-12-31T17:19:00.009-05:002012-01-06T09:32:52.787-05:00My Top Albums of 2011So, I am cheating a bit by <a href="http://djword.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-favorite-musical-discoveries-of-2011.html">creating a list of musical discoveries</a> and then a list of other top albums. So, take these lists and make one huge one for yourself. There was too much really good music for me to make a list of 10-20 albums that stood out, especially since no 1 or 2 albums were head and shoulders above the rest. In fact, it was a sub par year for extraordinary albums. However, it was a great year for really good music.<div><br /></div><div>You will notice many bands that made year end lists not on this one. Iron and Wine reminded me too much of the Dan Fogelberg Yacht Rock of the 70s. I felt the same regarding the over-hyped Bon Iver. His album was very solid, but his new Christopher Cross direction did not excite me. I am hoping that we stop encouraging these bearded guys before they become Kenny Loggins. That said, Holocene by Bon Iver is a great song.</div><div><br /></div><div>You will also notice that Fleet Foxes is not on this list. They do not write good songs. There, I said it. It is pretentious, overly serious and on par with poetry that stays under a mattress. Civil Wars is nice, but ultimately makes me wish I was listening to Over the Rhine.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Enough ranting. Here is the list.</div><div><br /></div><div>* Not ranked because it may be the best thing of the year, but I will not realize it until later because it was so out of left field award goes to King of Limbs by Radiohead. Listen on<a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/3EkYAh7JiJNSUxzhVLJqnL"> Spotify</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Honorable Mentions:</div><div> by Elbow, <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/7ssPaL7UM968Tt53NFI6v8">Strange Negotiations</a> by David Bazan, <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/0mEgjSX0fTulFtZFNs46Bg">Within and Without </a>by Washed Out, <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/4TeR4diC6UuZaAhpLLomvK">Portamento</a> by The Drums, <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/43uf0nTu6b5ReBCoQkLtsF">Wounded Rhymes</a> by Lykke Li, <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/2jb0zRewft3L2AwCOMx3du">Cults </a>by Cults and <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6TEtRKzAhB3AQ5R0vnGTGz">Only in Dreams </a>by Dum Dum Girls.</div><div><br /></div><div>25. The Black Keys- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/El-Camino/dp/B006BXTOFC/ref=tmm_msc_title_0">El Camino</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Not their best, but still a blast to listen to.</div><div><br /></div><div>24. Devotchka- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/100-Lovers/dp/B004OZ2MK8/ref=sr_shvl_album_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325370654&sr=301-2">100 Lovers</a></div><div><br /></div><div>This album got no love this year, which saddens me. If you have never heard their World pop, do yourself a favor and check them out. Listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/0y8MlcSEUYvVUvErLVra3R">Spotify</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>23. Deep Dark Woods-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Place-I-Left-Behind/dp/B005PMNQI6/ref=tmm_msc_title_0">The Place I Left Behind</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The kind of alternative country that fans of Fleet Foxes think they play. Listen to what they would sound like if they actually had the songs. Listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/7sdf7F7WFPdCZt20wHR9rU">Spotify</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>22. Blind Pilot- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/We-Are-The-Tide/dp/B005G0WB24/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325539737&sr=301-1">Half Moon</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Nobody writes prettier songs and if you are going to attempt to rewrite the soft rock of the 70s, it is better to focus on the actual song writing than the atmospherics (are you listening Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver?). Listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/0J8jiKxEBCPv2eU7lbNJm6">Spotify</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>21. Raphael Saadiq- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stone-Rollin/dp/B004YPCF2S/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325539498&sr=301-1">Stone Rollin'</a></div><div><br /></div><div>He's come a long way since his Prince wannabe days, and this exemplifies why he is the keeper of the mantle for a long gone Motown sound. He is a national treasure. Listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/26orrccGqNXm1m6mr9OO91">Spotify</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>20.Elbow- <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/2L6XXDKEv3xrx5ssFC6Pj6">build a rocket boys!</a></div><div><br /></div><div>There is the exact point in between Radiohead and Coldplay. Elbow lives and plays there. Listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/7f2e28BTOg0IQiwUG6trp6">Spotify</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>19. Demdike Stare- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tryptych/dp/B004SKY0MC/ref=tmm_msc_title_0">Tryptych </a></div><div><br /></div><div>The deejay and composer practicing the dark arts as Demdike Stare are mis-classified as ambient. It is entirely too challenging and hard work to listen to for this classification. An album that makes you want to groove at times and sit contemplatively at others, it is the least predictable and third most interesting album I heard this year. Listen <a href="http://www.myspace.com/pookawig">here</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>18. The Roots- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Undun-Explicit-Roots/dp/B006B3975Y/ref=sr_1_1_digr?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325538969&sr=1-1">Undun</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Not as accessible as the last few albums due to its difficult subject matter, the musicianship is still unparalleled. It would have been higher had it come out sooner and I had more time to digest it. Listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/5UQo0dIJc9nfkt2HWd2GCp">Spotify</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>17. Destroyer- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kaputt-Destroyer/dp/B004I2GDZ2/ref=sr_1_1_digr?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325538759&sr=1-1">Kaputt</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Sexier and more soulful than his old stuff. But, just as eccentric. Thankfully. Listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/1clYDgHxfhzxWQJH0ieRpx">Spotify</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>16. Gillian Welch-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Harrow-Harvest-Gillian-Welch/dp/B0057IB7BG/ref=sr_1_1_digr?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325538670&sr=1-1"> The Harrow and the Harvest</a></div><div><br /></div><div>It took forever, but the wait is worth it. Listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/7d43Lo04zus42vyadC3Izr">Spotify</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>15. TV on the Radio- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nine-Types-Light-TV-Radio/dp/B004UJPO3U/ref=sr_1_1_digr?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325538500&sr=1-1">Nine Types of Light</a></div><div><br /></div><div>A little mellower than previous releases, this is a surprisingly pretty album, especially<a href="http://open.spotify.com/track/6x1eNB6mT6Yg8eO14xvZR6"> Second Song</a>, the lead single. Less Bowie and Talking Heads fixated, they are truly original now. </div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/7wyPbr982rHzasdUbh5f2j">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>14. Frank Turner- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/England-Keep-Bones-Frank-Turner/dp/B00533ED0C/ref=sr_1_1_digr?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325538343&sr=1-1">England Keep my Bones</a></div><div><br /></div><div>A praise and worship album to the saving power of rock 'n roll, personal responsibility and a life without God, this is an easy to enjoy album with lyrics that will confront those that claim Christianity as their lens. An exceptionally simple album along the lines of those by Ted Leo.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/3aimNzQ0hr74LkweSD8Of7">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>13. We Are Augustines-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rise-Sunken-Ships-Are-Augustines/dp/B005D5MM4O/ref=sr_1_1_digr?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325538079&sr=1-1"> Rise Ye Sunken Ships</a></div><div><br /></div><div>From the ashes of the great underground band Pela and the darkness of family tragedy comes this redemptive song cycle dedicated to the singer's dead brother. Beauty can come from ashes and that redemption is born of pain. If you do not believe it, I recommend a listen to this album while reading its back story. For fans of The National (like me).</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6M4cVPsPW1IuC4IZOp7716">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>12. St. Vincent- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strange-Mercy-St-Vincent/dp/B005JG2YRW/ref=sr_1_1_digr?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325537713&sr=1-1">Strange Mercy</a></div><div><br /></div><div>If you have never experienced the wonder to behold that is St. Vincent, today is a good time to start. She is Kate Bush for a new generation, with a bit of Fiona Apple's quirk. I could go on and on, but just enjoy the eccentric loveliness.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/1Lci4bx7JIuCC8pnBNX7ds">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>11. Kurt Vile-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Smoke-Ring-Halo-Kurt-Vile/dp/B004MWL7L8/ref=sr_1_1_digr?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325537268&sr=1-1"> Smoke Ring for my Halo</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Perfect companion piece for my #6 album, Vile's music is heavily influenced by the low-fi movement led by Pavement, Dinosaur Jr and Elliot Smith. While the Vile's singing and playing are so laid back and unaffected that they border laconic, it works in this context, especially on Jesus Fever. If I ever get sick, I hope it is from the Jesus Fever that Vile is spreading.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/32a7BrNNTAu7BVb6DcsMLP">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>10. PJ Harvey- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Let-England-Shake/dp/B004M8KLYQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325537056&sr=1-2">Let England Shake</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I should tell you that when I saw her open for U2 in 2001, I was not happy. I acknowledge the talent, but she has never worked for me. Until now. Infinitely more focused and interesting than any of her so called "Angry Girl" albums, she has matured into a deeply political songwriter. No protest music out of America last year reached these heights. This is early-sixties protest movement for a disaffected England.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/7f1aXd7Gd5H9IqFu36zw6m">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>9. The Joy Formidable- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Roar-Joy-Formidable/dp/B004PXVHH8/ref=sr_1_1_digr?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325536513&sr=1-1">The Big Roar</a></div><div><br /></div><div>If you like thunderous music, full of swirling guitars and swagger, coupled with girl power, this perfectly named band is what you need. The Foo Fighters asked this band to open for them and will probably be embarrassed by how much better the crowd responds to these British dynamos. If you don't like this, you need to check your pulse and stop listening to so much sensitive guitar music before you die of musical boredom.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/2zWSzMTUNDe6GvKE9KFzyM">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>8. F---ed Up- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/David-Comes-To-Life/dp/B004ZJEVUC/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325536114&sr=1-1">David Comes to Life</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Apparently a punk band will come out with an epic concept album each year that blows away people not predisposed to love their music. Last year, Titus Andronicus gave us the best album of the year, while this year, the Canadian post-punk/ post-hardcore with a name I cannot print due to the fact some people read this blog at church gives us an album that hearkens back to the classic hardcore of Black Flag, Husker Du and Fugazi, but with intricate instrumentation and melody coupled with the aggression. If you want to get your blood pumping, play this... LOUD.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/7exqkn1MEoUhfDRMjwCOgm">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>7. Tom Waits- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bad-As-Me-Tom-Waits/dp/B005SMTD58/ref=sr_1_1_digr?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325535951&sr=1-1">Bad as Me</a></div><div><br /></div><div>While most artists in their 60s are playing the Oldies' circuits, making Boomers happy while reliving their old glories and reminding people how irrelevant they are, Tom Waits is making some of the best music of his long and storied career. While not his strangest album, this is not safe music. I dream of being this cool one day. </div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/22TNnSog7pAVPnhkYCYKZj">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>6. The War on Drugs- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Slave-Ambient-Digital-Booklet/dp/B005FH2S8A/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_mus?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325535520&sr=1-1">Slave Ambient</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Sting once said that all artists steal. He just happens to steal from the best sources. Well, these guys steal from the best sources in rock history, Springsteen, U2, Neil Young and Dylan, yet sound like none of them individually. At once a mellow listen, yet driving and intense, I can think of very few bands that can pull off that combination. You can tell Kurt Vile was once in this band. If you like one, you will like both.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/4136oTfNt4X3nw0zP1w2NG">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>5. M83- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hurry-Up-Were-Dreaming/dp/B005PMNBNG/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325534857&sr=1-1">Hurry Up, We're Dreaming</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The soundtrack to a John Hughes movie that sadly never existed, this album will transport its listeners back to 1986 and OMD or Echo and the Bunnymen with the most joyous album of the year. <a href="http://open.spotify.com/track/36lqt57OHqk48BVFzPDEKt">Midnight City</a> is by far the best song of the year and makes me want to break out the International News jacket and put on some Polo cologne. They've changed direction more than most bands during the past decade, but stayed interesting.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on<a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6yZtkhTr6TXRoUR72lveEU"> Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>4. The Antlers- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Burst-Amazon-Exclusive-Version-Explicit/dp/B004WEIA4S/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_mus?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325532057&sr=1-1">Burst Apart</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I guess this album is a disappointment since it does not top my list like their album Hospice did in 2009. Not really though. A natural baritone that dances on the edge with one of the best falsettos in rock music, lead singer Peter Silberman learned a lot from the Jeff Buckleys and Thom Yorkes of the world before venturing into his own direction, releasing an album of dramatic heights without the depressive elements of their last album. After their last 2 releases, I am declaring these guys one of the best bands in America.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/7pM6qdR5bSsg0Xis5aKGIY">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>3. King Creosote and Jon Hopkins- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Mine/dp/B004ZVPPOQ/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_mus?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325531762&sr=1-1">Diamond Mine</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I am never sure what people mean when they say something is "mood music." All music is mood music in my estimation. If I'm in the mood to dance, I won't listen to Metallica. However, I think this album is what people mean when they use the term. Unfathomably moody and simply beautiful, retaining classical form, but infused with electronica. Sad. But in a very good way.