Music
01/17/2014
01/13/2014
Music Monday 1.13.14
The Gloaming: The Gloaming | These guys were not on my radar until today. It's a supergroup of sorts with three Irishmen and two Americans. It has a singer, two fiddles, a piano and a guitar. PLEASE try this one and give it a few songs.
Damien Jurado: Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son | Really digging this one. Still another week before release. Too long.
Warpaint: Warpaint | Listened to a few songs this morning and really liked what I heard. Will be listening more.
Find other new albums streaming free at First Listen, Pitchfork Advance.
Inside Llewyn Davis Soundtrack ($5.99) -- Playing this one a lot right now. After seeing the movie on Saturday, it will get more play. Would love your take on the movie if you've seen it. You will enjoy this album whether you've seen the movie or not.
Check out last week's list of cheap albums as many are still on sale.
01/06/2014
Music Monday 1.6.14
It's -40F wind chill here, which means you light up the fireplace and listen to Bon Iver. One of my favorite EVER albums, For Emma Forever Ago, is $5.
If you haven't checked it out yet, my Best Albums of 2013 list is up. Would love your thoughts. What music from last year did you enjoy?
Damien Jurado: Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son - My love for this dude's music has grown the last few years. Excited for this one. I'm only five songs in and I'm very, very happy so far.
Cheap Albums from my 2013 list ($5 unless noted otherwise)...
- Chvrches: The Bones of What You Believe
- Jason Isbell: Southeastern
- Arcade Fire: Reflektor ($3.99)
- Phosphorescent: Muchacho
- Buke & Gase: General Dome
- The Lone Bellow: The Lone Bellow
- The Knife: Shaking the Habitual
- Foxygen: We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic
- Mikal Cronin: MCII
- Junip: Junip
Other cheap albums worth checking out...
- The Avett Brothers: Emotionalism | Mignonette | Four Thieves Gone
- Cults: Static
- Bruce Springsteen: Nebraska
- Sigur Ros: (Untitled)
12/23/2013
Best Albums of 2013
The first nine months this year were just ok for me, but some late year discoveries bridged the gap. I bought less albums this year. As always, I found some real gems. Some you know about. I hope a few that you don't. Music discovery through year end lists is a joy for me and I hope for you. For my favorite compilation of year end lists check out Metacritic.
I'll given a lot of thought to my top 20. The honorable mentions are many, and all worth checking out. Also check out Greg Thornbury's year end list. There are albums there I'm just getting to know.
Buying Through Amazon: Some albums are pretty cheap right now, so if it looks interesting click through to Amazon to check prices and listen to samples. Clicking through my links and buying music (or anything) helps me to buy books & music as my family has no budget for either. And it costs you nothing extra to use my links! Thanks for your support.
Previous Years -- My Best Albums
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006
Now, on to the good stuff from 2013...
2013 Honorable Mentions (no particular order): Danny Brown: Old | Deerhunter: Monomania | Derek Webb: I'm Was Wrong, I'm Sorry, and I Love You | Disclosure: Settle | The Lone Bellow: The Lone Bellow | Laura Marling: Once I Was An Eagle | Kanye West: Yeezus | Local Natives: Hummingbird | Low: The Invisible Way | Neko Case: The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You | Phantogram: Eyelid Movies | Pusha T: My Name Is My Name | Boards of Canada: Tomorrow's Harvest | The Avett Brothers: Magpie & the Dandelion | Okkervil River: The Silver Gymnasium | Woodkid: The Golden Age | Frightened Rabbit: Pedestrian Verse | Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience | Chance the Rapper: Acid Rap (free) | Kurt Vile: Wakin On A Pretty Daze
20. Burial: Rival Dealer EP | I'm cheating as I don't put EPs on my best albums of the year list, but Burial is always amazing and this is remarkable. Hear the culture speak to us.
19. Foxygen: We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic | A lot of fun with throwback sounds and harmonies. Playful music but not childish.
18. The National: Trouble Will Find Me | These guys can do no wrong, but that can do better. A lot of the sound you love from The National, but it just doesn't have that handful of amazing. Still, it's really good. Oh, that all bands would miss like this.
17. Phosphorescent: Muchacho | "Song for Zula." Nuff said.
16. Junip: Junip | An early contender for a top list album, but the second half of the album just didn't hook me for long. Still, some great stuff here from Jose Gonzalez. "Line of Fire" is the bee's knees.
15. Chris Thile: Bach: Sonatas & Partitas | It's classical music with a mandolin. Love. I listen while working, reading, or doing nothing but listening.
14. Savages: Silence Yourself | Grinding, growling, rocking, rolling, loud, aggressive without jumping in your face. In lots of ways, I think this is where punk music now resides.
13. Gregory Alan Isakov: The Weatherman | Gorgeous. Gentle & calming. Solid songwriting.
12. Autre Ne Veut: Anxiety | An emotional trip, but not without fun. The whole thing is good. Falsetto R&B, pop, electronic. Head bobbing will happen.
