robby.Stewart.com

::surely i do:: (The Saddest Love Song You’ll Ever Hear)

// January 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // audio, lyrics, music // audio, lyrics, music

Well, probably the saddest I’ll ever write.  This is the song I alluded to in this tweet.  I wrote the words while driving to Charleston two weekend ago and the music while I was on the phone with a friend. A true multi-tasker at hand.

This is about a pretty specific situation and there’s not much depth here. These 40 words (or so) clock in at just over 4 minutes and that’s seems just about right.

Listen if you will.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

::surely i do::

i do, i do
i do, i do

i’m sorry it took this long
to understand what this means to me
these simple words, their gravity
has finally got a hold of me

i do, i do
i do, i do
i do, i do
and i will, yes i will

i love you dearly
i’ll miss you more
i love you dearly
i’ll miss you more

The 20 Best Songs of 2009

// January 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // audio, lists, music, videos // audio, lists, music, videos

I wanted to take a few moments and list my favorite songs from last year. Most of these songs found a niche in my Walkman and never left.  These are songs that mean something to me. These are songs that are so infectious that I can’t get them out of my head. These are songs that rock my face off. These are songs that pull on my heart like a marionette. These are songs I want to sing from the bottom of my lungs. These are songs I want to share with you.

In addition to running down the top songs, I’ll also give out some superlatives of a few songs that didn’t quite make it.  This is primarily a cardinal list, with the exception of the first five.

¶Manchester Orchestra – The River

The struggle of man. The duality of man. This is a conflicted story of redemption.

¶Cursive – What I’ve Done

Looking back at life’s regrets. Long, drawn out, and potent masterpiece. Watch a live performance here.

¶Desoto Jones – She Hit The Wall

A encouraging song about grieving a loss.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

¶Thrice – In Exile

I hope my head can be filled with song of Thrice forever.

¶Regina Spektor – Eek

A more intelligent, more accurate “Ironic.”

¶Matisyahu – Thunder

The live version, definitely. Watch it here.

¶Manchester Orchestra – I Can Feel A Hot One

A beautifully tragic story, delivered only as Andy Hull could do.

¶Thrice – Circles

The best song about circles since “In Circles” by Sunny Day Real Estate.

¶Manchester Orchestra – Shake It Out

The humble yet mighty bridge is what makes this song. The contrast from the aggressive other parts of the song help you understand the turmoil the singer is going through.

¶Matisyahu – One Day

Shalom. Watch the live version here.

¶Cursive – From The Hips

The freedom of living life in the moment. Spontaneous & Unscripted.

¶mewithoutYou – Goodbye, I

Aaron speaks in parables.

¶The Influence – Old Bones

A modern classic rock opus. Somewhat official video.

¶Phoneix – Love Like A Sunset

A song so good it almost doesn’t need 27 words.

¶Mae- Seasons

Despite being a 13 minute piano instrumental, I can’t get enough of this song. Part 1 is below. Part 2 is here.

¶Best Country Song aka, I almost liked it

Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now” (video) Thanks, Carey!

¶Best Country Song I played on Rock Band and almost enjoyed it

Miranda Lambert – Gunpowder & Lead (video)

¶Best Song I Rediscovered This Year

Suzanna Daly – Digging Deep

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

¶Best Cover I Heard This Year

“Hallelujah” by Daniel Adams

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

¶Best not-so-new songs I discovered this year

“Heavy Hands” by Desoto Jones (weird fanime video)

The Best, Worst, and Underwhelming Albums of 2009

// January 2nd, 2010 // 2 Comments » // lists, music, videos // lists, music, videos

Happy New Year!  Now that the niceties are over, let’s get on to to the background info. This week, I will reflect on the past year and look forward to what 2010 has to offer.

When I first decided to write this post a few weeks ago, I hadn’t read anyone else’s lists and I wasn’t planning on doing so either.  But through posts on twitter, I was exposed to several.  Looks like my favorite album is a lot of people’s favorite as well.  My initial response was to re-calibrate my picks and re-evaluate my rankings since I rarely ever listen to popular things, much less thoroughly enjoy them.  But, to put it quite simply, if it’s good, it’s good; if it’s great, it’s great.  And this album is great.

I also stand firm that most of the people who will wind up reading this will hear at least one new band they hadn’t heard before.

Please note: This is entirely based upon music that I have listened to this year.  I’m sure there’s some great music I haven’t listened to that didn’t make this list, feel free to comment on your picks.

Best Albums of 2009

#7 David Bazan – “Curse Your Branches”

This is the first Bazan album I really liked since “Control” came out in 2002.  He has dropped the Pedro the Lion moniker and is writing more personal, first person material than before.  I think it’s refreshing that Bazan writes so openly about his struggle with faith.  I don’t think there’s anything wrong with question what you believe.  In fact, it takes a certain amount of bravery to do so. He questions God, the Bible,  and believers in their tenets of faith in such a way that encourages you no matter what your belief system is.

I find myself compelled into Bazan’s agnostic world and coming out stronger for it.  It seems Bazan talks to God more than a lot of “Christian bands” do.  Here are a few lyrics

Digging up the root of my confusion
If no one planted it, how does it grow?
And why are some hellbent upon, there being an answer?
While some are quite content, to answer “I don’t know

(from “Curse Your Branches“)

You long for the truth
We argue about it
But most of us doubt it can ever be found
Is a ship without a captain just as doomed as a ship without a crew?