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen to <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/1Xl61j4RzKINfWTojz51BJ">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>2. Wye Oak- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Civilian/dp/B004LW8Y60/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325531499&sr=1-1">Civilian</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Ambiguously spiritual lyrics of Biblical imagery with ethereal female pop vocals and the most feedback and distortion of the year. Sounds like a recipe for an A+ in the Rick Bennett music class. This is a special album full of worshipful music, the kind I wish churches played. Like many of the top albums on this list, it transports the listener to another place (and sounds particularly good with earphones on).</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/2lXkaLnBfaMSvzCCyvqcDu">Spotify </a></div><div><br /></div><div>1. Colin Stetson- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-History-Warfare-Vol-Judges/dp/B004FBHOZ4/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325530829&sr=301-1">New History of Warfare, Volume 2</a></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></div><div><br /></div><div>That is correct. The best album of the year for my highly personal list is by a bass saxophonist (and no one else). Stetson has played with Arcade Fire, the National and Bon Iver, among others. It is truly like nothing else I have ever heard and pretty much incapable of explaining. That said, I return to the album all the time. It is not jazz, ambient or rock. However, it is all of the above and not as challenging as my words imply. </div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/2YxOKIEvWuLnBTWGJL77aI">Spotify</a></div>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-148623617562733442011-12-30T17:36:00.006-05:002011-12-31T17:18:52.791-05:00My Favorite Musical Discoveries of 2011While 2011 was not the banner year for music that 2010 was (Arcade Fire, The National, Kanye West, LCD Soundsystem, Titus Andronicus, Deerhunter, Janelle Monae, Black Keys, Mumford, Frightened Rabbit, Sleigh Bells, The Walkmen and Anais Mitchell would each top this year's list), it was a better year for new artists and discoveries of unknown artists that have been around a while. <div><br /></div><div>I will release my list of top albums Sunday. However, here is my list of the top musical discovery albums of the year. The numbers and rankings are somewhat arbitrary and could change tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div><div>Worth mentioning, but not on the list officially because they did not release full albums, only EPs:</div><div>Alabama Shakes- <a href="http://alabamashakes.bandcamp.com/">Alabama Shakes</a> (spend $4 now)</div><div><br /></div><div>Imagine Janis Joplin's multi-ethnic granddaughter fronting early Kings of Leon, but influenced by soul, gospel and the dirt around Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The 4 songs they have given us so far are more exciting than anything I have heard this year (and pretty uplifting).</div><div><br /></div><div>Typhoon- <a href="http://www.myspace.com/wearetyphoon">A New Kind of House</a></div><div><br /></div><div>4 songs that tell me they are the best young cacophonous Indie- Folk band coming out with a CD in 2012. Imagine a young Arcade Fire with even more complex orchestration. </div><div><br /></div><div>Listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/4rw4THkFteabe3ArA5TWYc">Spotify </a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Just missing the cut:</div><div><br /></div><div>The Ghost of Tom Joad, Saigon, Megafaun, Bahamas, East River Pipe, Sin Fang, Childish Gambino, Shafer James, David Wax Museum</div><div><br /></div><div>15. Foster the People- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Torches/dp/B0050VI5SI/ref=tmm_msc_title_0">Torches</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, there is a lot of hype and they could travel down the road of Maroon 5 and Coldplay. But, as of yet, this is a great young band. Pumped Up Kicks is merely the 3rd or 4th best song on the album. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEVa3jAaweE">Houdini </a>is one of the best songs of the year.</div><div><br /></div><div>14. Shabazz Palaces- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Up-Explicit/dp/B005765R5U/ref=tmm_msc_title_0/188-8059076-1422241">Black Up</a></div><div><br /></div><div>For once, a Pitchfork review is spot on. <a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15570-black-up/">Read it</a>. Innovative, highly complex hip hop from a masterful rapper. If you've heard of math rock, think of this as Math Rap. </div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6xmJwIZr8GXrSTiYa9UYXG">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>13. Caveman- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Coco-Beware/dp/B005MW4N2M/ref=tmm_msc_title_0">Coco Beware</a></div><div><br /></div><div>You have probably heard similar bands before, but very nice, complex, Indie Rock that is pretty to listen to while transporting you to a very pleasant field someplace is something you need. They remind me of buzz bands like Local Natives from last year.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/28VevjbLut2uMZVWKSiA8J">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>12. The Poison tree- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Poison-Tree/dp/B004MWPOBC/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325349323&sr=1-1">The Poison Tree</a></div><div><br /></div><div>My friend <a href="http://www.stevekmccoy.com/">Steve</a> thinks this is the best album of the year. He may be right, but I haven't sat with this album as much as he has. Still, this is great music, hearkening back to eras that are long past, yet modern. I think my parents would love the tin pan alley feel while I'm interested in the moodiness.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/1cwZzqlBHgrsbZLbMLsQZ9">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>11. The Mountaineering Club Orchestra- <a href="http://themountaineeringcluborchestra.bandcamp.com/">A Start on Such a Night is Full of Promise</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The soundtrack for a movie I wish existed. This classically infused beaut is my favorite ambient album of the year (followed closely by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/pookawig">Demdike Stare</a>). If you are looking for something to play while working or in the background, buy it (I think it would be great for church also).</div><div><br /></div><div>You can listen and buy it at <a href="http://themountaineeringcluborchestra.bandcamp.com/">Bandcamp</a> and name your price. </div><div><br /></div><div>10. Frank Ocean-<a href="http://www.datpiff.com/Frank-Ocean-Nostalgia-Ultra-mixtape.210282.html"> Nostalgia, Ultra</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Another free album, Frank is bringing back 70's soul stylings for a hip-hop generation. the lyrics are a little beyond my comfort level at times, but the music is what I imagine Al Green or Marvin Gaye would be playing if they were coming out after Jay-Z and Kanye West changed the landscape so radically.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen <a href="http://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TSS/2011/03/download-frank-ocean-nostalgia-ultra-mixtape">here</a></div><div><br /></div><div>9. Wu Lyf- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Go-Tell-Fire-Mountain/dp/B0055ED29W/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325351548&sr=301-1">Go Tell Fire on the Mountain</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Hard to describe band from England that classifies itself as Heavy Pop. Messy music consisting of passionate vocals, smart lyrics, swirling guitars. Not for everyone, but I like it.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on<a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6WSEHis4NH2JfCimtDhClj"> Spotify</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>8. <span>Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Its-A-Corporate-World/dp/B005342QXC/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_mus?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325353704&sr=1-1">It's a Corporate World</a></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Goofy, but great named project from Detroit that Paste magazine coins<span> "<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">i</span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">ndie-alt-digital-folk-garage-rock-pop." There is a kitchen sink vibe to their music which reminds me of the smoothness of Earlimart or Granddaddy.</span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/track/1KQ1zcWbnHN9jIECk2wJQ4">Spotify</a></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>7. Youth Lagoon- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Year-Of-Hibernation/dp/B005HPD8ZC/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325355757&sr=1-1">The Year of Hibernation</a></span></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>One kid from Idaho making the kind of music I would make if I was alone in Idaho: melancholy. This is the best of the new bands making music straddling the fence between Sigur Ros and Arcade Fire (although the mellowest example). If you like this kind of music, but want a little more oomph, I recommend <a href="http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2473962">Of Monsters and Men</a>, which is not on the list because their album is not officially available in the US (or they would be in the top 3).</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>listen to <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/0mcvDycoex7ANLZOmVVRoD">Spotify</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>6. EMA- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Past-Life-Martyred-Saints/dp/B004TBX4W2/ref=tmm_msc_title_0">Past Life Martyred Saints</a></div><div><br /></div><div>She calls it Noise Folk and I am grateful to find someone that has the edge of mid-career Hole. It is angry, raw, emotional and definitely noisy. I thought the supergroup Wild Flag would make this list, but listening to this album I realized that, while there are a couple of great songs on the Wild Flag album, I was including it on the list because I wanted to like it as much as I liked this album. </div><div><br /></div><div>listen on<a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/08OhqUM0MeAuHd9HdryHB4"> Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>5. Diego Garcia- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Laura/dp/B004S9MJ1W/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325367881&sr=301-1">Laura</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The most painfully gorgeous album of the year, my wife thinks I listen to it when I want to get depressed. Garcia was the lead singer of the band Elephant before deciding he would embrace his Argentinian heritage and create a masterful paean to his ex-wife full of sad flamenco touches over the kind of crooning the guys on American idol wish they were capable of. If you love Iron and Wine or Bon Iver, check him out. He is more interesting and reminds me of a young, Spanish Leonard Cohen.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/1JVd5VAZ3GkQuflAuiqUt6">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>4. tUnE-yArDs- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TLM17G/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325368169&sr=301-1">WHOKILL</a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>People are justifiably nuts over this album. Imagine the spot where Sleigh Bells meets St. Vincent... especially if the Dirty Projectors were behind it and you will see why every hipster and Indie critic thinks they have heard the musical equivalent of the Second Coming. OK, the hype is out of hand, but its a band with serious potential. If these songs were on Just Dance 3, I would be there with a Wii remote in my hand.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>listen on<a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/7rBLvpL7ZWi1YCSXSLUZKF"> Spotify</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>3. The Vaccines- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Did-Expect-Vaccines-Explicit/dp/B0050XH1H2/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325368508&sr=301-1">What Do You Expect from the Vaccines?</a></div><div><br /></div><div>My favorite album of the year when I want to rock and roll. If bands like The Hives, The Strokes and the Arctic Monkeys bore you, then stay away from this band of snotty fans of U2 and The Ramones. In a world in which people know what rock and roll is supposed to sound like, these guys would be HUGE.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6eWtdQm0hSlTgpkbw4LaBG">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>2. The Head and the Heart- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Head-And-Heart/dp/B004ID9KGU/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325368774&sr=301-1">The Head and the Heart</a></div><div><br /></div><div>For fans of Mumford and Sons, Civil Wars, The Avett Brothers and other neo-folk bands, these guys have the songwriting down. While none of their songs will blow you away with their originality, you will find yourself returning to this album continually. I expected this album to blow up like Coldplay and Mumford, and it will if people find out about them. Pitchfork hates them, which is always a good sign.</div><div><br /></div><div>Trust me and listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/0xWfhCMYmaiCXtLOuyPoLF">Spotify</a></div><div><br /></div><div>1. The Weeknd- <a href="http://the-weeknd.com/#">Echos of Silence</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Echos is the 3rd of 3 free mix tapes released by this Canadian soul singer in 2011. All 3 are wonderful and free on his website. While lyrically, as a 40 year white guy dad, I can get a bit prudish when all a guy seems to talk about is sex; I have to admit he does it well. He channels Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye simultaneously, so I recommend any youth ministers that believe in the True Love Waits program should keep their kids very far away from this album. I call his music Indie Soul, so check it out. He is gonna be huge.</div><div><br /></div><div>Listen and<a href="http://the-weeknd.com/#"> download</a></div><div><br /></div><div> </div>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-6032761827409760102011-12-29T13:02:00.003-05:002011-12-29T14:33:45.956-05:00Top Faith Based Albums of 2011I don't listen to a lot of so called "Christian" music. I could go into my typical rant, but it is old hat and bores even me. That said, I found a few albums that come from a Christian worldview that are marketing specifically to Christian audiences (one is more mainstream) that I liked quite a lot. <div><br /></div><div>While they are not making my list of top albums, coming out in the next couple of days, I want to emphasize their inherent quality, especially for those that listen to such music.</div><div><br /></div><div>5) Damion Suomi and the Minor Prophets- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Go-Sell-All-Your-Things/dp/B004NTVM6K">Go and Sell All of Your Things</a></div><div><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>A beer soaked folk rock album full of praise songs for drunken revelry and open questioning of faith. You have heard it all before, but that doesn't make it any less fun... or thought provoking. Suomi stands in a long line of deeply afflicted, yet strongly Christian musicians, including Larry Norman, The 77's and Bill Mallonee. Here is a <a href="http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/04/damion-suomi-and-the-minor-prophets-go-and-sell-al.html">good review</a> from Paste Magazine. </div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6iJVkgqGWvO0Vng2Dyy0i9">Spotify </a></div><div><br /></div><div>4) Gungor- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LAZE8C/ref=mu_dm_alb_dp">Ghosts Upon the Earth</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The opposite of beer soaked, this honest and quite beautiful endeavor is Michael Gungor's best set yet. Mis-classified as a worship artist, most of Gungor's songs are too complex for the average church setting desiring Chris Tomlin's last copy of every Coldplay trope in the book. Gungor's lyrics are refreshingly honest and the music is definitely in the Sufjan Stevens meets Sigur Ros at an Arcade Fire concert hymnal presently employed by most "Indie-Rock." I love his voice, mostly because it reminds me of one of my best friends, Michael Johnston of the criminally underrated Smalltown Poets.</div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6yMLnZevb16KCYplXiyeAY">Spotify </a></div><div><br /></div><div>3) John Mark McMillan- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Economy/dp/B005XLZ2RW/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_mus?