Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Don't let your eyes get used to darkness.

Howdy there, people with computers.
I am going to keep this fairly short and sweet.
God is good, forever and ever. Amen.

Can you even imagine what the world would be like if God chose to not be good? Some people think that about God, and I suppose God can choose whatever He wants. But I can't imagine it. I have had too many times where I stood at the precipice of a dark cliff, considering whether or not to jump, just to have something or someone hold my hand and make me feel more important that I ever thought about myself.

(JJ Heller currently has her new CD "Painted Red" available for free download from her site! DO IT!)

Sorry about not posting in a long while. A new semester has begun, and like the dorky college kid I am, I have been remarkably busy by actually going to class, keeping up with reading and studying, having meetings and workshops, worship practice and hanging out with friends. It has been quite crazy, and I often feel like I am a chicken with its head cut off. But insanity has subsided for a more normalized and routine schedule. In the between times, I've been having some sweet biking adventures, both solo and with friends. On to some music news... I am really excited about some
albums coming out in the coming months... and I mean REALLY EXCITED, because they are by some of my favorite bands.

1.) Anti-Meridian (Brave Saint Saturn)
I am going to assume you don't know Brave Saint Saturn (from here on out, BS2). But I bet you know most of the guys involved, the lead guitarist and singer being the one and only Reese Roper of Five Iron Frenzy fame. While FIF was plugging along, Roper wrote songs of a more introspective and deep nature. He did not think that the FIF set-up would be the proper stage for them, so he started a new moniker, Brave Saint Saturn. What I like about this band, other than the obvious beautifully-written songs about faith, hope, love, loss, and loneliness, is that each album is one installment in the Saturn 5 Trilogy, concept albums of epic and lush proportions logging the travels of a group of astronauts as they drift through space. It sounds kinda dorky, but trust me on this one. "Anti-Meridian" will the third and final (tear) album for the trilogy (hopefully not of the band). It is due out September 15th. Luckily, mine is preordered and hopefully being processed as I type!!!

2.) Canopy Glow (Anathallo)
You might know them from their song "Yuki! Yuki! Yuki!" in the background of a Vick's commercial, but Anathallo is far from selling out. The members of Anathallo, in my opinion, are some of the most innovative and dedicated musicians, honing their instrumental skills individually and with each other to build massive songs of swelling dynamics and odd fluctuating time signatures. I've seen them live twice now, and despite all the changing song structures, never has a member missed a note or beat. It ends of being sonic poetry. Following up their 2006 release "Floating World," "Canopy Glow" has a lot to live up to, but I am 100% confident that Anathallo can maintain their energy, beauty, and appeal. Still not sold yet? Go to their myspace and listen to the new jam "Noni's Field" which will be included on the new record. It will hit indie record stores November 18th.

3.) Gossip in the Grain (Ray LaMontagne)
Beautiful sultry folk with a flair for soul-singing and soul-searching. I don't have many expectations for this album except that I know LaMontagne's capability to write high-quality lyrics that take you with him whereever he would have you go. I expect nothing less. To be released October 14th.

4.) Let My Pride Be What's Left Behind EP/ Mean Everything to Nothing (Manchester Orchestra)
A dual hope for MO as they release a new EP on October 14th and keep chugging away at recording their followup to "Like A Virgin Losing A Child," which now has an official title, "Mean Everything to Nothing." The new full-length isn't due out until 2009, so it's all speculation as to how MO will approach a new cd. Will they maintain their catchy hooks, easy accesibility and spiritual themed lyrics or go a different route, ending up more experimental or heavy? We will have to see. What I do know is that the EP is a CD/DVD package with 2 new songs and 3 live versions of MO favorites or Andy Hull originals. The DVD has some good stuff on it too, including the much-anticipated MO documentary "What's Left Behind."
On a similar note, Andy Hull will be releasing his second disc under the name Right Away, Great Captain! called "The Eventually Home," due out November 11th. Go to his myspace (linked above) to download some cover songs he recorded to tide anxious fans over. Those guys are really really busy these days.

5.) Hope for the Hopeless (Brett Dennen)
I don't know much about this record yet except that it follows the amazing Dennen debut "So Much More" which I found particularly moving and definitely one of my favorite records of the past year. Inspirational and fun, Dennen writes with conviction, love, and hope for humanity. Also, Femi Kuti AND Missy Higgins will be making appearances on the new disc as far as I can tell, which is very exciting!!! One track is available on iTunes already. The whole cd will be out October 21st.

Extra Tidbits
mewithoutYou is currently in the studio cooking up something spectacular to be sure. If you have the time, check out three new songs that they sang on tour this summer. Youtube links below, tentative song titles.
(David and the Angel of Death) (God, God, God) (Beetle King)

Also, Jesse Lacey has been solo on the road for awhile now but has been debuted at least one song (maybe more) that is supposedly going to be recorded under Brand New. Youtube links below,
tentative song title.
(Bride- solo) (Bride- Brand New)

Well that's it for this edition. Sorry it's all news and info and no songs to download. But I hope I enlightened you to some new music you hadn't heard of before or directed you to where you can download some sweet tunes. I hope you can navigate your way to supporting these artists as their cds come out.

Pax.

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