This is so awesome for a Funk covers band from Hamilton to be beating out all those other “big” names in music. New Zealanders must still have some taste!
And people should definately buy the album it is awesome.
Last night I finished reading one of the best books I have read in a long time. It is called “Save Me From Myself” and is written by Brian Head Welch formerly of the band Korn. The book is an autobiography of his life from childhood, through his drug fuelled years with Korn and his coming to Christ and becoming a Christian. I won’t give too much away about the story as it is a book that any young person should read.
The one bit that really got me from a Christian perspective was towards the end of the book where Welch describes some songs he wrote after coming to Christ:
After I’d been writing for a bit, God gave me another song called “It’s Time To See Religion Die.” To me, this song has a few different meanings. For one, it’s a song that encourages people to get out of this whole “Sunday Christian” mentality and into the world so God can use them to change the world, to help people understand that God does not live in buildings made by men (Acts 7:48). We are God’s building, because he dwells in us (1 Corinthians 3:16).
Upon reading this I grabbed my bible to check the verses mentioned in context. The full context of Acts 7:48 is from verse 48 through to verse 50, from the NIV:
However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?”
The full context of 1 Corinthians 3:16 extends into verse 17 as well:
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
This commentary was something that I had always known but had forgotten about. It seems too often that we get caught up in thinking that God is at Church. When God is actually right with us, right now. And church is something made by man to come together as a body of believers to worship God. Church is not God and does not create God, but we can meet God at church, in exactly the same way we can on our owns anywhere else at any other time.
Welch then continues:
That’s not the only meaning to this song though. Also, this song is for all the people that have been hurt by religion. All of the man-made religion crap in this world has to die. Whenever it’s Christian man-made religion crap or some other man-made religion crap, it all has to die. It must grieve God’s heart when he sees Christians fighting about whose doctrine is right; he doesn’t see denominations, he sees one big glorious bride. When Christians argue about doctrinal issues, all he sees is carnal people acting like children. All that prideful, controlling religious crap is what drives young people away from churches, and it has to go. Much of the world’s population is under the age of eighteen, and we have to bring the love of Christ to them without all this controlling crap going on. Because, where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
I found this point quite interesting as well. I think it is important to be able to freely and frankly discuss your differences of points of view on doctrine but many times church groups take it way too far (catholic vs protestant for instance). And it does put people off. If we put as much effort into working with young people as we did discussing the finer points of some minor piece of doctrine how many more people would we save?
You can buy the book on Mighty Ape
Okay, I can’t sleep.
And U2’s Kite is stuck in my head.
Some of the lyrics:
Something is about to give
I can feel it coming
I think I know what it meansWho’s to say where the wind will take you?
Who’s to say what it is will break you?
I don’t know which way the wind will blow
Who’s to know when the time has come around?
Don’t wanna see you cry
I know that this is not goodbyeIn summer, I can taste the salty sea
There’s a kite blowing out of control on a breeze
I wonder what’s gonna happen to you
You wonder what has happened to meI’m a man
I’m not a child
A man who sees
The shadow behind your eyesWho’s to say where the wind will take you?
Who’s to say what it is will break you?
I don’t know where the wind will blow
Who’s to know when the time has come around?
I don’t wanna see you cry
I know that this is not goodbyeDid I waste it?
Not so much I couldn’t taste it
Life should be fragrant
Rooftop to the basement
Okay I am digging Linkin Park’s Live Album Road to Revolution.
One of the post catchy songs on it is Shadow of the Day. In particular it is catchy drum and bass line. Well a few days ago I read that it was nearly identical to U2’s With or Without you. And If you listen to the beginning of both songs it is clear they have the same bass track.
Now I am not going to point the finger at Linkin Park and say they stole U2’s song. In fact both songs are quite different in lyrics and other pieces of music. But hearing them over the top of each other is quite cool.
The follow three videos are all mash ups of the two songs. The first alters the U2 track to make it fit Linkin Park, while the second does the opposite. The third is an almost straight overlay of the two songs and the video explains how it was done.
Cool aye.
I got both Skillet’s Comatose Comes Alive and Rapture Ruckus’s Live at World’s End Live CD/DVDs yesterday.
What a contrast between the two albums.
Skillet’s album is fantastic. I mean more then fantastic. The DVD of the film is just amazing, lots of postproduction effects and a really good selection of songs accross their past few albums, and a one hour 20 minute show.
Rapture on the other hand is a 40 minute, 10 song show which is interrupted every second song by Parachute Music putting in a mini promo or message about something, I didn’t buy a live DVD to get advertising breaks. However the show itself is awesome.
Both albums also come with an audio cd version of the respective concerts which is good for the MP3 Player.
Jesus Freak Hideout have got their writers to each list their 15 favourite albums of all time.