11. Forest Swords: Engravings | A sonic wonderland. Cinematic. Walking in slo-mo in your own movie scene. I can work to it, and I can just sit alone and let myself be swallowed up in the wonder.
10. Buke & Gase: General Dome | Prolly not for everyone. But holy cow, one listen through "Hiccup" (though the video might make you sick) had me hooked. I agree with Exclaim, "The pair are making strummable instruments sound new again, and it sounds like redemption. Proceed frantically and without caution."
9. Water Liars: Wyoming | It's similar to some music you may already love (Fleet Foxes, Pedro the Lion, Band of Horses). It feels lonely, and you will be thankful for it. One of the best lonely albums I've heard. I like what the New York Times says, "This duo’s dark, lonely, roots-minded indie rock is affecting, all the more for its sparseness." (HT: Kevin Cawley)
8. Deafheaven: Sunbather | The best reviewed album on Metacritic. I think it's the first metal album I've listed in my years of doing this. I like what Crash Music said, "A record everyone with half an experimental ear should experience, even if they run from it, screaming."
7. Arcade Fire: Reflektor | For all the Arcade Fire backlash on the one end and thoughtless love on the other, this is a great album. Building on where they came from and adding epic length dance songs, disco ball included. These songs swell and it's fun to get lost in them. But don't check your brain with the bouncer. The ideas here are thick.
6. Mikal Cronin: MCII | Throwback pop music that is ridiculously current and joyful. This has set a lot of my mood this year with playful melodies occasionally over some power chords. It's a sock-hop with growl. The appeal of the music is immediate as well as lasting. I keep coming back to it.
5. Jon Hopkins: Immunity | One album I'd love to make everyone sit and listen to. It's a sonic masterpiece. It's an album trying hard to push toward the top. Remember when I picked Four Tet for album of the year a few years ago? It's in that realm of awesome. Could have been my album of the year.
4. Jason Isbell: Southeastern | Packed with great songwriting. Heartfelt and genuine. This sounds like home, a safe place to admit you are a mess. The Independent: "brilliant: vivid, multi-faceted tales of souls adrift." Could have been my album of the year.
3. Arctic Monkeys: AM | Don't miss "No. 1 Party Anthem." For an album that really rocks out, that song is a great change of pace and just amazing. If you like The Black Keys, you will dig this album. If you like just cranking it up, yeah, that's a reason to get it. Could have been my album of the year.
2. Chvrches: The Bones of What You Believe | Most played album of the year in my house. Hook-filled fun. Head-bobbing, foot tapping, energy-rich. And yet the songwriting is solid. It's not just fun, it's serious music. My discovery of the year. Could easily be my album of the year.
1. Vampire Weekend: Modern Vampires of the City | Breaking from the sound that made them great, this is their *beyond category* album. Some of the most creative, earworm music of the year with some of the best thought through lyrics of the year. Catchy but not at all cutesy. Massive, complex hooks. The most thought-provoking album of 2013.
12/18/2013
Gregory Thornbury: Top 10 Albums of 2013
This is a guest post from friend and new President of The King's College in NYC, Dr. Gregory Thornbury. I've enjoyed talking theology and church with Greg, but discussing the arts with him is the stuff. I asked if he might be willing to share an albums-of-the-year list and here it is. Please do feel free to respond in the comments, or engage with him directly: @greg_thornbury. He's a busy man, so please don't assume he can/will respond to everyone. But he'll enjoy your feedback.
Steve
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Top Ten Albums of 2013
Greg Thornbury
For me, this was one of the best years for new records in a long time. Coming up with this list was tough, because yes, I enjoyed the new Daft Punk, Phosphorescent, and Avett Brothers albums, and many others. There are reissues and live albums I’d recommend, like Dylan’s “Another Self Portrait” (Volume 10 of The Bootleg Series) and The Stones’ Hyde Park concert from this past Summer. But a top ten must separate the good albums from the great ones. Here are mine, and I’m thankful to Steve McCoy for the opportunity to share them with you.
10. Johnny Fritz — Dad Country
If Johnny Fritz doesn’t win a MacArthur Foundation Genius Fellow’s Prize in the next year or two, I’m going to conclude the whole system is rigged. Although he makes you laugh out loud on tracks like “Trash Day,” you have to make sure that the whimsical doesn’t occlude the deadly serious in this weird Honky Tonk world. Fritz’s first person is essentially this: Freud’s Id & Ego are allowed to have their say with the Superego turned off. You’ll learn a lot about yourself that maybe you didn’t want to know when you listen to this record. The fact that it is wrapped in boot scooting old country with incredible musical performances by Nashville’s most inspired players (e.g. Josh Hedley on fiddle) makes this de facto psychology course a really great time.