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325185606&sr=1-1">Economy</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully, this is what worship music will sound like in the coming years in churches, as people grow tired of the same old sanitized lyrics and melodies of Tomlin, Redmon and Crowder. In fact, this is what Crowder should sound like (even if he changes the lyrics of McMillan songs to refine and popularize them, robbing them of their power in the process). McMillan obviously genuflects before Bruce Springsteen, like some of the best young bands in America, owing as much to Gaslight Anthem and Brit Rock as to the Boss. While the melodies stand out, it is the lyrics that I would love to hear in church, deeply embracing grace while flirting with darkness and depression. It is rock and roll and it is refreshing, to say the least. </div><div><br /></div><div>listen on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/4yeHqJvCPqZ3X5W34TT7yh">Spotify </a></div><div><br /></div><div>2) Josh Garrels- <a href="http://joshgarrels.bandcamp.com/">Love and War and the Sea in Between</a></div><div><br /></div><div>First of all, just click the link above and get this album for free. While the previous albums are best appreciated by those that share some faith interest with the musicians, this stands out as an albums I recommend to anyone that likes soulful indie-folk. While in the ultra-serious vein of Ray Lamontagne and Iron and Wine, Garrels stands out from the crowd with his arrangements. He is the best mainstream artist operating in the Christian marketplace at this time. I could go on, but since it is a free album, I see no reason. Just get the darn thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>1) Aaron Strumpel- <a href="http://aaronstrumpel.bandcamp.com/album/birds">Birds</a></div><div><br /></div><div>As I said when it was initially released, if there is anyone more compelling and original in the so called "Christian" market, I have yet to hear it. Wondrously off-kilter, Birds reminds me of the best Indie films, at once oft-putting and impossible to resist without the obvious narrative we expect from Hollywood (or Nashville). While this album and Garrels' are equally good, Birds gets the nod due to its originality. </div>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-26315412614028501232011-09-23T13:37:00.003-04:002011-09-23T14:01:58.000-04:00What Rob Bell's next step really is<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RQbv-lTcaQMeDUx_h-5OVIm4Dv1_LzkTM6F8AwU3zHD0MMNXp3ZFhotpG9PQpYFQNG4y00lXwhTiUUvK59wvY7t6vnEdW2BB2wB4tTP7vosk9GNYGtkdRLqOa9isJjh7OnATTg/s1600/rob-bell.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RQbv-lTcaQMeDUx_h-5OVIm4Dv1_LzkTM6F8AwU3zHD0MMNXp3ZFhotpG9PQpYFQNG4y00lXwhTiUUvK59wvY7t6vnEdW2BB2wB4tTP7vosk9GNYGtkdRLqOa9isJjh7OnATTg/s200/rob-bell.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655611842349817426" /></a>After much soul searching, I have decided to end this blog’s primary function as outlet for my weirdness. Instead, I realize there is a much needed service to the Church. While Christianity Today and other outlets report on the facts, what we need now is a rumor, innuendo and gossip blog. Of course, that is unacceptable, so officially this will be a<br /><br />PRAYER and CONCERN for Church Leadership blog.<br /><br />First order of business is getting to the bottom of the “Rob Bell leaves resigns from his church” media storm (ok, not a storm, since the Christian world is pretty small).<br /><br />Christianity Today shared the resignation letter:<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><blockquote class="text" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 30px; padding-bottom: 14px; padding-left: 30px; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 11pt/normal Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15pt; ">Feeling the call from God to pursue a growing number of strategic opportunities, our founding pastor Rob Bell, has decided to leave Mars Hill in order to devote his full energy to sharing the message of God's love with a broader audience.</blockquote><blockquote class="text" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 30px; padding-bottom: 14px; padding-left: 30px; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 11pt/normal Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15pt; ">It is with deeply mixed emotions that we announce this transition to you. We have always understood, encouraged, and appreciated the variety of avenues in which Rob's voice and the message of God's tremendous love has traveled over the past 12 years. And we are happy and hopeful that as Rob and Kristen venture ahead, they will find increasing opportunity to extend the heartbeat of that message to our world in new and creative ways.</blockquote></span>Of course, this is the official story. I have been on the phone all day and can report on some of the possibilities, rumors and gossip that a publication like Christianity Today is too scared to print. Here are the possibilities, followed by the thoughts of your fearless reporter.<br /><br />1. According to his personal trainer, Rob Bell has resigned from Mars Hill Church to become a Mixed Martial Arts fighter. After one too many insults from the likes of Mark Driscoll and his manly minions, Rob has chosen to take the time he has used for Bible Study in the past to take his body to new heights, preparing for a late Spring date with Mark Driscoll on the Church Channel’s new reality show, UFP (Ultimate Fighting Pastor). He plans to take down Dirscoll, followed in short order by Perry Noble, before taking down the entire Acts 29 leadership in a cage match.<br /><br />Upon winning, Bell will take control of Mars Hill, Seattle and return to the pastorate as leader of the new multi-site congregation, Mars Hill, America. “I am planning on showing Driscoll what Hell on Earth feels like,” is what he told his trainer.<br /><br />There is no verification of this by independent sources.<br /><br />2. I spoke earlier today with a realtor in the tony Naples island suburb of Marco Island, home to Bell’s hero and mentor, Brian McLaren. He told me that a bespectacled man from Michigan is hoping to by a large home in McLaren’s neighborhood. According to other sources, Bell is moving closer to McLaren to learn how to make a living as a supposedly heretical Evangelical writer.<br /><br />3. There is no truth to the rumor that Rob Bell is behind the recent break up of R.E.M., even though Stipe was seen boarding a flight to Grand Rapids the same day as the announcement. Bell continually brings up the fact that he was a great musician and possible rock star in interviews. Although, he has expressed interest in starting a band after retirement, there is no independent verification that he is actually any good at music.<br /><br />4. A spokesman at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN has told this reporter that Bell stepped down to become a member of BBC under the leadership of John Piper. “Piper reached out to Bell after the Love Wins controversy. Upon seeing the error of his ways, Bell decided to step down from the pulpit and come under the tutelage of a real theologian and pastor.<br /><br />Again, no independent verification.<br /><br />5. Wanting to study the doctrine of hell more closely and get a handle on what hell is really like, Bell has decided to run for Congress and move to D.C.<br /><br />6. There is no truth to the rumor that he will be taking over Apple. This was of great concern to the Calvinists that use Macs.<div><br /></div><div>7. CT's Andy Crouch tells me that Rob has left Mars Hill to focus on his new full-time endeavor, ignoring controversy and not responding. Crouch says, "Rob felt the church took his focus off ignoring outside opinion. It is a fulltime job to not listen to the criticism by haters."</div><div><br />8. One rumor that has been verified is this: Grand Rapids is a cultural backwater and miserable place to live that sucks in the winter. Bell is rich enough to get out of the dying city and state before his congregants figure out that they hate living in Grand Rapids as much as he does.<br /><br />Vegas odds on where he moves are:<br /><br />2-1 New York City<br />3-1 Los Angeles<br />6-1 Arizona in a trade to take over new pastor Shane Hipps’ former church<br />25-1 Seattle to live next door to Mark Driscoll<br />Even- the outskirts of Chicago in 2 years to take over Willow Creek<br />10-1 Florida</div>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-35686504088709048642011-07-14T17:59:00.001-04:002012-07-26T14:37:08.687-04:00Mark Driscoll admits to Injecting Bible with SteroidsI wrote this a year and a half ago. It seems appropriate today.<br />
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I have just intercepted this press release from 2015.<br />
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Statement to Members of the Press<br />
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From Mars Hill Church, Seattle, Washington. (January 12, 2015).<br />
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Due to rumors surrounding the use of performance enhancing drugs among pastors during the past 2 decades, the elders of Mars Hill Church, including Pastor Emeritus Mark Driscoll, have chosen to address this issue at this time.<br />
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From Pastor Mark:<br />
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“Now that I have retired from the pastorate to become Commissioner of Ultimate Christian Fighting®, an organization I started with the leaders of Acts 29 in 2011 to introduce young men to a more muscular version of Christianity, I have the chance to do something that I wish I was able to do a few years ago.<br />
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I never knew when, but I always knew this day would come. It's time for me to talk about the past and to confirm what people have suspected. I used steroids during my preaching career and I apologize. Now, understand, I never used steroids personally and never consumed them in my body. My body is the product of good genes, hours in a gym, beer and naturally high levels of testosterone (I have stated before and will continue to state that Jesus had the highest levels of testosterone in human history). The steroids I used were injected directly into 3 areas; 1) My Bible, 2) The Gospel itself, 3) My preaching and writing.<br />
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I remember trying steroids very briefly in the 1996 church planting assessments in my preaching only and then after I saw how disturbingly wimpy emerging Christianity was becoming in 1999, I used steroids again, this time directly infusing my Bible with them. I used them on regularly throughout the Aughts, including during the days surrounding controversies with other preachers when I questioned their sexuality. My statement surrounding the fact that I could not follow a Jesus I could beat up was influenced by a steroid influenced Gospel, as was my preaching, teaching and commentary related to sex, sexuality and women’s issues. My Bible was completely addicted to these unnaturally high levels of testosterone.<br />
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While steroids have been rumored in the areas of my preaching directly related to my usage of harsh language and profanity before my repentance of such childishness, I would like to remind readers of this statement I am Irish and I did watch a lot of Chris Rock.<br />
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I wish I had never preached a steroid influenced Gospel. It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never pastored during the steroid era. I watched as many good pastors and theologians decided to emasculate Jesus and turn him into our sissified best friend. I saw liberal theology seeping into the pores of our schools and the young men becoming preachers. I saw God turned into a servant for our desires and a Gospel that no longer took sin seriously. Because of that, I turned to steroids. I am embarrassed for what I did, but my heart was as pure as the heart of a reformed person, sinful at birth and dead in that sin, although saved by grace alone can be (TULIP still rocks!).<br />
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Preaching is really different now -- it's been cleaned up. God and the theological unions implemented testing and they cracked down, and I'm glad they did. I'm grateful to the elders of Mars Hill and the board of directors at Ultimate Christian Fighting® for testing my Gospel and Biblical understanding, as well as my old sermon streams (can you believe people still use youtube?) before confronting me. Yes, there was outside pressure, which I usually ignore. But, my mentors would not let it go. It is nice, as I get older to walk into a church and not need to worry about the language of the pastor, whether or not he will goop (so much better than tweeting, hah) in 25 characters some insult towards others, and not have the ladies of my life insulted.<br />
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I do need to apologize to many of the young men that followed me on twitter, watched and listened to my sermons, came to Acts 29 events and worshiped my church and its teachings. They decided that they could do everything that I did. I truly believe that many people were hurt by their reckless usage of a steroid influenced gospel. In fact, I did not know that these followers were so immature that they would merely copy me without using their own brains. I should have been a better role model. They should have not been working their own anger issues out in front of their churches. This morning via conference tweet I spoke to many of those young men I have influenced throughout the years through my preaching and teaching of a steroid influenced Gospel. They were noticeably upset. As they are tested, please be gentler on them than they were on their congregations.<br />
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I want to say thank you to John Piper for always giving me a hard time about my Gospel testosterone levels, to my children (girls included), wife, and to my Acts 29 teammates. I want to make sure wives know that they do not need to be hot and keep up to magazine standards to keep their husbands from straying (although it does help) and you don’t have to do absolutely anything your husband wants you to do sexually. I also want people to know Jesus does have a sensitive side also. However, it is still a sin to drink lite beer.<br />
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After all this time, I want to come clean. I was not in a position to do that five years ago in my interviews with Christianity Today, but now I feel an obligation to discuss this and to answer questions about it.<br />
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I'll do that, and then I just want to help my team."<br />
<br />
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
<br />
CONTACT: XXXXXXXXXXXXX<br />
<br />
PHONE: XXX-XXX-XXXX<br />
<br />
Date of release: January 12, 2015<br />
<br />
Caveat: note to followers of Mark Driscoll and others that take themselves and their fiefdoms way too seriously, please note that I just made fun of your enemy (the Emerging Church). I make fun of things. It is what I do. I know Mark. We have had good times together in the past, usually surrounding mutual loves of Jesus, baseball, cigars and beer. I doubt he would be offended by my gentle poking.DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-54487995730810312082011-03-15T07:48:00.006-04:002012-07-26T14:37:38.571-04:00John Piper Clarifies Tweets regarding Rob Bell<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Late Breaking News from Minneapolis</b></div>
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Rob Bell was not the only Christian celebrity speaking to his followers via streaming online video on Monday evening. John Piper, in a hastily thrown together video chat on his website (www.desiringgod.org), answered reporters questions regarding his previous tweet which had created the firestorm of blogs postings, tweets and facebook rants on the supposed content of Rob Bell's newest book, Love Wins.</div>
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In an opening statement, an unnamed twenty-something spokesman for Piper declared that the controversy was entirely overblown and without merit. Piper was disappointed that his words had been taken out of context and that so much buzz had been created for a book by a pastor with a mere Master of Divinity and no advanced theological training. Said the statement, "While I am sure Rob is a wonderful guy, his books should not be selling as well as mine due to the fact his followers are not as well educated and he is lacking the proper credentials, credentials that would put his theological ramblings in proper alignment."</div>
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Asked why his press conference/ web chat was happening at the same time as a Rob Bell event in New York City, the spokesman explained that "Reformed Christians, or should I say, Christians, need to have their focus on the truth of the Gospel and Hell, not be distracted by a rock star talking about love. Who does he think he is, Bono?"</div>
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At this time, Dr. Piper came to the podium to explain his tweet. Piper explained that the tweet in question, in which he said "Farewell, Rob Bell" before sharing the link to a review of the book by a Conservative blogger with no actual knowledge of the contents of the book, was out of context.</div>