(from “Heavy Breath”)

a shadow on the water
a whisper in the wind
on long walks with my daughter
who is lately full of questions
about You

(from “In Stitches”)

Standouts: “Hard To Be,” “Bless This Mess,” “When We Fell, “Lost My Shape”

website | facebook | myspace | twitter

#6 Cursive – “Mama, I’m Swollen”

This might be one of the most under-appreciated albums of the year, perhaps some were put off because the opening track seems to be too repetitive.  But the band redeems itself with the second song, “From The Hips,” starts out with quiet introspection and it’s  begging for the band to let loose and go wild.  The build-up takes 90 seconds and then stops only to begin again about 3 minutes into it.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether Tim Kasher is talking about sex, politics, or religion. Perhaps that’s the point.  Either way, this is a great record, with lots to offer.  The record as a whole deals with finding meaning and purpose (or the lack thereof)  in life from relationships or religion and about the troubled condition of mankind. Much like Thrice’s “Beggars”, echoes of Solomon’s Ecclesiastes are eschewed throughout. But unlike Thrice, I have to supply my own hope.

I was hooked after watching this performance on Shockhound.com.

We are the sons of butchers
All in all we’re pawns
The darkness of mankind stirs in us all

from “Mama, I’m Satan“

We’re at our worst when it’s from our lips
From our lips we caused a rift
And this world is falling in
From Babel to barroom brawls
Our words have formed a death sentence
And I wish that we had never talked
Our hips said it all

from “From The Hips“

Going to write my Moby Dicks
More like scratching lyrics on paper plates
I spent the best years of my life
Waiting on the best years of my life
So what’s there to write about?

from “What Have I Done?“

Standout Tracks: “From The Hips,” “Mama, I’m Satan,” “What Have I Done?”

website | facebook | myspace | twitter

#5 Matisyahu – “Light”

I have a lot of respect for Matisyahu.  He’s a devout Hasidic Jew who is unabashed in his faith and people respond to it.  After his breakthrough hit, “King Without A Crown,” (from “Youth”) I was unsure if Matis had staying power.  “Light” proves he does. As a whole, “Light” is a much better album than “Youth.”

The music on this album is there to compliment the lyrical delivery.  There’s an airy feel to these songs that leaves you open to receiving these songs.

Much like the title suggests, this album’s theme is light, what it is, what it looks like, what it doesn’t look like. Matis sings/raps about hope (“One Day”, about living a life of purpose (“Struggla”).  With his last album, “Youth,’ he wanted to set young people straight and now he’s urging us to move to a higher (spiritual) level.  He writes about leaving the darkness that lies within us behind (“Darkness Into Light” and “Thunder”).  The last song (“Silence”)  is a tender song of praise, a yearning to hear God speak, a yearning so fervent, “the silence kills” him.  The album ends appropriately enough with a Selah.  I’m left with an uncertainty as to whether it’s over.  The sounds and message still ring in my ear.  All I know is I don’t want it to be over.

I went to an in-store performance and there was a much more diverse audience than expected (a Phish/Widespread Panic crowd), from toddlers dancing around their yuppie parents to an older Jewish lady with her Star of David necklace.  All you have to do to get hooked on this album is watched his impassioned live performance on Pandora. He can sing, he can rap, he can beatbox, he can write, and he can praise God.

“‘One Day’ is the song I’ve been wanting to make since I started my career,” Matisyahu told Spinner. “It is an anthem of hope with a big beat — the kind of song that makes you bob your head and open your heart at the same time.”

Standout Tracks: “One Day,” “So Hi So Lo,” “I Will Be Light,” “Darkness Into Light”

website | facebook | myspace | twitter

#4 The Glorious Unseen – “The Hope That Lies In You”

The Glorious Unseen, led by Ben Crist, has a fresh take on worship.  Listening to The Glorious Unseen reminds me of when I discovered Delirious back in the late 90’s, awesome, contemplative worship that felt genuine. When I first heard the band, I was thinking I knew Ben (or at least of him).  Turns out I was right, he went to Belmont when I went to Vanderbilt and played guitar in Colson,  a band one of my roommates played drums with for a while.  There’s a huge swell of sound that engulfs the songs of The Glorious Unseen. It’s big enough to fill the room, but somehow remains intimate.  This is nothing like you’d typically hear at church or on CCM radio.  A lot of worship music today is to “happy”.  TGU has a more honest approach, talking about doubts, fear, and the darker side of the faith.

This album was written out of a dark place.  The angst, anger, fear, desire, confusion breathes through the strained vocals and the encompassing instruments. This album could stand as the soundtrack of Job.  Or it could have been written by David while he was on the run for his life.  A lot of the questions asked on this album mirror those that David Bazan asks on “Curse Your Branches.” This album tells the whole story, while I’m hoping for a sequel to Bazan’s.

Through all the questioning, I’m still discovering myself.
And in the processing, I wonder if there’s something else that has a hold on me.

(from “We Can Be Renewed“)

Come down – we need Your hope to come down.
We need Your grace to pour out. We need the face of God now.
Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

(from “The Hope That Lies In You“)

Most of these songs could stand alone as an anthem of hope and praise, but work so much better as a cohesive journey.

Standout Tracks: “All Around,” “How He Loves,” “Sustain,” “Sweet, Sweet Sound”

website | facebook | myspace | twitter

#3 The Dirt and The Flood – “Garden”

It’s hard to believe that  honor students at Clemson University could put together such wonderfully crafted songs.  I saw these guys open up for one of my favorite bands, Cool Hand Luke almost 2 years ago exactly.  They started the show sitting on the edge of the stage with a banjo, a guitar, and four voices.  Who knew that within a few minutes, I’d find my favorite “local” band.  I hadn’t been this enthralled by a band’s introduction at a show since I first saw Cool Hand Luke in 1998.  It’s a shame that the band is on a break while the members pursue other efforts including, ministry at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. No doubt these individuals will go on to do great things, I just hope they will make music in the future.

Knox can tell a story.  Just listen to “Welcome Home” as he tells the story of the Prodical Son in such a way that makes it new.  The way he recounts the seemingly hopeless relationship in “Plans”  and then sings about the reconciliation in “Colors” is just simply amazing.  The music matches up with the heart of the fractured couple perfectly.