It is pretty cool, check it out here: http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/features/favorites/top15_2008/default.asp
Which made me think. If I could only have 15 albums from my collection what would they be?
So in no particular order, and I limited myself to only one album per band my list is:
Audio Adrenaline – Until My Heart Caves In
This was Audio A’s last original studio release. And it rocks. Opening up with Clap Your Hands, and featuring King, Starting Over, Are You Ready For Love, Undefeated and Losing Control it rocked from start to finish. Easily one of my favourite albums.
Delirious? – Access:D
Access:D was a great live album from the D boys. Featuring all the hits from the Cutting Edge era and more recent Touch material it was a great two disc live collection that really defined what it means to be a fan of Delirious.
Eight – Unfinished
Eight are a local Kiwi band, or were. Unfinished was released after the band went their seperate ways. Openning up with Build a 7 minute instrumental really does Build the album. Featuring Depends and Fall Apart the album really shows the beauty of Eight a very well polished band and album.
Jeff Deyo – Surrender
I really coundn’t leave this album of the list. I was front row at Parachute 2005 where it was recorded live. Other then the personal connection to the album it is a great collection of modern worship songs such as Let It Flow, Be Lifted Up, More Love More Power, Nothing Less Than All Of Me and Bless The Lord.
Kutless – Hearts of the Innocent
The highlight of this album is Winds of Change a beautiful rock song. But like almost all the other albums on this list it the entire album rocks. Million Dollar Man is a great description of our modern lust for greed.
The Lads – Lost at Sea
We all said it was okay to live our own way without God. The Lad’s late 1990s album Lost at Sea is powerful because it successfuly blends punk/pop rock with songs about God and life. The highlight of this album is the ballard Ode To Joy. A must have.
Lifehouse – No Name Face
Your all I want, your all I need, your everything. Lifehouse’s No Name Face album is fantastic. It contains a large amount of spiritual metaphors mixed into a mainstream rock album. Hanging by a Moment was the most requested radio single of 2001 in the United States and propelled the band to stardom.
Newsboys – Adoration
The Newsboys’ worship project is one of their best albums. Opening with He Reigns and containing a live version of It is You the album is exactly what it says it is, A worship album.
OneRepublic – Dreaming Out Loud
OneRepublic are a lot like Lifehouse sucessful at mixing God and the mainstream. My favourite song is Dreaming Out Loud which at first listen is a very confussed song, but on more indepth thought it contains many powerful metaphors about God and Church.
Paul Colman Trio – New Map of the World
The Paul Colman Trio was one of the best bands that never quite made it. Turn featured heavily on World Vision ads and helped the band get airplay on Christian Radio. The best song on the album is Killing Tree closely followed by Selfish Song.
Rapture Ruckus – I Believe
The third homegrown artist on my list. Rapture Ruckus has been very successful in proving you can have rap without having the negative images that go with it. A nice album with a powerful message.
Skillet – Alien Youth
Choosing what Skillet album to add to this list was hard. In the end Alien Youth was settled on because of the dynamic songs on the album such as Alien Youth, The Thirst is Taking Over and Will You Be There.
Thousand Foot Krutch – The Art of Breaking.
If you haven’t heard the song Hurt go and listen to it now. This album is brilliant at showing the success of christian rock, being well polished, clean and simply great!
TobyMac – Alive and Transported
Probably the best live album I own. Alive and Transported features all of the best songs from TobyMac and DC Talk, the lead in for Jesus Freak is fantastic.
Tree63 – Tree63
Tree63’s debut album is their best. Features: Joy, Look What You’ve Done, 1*0*1. Brilliant, just Brilliant.
Parachute have done it again! They have secured one of the best Christian rock bands in the world. Last time it was Switchfoot, before that it was Thousand Foot Krutch, Delirious?, Audio Adrenaline, Falling Up…
And now Kutless!!! Yeah!!!
Parachute 09 is coming, and the line up has been announced…
Family Force Five, The David Crowder Band, Kutless, Casting Crowns and Dave Dobbyn are confirmed as headline acts! Also Some of your favorite kiwis; Parachute Band, Rapture Ruckus, Mumsdollar, Nathan King, Kingston, All Left Out, Magnify, Late 80’s Mercedes, Juliagrace, Shooting Stars, The Ember Days, Zero T, Primal Band and heaps more…
Get ready for the summer of peace, justice and rock ’n roll. Celebrating its 19th year, Parachute 09 is set to be the hottest spot on the summer calendar. From 23-26 January, Hamilton’s Mystery Creek’s Events Centre will resound with hits of home and abroad as 150 artists grace 6 stages over the long weekend.
I just found out that Parachute Festival will remain at Mystery Creek Events Centre for another five years! Yeah!