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"Actually I said, Fare Well, Rob Bell," which is a completely different sentiment. For one thing, it flows poetically. That anyone would think that I would create such an awkward couplet as the actual tweet is preposterous. I have modeled my use of language after the Puritan poet/ theologians like Jonathan Edwards. Secondly, I realized that much controversy would arise surrounding his book, so I wanted to offer a word of encouragement and hope that he fares well with this. Lastly, as any reader of Old English understands, 'fare-thee-well' is a statement of hope for perfection."</div>
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When asked about the actual tweet, Piper answered, "Dang autocorrect. I don't know what kind of Communists they have running Apple, but their Big Brother attitude towards typing is ridiculous."</div>
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At this time, Piper left the podium, abruptly ending the news conference/ chat. His spokesman told those gathered that Piper would be retreating to his home to read Jonathan Edwards' responses to bad press before reading tweets about the Rob Bell event in New York City.</div>
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UPDATE:</div>
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Later that evening, after watching a bit of Rob Bell's stream, John Piper's twitter account shared this tweet, "Farewell, Rob Bell, You I tell, There is a Hell." A spokesman asserted the veracity of the tweet. </div>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-30961066111836144472011-02-24T19:07:00.002-05:002011-02-24T19:07:48.536-05:00Free Music from The Head and The Heart<script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.topspin.net/javascripts/topspin_core.js?aId=3830&timestamp=1298580481"></script><br /><div class="topspin-widget topspin-widget-email-for-media"><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="250" id="TSWidget51215" data="http://cdn.topspin.net/widgets/email2/swf/TSEmailMediaWidget.swf?timestamp=1298580481" bgcolor="#000000"><br /> <param value="always" name="allowScriptAccess"><br /> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><br /> <param name="quality" value="high"><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://cdn.topspin.net/widgets/email2/swf/TSEmailMediaWidget.swf?timestamp=1298580481"><br /> <param name="flashvars" value="playMedia=true&theme=black&highlightColor=0xFFFFFF&widget_id=http://cdn.topspin.net/api/v1/artist/3830/email_for_media/51215?timestamp=1294710294"><br /></object><br /></div>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-72248908191043221212011-02-23T11:30:00.006-05:002011-02-23T15:05:34.882-05:00Musicians I want the Wild Goose Festival to Bring!The <a href="http://www.wildgoosefestival.org/">Wild Good Fest</a>, a new American progressive Christian festival <a href="http://www.wildgoosefestival.org/blog/wild-goose-festival-lineup-announcement-conversations/">announced its lineup of speakers</a> a couple of days ago. It is littered with friends of mine and my wife, so we are thinking of heading to the woods of North Carolina to hook up with old friends and new at this Americanized version of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenbelt_festival">Greenbelt</a>, the English Festival I have never attended.<div><br /></div><div>Earlier today it <a href="http://www.wildgoosefestival.org/festival-info/lineup/musicians/">released its musician list</a>, which is of more interest to me. They had already announced two artists, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.denisonwitmer.com">Denison Witmer</a> and the incomparable T-Bone Burnett. While I know they are trying to make it diverse, I was sure lineup would lean heavily towards the folkie/ singer songwriter genre. It always happens. Its what progressively minded intellectuals usually listen to. I was right. With a few notable exceptions, it is heavily earnest guy or girl with guitar.</div><div><br /></div><div>I created my list before they announced, so I am happy some including Sarah Mason, Over the Rhine and Bill Mallonee were included. Some, such as <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Bajah and the Dry-Eye Crew and </span></span>Michelle Shocked, are inspired (I missed her on my list).</div><div><br /></div><div>That said, I am announcing the lineup I was wishing for. Since I used to be a concert promoter, have written critically about music and been considered an expert on the subject for 20 plus years, I thought someone out there may want to know my opinion. However, Wild Goose hasn't asked me for my opinion. They probably know better than asking a music snob.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here we go.</div><div><br /></div><div>First of all we have the <b>No Brainers</b> and the people I am sure they have asked (I am guessing most of these artists were out of their price range or too busy). If they haven't asked these people, I am very surprised. These musicians have shown that they stand for what the WGF is about. I have starred the musts, in my eyes. Some of these are among my faves, but many are a little mainstream for my tastes:</div><div><br /></div><div>Jennifer Knapp, The Psalters, mewithoutYou* (in whatever incarnation), Sarah Mason*, Glenn Phillips* (formerly of Toad the Wet Sprocket), Derek Webb, Bill Mallonee of Vigilantes of Love*, the Flobots*, Damien Jurado, David Bazan*, Danielson (probably too big in their own eyes), David Vendervelde, Sam Phillips (probably uninterested due to inclusion of ex-husband), Cobalt Season*, Julie and Buddy Miller, Tom Conlon, Maeve, Bruce Cockburn, Indigo Girls (although too big probably), John Austin*, Michael knott, Sixpence none the Richer, the Choir.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lovedrug (not a big fan), Jars of Clay, Mutemath and Switchfoot would be very smart choices and give a nice buzz. In fact, I would try to get Jon Foreman of Switchfoot to come solo or with his other side projects. I would also try to get Glen Phillips side project called Works Progress Administration.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Civil Wars would be a coup, but should be asked. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Speaking of coups</b>:</div><div><br /></div><div>These artists are probably too big, but worth a looksy. One might say yes, especially in the future (or one of the members of a band could come solo). Some are serious home runs and dreams only, while others may say yes and still be a coup.</div><div><br /></div><div>Moby*, Sufjan Stevens, Owl City, Ben Folds, Lauryn Hill, Arcade Fire:), Avett Brothers (live right down the street), Mumford and Sons (of course), Nick Cave*, Mindy Smith, Patty Griffin, Joseph Arthur (solo or with his band Fistful of Mercy), Elvis Perkins, Frightened Rabbit, BRMC (doable)*, Social Distortion, Local Natives, Joy Formidable, Gaslight Anthem and The Hold Steady.</div><div><br /></div><div>All of these artists embody a similar spiritual side, whatever their professed belief system. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hip Hop Artists to Ask:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Gift of Gab* (and his band Blackalicious), Pigeon John, K'naan, Lateef, Prodigal Son, Emmanuel Jal**, Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco, Chuck Rite (singer). </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Electronic Music or DJs: </b></div><div><br /></div><div>I don't listen to many that have any expressed spirituality. However, Andy Hunter and Todd Edwards are interesting to some. And Son Lux would be a wonderful addition!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Interesting worship leaders:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Gungor or Shawn Aaron Thomas. Both fit in their ethos.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Since they are connected to Greenbelt in some ways, these former Greenbelt musicians could be interesting:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Iain Archer, Maria McKee* (I cannot imagine. This would blow me away), Sixpence none the Richer, Michael Franti and Spearhead* (coup), ryoksopp.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Special Music:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Sacred harp sing-a-long, led by an expert (I know one). This would fit with the mountains of NC and tie it to our religious heritage.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Smart Choices (look these musicians up):</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Ani Moss and the Unfortunate, Songs of Water* (from NC), Lauren Mann, 10 Centuries, Timbre*, Exebelle and Rusted Calvacade (smart alt country from Virginia), Damion Suomi**, Sharon Van Etten, Lost in the Trees (NC band), Charlie Sexton, Manchester Orchestra, Page France, Alexander and the Grapes, The OaKs, <a href="http://bryantparkquartet.com/">Bryant Park Quartet</a>/ <a href="http://acmemusic.org/">ACME</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Any of those would be inspired choices. Most of the musicians have very little following (except Lost in the Trees, Manchester Orchestra, Sharon Van Etten and Charlie Sexton) but the value-add would be huge.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Lastly, here is my Top 10 of who I wanted to see at Wild Goose Festival and Why:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>1. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/heyrosetta">Hey Rosetta!</a>- Canadian band with the same spiritual flavor as Mumford and Sons or Coldplay, they are passionate orchestral pop that have much in common with Coldplay, Mumford, Ra Ra Riot, Arcade Fire and Sigur Ros. Check out the video to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JYzp7wKhGQ">Yer Spring</a> to see what I mean. I like them much better than Coldplay or Mumford.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. <a href="http://aradhnamusic.com/">Aradhna</a>- Hindi lyrics and music with Christian themes.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/officialjimwhite">Jim White</a>- a former Pentacostal with interesting views on Christianity and spirituality, he has created a spot where electronica and alt country meet. </div><div><br /></div><div>4. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.mountain-goats.com">The Mountain Goat</a>s- no one talks about Christianity and the Bible quite like these guys. </div><div><br /></div><div>5.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/n.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Mangum"> Jeff Mangum-</a> he is touring and he is the most important musician of the last 20 years most people don't know. His band Neutral Milk Hotel influenced everyone Indie before breaking up. All the hip young Indie hipster Christian kids know that he sings about Jesus in a way most people could never get away with.</div><div><br /></div><div>6. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/thecavesingers">The Cave Singers</a>- interesting Americana band from Seattle of indeterminate Spirituality. Check out the video to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssN2_B7351U">Dancing on Our Graves</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>7. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.peterhimmelman.com">Peter Himmelman</a>-Conservative Jew from Minneapolis and the best performer I have ever seen. He is known as Bob Dylan's son-in-law, but he is on par with Dylan lyrically.</div><div><br /></div><div>8.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/knaanmusic.ning.com/"> K'naan</a>- the Somali/ Canadian rapper would blow the roof off the joint and fit in well with the theme of social justice. He is the closest thing to Bob Marley alive right now.</div><div><br /></div><div>9. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.toddsnider.net/">Todd Snider</a>-great performer and masterful songwriter, Todd is also serious about speaking out on Christianity and politics.</div><div><br /></div><div>10. <a href="http://asthmatickitty.com/">Asthmatic Kitty</a> night- Pick who could come from Sufjan Steven's label. DM Stith would bring a great mood to the proceedings and the Welcome Wagon would help people wishing they could see Sufjan Stevens. Fol Chen, My Brightest Diamond and Julianna Barwick would be interesting selections. Heck just bring one of these performers or their partner in crime, St. Vincent (so she could sing, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYoT14ZRY2E">Jesus Saves, I spend</a>).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There you have it. My perfect lineup for such a festival. maybe next year:)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-57261237538758389922011-01-06T10:18:00.006-05:002011-01-06T10:42:19.617-05:00Song of the Year, 2010- Why We Build The WallI am not sure I will start blogging again. However, a few (very few) people want to know my music selections for 2010. Since I am not employed by a newspaper with a deadline, I know I can take my time (plus I wanted to wait to hear everything I could in 2010).<div><br /></div><div>Over the next few days I will offer my Top Albums (yes, I still listen to fully developed albums, not just mp3s of a single song), my playlist of the best songs/ my favorites of the year (I will put a mix tape on drop box for anyone interested) and today's entry:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Song of the Year</div><div><br /></div><div>By declaring song of the year, I am not saying this is the best song in 2010. In fact, it was not. However, this song fully captures the spirit of 2010. It is a haunting track off<a href="http://www.anaismitchell.com/index.html"> Anais Mitchell</a>'s powerful Folk Opera based upon the myth of Orpheus, <a href="http://www.anaismitchell.com/hadestown/libretto.html">Hadestown</a> (an easy top 10 album). This albums has guests like Ani DiFranco and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), but the highlight of the album is this song which captures that 2010 spirit, espeically in light of Tea Parties, Immigration reform, mosque battles, recession and people in need and the response many of us have to those we consider "other", "different," or "outsider."</div><div><br /></div><div>There is no real video, but here it is on youtube coupled with another song. Listen to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtdLl05UcRU">Why We Build the Wall</a> by Anais Mitchell and Greg Brown:</div><div><br /></div><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PtdLl05UcRU?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PtdLl05UcRU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><div><br /></div>Here are the lyrics:<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">H</span><span class="Apple-style-span">ADES<br />Why do we build the wall?<br />My children, my children<br />Why do we build the wall?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />CERBERUS<br />Why do we build the wall?<br />We build the wall to keep us free<br />That’s why we build the wall<br />We build the wall to keep us free</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />HADES<br />How does the wall keep us free?<br />My children, my children<br />How does the wall keep us free?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />CERBERUS<br />How does the wall keep us free?<br />The wall keeps out the enemy<br />And we build the wall to keep us free<br />That’s why we build the wall<br />We build the wall to keep us free</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />HADES<br />Who do we call the enemy?<br />My children, my children<br />Who do we call the enemy?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />CERBERUS<br />Who do we call the enemy?<br />The enemy is poverty<br />And the wall keeps out the enemy<br />And we build the wall to keep us free<br />That’s why we build the wall<br />We build the wall to keep us free</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />HADES<br />Because we have and they have not!<br />My children, my children<br />Because they want what we have got!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />CERBERUS<br />Because we have and they have not!<br />Because they want what we have got!<br />The enemy is poverty<br />And the wall keeps out the enemy<br />And we build the wall to keep us free<br />That’s why we build the wall<br />We build the wall to keep us free</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />HADES<br />What do we have that they should want?<br />My children, my children<br />What do we have that they should want?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />CERBERUS<br />What do we have that they should want?<br />We have a wall to work upon!<br />We have work and they have none<br />And our work is never done<br />My children, my children<br />And the war is never won<br />The enemy is poverty<br />And the wall keeps out the enemy<br />And we build the wall to keep us free<br />That’s why we build the wall<br />We build the wall to keep us free<br />We build the wall to keep us free</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><i>feel free to share your thoughts</i><br /></span></span><br /></div>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-12462699117958729542010-09-30T14:23:00.004-04:002010-09-30T14:43:01.911-04:00Save the Blue Like Jazz Movie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIYfSfahNx6xY9UFuGIK9p7Ws5H3jsXhb8u5KhWmVuKdy4tGhGi6N9haKzTDURvxX0AuJkCcKWa7ts74nhfovUH_rAqdiCWDCBuW973jvpWshS5TBiIDBh1MTDLHeNw5g0nx9Bw/s1600-h/078526370501lzzzzzzz.