And you could throw it all away, but what’s out there?
You don’t wanna run away, for all that’s here.
So live away, you are free
And you don’t have to be afraid to come home.

from “Welcome Home“

I began to dance
I began to sing
Cause I know where I’m going
I know where you’ve called me

from “In Plain View“

what once was alive has turned to death
but what came from its ashes
is the soil for this garden

from “Colors (What Once Was Dead Has Come Alive)“

Watch an early version of “Come On And Trust.” This is the reason I fell in love with the band.

Standout Tracks: “Welcome Home,” “A Lament,” “Come On And Trust”

website | facebook | myspace

#2 Thrice – “Beggars”

I was able to hear a couple songs from this CD early when I saw Thrice on the Warped Tour.  I am grateful that they got “The Alchemy Index” out of their system; a concept that was better than the record. They are back and better than ever.  The lyrical content of these remind of a modern-day Ecclesiastes. The themes of this is very similar to that of Cursive’s latest, except Dustin Kensrue inserts a hopeful tenor into the mix. The concept is not new.  There is a more kinetic energy on this record and I can’t wait to hear what’s next for these guys.

The album starts with Dustin singing about the seemingly limitless evil of mankind and at the sametime, the somewhat oblivious nature we share. These ideas are strewn through the record.

But the blind lead the blind into bottomless pits,
Still we smile and deny that we’re cursed.
But of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst.

Something’s gone terribly wrong with everyone;
All the world is mad.
Darkness brings terrible things; the sun is gone -
What vanity! our sad, wretched fires.

(from “All The World Is Mad“)

“The Weight” is about as aggressive a love song as I’ve ever heard.

Because a ring don’t mean nothing
If you can’t haul the weight,
And some of them won’t even try,
But I won’t leave you high and dry;
I won’t leave you wondering why.

Dustin is one of the best lyricist around. There are so many elements and I could probably write a dissertation on breaking down the lyrics.  The ideas are not new, but there is a hopelessness and frivolity that lies in the day-to-day toil of life.  There has to be a higher purpose, a reason for everything and that what this record does.  It takes you on a journey from the hopeless to the hopeful.

My heart is filled with songs of forever
A city that endures, where all is made new
And no I don’t belong here
I’ll never call this place my home
I’m just passing through

(from “In Exile“)

Despite facing certain death in “Wood & Wire,” Dustin sings:

The dawn is coming
All is well, I will rejoice

“Through With Glass” sounds like it could be an old Thrice and is the heaviest song on the record. The almost screaming in voice shows the frustration of not being able to communicate effectively.

The album closes with these words from the title track:

Can you hear what’s been said can you see now that everything’s grace after all
If there’s one thing I know in this life, we are beggars all

Standout Tracks:  All of Them.

website | facebook | myspace | twitter

#1 Manchester Orchestra – “Mean Everything to Nothing”

This is my one inexorable pick. Andy Hull and company put out their best effort to date.  I can remember the first song I heard off the album, “I Can Feel A Hot One” on thesixtyone.com, a great music streaming website.  I didn’t know who it was at first, but I had to find out.  Turns out I knew who it was, I just didn’t know how good they were.  Sure, I’d heard of them, but I wasn’t a huge fan.  In fact, when I first heard “Golden Ticket” I thought I was listening to some really old Copeland I had forgotten about (listen here).

Things have changed and I’ve grown to love and appreciate the genius that is Manchester Orchestra.  To say that Andy Hull (songwriter, vocals, guitar) is my hero is an exaggeration, but not by much.  It’s even more incredible when you realize that  Hull is still in his early 20’s-it leaves me hopeful of many more albums and years of listening to the band’s music.

“Mean Everything To Nothing” is a gateway album.  After getting to know the songs on METN, I was able to go back and listen to the previous works and appreciate them.  The primary reason, as Deckfight points out, is that with this release, “finally…the band matches Hull’s vocal intensity.”

If you just listen to a couple songs, you will hear and feel the intrinsic value of how Hull combines his extremely personal, intense, and  intricate lyrics and hand crafts them over his guitar to create a sonic masterpiece.  You can hear this in the unexpected bridge of “Shake It Out” & throughout the river “The River.”

These songs stand up whether it’s the full band or just Andy and his guitar. You can watch the videos the band made for every song on the album on Vimeo.  The band has done some wonderful acoustic arrangement of their songs.

Standout Tracks: All of Them

website | facebook | myspace | twitter

Worst Albums of 2009

Switchfoot – “Hello Hurricane” I heard this described as the “Joshua Tree” of Switchfoot’s career.  Perhaps I am not their audience, I haven’t liked the band since New Way To Be Human came out and still think “Legend of Chin” is their best album.  I was hopeful when I watched the trailer but lost it when I listened to the entire album.  To think that these were the best of the 200 songs they wrote for the album makes me shudder.

Pearl Jam – “Backspacer” After what had to be the worst performance in the history of late night television on the debut of The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, I have given up on the band. It sounded like they were just rehearsing a song for the first time in someone’s garage. The mix was way off and it was hard to watch.  “Just Breathe” happens to be  a pretty good song. I long for the days of the 90’s Pearl Jam. I’ll stick with “Ten,” “Vs.,” and “Vitology.”

Jars of Clay – “The Long Fall Back To Earth” Who knows why I listened to this album. Nothing original and nothing that stands out.  The concept behind “Two Hands” is a good one but their end product is trite and simple.

Albums I Wanted To Like The Most

Mute Math – “Armitice” The raw music on this album is phenomenal; it’s the production on the actual recordings I didn’t care for as much. This is a prime case of  “I’d-rather-see-the-band-live-than-listen-the-CD.”

Stavesacre – “Behind The Silence” One of my all-time favorite bands, mostly for Mark Salomon’s lyrics.  This EP was one of the most anticapted records in a long time.  Jeff Bellow was back, but the end result was a lacklsuster EP that made me sad.