9. Kelly Jones — Alta Loma
Not long after I moved to New York City, my friend, the genius songstress Melanie Penn, invited me to a show in which she and Kelly Jones reprised their Summer 2013 House Concert tour at The Living Room on the Lower East Side. Melanie was her brilliant usual self, delighting the packed house with her über-intelligent, amazing crafted, and hopeful songs. When Kelly Jones picked up her guitar and started playing after Melanie’s set, I thought, “Wow! Do I know these tunes?” The answer was no, but they were so infectious, it seemed like Kelly Jones had been playing on my iPod for months on end. When I got home, I downloaded her first album, “Shebang!” I was floored.
Her new record, Alta Loma, is filled with another batch of gorgeous melodies, and lovely arrangements backed by the amazing steel guitarist Rich Hinman and others. The chord progressions are never tired. They delight and surprise. It’s as though John Denver, Michael Nesmith, and Linda Rondstadt got together and gave their collective superpowers to one girl. Ladies and Gentlemen: Kelly Jones.
8. Edwyn Collins — Understated
I listen to this record when I need an extra dose of courage and lift. This is the “life” record of the year, written and produced by a man who, due to his brain hemorrhage in 2005, came close to death. Collins, the rumbustious Scotsman, joyfully barrels his way through these tunes (even the sad ones), and I, for one, can’t resist joining him. I could listen to “Carry On, Carry On” and “Love’s Been Good to Me” for days.
7. Jim James — Regions of Light and Sound of God
As a onetime resident of Louisville, Kentucky, I can remember that there was a moment several years ago when you couldn’t get your driver’s license renewed if you couldn’t prove you owned the last album by My Morning Jacket, the celebrated hometown band. Since I believe you have to choose between Wilco and MMJ (I choose Wilco), I’ve never been as obsessed with Jim James as a songwriter as my River City friends have. But then on Jet Blue flight a few months ago, they played the video for “State of the Art: A.E.I.O.U.” I was transfixed. I got the record. I was in a trance-like state listening the whole way through the first time. This is the soundtrack for a generation who, like Julian Barnes, says, “I don’t believe in God, but I miss Him.” Jim James might just be able lead them back.
6. Phoenix — Bankrupt
I’m one of those annoying “I liked Phoenix before they were popular,” people. I’m a soft touch for electro-pop, and nobody does it better than Phoenix. Every Phoenix record to me is an exercise is seeing how far they can take the very limited form of pop music, and they never fail to amaze me when they do it again. At first when I heard, “Entertainment,” I thought, “Hmmm, I’m not sure if they’ve done it this time,” but I’m now convinced I was wrong. Thomas Mars has said that the band is a bunch of perfectionists. We’re grateful someone is.
5. David Bowie — The Next Day
Bowie is the model of what rock stars should want to be when they grow up. I pre-order very few records these days, but this was one of them. I did so with a bit of trepidation, as the last two LPs, Heathen and Reality, simply depressed me. There was no magic on those outings for me. The Next Day was met with a sigh of relief from me and so many other Bowie fans. When I took my headphones off after the first play, everything I liked about Bowie had been there: the poignant musings on fame, the short reverb on the vocals, slicing / trebly guitars, and dirty saxophones. More deeply, however, there was the humans-as-aliens theme at which Bowie excels: we may feel cold and alone in the universe, but we can transcend. We are “dancing face to face” out in space. And we’re happy the master (or “The Sovereign” if you’re a Venture Bros fan) is still in conversation with us.
4. Thriftstore Masterpiece — Trouble is a Lonesome Town
Thriftstore Masterpiece is what happens when Producer/Guitarist Charles Normal finds a hidden gem-but-lost-to-modern-ears LP in his local record shop and invites his friends over to re-enchant listeners with the original inspiration. The record in view here is Lee Hazelwood’s Trouble is a Lonesome Town (1963)– which just so happens to be the world’s first concept album. As Normal explains, “It was a collection of solo acoustic songs stitched together with a narrative that described life in a fictional small town inhabited by outlaws, thieves, and down-and-out laborers. The album was hokey, but hip. Corny, but cool. It evoked a bygone era of pastoral American towns and their sometimes seedy underbellies, somewhat like a darker version of the Andy Griffith Show or a more sinister Prairie Home Companion.”
So who showed up for the party? A veritable Who’s Who of alternative rock superstars including Black Francis from The Pixies, Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse, Courtney Taylor-Taylor from The Dandy Warhols, Pete Yorn, and Eddie Argos of Art Brut. But most importantly, this was the last album which Charles’ brother, the legendary Larry Norman, sang on before he passed away in 2008. The record, temporarily shelved by Normal during the grieving process, is a weird and fantastic combination of alt-country meets mariachi surf. Get the vinyl and turn on the hi-fi. This will knock the troubled socks right off of your lonesome feet.
Confession: I have a vested interest in this record. Incredibly, I got to play guitar on the track “Railroad,” performed by Issac Brock. In other words, becoming a college president was the second coolest thing that happened to me this year!