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332689866302983090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIYfSfahNx6xY9UFuGIK9p7Ws5H3jsXhb8u5KhWmVuKdy4tGhGi6N9haKzTDURvxX0AuJkCcKWa7ts74nhfovUH_rAqdiCWDCBuW973jvpWshS5TBiIDBh1MTDLHeNw5g0nx9Bw/s320/078526370501lzzzzzzz.jpg" /></a><br /><br />About a year an a half ago a dear friend , one of the producers of the <a href="http://www.bluelikejazzthemovie.com/blj/">Blue Like Jazz film project</a> sent me the script to read and evaluate. He also wanted me to share my thoughts with the world. I did in May of 2009. Things were progressing well and my friend was raising funds for the film. Casting looked strong and their was good buzz. However, there were financial humps that could not be overcome, mostly due to the fact that those with the money (older, more conservative Christians) did not like the script and those that would like the script and film (younger, more open-minded Christians and spiritually minded persons) do not have deep pockets.<br /><br />It was announced not too long ago that the project was dead. However some enterprising young me, probably wanting to be producers in their own rights have come up with an ingenious plan, obvious int eh world of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Radiohead's</span> pay-what-you-want, but still new to the film world. They have devised a plan for people to help save the film by giving money to the project and becoming, in effect, producers of a piece of art they want to see. As a former <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">concert</span> promoter that spent much of his own money on bands I wanted to see, I love the i<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">dea</span> and want to support it.<br /><br />So, here is my little way of helping. Please go to their site if you are a fan of the book and want to see it made into a film. If you are unsure, read my analysis of the script. The script has been changed since I evaluated it (and I have heard, some of the changes are reflective of my ideas- they were ideas by many readers, not just me).<br /><br />So, here is the <a href="http://www.savebluelikejazz.com/">site to save the movie</a>. Follow them on <a href="http://twitter.com/saveBLJthemovie">twitter</a>. Give money for good art and spread the word.<br /><br />Here is my reprinted <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">analysis</span>:<br /><br />There is no other reason that a person of my stature with only a few hundred readers would get his hands on the screenplay that many are talking about. The only other thing I have read is from Gabe Lyons, and I am not Gabe Lyons. He produces big conferences and writes books. I write a blog and have better hair and music taste. Plus, I did not love the book. I merely liked the book, but I was not its main audience (too old and cynical).<br /><br /><br />To be Hollywood-y, I will tell you to think The Graduate meets Fight Club, without the sex, violence and multiple personalities. It is not your preacher's Christian film. In fact, it is light years away from and ahead of what normally passes for "Christian" entertainment (Fireproof, etc). The reason for this is a different agenda. Imagine getting a bunch of talented people together (that just happen to be Christians). Imagine that they have one goal and that goal is not to make a Christian film, or evangelize. Imagine that goal is simply to make a very good film that entertains, but the main character happens to have a Christian background which he is struggling with. <div><br /><div><span style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate">This friend wanted my honest assessment and I can tell you this… it is quite good. It is funny, edgy (but not too edgy- I wish it were more so, but I hate edge just to be edgy- see garden State), honest, brash and humble. Yes, the comparisons to Garden State, Good Will Hunting, All the Real Girls, Juno and Little Miss Sunshine, and any other coming of age story are warranted. It is a Christian Indie flick, and it works. It is reasonably <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sundance</span></span>-y and will be embraced by a similar audience, unless the audience is prejudiced.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>They have started with the thing any film must have to be good... a very good script. Now it is up to the filmmakers to make the movie the screenplay deserves. </div><div><br />It is not as witty as Juno (which is not a bad thing- Juno may have been too witty), but is much more realistic than Garden State and its ending does not make you suspend any disbelief (unlike GS), which you have to do in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Elizabethtown</span></span> and any other hackneyed romantic <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">dramedy</span></span> masquerading as a personal growth flicks. No airport reunions here. Thank God. I start with the ending because it has broken many good movies in the past (you know, guy gets resolution to all his problems and the girl in the last 5 minutes).<br /><br />Luckily, this ending gives you just what you need to be satisfied (and maybe shed a real tear) without resorting to the tricks of most Hollywood films. That is a credit to the filmmakers. In fact, the ending of this film is its strength. It is nice to see such a strong pay off and I hope the filmmakers keep it. Test audiences be damned if they don’t like it! Plus, the redemptive spirit of the final act is powerful and I connected with it because of similar experiences in college, mostly due to the grace of friends after I was broken by my own stupidity. I connected with that and the writer's disdain for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Christianeze</span></span> like "Bro" which I also despise.</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't get me wrong, the screenplay is not perfect. There are a few flourishes I appreciate, but am skeptical of seeing done on screen. However, seldom have I seen a screenplay (or film for that matter) which does make me say, "I may have done that differently," or "is that really the best option?"<br /><br />That said, Blue Like Jazz will be a Rorschach test for its viewers, with each of their own prejudices brought to bear. It mines Christian and secular Left stereotypes (both of which I find in myself), finding something in each to laugh at, but moves beyond these to find the humanity in "the other" each audience member has dismissed in the past. This happens if that audience member chooses to let go and become enraptured by this painfully funny tale based upon Don Miller’s own life, but fictionalized. It is not for the closed minded, no matter what their stripe, but neither was the book. The first scenes will find audiences not embracing the “Christian” label squirming because of the insider church language. However, the setup is needed and without this the pathos of the central character would be unexplained and the growth would be non-existent. And trust me, Christians will find plenty to make them squirm after the insider beginning.<br /><br />My only concern for the film project is that an audience will be hard to find. Too many conservative Christians will find the reality, the honesty and the rawness disconcerting, realizing they are more comfortable laughing at those they disagree with instead of embracing them as friends and truth-tellers, while some of the more reasonable and progressive critics will come with their own agendas, looking for an evil proselytizer under the director’s slate board, not realizing that every protagonist in a coming of age film has a “born again” or epiphany moment, whether it is Zach <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Braff</span></span> discontinuing the use of psychotropic drugs in Garden State or Seth <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rogan</span></span> realizing that he must find gainful employment in Knocked Up. It is basic to the plot of such a film. Just because Jesus is in the midst, does not change the basic arch of a story. I hope the “open minded” see that, unlike the writers of Pitchfork which dismiss most albums by religious musicians (see reviews of Cold War Kids and Manchester Orchestra). Of course, Miller’s books have found a large audience, so I think it has a very good chance.<br /><br />I am very impressed and cannot wait for the soundtrack, if they get the rights. Hopefully it will be filled with Coltrane, Monk, Modest Mouse, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sufjan</span></span> Stevens, Arcade Fire, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ani</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">DiFranco</span></span>, Cold War Kids, Welcome Wagon and other Indie Rockers from Asthmatic Kitty and Kill Rock Stars.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, spread the word. Get the buzz started. This movie has the potential to make you proud. It has the potential to be the film most of us have been waiting for, an entertaining and truthful story with Christian and redemptive themes that makes us laugh and we can show our friends without embarrassment. It is about time.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">btw</span></span>, the filmmakers are looking for funding right now. If you are interested, or know others interested in investing in such a project with a very good business plan, let me know. I will put you in touch with the right people (and I have nothing to personally gain from any of this, beyond a movie I can proudly own- and maybe they will send me a nice t-shirt).</span></div></div><br /><a href=”http://www.savebluelikejazz.com” mce_href=”http://www.savebluelikejazz.com” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://www.savebluelikejazz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/336×250.jpg” mce_src=”http://www.savebluelikejazz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/336×250.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Save Blue Like Jazz” /></a>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-41791097404272463252010-08-19T12:40:00.003-04:002010-08-19T12:55:48.922-04:00reposting from April 2009- Arcade Fire is Emergent Idol Winner<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; ">"Churches should replace hymns with Arcade Fire songs, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">more kids would sing along."*</span></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi222fLSFK_s-b3F9WaBlMNjrDziiUNPFaP5S58IorCh7V14N315Jls0Gn6WXcgGI3P7DWOrFOJFBAko8gV5UQVTevuwCns54ed7zByJlzicVOrIioCy34OyiG6B1jLJoYUfrhjQ/s400/large_Arcade+Fire2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316474403617695266" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>This is a reposting from April 2009. I think it is good to reread in light of the new found glory Arcade Fire has found, especially among young, emerging and other Christians. While I would change some of my insights, I decided to leave it in its old form. I would love to rewrite this in light of The Suburbs which expands upon the message of the first two albums. Hope you enjoy:</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How many of you guessed this? Ohhh Canada! I had to pick a band that did not hail from these United States and included both genders in its leadership, one that explores the past and future; mining many traditional sounds and world elements, yet is still totally part of its own culture, a band that is obsessed with religion, consumerism, community, activism, etc. It sounds like Emergent, especially its younger future. It also helps Arcade Fire's cause that it is the premiere band to debut since the emerging church conversation's advent in its present form. Plus, I like picking a band that is not even "Christian" which should satisfy Emergent's critics ("I told you they were not really Christians. If they were, their official band would be Caedmon's Call").</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Of course, I am basing this on just 2 albums, one of which is really the official album of Emergent more than any band could take the title official band of Emergent. However, based upon this album and what I think we are in over the next decade, I designate Arcade Fire the official band of Emergent.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Just as Emergent has had its Lesslie Newbiggin, Brian McLaren, N.T. Wright and Stanley Grenz and is moving to new voices, Arcade Fire is the next step in spiritual music's evolution, beyond Radiohead, U2 and VOL.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Its first EP made little splash, so many critics and listeners were not prepared for Arcade Fire's debut,</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral_(album)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Funeral</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (it reminds me of the early 80s when R.E.M.'s</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_Town"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Chronic Town</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> EP which no one heard was followed by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murmur_(album)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Murmer</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, which blew my bedroom door off its hinges). A bunch of intellectual Canadians working as a community, led by a husband from Houston and his French Canadian wife, astonished listeners by conjuring up the spirits of the Talking Heads and Modest Mouse, while turning those bands on their heads through traditional instrumentation and </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">choir-like choruses. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral_(album)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Funeral</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> sounds like wheels coming off of a Gospel bus, chaotic but ordered, like the beginning of the universe or the warning shots of a band to be reckoned with for a long while.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is an album that deals directly with the reality of death, but laughs heartily and hopefully in its face, daring it to direct confrontation. Its lens is the "neighborhood" handed to us by our parents. It is to be destroyed, but not angrily. It is to be confronted and destroyed to build a new world, one focused on faith, hope, love and community (a theme expanded upon on album #2). Does this sound familiar?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">While not as spiritually direct as its follow up, Funeral speaks to us by creating otherworldly music and new hymns it will perfect on </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Bible"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Neon Bible</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. They reach a transcendence on this album that contemporary praise and worship cannot, beyond the emotional heart pull of your typical never ending crescendo of praise choruses. Listen once to </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEKC5pyOKFU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Wake Up</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and tell me you do not wish church music reached those heights, everyone singing in unison. It is an album of renewal.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeD1L8PMOvjr-a-URwd__yo9LL7AOFilPmhBxAOYnbgdyNMlaEVUsl1QW0fFwhQx0F6mRC1S5e4DwK0BRd_7fMs9yrQ1-U-r8_9ij6xfyf6AK3_mGNCyfRzBzndK8tkMnH_-peQ/s320/Arcade_Fire-Neon_Bible.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323097890441146738" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But it does not prepare us for the intense spirituality of the next album; the main reason I consider Arcade Fire the official band of Emergent, or emerging Christianity. That album is entitled </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Bible"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Neon Bible</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and I hope you own it. Named after John Kennedy Toole's first novel and sporting a sound church worship bands should study like a sacred text, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Bible"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Neon Bible</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> declares what we considered a possibility with Funeral; this could be the new U2 or Bruce Springsteen (its musical poppa, along with Talking heads).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">To call </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Bible"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Neon Bible</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> a dark album is to miss the point. Yes it is dark. Yes it is angry. Yes, it is intense and almost devoid of humor. However, like the film Magnolia, it builds the relentless despair to prepare the listener for the hope of the final quarter. In fact, the last 1/3 of the album is on par with the best album ending of all time (Abbey Road's final act). Built on a wholly emergent understanding of community, Arcade Fire shoot broadsides at the church, religion, America, consumerism, war and Western Culture in general. However, as Winn Butler said in an </span><a href="http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2007/04/arcade-fire.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">interview</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, He "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">is addressing religion in a way that only someone who actually cares about it can. It’s really harsh at times, but from the perspective of someone who thinks it has value.”