MAE – Make A Difference Project.  I love the idea behind releasing one song a month and donating all the money to a different project or charity.  However, I wasn’t too impressed with the songs.  It wasn’t until the latest song, “Seasons” that I enjoyed the song. It’s a 13 minute piano instrumental.  It’s one of the best songs of the year.  But it doesn’t make up for the other songs.

A New Day, A New Year (*trail of tears*)

// January 1st, 2010 // No Comments » // audio, lyrics, music, reflections // audio, lyrics, music, reflections

Janauary was named for Janus, the Roman god of two faces, one looking forward and one looking backward.  This should be a time to reflect, but to keep moving forward.

“New Year’s Project” by Further Seems Forever (the best incarnation of the band with Chris Carrabba on vocals) is a powerful song, especially at this time of year.

I wrote the following song a long time ago and under very different circumstances. I’ve associated a lot of songs with a particular month. This one is no different. This is my January song, my new year’s declaration.  The end is hopeful.  The song is very specific to me, but I think you might be able to relate.  Perhaps it might be time to be true to yourself and start mending some relationships.

I might re-record this soon, but for now, enjoy the words.

*trail of tears*

and how can i expect you to know how i feel unless i say it
but i don’t know how
trapping all these feelings inside is numbing my senses
my sensitivity to Christ
i don’t know why but i bury my beliefs in your presence
and seemingly throw it all away

i wish i could translate all my thoughts into words that you’d understand
maybe i could figure myself out….and maybe you’d understand

so i cry a new beginning, finding my way back to God
His hands around me, assuring me i can begin again
i feel so wrong, that what i’ve done can’t be made right
when i look in the mirror, i wanna see You staring right back at me
so i cry a new beginning

a new day, a new year, another chance to be what i’m supposed to be
as tears stream down and as guilt follows
all that’s left is a memory and a lesson learned
and a desire to hear the beautiful sounds of june
(when You rained down and gave me life)

Worship Stone (A Christmas Song)

// December 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // lyrics // lyrics

I wanted to do something special for the 10th anniversary of writing this song. I wanted to record with a friend of mine singing it to share with you guys for Christmas, but I wasn’t able to get that done.

I spent some time over the past few days rewriting the music to make it something more appealing to my tastes now.  Perhaps I can get this and my new year’s song re-recorded with a great singer and share it with you soon.

For now, I’ll just post the words cause they mean so much to me. I’m not as cynical (probably) about Christmas as I was back then, but this is my response to worship.

*Worship Stone*

Worship Stone, I kiss Your hand
Now is the time when Your name is spoken
In vain, I pray, not
The power of Your name, it radiates
From the moment I spoke it

And I fall down and prostrate my self
In reverence and fear, I lay down these gifts

All these red and white tales permeate the air
They’re taking the place of what I hold dear
And it breaks my heart
I know it doesn’t matter when You were born
It’s matters why, how, and what You did

And I fall down and prostrate my self
In reverence and fear, I lay down these gifts

Oh, this wonderfilled night, shining so bright
More so than the stars
And all I can say is
Happy birthday
You are my King

The 7 Best Original (Modern) Christmas Songs

// December 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // lists, music // lists, music

Merry Christmas!

A friend of mine recently texted that a video I sent him had very little to do with Christmas. I responded with:

“christmas has very little to with Christmas.”

Well, these post and these songs have everything to do with Christmas, the real Christmas. It takes a lot of talent, skill, and hard work to make a good song. It takes even more to make a good Christmas song. So much so, very few people have done this. But look no further, these are some of the best worship songs I’ve ever heard. Most are performed by their composers. There won’t be much commentary on this one, just some great music. Have some time to listen to words, get lost in their meaning, and reflect.

¶“Emmanuel” by JJ Heller

¶“Evergreen” by Switchfoot

¶“Glory Be” from Soujourn

¶“I Celebrate the Day” by Relient K

¶“If You Were Born Today (Song For Little Baby Jesus)” by Low

(I like the Jimmy Eat World version better)

¶“Savior of the Fools” by Puller

¶“When You Were Born” by Michael Trieb

The Best Versions of Christmas Carols

// December 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // audio, lists, music, videos // audio, lists, music, videos

Following up on two previous posts about the best albums of the year and the best versions of “O Holy Night,” today I will focus on the best renditions of the other Christmas Carols I enjoy. A carol is traditionally a song of praise and that’s what these songs are.

I’ve listened to over 1000 Christmas songs (proof) over the past few weeks and have been keeping notes, both mentally and using Sticky Notes, which is just on of the great new features in Windows 7.  When I envisioned this idea, I thought it was going to be just one post, but after I started writing about the best Christmas albums of the year, I realized it would be way too long for one post.  So now I”m doing a post a day through Christmas.  You may ask, “What’s left after this post?”  Well, you’re gonna have to wait (and see and read).

Music upfront & descriptions to follow. Feel free to stream this as you do other things.

¶Angels We Have Heard On High

»Corey Crowder »Joe Monto

This was a tough choice since I’m love the drawn out syllables of the chorus and a lot of the version I generally like otherwise change the chorus, as evidenced by Hillsong’s version.  Truth Bomb has a pretty good version too.

South Carolina’s own Corey Crowder has a great version that appears on X Christmas from BEC Records. It’s  a pretty mellow & straight-forward version that heavily features a shaker.

I found Joe Monto’s video on youtube. You can watch it above in the video player.

I did come across this almost unique version set to the music “Crash” by the Dave Matthews Band.

¶Away In A Manger

»Bright Eyes »Relient K »Mannheim Steamroller

Though not very theologically sound (or logically sound, for that matter), this is a carol that has been around for a long time. I guess it’s a good thing I found out it wasn’t really written by Martin Luther.