3. Duquette Johnston — Rabbit Runs a Destiny
Duquette Johnston has been to hell and back, and he’s determined to show you that the road to redemption runs through Birmingham, Alabama. A founding member of Verbena (with Scott and A.A. Bondy), Rabbit Runs a Destiny is gritty, lo-fi, roots rock offering with lush string arrangements. Isaaca Byrd of the Bridges and Natalie Prass support Johnston’s other-worldly singing with gorgeous back-up vocals. This record is utterly unique and intense, and it holds together as a seamless garment, from the opening pulse of “My Heart is Breaking” to the closing tones of “Dreams.” After you’re done, you’ll be convinced that, in the words of Francis Schaeffer, “He is there and He is not silent.” If you get to see Duquette play live with his string section, drop everything and go and be prepared to daydream about God for days afterward.
2. Arctic Monkeys — AM
Okay, I realize this is on everybody’s list this year, but yes, this record really is that good. I’ve liked the Arctic Monkeys’ previous efforts, but this one (self-titled with initials) is a nod from them telling us that this is who they’ve always wanted to be. This is a record I always go to on my early morning runs along the Hudson River. It’s so nice to hear a rock and roll record that’s on the level of your heroes from the 1970’s. Eight of the Ten tracks on this record are stunners. Love.
1. Roman Candle — Debris
Roman Candle – that cosmic outfit comprised of Skip, Timshel, and Logan Matheny – have been in my pantheon of bands for some time. After a string of critically acclaimed albums on several notable labels, Debris shows a band coming into the full height of their writing and studio powers. For me, Debris is about as perfect as a record can get.
Vocally, Skip Matheny’s singing is gossamer and fine gravel – pure rock and roll. I can’t think of a vocalist that I like better, perhaps save Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze. Sonically, the record comes out you from another world – a perfect blend of sweet alien synth and sparkling guitars. Lyrically, here’s where the magic really happens. Skip and Timshel – both of whom are deeply read in the great poets such as Rilke and T.S. Eliot – bring literate writing to the table unmatched by their contemporaries. The songs take you places and bring you back in stories, conversations, and dreamscapes, as evidenced magnificently on the title track, “Debris.” Most of all, these are just brilliant songs that you can sing to yourself and also think about deeply while you’re doing so. Now that’s the trick.
Gregory Alan Thornbury, Ph.D. is the President of The King’s College in New York City.
12/14/2013
12/04/2013
Sleeping At Last: Christmas Collection 2013
Sleeping at Last is one of those unique bands that owns its own sound. They have a compelling, emotionally engaging style that I love. Their melodies and vocals soar. They have brought their style and given us a wonderful Christmas collection. And you can get it free or for donation.
This album offers a great mix. Christmas hymns like "Silent Night," "What Child Is This?," and O Holy Night" are gorgeous. Crank it up on "O Holy Night" for one listen and I'm sure you will, like me, add it to your yearly must-listen songs. I love their versions of cultural Christmas songs like "White Christmas," "Silver Bells," and "I'll Be Home For Christmas." One of my favorite funny Christmas songs is by Bill Nighy in Love, Actually, "Christmas Is All Around." I don't know of anyone that covers it as it's meant to be funny and not a real Christmas song. Sleeping at Last covers it as a cute, folksy little ditty. It's legit.
I'm thankful for other Christmas albums out this year: Folk Angel, Page CXVI, etc. These are worth checking out as well. This one by Sleeping at Last, at donation price, is a gem. Please check it out.
10/29/2013
Arcade Fire: Reflektor
Arcade Fire's much anticipated fourth album, Relflektor, is out today. Pitchfork says 9.2/10 (very high marks for Pitchfork). Also, their previous three albums are all $4.99. I think all three are excellent albums and I highly recommend you pick all of them up -- Funeral | Neon Bible | The Suburbs.
10/15/2013
Avett Bros: Magpie & The Dandelion
It's one of those wonderful days in which I get to share with you that The Avett Brothers have produced a new album for your listening enjoyment. It's called Magpie & The Dandelion.
10/14/2013
Sufjan's Open Letter to Miley Cyrus
This is why Sufjan is great. Miley Cyrus has been in a back-n-forth with Sinead O'Conner because of Sinead's open letters to her. Suf takes Miley to task for her use of grammar. So awesome. And it's not about grammar.