</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The ultimate goal of this album, stated in the same interview is to move beyond the fear which has caused so many of the problems our culture has. Winn states, “There are two kinds of fear: The Bible talks a lot about fear of God—fear in the face of something awesome. That kind of fear is the type of fear that makes someone want to change. But a fear of other people makes you want to stay the same, to protect what you have. It’s a stagnant fear; and it’s paralyzing." It is that fear that the emerging church is fighting, and these anthems should become part of its hymnody, a hymnody that stands against (according to Butler) "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">this idea that Christianity and consumerism are completely compatible, which I think is the great insanity of our times.”</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Christian themes of this album have been explored by those more talented than I, namely </span><a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/bc/2007/julaug/13.34.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">David Dark</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. However, I can tell you that no specifically Christian album has spoken to me like Neon Bible in many years. In fact, I put it with </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Joshua_Tree"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Joshua Tree</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_77s_(album)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The 77s</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Floor-Vigilantes-Love/dp/B000006MTV"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Killing Floor</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_Slide"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Circle Slide</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Turning"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Turning</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> as the most spiritually significant albums of my lifetime. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">From the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Black Mirror</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> of the opening track which illuminates the future, to the golden calf American Christianity has created in</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Neon Bible</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, the prophetic cry of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Black Wave/ Bad Vibrations</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and the realization of the damage the church can do to those which love it in the grandiose hymn </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Intervention</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> ('working for the church while your family dies"), the first half of the album pulls no punches in its indictment and I feel its weight. However, it does not prepare me for the power of Butler and company's descent into the heart of an American Christian (Jessica' Simpson's dad standing in for each of us) in struggling to do the right thing, while trying to live the American dream and failing miserably in the song </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(antichrist television blues)</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. The final lyric of the song, "Oh Lord, am I the Antichrist" never leaves me without a chill down my spine.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And the album has not even approached its crescendo. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Windowsill</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is probably the most preachy song on an album of sermons, but very few Christians have dealt with the subject of American power, Empire and consumerism in such a compelling manner. This song has become a personal anthem of mine, part of a ritual I do to focus myself when I become to enamoured with myself, my nation, or my lifestyle desires.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And then comes the hope. After showing us the condition of our hearts, our faith and our culture, Arcade Fire chooses to remind us that there is a hope beyond this world we know, one filled with community, connectivity and humanity at its best in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">No Cars Go</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. And of course, they end the album with a hymn (organ and all) dedicated to connection with each other and the world beyond in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My Body is a Cage</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. Even though the singer lives in an age that calls darkness light, he cries to have his body and spirit set free. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Amen. Neon Bible is a litugry for these troubled times, a church service we need to go to this Good Friday and Easter, knowing from the darkness of Friday, hope arrives with resurrection Sunday.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">An indictment of the American religious condition and Western culture that is only saved through personal responsibility for the needed changes based in community and hope for the future sounds like a Christian movement I want to be a part of. In fact, it sounds like a Christian movement I am part of. And that is why consider Arcade Fire the official band </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">of Emergent.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Arcade Fire's Neon Bible was my Top Album of 2007. Here is what I said about it then. </span></i><a href="http://djword.blogspot.com/2007/12/1-album-of-year.html"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">link</span></i></a></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">* </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Michael Spadoni (</span></i><a href="http://www.reaxmusic.com/" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Reax</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> m</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">agazine)</span></i></span></div></div></div>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-70837509891060502802010-07-30T08:30:00.001-04:002010-07-30T08:30:00.813-04:003rd Album Theory (part 5, The Pantheon)<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Pantheon Artists prove their greatness by album #3. </b>These artists are like the NBA greats (Jordan, Bird, Magic, Duncan, Kobe), while the newer artists are like the NBA players that are on the cusp of all time greatness (Durant, Lebron, Wade, Carmelo and Paul). The obvious Pantheon Artists and their 3<sup>rd</sup> album masterworks:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">U2- <u>War</u> (and they kept improving on the next 3 albums)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Radiohead- <u>O.K. Computer</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Talking Heads- <u>Fear of Music</u></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Prince- <u>Dirty Mind</u> (you knew he was special and not even close to attaining what he was capable of)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">The Clash- <u>London Calling</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Bruce Springsteen- <u>Born to Run</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">David Bowie- <u>The Man Who Sold the World</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Jimi Hendrix- <u>Electric Ladyland</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">The Who- <u>The Who Sell Out</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Led Zepplin- <u>Led Zepplin III</u> (not their best album, but still amazing)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">The Velvet Underground- <u>The Velvet Underground</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Otis Redding- <u>Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul<o:p></o:p></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Metallica- <u>Master of Puppets</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Al Green- <u>Al Green Gets Next To You</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Elvis Costello- <u>Armed Forces</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Run- DMC- <u>Raising Hell</u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">The Smiths- <u>The Queen is Dead</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Not so obvious, but worth debating. For some it is too early to tell, while others may lead to people to disagree because their greatness is debated (i.e. Tom Petty, White stripes, Eminem, Aerosmith). But each of those created something masterful on number 3 and have sustained an excellent career arc:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">The National- <u>Alligator</u> (sure, too early to tell and no one owns this album, but wow)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">New Pornographers- <u>Twin Cinema</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">The White Stripes- <u>White Blood Cells</u> (let the angry comments begin again)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">The 77s- <u>The 77s</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">The Choir- <u>Chase the Kangaroo</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Eminem- <u>the Marshal Mathers Album</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Aerosmith- <u>Toys in the Attic</u> (this surprised me, but I have to include it)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Ramones- <u>Rocket to Russia</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;tab-stops: center 3.25in">The Hold Steady- <u>Boys and Girls in America</u></p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Tom Petty- <u>Damn the Torpedoes</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Vigilantes of Love- <u>Killing Floor</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Husker Du- <u>Zen Arcade</u></p>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-23731919908183644502010-07-29T13:30:00.001-04:002010-07-29T13:30:00.130-04:003rd Album Theory (part 4, near greatness attained but not pantheon was shown by #3)<p class="MsoNormal">These artists did not hit complete stride until #4 or later (or we are waiting) with notable exceptions. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">They are GREAT artists and these are excellent albums, but not masterpieces</b>. Therefore these artists are not transcendent/ pantheon artists. I compare these musicians to high level superstars in basketball (Stockton, Robinson, Malone, Shaq, Dr. J).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>First of all, 3 that I am putting here with HUGE reservations. I want them on the Pantheon list, but will put them here for argument's sake</b>:</p><p class="MsoNormal">R.E.M. - <u>Fables of the Reconstruction</u> (I am continually arguing with myself on this album. But, the formula decided they peaked on #4 & beyond, therefore they are not pantheon. It hurts to say it.)</p><p class="MsoNormal">The Replacements- <u>Hootenanny </u>(one of my pantheon bands, but I admit they may be a step below. But, man were the next 3 albums great! I was thinking of putting them down as an exception because I think they are pantheon.)</p><p class="MsoNormal">Outkast – <u>Aquemini</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b>Here are 2 that I am willing to revisit</b>:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">TV on the Radio –<u> Dear Science</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Frightened Rabbit- <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><u>The Winter of Mixed Drinks</u> (this frustrates me because this is a wonderful album, but not the masterpiece I had hoped would elevate them to future pantheon status. We could re-evaluate this album and find them on Mt Olympus. I hope so.)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b>Not quite Pantheon</b>:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Jay Z- Vol. 2… <u>Hard Knock Life</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Public Enemy- <u>Fear of a Black Planet</u> (interesting case, because their masterpiece is album #2 and they never reached such heights again. But this is a very good LP))</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Madonna- <u>True Blue</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Wilco- <u>Summerteeth</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Pearl Jam- <u>Vitalogy <o:p></o:p></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">The Police- <u>Zenyattà Mondatta</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Smashing Pumpkins- <u>Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Nine Inch Nails- <u>the Downward Spiral</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Sigur Rós- <u>( )</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Queen- <u>Sheer Heart Attack<o:p></o:p></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">New Order- <u>Low Life</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Drive-by Truckers- <u>Southern Rock Opera</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Kiss- <u>Dressed to Kill</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">ACDC- <u>High Voltage</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Tupac- <u>Me Against the World</u> (3<sup>rd</sup> solo- his 3<sup>rd</sup> album was w/ Thug Life)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Guns n’ Roses- <u>Use Your illusion 1 and 2</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Elton John- <u>Tumbleweed Connection</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Bright Eyes- <u>Fevers and Mirrors</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Roxy Music- <u>Stranded</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Lyle Lovett- <u>Lyle Lovett and His Large Band</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">My Morning Jacket- <u>It Still Moves</u> (however, their first album was pretty raw and self made. If Z is considered their 3<sup>rd</sup> album proper, they may need to be considered for future pantheon status)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Muse- <u>Absolution</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Spoon- <u>Girls Can Tell</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Sting- <u>the Soul Cages<o:p></o:p></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Sufjan Stevens- <u>Michigan</u></p>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-43370791828189368682010-07-29T08:30:00.002-04:002010-07-29T08:30:00.164-04:003rd Album Theory (part 3, negative proof)<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">These artists proved they are not great upon release of #3 (so many of these bands had great 2<sup>nd</sup> albums). </b>Many of these artists are very good, kinda like an NBA All Star that will never make the HOF-some just never lived up to their potential<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b>(Bosh, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady):<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Coldplay- <u>X & Y<o:p></o:p></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">System of a Down- <u>Mesmerize </u>(or <u>Steal this Album</u> depending which you thing is the really #3. Ultimately it doesn’t matter. Both are mediocre.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">The Cure- <u>Faith </u>(let the hateful comments commence. I don’t want them here, but the formula demands their inclusion here)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">James Taylor- <u>One Man Dog </u>(told you so)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Blitzen Trapper- <u>Destroyer of the Void</u> (after their 2<sup>nd</sup> album, I had high hopes)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Oasis- <u>Be Here Now</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Kanye West- <u>Graduation</u> (I am of the belief that he started with perfection and each album has been not as good as the preceding album)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Weezer- <u>The Green Album</u> (very good, but not after <u>Pinkerton</u>)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Lynyrd Skynyrd- <u>Nuthin’ Fancy</u> (this one hurts to put here)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Van Halen- <u>Women and Children First</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">ABBA- <u>ABBA</u> (after reaching the heights of <u>Waterloo</u> on #2 and never again attaining it)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Eagles- <u>On the Border</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">The Cars- <u>Panorama </u>(talk about a band peaking early- one of the best debut albums ever. Inclusion of the Cars hurts immensely)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">The Cranberries- <u>To the Faithful Departed</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Duran Duran- <u>Seven and the Ragged Tiger</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">The Gaslight Anthem- <u>American Slang</u> (decent album, but I had high hopes)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Kings of Leon- <u>Because the Times</u></p>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-43735798080774215782010-07-28T08:30:00.002-04:002010-07-28T11:26:44.610-04:003rd Album Theory (part 2, the exceptions and complex cases))<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Exceptions to the Rule, or complex cases<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pink Floyd is the most notable exception to my rule, but their band members were freaking out on heavy drugs during that time period and lacked a cohesive vision during their early years after Syd Barrett left.