Bright Eyes’s version is from their Christmas album aptly titled “A Christmas Album.” It has grown on me tremendously since my first listen.  It’s a slow, droning version with some weird percussion, a creaking barn door (or an electric shaver or tesla coil), and some animals.

That’s where Mannheim Steamroller comes in. They’re instrumental version is simply beautiful. It’s appears on the “Christmas Extraordinaire.” Several instruments take turn in playing the lead melody. A video of a live performance is available in the player above.

I love Relient K’s medley of “Silent Night/Away In A Manger” that transitions perfectly into one of all-time favorite Christmas songs, “I Celebrate the Day.”

¶Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

»Sufjan Stevens »Jenny Gullen & Derri Daughtery

Sufjan brings a minimalist approach to the song and it works well.  You’ll need to turn up your speakers.

I don’t know much about Jenny & Derri. This was on an album from called “Noel.”  The shared duties of vocals and the strings makes this a great track.

This is an undersung classic. Jeanette and Isabella are two maidens who go to their stable to  milk their cows only to find the newborn Christ.  They go and tell the world. It does speak a lot to the humanity of Jesus.

¶Carol of the Bells

»EDDY »Sleeping Kings of Iona

I originally wasn’t even going to include this song since I don’t like it all that much.  Usually when I hear the song I am reminded of  the Burger King commercial and Peter Griffin from Family Guy. Someone had the great idea of combining the two and putting in on youtube. <–you might not want to click that, you may never hear the song the same again.

But then I heard EDDY’s and the Sleeping Kings of Iona’s version.  Then I heard the one by  and I had to add them.

EDDY’s version appears on “Ode To Christmas – Volume 1,” which you can download along with Volume 2 & 3 here.

The Sleeping Kings of Iona (every time I type that I want to type “Leon”) is mostly instrumental.  The only exception is Esther’s voice as a wordless instrument.

¶Do You Hear What I Hear

»Copeland

Hands down this is the best version of the song. Relevant thinks too.

“Guitars + Electronica bleeps and bloops + AutoTune = Copeland’s take on a famous carol.”

I can’t put my finger on exactly who Merry Ellen Kirk reminds me of. Maybe you can help me out with that. This is from her EP “Do You Hear What I Hear,” which can be downloaded for free from Noisetrade.

¶The First Noel

»Six Against Seven »Sarah McLachlan (DJ Shah Remix)

I know nothing about Six Against Seven.  They don’t even have a MySpace page. This song was on the long-out-print compilation “The Official 99x Soundtrack.

The DJ Shah remix featuring Sarah McLachlan is so good, it might actually put you in a trance.  It features a lengthy electronic intro.  Combine that with Sarah’s unmistakable voice, and you have yourself  a great song. It was available as a free download from The Vancouver Sun last week (since expired).

¶Jesu Bambino (The Infant Jesus)

»Plankeye

Granted this is the only version I’ve ever heard, but I’m not going to let that stop me. It appears on the compilation Happy Christmas Vol. 2 from BEC Recordings. I originally thought it was song the band wrote and used the chorus to “O Come All Ye Faithful.”  It is of only two Plankeye songs I like after the departure of  their frontman Scott Silletta.

¶Go Tell It On The Mountain

»Dustin Kensrue

A song that I didn’t equate with being Christmas-themed until I was a teenager. I guess I thought it was more an proselytizing song. The frontman from Thrice has a great acoustic version of this song that has a quaint folky feel to it.  The best part: the tacet outro. Unfortunately, this was not released on his Christmas EP last year.

¶God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

»Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchrestra »Brother Cane

The only thing that would make me like Shawn Lee’s version better would be without the extraneous vocals at the beginning.  The rest is so good, I can overlook that. It has the rhythm similar to “The House of the Rising Sun.” You will hear a lot of instruments you don’t normally hear in Christmas music.

Brother Cane’s version has a southern rock/blues take on the classic .  You can download this one from his website for free. You might know him as the guitarist for Alice Cooper or Whiskey Falls.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra also have a short instrumental version with a classical guitar.

¶Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

»Trans-Siberian Orchestra » Casiotone for the Painfully Alone

The TSO version is a medley along with “The March of the Kings,” and another instrumental masterpiece with a biting lead guitar melody line.

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone’s version appear on the holiday sample from It’s Hard to Find a Friend.  This is instrumental as well. It’s got keys, samples, loop, and more.

¶It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

»The Red West »Over The Rhine

I had never heard of The Red West before I bought the Peace on Earth samplers. It’s got some subtle and not-so-subtle loops around an acoustic guitar with the voice of Jason Belt, which is what happens when you combine Brandon Flowers of the Killers and Thom Yorke of Radiohead. Just when you think the song is over, things get a little chaotic and break down.

If you know anything about Over The Rhine, then this is exactly what you’d expect from this legendary Ohio band, beautiful piano with the mesmorizing vocals of Karen Berquist. A version that all you purists surely shall enjoy.

¶Joy To The World

»Jamie Barnes from Sojourn »Seabird

Both these versions change the melody and music of the song.  The guys from Sojourn Church are amazing.  Jamie Barnes’s version will take your breath away. It’s the opening track on “Advent Songs.”  You can download this song and one other for free.

You might have heard Seabird’s version  fall finale of “Grey’s Anatomy. It’s a great pop melodies from the Cincinnati band. This is from The Silent Night EP. ”

¶The Little Drummer Boy

»The 722 Band »The Almost »Mary’s Eyes & Candi Pearson

This was probably the easiest one for me to choose.  I first the 722 Band’s version about 10 years ago.  They were the worship band for Texas A&M and that’s where David Crowder, Shane & Shane, Chris Tomlin, and many others honed their skills. Thanks to a guy named Mephibosheth and his now defunct dyndns.org site, I was able to download gigabytes of mp3’s and a few videos.

Aaron Gillepsie is the drummer and singing vocalist  for the metalcore band Underoath.  The Almost displays his lighter side.  The cover is amazing. Pay attention to the way Aaron strains his voice to get those vocals out  You can watch the video above.