Dear Miley. I can’t stop listening to #GetItRight (great song, great message, great body), but maybe you need a quick grammar lesson. One particular line causes concern: “I been laying in this bed all night long.” Miley, technically speaking, you’ve been LYING, not LAYING, an irregular verb form that should only be used when there’s an object, i.e. “I been laying my tired booty on this bed all night long.” Whatever. I’m not the best lyricist, but you know what I mean. #Get It Right The Next Time. But don’t worry, even Faulkner messed it up. We all make mistakes, and surely this isn’t your worst misdemeanor. But also, Miley, did you know the tense here is also totally wrong. Surely you’ve heard of Present Perfect Continuous Tense (I HAVE BEEN LYING in this bed all night long [hopefully getting some beauty sleep?]). It’s a weird, equivocal, almost purgatorial tense, not quite present, not quite past, not quite here, not quite there. Somewhere in between. I feel that way all the time. It kind of sucks. But I have a feeling your “present perfect continuous” involves a lot more excitement than mine. Anyway, doesn’t that also sum up your career right now? Present. Perfect. Continuous. And Tense. Intense? Girl, you work it like Mike Tyson. Miley, I love you because you’re the Queen, grammatically and anatomically speaking. And you’re the hottest cake in the pan. Don’t ever grow old. Live brightly before your fire fades into total darkness. XXOO Sufjan
10/02/2013
10/01/2013
09/30/2013
09/26/2013
Chvrches: The Bones of What You Believe
It's been a year of a few great albums, but not enough. Good news: I'm absolutely gripped by the new (debut) album by Chvrches: The Bones of What You Believe. This is a Scottish electro-pop band around the M83 soundscape, but with a lot more dance beats. This music soars and it is almost continually fun and riveting. But it's anything but lightweight and the deeper you dive in the more you respect the richness of the music. These lyrics are dense. AV says, "Chvrches’ bread and butter remains highly melodic, synthesizer-based pop, but with just the right amount of darkness, thanks in part to [Lauren] Mayberry. She has a law degree and a masters in journalism, so she writes like she has something to say, not just to fill the space in the songs." I've been thinking about the opening track, "The Mother We Share," (colorful word in this song) for days now, listening to it over and over. This is thought-provoking fun and one of my favorite musical journeys of the year. The delicate vocals of Mayberry are just perfect. I've stopped what I've been doing to listen closely to the lyrics and I've been able to focus on work and just enjoy the music in the background. A rare album indeed.
Disclaimer: There are a couple of colorful words on the album.
Noteworthy Reviews...
Metacritic: 82/100 | AV Club 100/100 | Pitchfork 8.5/10 (Best New Music)
09/23/2013
09/20/2013
09/16/2013
$5 Albums 9.16.13
Some really nice music in this batch of $5 albums. It's not been this good in a while.
- Arcade Fire: Funeral | Genius
- The National: Trouble Will Find Me | One of the best albums of this year. Rare to get something this good and this cheap in the year it's released, so don't miss it.
- The Avett Brothers: I and Love and You | Why say no when it feels so good to say yes?
- The Dodos: Carrier | Brand spanking new. Metacritic 79/100 is solid.
- Nirvana: Nevermind | If you don't know why you should own this, well I don't have enough space to list the reasons why. So nevermind.
- The Black Crowes: Shake Your Money Maker | If you don't know why you should own this, well I don't know if I want to even try to explain how good it is. It's hard to handle.
- The Head and the Heart: The Head and the Heart
- Smashing Pumpkins: Siamese Dream
- Atoms for Peace: Amok
- The Mountain Goats: All Hail West Texas
- The Deep Dark Woods: The Place I Left Behind
- Dr. Dog: Shame Shame
09/10/2013
Gettys Live At The Gospel Coalition
The new worship album, Keith & Kristyn Getty: Modern & Traditional Hymns - Live at The Gospel Coalition is out today. Go get it!
09/05/2013
09/03/2013
Giveaway: Restoration Project
I'm currently preaching a series of sermons using great, old hymns as the illustration for my exposition of a passage of Scripture. So when I see something like Restoration Project's Kickstarter campaign, I want to help. From their campaign...
We're a songwriting and recording collective dedicated to writing new hymns and restoring old, taking old hymn texts and poems and writing new music and melodies for them.
With your help, we can create our next, very special album series together! Remember: Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing funding platform (we need to reach our goal).
The "Firm Foundation" series will be a two-album collection of Sunday School hymns with new arrangements and lyrics. Our fresh approach to these songs will give them greater theological depth and clarity and a modern musical feel. Great care is also being taken to preserve most of the original melodies.
I've been listening to their other albums and I really dig them. This is a project worth supporting. In order to help them get the word out on this Kickstarter campaign, I'm giving away 5 sets of their two albums for download: Restoration Project and Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope. Even if you don't want the albums, please consider sharing the link that their project might get fully supported.
And please, consider giving. Become a backer.
Here's how you can win these two albums...
1. Post to Twitter, Facebook, etc this without the arrows --> Restoration Project is remaking hymns. Get their 2 albums FREE. RT & comment here to enter: http://bit.ly/resproj <--
2. Comment below so I know you did step one. And for fun share your favorite Sunday School hymn.
I'll use random.org to choose five winners at the end of the week. May the odds be ever in your favor!
New Music Tuesday 9.3.13
One of the best New Music Tuesday's in quite a while. Three albums I'd like my readers to check out.
Okkervil River: The Silver Gymnasium | One of my favorite lyric-centered bands playing.