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Billy Joel is a confusing one due to his first album’s weakness and lack of solid production. Maybe he started before he was ready. He reminds me of a guy that left college too early for the NBA. I left him off due to it. Also, he may not be as good as I remember from childhood. Same thing with Jackson Browne.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Micheal Jackson does not fit into my scheme due to the lack of control for many of his early albums. Plus, I think he peaked on <u><span style=" line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Off the Wall</span></span></span></u><span style=" line-height: 115%; font-size:11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Thriller</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span> and never was a pantheon musician, only a pantheon performer. If he were still alive, he would not be considered so god-like (look at where he ranked on lists of the great musicians of all time pre-death).</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><u>Songs of Love and Hate</u> by Leonard Cohen is an exception to the rule. It is okay, but he is pantheon (maybe he was never a full album guy as much as a song guy). </p><p class="MsoNormal">Green Day confuses me also (<u><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Dookie</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span></u> is their #3). Are they merely decent or near that level below pantheon status. I am afraid they had one or two great albums in them, and that is it.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I don’t know what to do with Josh Ritter. He is heading steadily downhill after #4 (#3 is <u>Hello Starling</u>). </p><p class="MsoNormal">Mewithoutyou gave us <u>Brother Sister</u> as #3, a spectacular, masterful album, but they could be done. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Wu tang Clan is also terribly confusing. They peaked on the first couple of albums, as did NWA before crumbling under the weight of the personalities, even if there were 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> albums. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Ryan Adams is too prolific to know what to do with. He gives us so much crap because I think he is a song guy, not an album guy. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">There are also bands that never realized the potential due a career cut short, self destruction, death or implosion: these potentially great artists include The Fugees, Lauren Hill, Nirvana (<u>Bleach</u> is an interesting case as a 1<sup>st</sup> album and I still don’t know how I really feel about <u>In Utero</u>), Jeff Buckley, Rage Against the Machine (had great #3, but left before reaching pantheon), Neutral Milk Hotel and Jane’s Addiction (had a crappy 3<sup>rd</sup> album years after their brilliant debut and sophomore albums).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bands I am looking forward to giving us #3 in the near future include: Elvis Perkins who has the potential for greatness, as do Titus Andronicus, K’naan and Lupe Fiasco. Vampire Weekend could be in this group if they stop being derivative. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Any thoughts?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tomorrow, negative proof of the theory</i></p>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-27777396386135533882010-07-27T14:02:00.005-04:002010-07-27T14:50:39.163-04:003rd Album Theory (part 1, the theory)- 5 part series<p class="MsoNormal">Want proof that Coldplay is not a “special” band? Their 3<sup>rd</sup> album <u>X&Y</u></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Want proof that U2 is a transcendent/ rock pantheon band? Their 3<sup>rd</sup> album <u>War<o:p></o:p></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Want proof the Beastie Boys are somewhere in between? Their 3<sup>rd</sup> album, <u>Check Your Head<o:p></o:p></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Want proof M.I.A. isn’t quite the pantheon artist we thought she would be? Her latest (3<sup>rd</sup>) album. But, give this one time. It (and she) may be.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Want proof Arcade Fire is either a transcendent/ rock pantheon band or merely a really good band? Wait until next Tuesday and buy <u>The Suburbs</u>, their 3<sup>rd</sup> album. It will tell you (early reviews are looking good).</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i>While it has been rolling around my head for a long time, the sharing of this idea is precipitated by the fact that many bands were coming out with 3</i><sup><i>rd</i></sup><i> albums this year, albums that could define them because they had the potential for greatness or really goodness, bands like: Frightened Rabbit, gaslight Anthem, Blitzen Trapper, and the aforementioned M.I.A. and Arcade Fire.</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For a number of years I have subscribed to a musical premise that I call <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">The 3<sup>rd</sup> Album Theory</b>. The above examples stand as proof of this hypothesis, irrefutable evidence of my conclusions that the truly great musicians have created a masterwork by album 3. In fact, they have usually already given indication that such a work is just around the corner after a phenomenal debut and avoidance of the dreaded sophomore slump (or, if there is a slump, it is only in light of the perfection attained on 1 and 3). </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Some brilliant bands like Radiohead have already attained a masterpiece by album 2 (<u>The Bends</u>), yet do not retreat into the safe confines of re-creation on the next go around, pushing the boundaries beyond the listeners' comfort level to attain a level of artistry unexpected, even by those with high expectations. The yang to Radiohead’s ying is Coldplay. After a well received first album communicating high levels of potential they dropped the brilliant #2 record on audiences, <u>A Rush of Blood to the Head</u> before retreating into the dreaded attempt at re-creation instead of inspiration. It is tantamount to a potentially brilliant director heading into the comforts of big money sequels instead of pushing himself to new heights.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i>Christian bands are the worst about following success with failure. The Christian band DC Talk gave us </i><u><i>Jesus Freak</i></u><i>, a brilliant album (#4) before doing what Christian bands do upon creating a commercially successful crossover hit that is critically respected. They retreat into the safeness of re-creation of the album without the same level of passion or ambition (see Switchfoot, Amy Grant as further proof). </i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sure the theory has exceptions. Dave Matthews Band’s 3<sup>rd</sup> album was <u>Beneath these Crowded Streets</u>. They have never come close to attaining such an artistic, critical high in the aftermath. I feel the same about The Decemberists so far, after the heights of #3 (<u>Picaresque</u>) but that is open to debate. Also, bands that were discovered late and created their first albums with no production help can attain greatness later. The Roots, Regina Spektor and Beck fall into this category or have the potential to. They are like a brilliant pitcher relegated to the minor leagues a little too long.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The other caveat is the 60s. We must remember that until the mid-60s, the album was merely a receptacle for individual songs. Aside from jazz musicians, popular musicians were not thinking cohesively about albums on a regular basis. This is why Bob Dylan (early albums were great, but not cohesive until #5 <u>Bringing It All Back Home</u>), The Beach Boys (I would argue that <u>Pet Sounds</u> is really their 3<sup>rd</sup> album) and The Beatles (I would argue that <u>Rubber Soul</u> is really their 3<sup>rd</sup> album), along with the Rolling Stones (again, either <u>Aftermath</u> or <u>Their Satanic Majesty’s Request</u> is 3<sup>rd</sup>), Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>and Stevie Wonder (<u>Talking Book</u> is the 3<sup>rd</sup> album he had the power to create) did not perfect the art of the album until they had the power to create art out of their singular vision as opposed to the record company execs concerned merely with singles and the quick buck (Oh my goodness, history is cyclical in nature). Only when they realized that the album gave them a higher profit margin and kept the artist happy did executives yield to the new art form.</p><p class="MsoNormal">However, since the advent of the album as the definition of self sustained musical vision, a number of artists have attempted to create perfection, with some attaining it numerous times (U2, The Beatles, Radiohead and Prince), while others have merely given listeners one perfect album for which we should be grateful (Wilco, Jeff Buckley, Public Enemy and Lauren Hill).</p><p class="MsoNormal">Sadly, the future does not look good for albums. With iTunes and downloading singles, along with pirating, we have re-entered the era of singles. However, it is my hope that other artists will be inspired by the great works of the past to create their own singular albums... just know that if they ain't done it by #3, they ain't going on Mount Olympus. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>tomorrow, exceptions to the rule</i></p>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-41388447193135500932010-07-18T10:44:00.002-04:002010-07-18T10:47:11.405-04:00Macheads-not that there's anything wrong with thatA documentary about people with a slavish devotion to Apple products, not that anyone reading this blog would know any such strange and tragic figures. Still, worth a watch to see the type of people that are nothing like any of those reading this blog on their Macs, iPads and iPhones.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNzk*NjQyMzAzMjgmcHQ9MTI3OTQ2NDI*MTY3MSZwPTEwNjExOTImZD1mLTIyMzUtbWFjaGVhZHMmZz*xJm89MWYx/OTA*ZjQ*YzJkNGY*ZThhNTg2ZTdhODE3NDVjZDImb2Y9MA==.gif" /><object width="300" height="255" data="http://o.snagfilms.com/film.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="f-2235"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://o.snagfilms.com/film.swf"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="flashvars" value="id=2235&cid=f-2235-macheads"></object><a style="display:block;width:300px;text-align:center;font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;line-height:30px;color:#008cb9;text-decoration:none;" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration="underline"" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration="none"" href="http://www.snagfilms.com/">Watch more free documentaries</a>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-87185149016457111782010-07-16T14:17:00.005-04:002010-07-16T14:23:23.765-04:00I write like<!-- Begin I Write Like Badge --><br /><div style="overflow:auto;border:2px solid #ddd;font:20px/1.2 Arial,sans-serif;width:380px;padding:5px; background:#F7F7F7; color:#555"><img src="http://s.iwl.me/w.png" style="float:right" width="120" /><div style="padding:20px; border-bottom:1px solid #eee; text-shadow:#fff 0 1px"> I write like<br /><a href="http://iwl.me/w/d7939cdb" style="font-size:30px;color:#698B22;text-decoration:none">David Foster Wallace</a></div><p style="font-size:11px; text-align:center; color:#888"><em>I Write Like</em> by Mémoires, <a href="http://www.codingrobots.com/memoires/" style="color:#888">Mac journal software</a>. <a href="http://iwl.me/" style="color:#333; background:#FFFFE0"><b>Analyze your writing!</b></a></p></div><br /><!-- End I Write Like Badge -->I kept running my writing through this writer analysis and it tells me I write like DFW usually (when not doing straight satire) and James Joyce at other times. DFW is one of my favorites and JJ I can live without. While I think anyone with sloppy, stream of conscious, rambling writing will get these 2 (which means all bloggers), I will still take DFW- probably because I use so many parentheticals.<div><br /></div><div>Some of my more satirical writings (the ones built like news stories) get compared to Dan Brown and JJ. My last Mark Driscoll/ Lebron piece got compared to Chuck Palahniuk which is frightening. I am guessing they get compared to Brown because they sound like crappily written pieces of crap that make no sense.</div>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-78970892568562117802010-07-08T13:02:00.004-04:002012-07-26T14:38:45.620-04:00Free Agent Preacher Driscoll to Announce New City for Pastoring Live tonightAfter weeks of discussion, sources are announcing that Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, the star free agent preacher of 2010, will be announcing his future plans live on TheChurchChannel tonight at 9PM from the offices of the International Justice Mission in D.C. All proceeds from the announcement will be given to IJM.<br />
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While it is not known what Rev. Driscoll will do, his entourage has been taking calls from pulpits around the world, fielding offers and crunching numbers. While many pastors have reupped with their home teams, others have chased the money and potential from church plants and established pulpits in other cities.</div>
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Speculation has reached a fever pitch in this summer of the free agent preachers. Already this week, Rick Warren has re-signed with Saddleback for the maximum contract, as have Andy Stanley and Bill Hybels with their churches. Ed Young, Jr. has announced he will be leaving Fellowship of Grapevine for the sun and fun of South Beach. A spokesman for Young stated that "we should not be surprised. The lifestyle of Miami is more conducive to Pastor Young's ministry gifts."</div>
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In fact, earlier today, Rob Bell announced via twitter that he would be leaving Grand Rapids, Michigan, a truly dreadful place, for the challenges of San Diego, California. Said Bell, in 140 characters or less, "yo peeps, Love G Rap but 2 cold, the Bell needs sunshine and a congregants w/ cash money. Trading specs for sunglasses."</div>
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With the other top free agent's announcements, the pressure is mounting for Driscoll, whose options are endless and ego demands a larger stage than twitter or a blog. Says a spokesman, "Mark has chosen to announce his intentions via television. He feels that the excitement surrounding his free agency is something that must be used for the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the biggest stage available. Sadly, no one on CNN, ESPN or Bravo took our calls. This is all we could get."</div>
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While potential followers and fans in New York, Minneapolis, Las Vegas and London are teeming with excitement, the congregants of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, the church he began in 1996, are nervously awaiting the announcement, speaking out on fan forums and throwing rallies, like the one in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood which drew tens of people last month.</div>
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Says longtime parishioner, Mike Stewart, "now I don't want to get in trouble with the elders for speaking out, but Mark is Seattle and Seattle is Mark. We built each other and to think he might throw away his loyalty to us, which is tattooed on his back, is sickening. To think of him leaving us for a city like New York saddens his fans. If he leaves, I am throwing away my autographed copy of his book Reformissionary!"</div>
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Another church member, speaking on condition of anonymity since she is female, said this, "we are all witnesses to his rise and we better not be witnesses to his departure. If he leaves us via television, it will be like a knife in the back and he will be booed when he comes back."</div>
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While some are speaking out, others are praying for Driscoll's love of Seattle coffee and its homegrown beers to draw him home.</div>
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Cities vying for Mark Driscoll and odds:</div>
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<b>Seattle</b> (45% chance)- his hometown, Driscoll loves the city, built the church from scratch into a megamachine. However, the winters are dreary and he realizes it is not a world class city. The gloomy rock scene has seen its better days and jobs are leaving town. It is not as hip as it was in the 90s.</div>