This week I found an mp3 on my computer by Mary Eyes & Candi Pearson.  Turns out Candi is the female vocalist in the 722 version.

¶O  Come All Ye Faithful

»Trans-Siberian Orchestra »Starfield »So Elated

The TSO version (medley with “O Holy Night”) starts off with a simple piano progression that quickly turns into a full band orchestration that repeats with a fury.  I can only imagine the intensity on the face of the lead guitarist.  Then the strings kick in.  Ahh, bliss.  This in inspired medley.

Aside from this song, I didn’t know much about Starfield.  Apparently they are pretty popular in Canada. The bridge the bands adds to the end of the song, leaves me want more.

So Elated put out a great Christmas Album, “The Bewildering Light.”  You can get it for free from Noisetrade. Ben Thomas holds true to the carol and adds unique instrumentation. The song (and album) close with a choir repeating the chorus a capella.

¶O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

»August Burns Red »Bodies of Water w/No Little Kindness »Rosie Thomas

I would have to agree with Rosie Thomas on this one:

“I always hated this song actually. It reminded me of old men with bad breath singing it in church, so slow and labored, but after reworking it I came to really love it and I saw the lyrics in a completely new way that was really beautiful to me.”

But this year I found 3 versions I liked, that makes this song what it was intended to be when it was written almost 1000 years ago, a call to worship.

August Burns Red’s appears on their new Christmas EP. Like their version of  “Carol of the Bells,” this is strictly instrumental.  But unlike “Carols” this one starts off heavy, complete with palm-muted distorted guitar and plenty of  hits from the double bass drum pedals.

The track by Bodies of Water w/No Little Kindness is from charity sampler Peace on Earth. Just when you think this is going to another instrumental, a women’s voice chimes in and adds her voice the mix. The slide guitar in the background give this a western feel.

I can’t believe I almost forgot about Rosie Thomas’s CD “A Very Rosie Christmas. She changes the melody and delivers her vocals strong while playing a minimal amount of chords on her piano.

¶O Holy Night

»Anathallo »Seven Day Jesus

Two great versions that take artistic liberty with my favorite carol. Read my previous post with the 7 best versions (plus 2 honorable mentions).

¶Silent Night

»Rosie Thomas »Seabird »Sinead O’Connor

This is another one of my favorite carols, even before I found out that this might have been written so that Father Josef Mohr could have a Christmas song he could play on his guitar.

Rosie Thomas adds her personal style to this song.  You can get Rosie’s version for free if you sign up for new newsletter. Not only does she change the melody slightly, she adds a second voice during the second verse.

Silent night (in a manger a Child is born)
Holy night (star of Bethlehem shines on Him)
Shepherds quake (the wise men bring their gifts to Him)
At the sight (angels on high watch over Him)
Glorious stream (in a manger a Child is born)
Heaven afar (joy to the world the King has come)
And Heavenly hosts (all who are lost can be found again)
Alleluia

Seabird released a great version of the song on The Silent Night EP.  It has the feel of The Fray with a steady beat and piano pattern. The speeds the song up, but not to the detriment of it. It’s a great modern-pop cover.

You might know Sinead O’Connor from either tearing up a picture of the Pope on live TV (for which she asked for forgiveness) or from her universal hit, a cover of a Prince song, “Nothing Compares 2 U.” One thing is undeniable, she can sing.  Some people hide their voice behind an instrument, but not Sinead; her voice isher instrument. Just listen to her sing from the bottom of her lungs. A video is also in the player above.

¶We Three Kings of Orient Are

»JJ Heller »Sufjan Stevens

This is a song that is usually not covered well.  These are 3 best versions I’ve heard.

JJ Heller is an artist I’m going to keep an eye (or ear) out.  After hearing her Christmas CD “Wake Up The World,” I’m going to check out her other works. She and her husband expand and retell the story of “We Three Kings.” with beautiful simplicity on “Star of Wonder.” You can get the EP for free from Noisetrade.

Sufjan slows things down slightly in this version.  As the song progresses, the layers build, keyboard, banjo, some light percussion, and a flute.

The Top 7 Versions of “O Holy Night”

// December 22nd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // audio, lists, music // audio, lists, music

I’ll cut right to the chase on this post: music up front; explanation in the back,or after the non-existent jump, if you will.  Listen to the 7 best version of “O Holy Night” below with the Grooveshark widget.

I signed up for this site a long time along when it was invite only and never did much with it. Now it’s public and better than ever and thanks to this Zepfanman post, I became aware of it again. Stream and read away.

“O Holy Night” is probably my favorite Christmas hymn. I’ve always liked the song. The simple arpeggio open C chord intro is unmistakable. I felt the power and realized the importance of the song when I heard it at the opening of Southeast Christian Church’s new campus in Louisville, KY in 1998.

Imagine 9000 voices strong in this sanctuary. Envision the power of the melody of praise of “O Holy Night.” Combine that with the Spirit of Christmas and the excitement of a new church building and you have one of my favorite experiences.

(by the way I love the new image editing features in Wordpress. It makes simple edits, well, simple.)

I whittled this list down from over 50 different versions I have.  Most of them are run-of-the-mill versions.  But each one of the following artists bring something different to this wonderful carol. Some have been in my collection and often played (Anathallo & Seven Day Jesus). Others I’ve heard only recently. One I heard yesterday (Relient K). You can click the band/artist name to visit their website.

¶Anathallo

This version starts out quite ordinarily and if you know anything about the band, you know it won’t last. The thing I first loved about this song was that it was unlike any other Christmas song I had heard at this point. I downloaded it from mp3.com back when that was the place to that sort of thing and discover new bands.

¶Justin McRoberts

The EP this version appears on made my list of the Top 7 Christmas Albums of 2009. Features an original bridge that is simply amazing. It’s a risk to add new words to such a treasured classic, but Justin’s risk pays off big. Probably the most accessible version on this list.