Neko Case: The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You | One of my favorite voices and songwriters going. Her other albums are on sale too! Check out Fox Confessor Brings the Flood & Middle Cyclone ($5.99 each).
Volcano Choir: Repave | Creative. Imaginative.
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I should mention, though many have had it for a couple of weeks, that Derek Webb's new album, I Was Wrong, I'm Sorry & I Love You is officially out today and available at Amazon. I've been enjoying it.
08/26/2013
Giveaway: Stephen Miller Book & Album
Heyo! It's a super-happy Music Monday here at Reformissionary because I have stuff to give away to some of my readers.
Stephen Miller (Twitter) is worship leader at The Journey church in St. Louis, where Darrin Patrick is pastor. He has written a new book, Worship Leaders, We Are Not Rock Stars (Kindle) and put out a new worship album, All Hail The King. The album includes new worship songs as well as reworked Hymns like "Crown Him With Many Crowns." I've been listening to the album and enjoying it a lot. His new albums and previous album, Hymns, is on regular rotation in my house.
I have 5 of the Worship Leaders, We Are Not Rock Stars eBooks (epub, mobi, or PDF) to give away today that each include a free download of the album.
Here's how you enter to win a FREE eBook that includes a free download of the album...
1. Tweet (or post to Facebook if you aren't on Twitter, or do both!) without the quote marks: " Get Stephen Miller's new worship album & book FREE. RT & comment at Reformissionary to enter: http://bit.ly/14xLgfb "
2. Comment below (so I can confirm you did step 1) with your real name and real email (kept private) and FOR FUN in your comment let me know a neglected old hymn that you love and wish would get consideration from Stephen or someone else for a future worship album.
*I'll use random.org to pick the 5 winners tonight, and I'll announce the winners on the blog & send out emails. May the odds be ever in your favor!
08/20/2013
Music Monday 8.19.13
- Neko Case: The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight | Been enjoying this one today
- Volcano Choir: Repave | Justin Vernon and other human beings making music. From NPR First Listen, "If Vernon never releases another record under the name Bon Iver — and he's publicly suggested that that might be the case — more albums like Repave would render the issue largely irrelevant. It's that good."
- The Avett Brothers: Carolina Jubilee | One of their earliest albums. If you found them through their last 2-3 albums, I strongly encourage you to dig into their earlier stuff which I like a lot.
- Neko Case | Blacklisted & Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
- Buke & Gase: General Dome
- Woodkid: The Golden Age
- Kurt Vile: Wakin'on a Pretty Daze | One of my favorite albums this year.
- Chris Thile: Bach Sonatas & Partitas Volume 1
- Derek Webb: I Was Wrong, I'm Sorry & I Love You
08/12/2013
Chris Thile | Bach: Sonatas & Partitas Vol 1
Yes, that Chris Thile from Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek and The Goat Rodeo Sessions. He has taken his mandolin and produced something classical with Bach: Sonatas and Partitas Volume 1. It's straightforward Bach, but it's not simple. It's elegant and beautiful and at times you'd swear you hear his fingers catch fire.
Paste gives Bach it 8.9/10. Music OMH says, "Thile now must be considered ... one of the contemporary masters of the mandolin, exercising his powers across multiple genres."
PBS gives us 6 1/2 minutes of music and conversation that takes an artist I love and puts him a cut above the rest. If this clip doesn't demand that we stop and listen, I'm not sure what will...
08/05/2013
Music Monday 8.5.13
Typhoon: White Lighter | After hearing their fun 2011 (I think) romp, "The Honest Truth," they've earned my attention with the release of this new album.
- The Avett Brothers: Mignonette ($5)
- Spiritualized: Sweet Heart Sweet Light ($5)
- Camera Obscura: Let's Get Out Of This Country ($5)
- Matt Kearney: Nothing Left To Lose ($5)
- Neko Case: Middle Cyclone ($5)
- Jason Isbell: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit & Sirens of the Ditch ($5)
Gregory Alan Isakov: The Weatherman (only $6.99!) | John Starke said today that Isakov "is one of the easiest folks to listen to while writing/working." NPR's Weekend Edition did an interview, "A Rambler's Folky Manifesto." This is a great album, and I know this week in particular it will get even more play from me.
07/22/2013
Jason Isbell on Fresh Air
The more listens I give to Jason Isbell's remarkable album, Southeastern, the more I love it.
I point you to a lot of music and most of the time I blog on albums when they are on sale. Finding a good album for $5 or cheaper is joy. Southeastern is full price. It's $9.99. And it's worth three times the price. If you wait and spend your money only when albums are on sale, you will miss something remarkable.
I submit into evidence Jason Isbell's recent appearance on NPR's Fresh Air podcast. Isbell plays a few of his songs live and talks about his own struggles with addiction. It's a great interview. And every song on this album makes me think. I hope you'll check it out.
07/18/2013
07/15/2013
Music Monday 7.15.13
- Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
- Postiljonen: Skyer | For lovers of M83 and dream pop.