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<b>New York City</b> (25%)- The potential of preaching alongside Tim Keller at Redeemer and having access to the greatest city in the world, along with its denizens must be alluring. One church with 2 mega-preaching stars would crush the competition. Plus, Keller is turning 60 and has indicated he is interested in retiring in the near future, leaving the pulpit to Driscoll alone. However, the cost of living is high. It is far from friends and family and the coffee sucks.</div>
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<b>Minneapolis </b>(15%)- With his mentor John Piper on a long sabbatical, the elders of Bethlehem Baptist Church are pining for a suitable replacement. Besides his mouth, Driscoll fits the bill. With his fierce intellect, reformed credentials and powerful preaching, the potential for growth is huge. However, many members of the church do not like funny preachers, as evidenced by John Piper sermons. Also, Driscoll does not like extreme winters where there is no water. He does like the challenge of going face-to-face with Emerging Church leaders in the city.</div>
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<b>London</b> (10%)- The chance to be in one of the biggest cities in the world, full of Muslims to convert or piss off, is alluring. Also, the beer choice is extraordinary, even if the coffee and food choices are mildly outputting. Most interesting to Driscoll is the chance to follow in the footsteps of his favorite all time preacher, Spurgeon. However, the extreme openness to all opinions would make Driscoll's message less offensive and interesting to Londoners and his form of humor does not always translate to British sensibilities. Also, the British men tend to be effeminate (and he hates soccer).</div>
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<b>Las Vegas</b> (5%)- An early front-runner, Driscoll is not as interested in starting a new church. However, he realizes in Vegas he can say anything he wants and it will be acceptable. Plus, there is so much sin for him to go after. In fact, he can preach a full year just on the evils of gambling and strippers. However, he understands that "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" and Driscoll is not interesting in his message staying anywhere.</div>
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Stay Tuned...</div>
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<br /></div>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-82585997363191019752010-06-16T10:43:00.003-04:002010-06-16T10:57:09.909-04:00Other Proposed Resolutions for Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) 2010<div><p class="MsoNormal">In an effort to stay relevant in American society, the Southern Baptist Convention has begun a new program called the Great Commission Resurgence to redouble its commitment to evangelism and church growth, giving 110%, instead of the 105% they had been giving during the past decades. As anyone that follows sports knows, 105% is the same as 10% and results in never winning, especially in church growth.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">One of the main ways Southern Baptists have stayed relevant in American society is through their use of resolutions at their yearly convention. These resolutions bring debate over contentious and hot button issues to the masses and allow for Baptists to inform the world of how they feel about specific subjects, therefore “taking a stand” and “keeping it real” as they communicate the love and grace of God to a world in need of it (oh, and God’s wrath and judgment also).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">During the past 100 years Southern Baptists have made the evening news with classic (I will give a Top 10 list of my favorite REAL resolutions later this week) resolutions like Boycott of Disney in 1996. This year, we have a few new resolutions destined to make future Baptists proud and the world go, huh?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Making sure the world knows where they stand on every issue; here are the Top 10 Resolutions for Discussion at 2010 Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">10. As previously mentioned in this blog: Resolution to Boycott “painter” Thomas Kinkade in light of his recent arrest for DUI.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">9. As previously mentioned: Resolution to Invite Big 12 schools into the Southern Baptist Convention.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">8. Resolution to add heavier menu items to Tea Party Rallies throughout the nation. Says Albert Mohler, “we know the Tea Party movement is largely led by Southern Baptists and their friends. However, we believe the idea of a tea party is fairly childish and effeminate and ask to add Fried Chicken and Macaroni Salad, along with sweet tea to the menu for all rallies. We are considering a proposal to change the name to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Sweet Tea Party movement</i> thereby reflecting an important segment of the demographic of this important movement.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">7. Resolution to add to the Baptist Faith in Message, 2000 an addendum explaining that, “while the offices of pastor and deacon are explicitly male, as spelled out clearly in Scripture, a woman may be elected President of the United States and hold that office with support of Southern Baptist voters, if she holds the following criteria: she is Republican, she is evangelical, she is pretty hot for her age, she is not married to a former president.” Current prohibitions for pastors and deacons are still in effect for all other women.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">6. Resolution to ask Congress to consider changes to the military policy of “Don’t Ask: Don’t Tell.” While many are hoping for a different change of this policy, Southern Baptists are concerned than overturning it will lead to Baptist Chaplains right to free speech taken from them. They will no longer be able to name this sin if the US Military allows The Gays to serve with impunity. The SBC will resolve to change the policy to “Do Ask: Do Tell: Do Tell Them They Are Going to Hell.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">5. Resolution to ask the Gores to seek family counseling and repair their marriage. Says Mohler, “even as a godless Democrat who cares about the earth way too much, we want to see Al Gore and his wife live their lives together and hope and pray for their reconciliation.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">4. Resolution to encourage Lifeway to consider Ayn Rand’s <u>Fountainhead </u>and <u>Atlas Shrugged</u> as central curriculum for Vacation Bible School in 2012.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. Resolution to dismiss all Mayan and Hollywood claims the world will end in 2012 as bogus examples of New Age philosophy, paganism and postmodern hokum in which all Apocalyptic claims outside the parameters of Biblical literature are given a voice in our highly “spiritual but not religious” society of tolerance for all besides those giving the truth of Revelation. An addendum by Acts 29 Baptist pastors to reprimand John Cusack for his participation in this film, while praising him for all other roles was summarily dismissed by the Executive Committee.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. Resolution to boycott Sex in the City 2 as not only an immoral film pushing<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>promiscuity, alcoholism, hedonism and a homosexual agenda, but also an awful movie that was not even funny. We will consider a resolution condemning Transformers 3 next year for being even worse.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. Resolution to commend Glenn Beck for standing up to the left-wing Sojourners organization and Jim Wallis and his insistence that Social Justice is a mark of Christianity. Social and Economic redistribution of resources, while a mark of the early church, are not central tenants of modern American Baptist Christianity and not within our Baptist Faith and Message, 2000. While churches may choose to give money and help to the poor, they are not to advocate politically except on issues of morality, such as abortion, taxation, Federalism, school vouchers, homosexuality, the 2<sup>nd</sup> Amendment, Islamic invasions and the heredity of the President. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><u>The resolution to ignore the Emerging Church movement as inconsequential <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>and unworthy of discussion was tabled until 2011. <o:p></o:p></u></p></div><div><i>If you want to see what kind of resolutions Southern Baptists are really considering this week, </i><a href="http://www.thebigdaddyweave.com/"><i>Big Daddy Weave</i></a><i> is actually helpful (as opposed to me, which is not). </i></div>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-16733829497000846502010-06-15T15:21:00.001-04:002010-06-15T15:22:13.681-04:00Southern Baptists extend invitation to University of Texas and other Big 12 schools<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Resolution concerning Expansion of Southern Baptist Convention and the Kingdom of God through the Great Commission Resurgence and Conference Realignment</b></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">June 15, 2010</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WHEREAS, Historically, Southern Baptists have resisted ecumenism while embracing Christian brotherhood and cooperation with other groups representing Christianity and</span></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span> <span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WHEREAS, We have witnessed in recent years the portrayal of denominations as barriers to be overcome on the road to unity; and<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WHERAS, WE have seen millions of college age Christians leave the faith of their parents behind while studying for future employment and enjoying college sporting events; and<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WHEREAS, Southern Baptists must be radically committed to the expansion of the Kingdom of God and the influence of the Southern Baptist Convention by new and innovative means in the face of post-modernity and the increasing hostility to Biblical Christianity, including the Great Commission Resurgence; and</span></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WHEREAS, Southern Baptist influence is strongest in the region of the country under the dominion of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Big 12 Conference; and<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WHEREAS, interlopers representing Hedonistic interests of the Secular PAC 10 and the Catholic Rust Belt controlled Big 10 have begun to expand their reach into regions under the jurisdiction of the BIG 12 and Southern Baptists, stealing universities from non-SBC strongholds Colorado and Nebraska; and<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WHEREAS, True Biblical unity can only be realized in the bond of truth, and never at the expense of Biblical truth; Now, therefore,</span></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span> <span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">BE IT RESOLVED, That the Southern Baptist Convention meeting, June 15-17, 2010, in Orlando, FL, urges the Boards and Agencies of the Southern Baptist Convention to offer membership into the Southern Baptist Convention to the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Missouri and Oklahoma State, as well as maintaining the historic position of Southern Baptists as they cooperate with various other groups in appropriate evangelistic enterprises, and on issues of justice, morality, religious liberty, education and FOOTBALL both at home and abroad; and<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That inclusion of the Baylor University, a Texas Baptist affiliated university, is dependent upon both obedience to the doctrines of the Southern Baptist Message and Faith, 2000 and the improvement of its football program; and<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That inclusion of the University of Kansas, Kansas State University and Iowa State University into the Southern Baptist Convention’s expansion plans is dependent upon greater success in football, as the expense of “urban” sports such as basketball; And<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Southern Baptist Convention membership urges the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to consider membership and inclusion of the new SBC related college programs at its next Annual Meeting, and that the previous BIG 12 prayerfully considers the offer from both the Southern Baptist Convention and SEC. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That such efforts not commit Southern Baptists to any organizational or long-term relationship which would risk possible compromise of historic distinctive or the unique witness of Southern Baptists to the world and football related activities; and</span></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span> <span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, That we encourage Southern Baptists to maintain their commitment to the SouthEastern Conference (SEC) by giving priority in time, talent and resources to the work of this football and Christianity influenced region.</span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4061650.post-63622965261689782332010-06-15T13:51:00.003-04:002010-06-15T14:45:03.498-04:00SBC resolution on Thomas Kinkade's DUI<div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Digging through the stacks of resolutions at this year's Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Orlando, I stumbled across this resolution, in wake of "painter" Thomas Kinkade's <a href="http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2010/06/thomas_kinkade.html">recent DUI arrest</a>. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Resolution on Thomas Kinkade’s DUI and SBC memberships ownership of his paintings</span></span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">WHEREAS, Southern Baptists have for many over ten years have enjoyed and trusted Thomas Kinkade’s paintings of light which have reinforced basic Christian American virtues and values; and</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">WHEREAS, The virtues promoted by Kinkade have contributed to the development of an industry in which Christians are willing to express their faith through the display of landscapes extolling those values with the inclusion of wonderfully lit churches, homes and schools; and</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">WHEREAS, in recent days, Thomas Kinkade has given the appearance that the promotion of alcohol consumption is more important than his historic commitment to traditional family values, haven taken a direction which is contrary to the prohibition of alcohol consumption by Christians; and</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">WHEREAS, in recent days, Thomas Kinkade has been arrested under the suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol in California, a notoriously liberal state in need of God’s judgment; and</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">WHEREAS , This and other decisions and actions represent a significant departure from a Christian family-values image, and a gratuitous insult to Baptists who have long supported Kinkade’s painting career and contributed to his corporate profits; and</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">WHEREAS, Boycotts are a legitimate method for communicating moral convictions; now, therefore,</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; "><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">BE IT RESOLVED, We as Southern Baptist messengers meeting in annual session on June 15-17, 2010, go on record expressing our deep disappointment for these actions by Thomas Kinkade; and</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we encourage Southern Baptists to give serious and prayerful reconsideration to their purchase and support of Thomas Kinkade products, and to boycott The Thomas Kinkade Company and stores if he continues alcohol consumption, including the destruction of previously owned paintings and prints; and</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we encourage the Christian Life Commission to monitor Kinkade’s progress in returning to a lifestyle of tee-totaling; and</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; "><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we encourage state Baptist papers and national Southern Baptist publications to assist in informing the Southern Baptist family of these issues; and</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; "><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Convention requests the Executive Committee to send a copy of this resolution to Thomas Kinkade and to encourage the Southern Baptist family to support this boycott with our purchasing power, letters and influence. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border- padding-top: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(71, 71, 71); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"><i>in case you are wondering, the text of this is very similar to the 1996 SBC Resolution to Boycott Disney</i></span></p></div>DJ Wordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597363296679699935noreply@blogger.com3