¶Relient K

Another very accessible version. Definitely not one I was expecting to see on here and not from Relient K. If  I didn’t know it was them when I played the song for first time, I wouldn’t have know who it was, especially from the guitar line. The band has been heavily featured on Christmas compilations and has even released a full length album of Christmas songs. This was not on the original pressing, but featured as a bonus track on the re-release.

¶Seven Day Jesus

From the inro, this one is different. The version I play is based around that riff. This appeared on the first Happy Christmas CD from BEC Recordings along side some of my favorite original Christmas songs.

¶Sufjan Stevens

You never know what to expect when you first listen to a Sufjan song.  It’s almost cliché to say this, but he’s the epitome of quirky. He was the first person to make the banjo cool again. Like Anathallo, this version isn’t for everyone, but I like it.  I like it a lot.

¶Trans-Siberian Orchestra

– This a great instrumental version of the song that speeds up the arpeggio slightly. Instead of vocals, you get to hear the lead guitar sing. It is short and leaves me wanted more yet satisfied at the same time. They also have another instrumental version that appears as a medley along with “O Come All Ye Faithful.”

>Honorable Mention

Mary Ellen Kirk. You can download it for free from Noisetrade. She has a beautiful voice and interacts with her fans quite often.

>Post Honorable Mention

The instrumental version from Mannheim Steamroller. You can listen to here.

If you don’t like any of these version, click here.

Ok, seriously you might like this one.

Which version do you like most?  How do you feel about these picks?

The 7 Best Christmas Albums of 2009

// December 21st, 2009 // 8 Comments » // audio, lists, music // audio, lists, music

Much like the Best of 2009 post I am also writing , this  reflects the best media I have been exposed to during the year.  A few of these came out a year or two ago, but I first heard them this holiday season. Some will be renditions of the traditional carols we all grew up with and some will be more modern originals.

The challenge with a lot of Christmas music is there is a plethora (in the correct sense of the word) of it and most of it is old and sounds like it. A lot of these artists mentioned below have breathed new life into the songs by either changing the tempo or altering the melody, adding a word or two, or by playing it with a skillful hand/heart.

Soon I will also be posting my favorite renditions of traditional Christmas carols as well as modern ones.  Over half of  these are available for free (or through donation) from Noisetrade, which is how I was introduced to 3 of these. That website is great because you can pay whatever you like for the mp3’s or just tell 5 friends about the offer and then you can download the mp3’s.

Here you can listen to songs from the albums listed below. I will add more if I get permission from the artists.

¶Michael Trieb – Christmas EP (2009)

This was the most surprising find for me. I didn’t expect much from this one because I read Michael’s description (recording in a bathroom using a Rock Band mic) before I pressed play. This has a Sufjan Stevens/David Bazan kind of feel to it. It’s folk. It’s electronic. It’s simple. But it is wonderful. 3 of the 4 songs are originals. I was hooked at the opening lines of the 2nd song “Getting Old.”

“The seasons changed but you stayed the same / Grinch by day. Ebenezer Scrooge by night…If we’re waking up with bags in our eyes but no bags under the trees / then maybe we should all go back to sleep…”

(from “Getting Old”)

You can hear the praise come out of his voice. I’m drawn to the imperfect singers of the world. There’s a sense of passion you can feel when Michael sings and sometimes strains his voice. There’s no overproduction here. The best song is “When You Were Born.” This is an honest song, that speaks of the the birth of Christ & what it means to him.

“You came as a baby just like me / and the winds still sing the same song that it sung on the night You came to be  / that night You came You took my place when you were born / when You were born You saw my face / You knew my name when You were born

(from “When You Were Born”)

I’m anxious to check out the rest of his works and see how he matures over the years.

download | twitter | myspace

¶So Elated – The Bewildering Light (2008)

Indie rock with a flair. I became aware of this because of Noisetrade and this is an amazing album. Most of the other ones I downloaded from the site were bland and didn’t have much to offer, but not this one.  The opening track, “Zechariah and the Least Expected Places.” sets the tone for this album with and sets it apart from the rest. No wonder it’s been near the top of the charts for Holiday music for 2 years.

This is more than just another Christmas album, it is more a concept album, featuring songs offering a personal view of events leading up the birth of Christ and those thereafter.  You get to hear Ben Thomas sing intelligent narratives from the often unheard points- of-view of Zechariah (“Zechariah and the Least Expected Places”), of Joseph (“Stick With You”), and that of Mary during her pregnancy (“God is With Us”)

“but the Lord of Creation will not be subjected to expectation/ God keeps slipping out from underneath rocks / in alleys off the beaten path / Open both your eyes…

God, we will wait though we don’t understand Your redemptive story…”

(from “Stick with You”)

The album closes with the shepherds, the Magi, and the angels worshipping Jesus in a beautiful rendition of  “O Come All Ye Faithful.”  I only wish the band extended the a capella outro a bit longer.

website | myspace | noisetrade | twitter

¶Sojourn – Advent Songs (2007)

Sojourn Church, in Louisville, KY, is a member of the missional church movement with rich, theologically-sound worship and Bible teaching. The only problem I have with the Sojourn band is that they are so much better live than on CD. I listened to the stream of “Joy To The World” on their website and thought it was the best rendition I’ve heard. Then I heard it live on the first Sunday of Advent and it was immensely better. I wish there were a way to capture that experience and share it with you.

I’ve only been to the church twice in the 10 years I’ve known of the church, but both times have been amazing. If I lived in Louisville, this would be my church. Just listen to Jamie Barnes’s update to the classic “Joy to the World.” They also have a full length CD “Songs for Advent” that is just as good and features a few of the same songs.

update: You can download 2 songs from the EP here.

website | facebook| noisetrade | twitter

¶August Burns Red – “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (2009)

There are only 2 songs on this CD, it’s essentially a single (remember those?) but they are both great songs, much better than you’d expect from a metalcore band. “Carol of the Bells” is a song I generally don’t like. The words & melody  are annoying and it makes me think of this Peter Griffin clip from Family Guy. Fortunately, this rendition is strictly instrumental and better for it.