- The Preservation Hall Band: That's It! ($6.99)
- Gavin DeGraw: Chariot ($2.99)
- The Decemberists: The Crane Wife ($5)
- Radiohead: Amnesiac ($5)
- Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit: Here We Rest & Live From Alabama ($4.99 each)
- Vampire Weekend: Modern Vampires of the City
- Boards of Canada: Tomorrow's Harvest
- Jason Isbell: Southeastern
07/01/2013
Music Monday 7.1.13
The fine folks from Bifrost Arts has a new worship album out. I've liked everything they've done to this point, so this is worthy of our attention.
- Bifrost Arts: He Will Not Cry Out
- Radiohead: Amnesiac ($5)
- Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit: Here We Rest & Live From Alabama ($4.99 each)
- Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience ($6.99)
- Jason Isbell: Southeastern | Getting a remarkable amount of play. A fantastic album.
- Vampire Weekend: Modern Vampires of the City | This is getting the most play. Best album they've made. My kids love it too.
06/20/2013
Summer Music
You need summer music. Summer music doesn't have to mean listening to something either super poppy or power-fun. You can find fun, power, and thoughtfulness at the same time. You can listen to fun summer music with huge, retro hooks that also is on an album that will stand the test of time.
My favorite album of the year that sounds best on a hot, sunny day with the windows of the car down and the radio turned up is Mikal Cronin's MCII. And it's only $6.99. I think you are gonna love this one.
06/18/2013
New Music Tuesday 6.18.13
Sigur Ros: Kveikur | A band that is doing their own thing and doing it extremely well.
This album is meant to fill your room. It's darker. "Close your eyes and feel the terrible greatness of nature swallow you up." And it's on sale this week!
06/03/2013
$5 Albums | June 2013
Another month of good, cheap music. Here are the albums I recommend from Amazon's $5 albums for June.
- Kurt Vile: Wakin On A Pretty Daze
- Broken Bells: Broken Bells
- Mikal Cronin: MCII
- Frank Turner: Tape Deck Heart
- Waxahatchee: Cerulean Salt
- Eluvium: Copia
- Camera Obscura: My Maudlin Career
- The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds
- The Avett Brothers: The Second Gleam
05/21/2013
New Music Tuesday 5.21.13
The National: Trouble Will Find Me | 8.4 Pitchfork "Best New Music"
Delusions of Adequacy: "The National are such a powerfully gifted band, they need no theatrics to deliver an absolutely stone-cold beast of an album. With the music that is on here there is yet another thirteen songs to savor and salivate over until the next batch of songs comes about."
Daft Punk: Random Access Memories | 8.8 Pitchfork "Best New Music"
The Telegraph: "Their return should be heralded from on high, because it is the boldest, smartest, most colourful and purely pleasurable dance album of this decade."
05/14/2013
Vampire Weekend: Modern Vampires of the City
05/13/2013
Music Monday 5.13.13
You should be checking out Vampire Weekend's new album, Modern Vampires of the City, streaming free on iTunes. It's out tomorrow and I will be buying it.
The Handsome Family: Wilderness is an enjoyable listen. Stream it free. Soothing.
Still $5, but ending today, is Deerhunter: Monomania. I picked it up and really dig it. All Deerhunter stuff is excellent.
Do check out the $5 albums for May, including some of the best albums I own.
If you haven't heard of Colin Stetson, and most of you probably haven't, check this out. He plays for Bon Iver, but this is from his album New History Warfare Vol 3: To See More Light. Stick with it. Quite interesting. He does circular breathing, has a mic on his throat, a mic for percussion on his sax, and more. Wowzers.
05/07/2013
Deerhunter: Monomania is $5
04/23/2013
Jesus Wants My Heart by Daniel Renstrom
I'm listening to Daniel Renstrom's new album, Jesus Wants My Heart. It's a family worship album of songs that kids and parents will both enjoy. enjoy singing together. I can tell you that right off the bat I was singing along. A wonderful balance of Gospel and theology in song.
Here are five things Daniel hopes this album will do. Go Read more at Daniel's blog.
- I hope that families will have rich theological discussions because of the songs on JWMH.
- I hope that families have fun listening to these songs.
- I hope that these songs give your kids good categories to love God and fight sin.
- I hope that these songs help parents fulfill Deuteronomy 6:6-7.
- I hope these songs will have evangelistic fruit.
There are songs Renstrom wrote and some hymns. I think you will love it.
04/17/2013
Junip | Streaming Free
I am loving the new, self-titled Junip album. It's streaming free at Pitchfork. It's about time a 2013 album took my breath away. You can buy it next Tuesday. (HT: Brent Thomas' genius ears).
04/16/2013
Stream New Phoenix Album, Bankrupt!
Stream the new album from Phoenix: Bankrupt! now through iTunes.
It's out next week. Click on album cover or here to listen free.