Like the election date, the announcement of artists performing at P09 should be announced any day now. So far David Crowder Band and Family Force Five have been confirmed. I also know of a strong rumour that Casting Crowns are playing. And most importantly The Lads have no concerts booked between the end of October and March next year. Are they planing a summer break, in NZ?
From the parachute website:
When I first saw the Telecom and featuring Baby Come On by Elemeno P I thought it was pretty cool. However, upon discovering that the company in it was fake it was a bit of a let down. Now I have discovered that the whole video is based off a web based viral video that actually is a real company. Telecom great ad, but it is not cool to rip off other peoples ideas.
The Original:
The Fake:
The End of an Era……
We would like to address all our fans, our friends and people around the world who have faithfully supported Delirious?
After 14 albums, thousands of shows in front of millions of people, and many extraordinary memories, we have decided that at the end of 2009 we will take a break from recording and playing as a band.
Our decision was triggered by a request from Martin to be released from the band to pursue new projects including his work with CompassionArt and the desire to be at home more with Anna and his children. We have of course honoured this request and made a decision together that now is the time to end this chapter of our lives.
We will continue to play and be excited about our current tours and bookings but will not be adding many more over the coming 17 months..
We are all so deeply grateful to our incredible fans who have sung the songs and allowed Delirious? the privilege of providing the soundtrack to many lives over the years. From the school hall in Littlehampton to the stadiums of the world we have many stories to tell our children’s children. Delirious also would not be what it is without our amazing wives and families, and our gratitude to them is immense. We will now move forward to the next part of our lives where new challenges unfold and greater stories will be written.
We want to make it absolutely clear that although this decision has been extremely painful and difficult, we are still great friends and our respect for each other is unquestionable. We love playing in this band together and know that even though 2009 will bring an end to this current journey, there will be more adventures together in years to come.
We always used to say that we were ‘taking it wherever it goes’. The music ended up going further and deeper than we could ever have dreamed, yet we are now at a point where our creative futures will spread out and take on different journeys.
Thanks again for believing in us through all these years. We believe the best is yet to come.
Well the end had to come some day. I am so grateful to have seen them live. Delirious? are by far one of the best Christian Worship bands in modern history. Still sinking in.
I got it!
1 hour 30 minutes before it’s official release date. The new album is up for download off itunes. Currently onto the third song. The opening song is odd kinda like some weird African based tune. Tracks two and three are the new singles.
This is the most anticipated album I have had in a while… Looking forward to the rest of it. Yeah!
Saw this new video on C4 a few days ago. It is awesome.
Whoever said Lifehouse was a one hit wonder. Four albums down and they are still going strong. Their latest album, Who We Are, was released just over a week ago and I rate it amongst their best. Here are two songs from it, which I think are the best off the new album.
The broken clock is a comfort, it helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow from stealing all my time
I am here still waiting though I still have my doubts
I am damaged at best, like you’ve already figured outI’m falling apart, I’m barely breathing
With a broken heart that’s still beating
In the pain there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I’m holdin’ on, I’m holdin’ on, I’m holdin’ on
I’m barely holdin’ on to youThe broken locks were a warning you got inside my head
I tried my best to be guarded, I’m an open book instead
I still see your reflection inside of my eyes
That are looking for purpose, they’re still looking for lifeI’m falling apart, I’m barely breathing
With a broken heart that’s still beating
In the pain is there healing
In your name I find meaning
So I’m holdin’ on, I’m holdin’ on, I’m holdin’ on
I’m barely holdin’ on to youI’m hanging on another day just to see what you will throw my way
And I’m hanging on to the words you say
You said that I will be okThe broken lights on the freeway left me here alone
I may have lost my way now, haven’t forgotten my way homeI’m falling apart, I’m barely breathing
With a broken heart that’s still beating
In the pain there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I’m holdin’ on, I’m holdin’ on, I’m holdin’ on
I’m barely holdin’ on to youI’m holdin’ on
I’m holdin’ on
I’m barely holdin’ on to you
Lots of argument has been had over the past few years about if Lifehouse is or is not a Christian band. I think it is very obvious in the lyrics to these two songs.
How long have I been in this storm?
So overwhelmed by the ocean’s shapeless form
Water’s getting harder to tread
With these waves crashing over my headIf I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I could see you
This darkness would turn to light
And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyesI know everything will be all right
I know everything is all rightI know you didn’t bring me out here to drown
So why am I ten feet under and upside down?
Barely surviving has become my purpose
Because I’m so used to living underneath the surfaceIf I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I could see you
This darkness would turn to light
And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyesI know everything will be all right
And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be all rightI know everything is all right
Everything’s all right
Yeah
Everything’s all right