Also instrumental is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” This is one of the best version I’ve heard and I don’t miss the words.  You can listen to both songs below.

website | facebook | myspace

¶JJ Heller – “Wake Up World” (2007)

This EP is amazing. Another one I found through Noisetrade. It’s mostly originals with a couple of updated carols. The EP opens strong with “Emmanuel.” and most of the EP focuses on the time when Jesus was born. I must admit the back half of the EP isn’t as strong as the first 2 tracks (not to say it’s not good, but not as good), but overall, it’s a remarkable EP.  JJ Heller has a wonderful voice and it’s great to hear her interact musically with her husband, Dave.

“Come fall at His feet / Won’t you sing, sing to the King / Go tell everyone / Christ is born / Glory fills the sky as Mary sings a lullaby / Emmanuel is born tonight.”

(from “Emmanuel”)

“Wake Up The World” is a re-imagined amalgam  of”Joy to the World.” and “Silent Night.”  It’s an acoustic guitar ballad with the perfect piano accents.

She and her husband expand and retell the story of “We Three Kings.” with beautiful simplicity on “Star of Wonder.”

website | facebook | myspace | noisetrade

¶Justin McRoberts “Christmas Songs: Volume 2 (2008)

Justin McRoberts has been on the scene for a long time. I first heard him on a 5 Minute Walk compilation and saw him fill in for Reese Roper’s empty shoes at a Five Iron Frenzy show in a roller skating rink in Nashville in 1999. The EP starts out quite unassumingly with “O Little Town of Bethlehem” with nothing but Justin & his guitar. But don’t let that fool you.  This is a great, mellow, version of the song, but it serves as an appetizer for what comes next.

“Born Beneath These Stars” is a wonderful praise song that borrows from “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”

One of the things that makes this EP stand out is the insertion of Justin’s new words with the traditional songs, most notably on “O Holy Night” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.” You can get this one free from Noisetrade.

“Hallelujah! He is near to us / Christ our Savior born and dear to us / for the sinner / for the hungry ones / for the broken / our help has come / Hallelujah! He is near to us. Christ our Savior born and dear to us / for the sinner /  for the broken ones / hallelujah!

(from “O Holy Night”)

Also, he is worthy of following on twitter.

website | facebook |  myspace | twitter| noisetrade

¶Seabird – The Silent Night EP (2009)

I hadn’t listened to Seabird before I watched the fall finale of “Grey’s Anatomy.” on November 20th.  At first I thought it might be Reindeer Section with more refined vocals. This was my favorite version for about a week. Then I heard Jamie Barnes’s version on the Sojourn site.  Both songs are not the traditional arrangements but great pop melodies from this Cincinnati band.

website | facebook | myspace | twitter

Honorable Mention:

Peace On Earth: A Charity Album Vol. 1 (2007) & Vol. 2 (2008)

Both of these are wonderful compilations and the proceeds go to support Toys for Tots. It’s mostly indie artists. The standout tracks are from Ohtis, Anathallo, Sleeptalker, American Analog Set, Chris Walla, Laura Gibson, and The Prayers & Tears of Arthur Digby Sellars.

website | vol. 1 | vol. 2

Trans-Siberian Orchestra – The Christmas Trilogy

Their new Rock Opera, Night Castle, isn’t a Christmas album, otherwise they’d be on this list near the top. But what can I say? There’s a gothic, Saviour Machine, feel to all the TSO recordings and I love it. I’m sure they put on a great show. As a whole, their Christmas albums are solid and full of a variety of standards carols and original songs for their metal-infused rock operas. I gave my mom the Christmas Trilogy last year and my dad hated it. He said it was “songs he didn’t recognize” and “sounded like rock.” So there’s an endorsement for you. I think that you don’t have to be a fan of progressive rock or the the lighter side of heavy metal to enjoy; you just have to be someone other than my dad.

You can listen to all 3 CD’s, that’s 57 tracks, one time below.

Happy Christmas from BEC Recordings/Tooth & Nail Records

There are usually several good songs on these compilations. There are 4 volumes in this series.  It was followed by X Christmas in 2008. They all contain various carols, covers, and originals. Some of my favorites are from this series, including:

• Switchfoot • “Evergreen”
• Relient K • “I Celebrate the Day”
• Puller • “Savior of the Fools”
• Plankeye • “Jesu Bambino”
• Seven Day Jesus “O Holy Night”
• Copeland • “Do You Hear What I Hear”
• Aaron Sprinkle • “A Christmas Song For All Year Round”
• The Almost • “The Little Drummer Boy”

Vol. 1 | Vol. 2 | Vol. 3 | Vol. 4 | X Christmas

Happy Thanksgiving From Mineral

// November 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // music, reflections, videos // music, reflections, videos

Mineral (the band) is one of the most influential band of the mid-90’s. They were about as big as you could be without selling out or appearing on MTV. All the members of Mineral went on to pursue other musical endeavors like The Gloria Record, Pop Unknown, Imbroco, and several others. To me they (along with Sunny Day Real Estate) were the personification of what music should feel like.

The video below if for their song called “February.” As far as I know it was only released as a 7″ but it is one of my favorite songs of all time. This is a perfect way to show what I am grateful for.

Enjoy & Happy Thanksgiving.

mineral “february”
and the snow falls down melts before it even hits the ground and i’m standing here listening to the sound of your hand washing back and forth across my filthy heart and i don’t know if i should say “i’m sorry” or “thank you” i try to speak but the tears choke the words and i think i finally know what they mean when they talk about joy