04/09/2013
New Music Tuesday | Oblivion Soundtrack
I'm no expert on soundtracks and scores, though there are some I just love. Part of the reason some are so appealing to me is they are cohesive and I occasionally find one that is a joy to play as I work, write, study, etc. One new soundtrack that fits my tastes and is by a band I just love, M83, is the Oblivion Soundtrack. I have no idea if the movie is any good, and at this point I don't care. I'm just enjoying the sounds as I work. And it's only $5 for a short time! Go get it.
04/08/2013
$5 Albums | April 2013
If you haven't seen them yet, here are some albums you need to check out that are only $5 right now!
- Foxygen: We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic | I have been listening to this one a lot lately.
- The Avett Brothers: The Carpenter
- The XX: Coexist
- Phosphorescent: Muchacho
- Tegan & Sara: The Con
- The White Stripes: Icky Thump
- Dan Deacon: America
- The Black Keys: Magic Potion
- Metric: Synthetica
- Animal Collective: Centipede Hz
- Pearl Jam: Vs
Streaming FREE Albums 4.8.13
Iron & Wine: Ghost on Ghost | Whoa. A whole different sound. Interested in your feedback.
The Flaming Lips: The Terror | "Sounding almost post-apocalyptic in its scabrous, searching bleakness — Coyne himself describes the album as "disturbing"..." Yikes.
The Shouting Matches: Grownass Man | Includes Justin Vernon of Bon Iver playing mostly falsetto-less blues-rock. I hear Wilco, Black Keys, & other flavors here. This isn't your hipsters' Justin Vernon. And it may be impossible for this to have been recorded in a rural cabin. Check it out.
The Knife: Shaking the Habitual | One of my favorite, creepy, beat-centric bands. Get ready for quirk.
04/01/2013
New Albums Streaming FREE 4.1.13
- Besnard Lakes: Until In Excess, Imperceptible UFO | Yucky title that probably has some really important meaning (?)...but I love this dreamy, ambient rock goodness
- Kurt Vile: Wakin On A Pretty Daze | I dig it
- The Black Angels: Indigo Meadows
- Caveman: Caveman
- The Lovely Wild: The Sun As It Comes
03/19/2013
New Music Tuesday 3.19.13
Several significant albums released today. I wanted to point out the ones I recommend you check out. There are even more than these I'm checking out but don't know well enough to recommend for you. This week I'm struggling to choose which to buy. I want all of these, and maybe a couple more. A good problem to have!
Low: The Invisible Way | One of my favorite bands with what sounds like is another great album. Highly recommend you check Low out. Many good reviews too.
Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience | Before you roll your eyes, Pitchfork gives it 8.4/10. I think JT has been making some of the best, coolest, most fun pop music around...and that was 7 years ago. Now finally with a new album, we get one of the most interesting, engaging, funny, and talented performers of our time with fresh lungs and sounds. Enjoy!
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Specter at the Feast | $5 right now. A bit of return to form to earlier albums I really loved. Paste: 8/10. I think this is a band often overlooked and who should have a wider appeal.
Phosophorescent: Muchacho | Getting great reviews. Pitchfork 8.8/10. I heard this streaming free and really liked it and will be picking it up.
Anais Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer: Child Ballads | Not "ballads for children," but Celtic & British ballads compiled by Francis James Child. You'll struggle to find an album more thoroughly beautiful this week.
Stornoway: Tales from Terra Firma | Wonderful acoustic, folksy sounds. Very interested in this one.
Woodkid: The Golden Age | Fascinating sounds, from haunting vocals and to a visual quality to the music. It's engaging. Reminds me of Antony & the Johnsons as well as my album of the year a couple of years ago, The Poison Tree.
Les Miserables Soundtrack (Deluxe Edition) | If you can't stop singing it (see: my wife and daughter), this 42 track double album is the whole dealio. A must for lovers of the film/musical.
03/18/2013
Music Monday 3.18.13
Here are albums streaming free this week that I think are worth checking out...
- Julian Lynch: Lines | I'm listening to this now, and it's fascinating. Electric folk Americana something. I hear Sufjan influence. Really digging it.
- Wavves: Afraid of Heights
- DJ Koze: Amygdala
- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Specter at the Feast
- Low: The Invisible Way (out tomorrow, I will be buying it)
Josh Garrels is still giving away 5 albums FREE.
Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater covers Roy Orbison's "It's Over" in the Texas outdoors. If you don't know Jonathan's work (with Okkervil River too), you should check it out. I still think Palo Santo is his best work. Covering Orbison is hard work, but well done by JM.
Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater plays "It's Over" by Roy Orbison
03/14/2013
Josh Garrels | 5 Free Albums
This is so good. Josh Garrels, the dude who made the excellent 2011 album Love & War & The Sea In Between (my #5 of 2011), is giving away his five albums free. FREE, I say. All "tips" go to World Relief, so don't be afraid to give if you have the means. This is a really cool thing for Josh to do!
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