Converge Students...Calling, Christ, Community, Culture

Converge Tunes on Monday April 27th...

Here are some songs we featured last night during Converge as we wrapped up our series, "Practical Idols - A Practical Look at the First Two Commandments."

Look to You...

Our band played Hillsong United's, "Look to You," and totally crushed it during our Junior High teaching time.  Great job by Donnie and the band learning this song and leading it.

God of Justice...

Dave Hunt's beautiful, "God of Justice," from his Shelter album provided the musical back drop to a great Compassion International video that we showed to introduce our students to the Compassion kids we are are sponsoring (more on that later this week!) as a student ministry.  Check out Dave HERE and HERE

Closer...

Probably my favorite song of the excellent new Jars of Clay album, "The Long Fall Back to Earth."  Closer provided some entry and exit music last night during Converge.

 

Other Songs at Converge last night...

* Don't Stop Believing by Journey - as sung by Jordan C. during Converge Idol

* Oops I Did it Again by Brittany Spears - as sung by Kylee S. during Converge Idol

* Nothing Left to Lose - Acoustic (iTunes Exclusive Version) by Mat Kearney

Converge Tunes...

Here is our Converge Mix for this week (4.5.09). These are the songs that we used during interludes throughout the night (with  videos).

Converge Mix...

Break Me Down by Tenth Avenue North

Look to You by Hillsong United

Won't Back Down (iTunes Original Version) by MercyMe

Magnificent by U2

Heavy Action by Johnny Pearson

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Break Me Down by Tenth Avenue North

Look to You by Hillsong United

Won't Back Down (iTunes Originals Version)

 by MercyMe

Magnificent by U2

Heavy Action (Theme from Monday Night Football) by Johnny Pearson

 

Converge Tunes...

Here are some ins, outs, ups and downs from the music world...as I see it. 

Converge Tunes for Monday,  March 2nd, 2009

* HERE is the link for an amazing new video by Death Cab for Cutie.  (ht Sterogum)

* Gasp...the new U2 album is getting some not so favorable reviews like THIS ONE from Pitchfork.  Like I have ever cared what a reviewer thought! (ht Pop Candy)

* Speaking of U2 they will be on the David Letterman Show every night this week!

Shelly Moore Band - A Hymn Project

Shelly Moore is a talented singer / songwriter and an anointed worship leader.  Her music is not widely known in CCM circles because (I think) she is good.  Her lyrics are Christ-centered and passionate.  You are strongly encouraged to take some time to listen to her music and possibly buying her albums (either A Hymn Project ('08) or Truth and Decay ('07).   Below is a video of the Shelly Moore Band singing one of my absolute favorite hymns: Jesus, I am Resting (from the Hymn Project Album).

U2 -  Get Your Boots On

If you have not heard the first single from the new U2 Album (or if you haven't heard the entire album leaked on about 50 sites) here is Get Your Boots on from No Line on the Horizon performed live in Berlin, Germany.

Converge Tunes...

Happy Presidents Day! I truly believe that there is nothing more patriotic than listening to good music.  Here are some holiday suggestions for you....

Converge Tunes for Monday, February 16th, 2009

Mute Math - Spotlight

The tasty new five song EP "Spotlight" by Mute Math was released last week.  It has a song from a little movie called Twilight which apparently was adapted from a book of the same title that did ok in the bookstores.   Whether you have heard of the book or not...the title song is pretty awesome!  Here is a viewer video to the song including lots of pictures of teenager vampires and the women who love them.

Beirut - Postcards from Italy 

I learned about this band from one of my favorite blogs Reformissionary by Steve McCoy.  In fact his Music Monday's inspired my weekly writing of Converge Tunes. Last week Steve suggested the band Beirut.  I was instantly hooked because the band is like nothing I have ever heard.  Its a very different sound but worth the time and listen!  Plus the band fuses flugelhorns into their music!  Below  is the beautiful, "Postcards from Italy."  

Finally....

In honor of President's Day I give to you the metoric band of the mid-1990's, "The Presidents of the United States of America" singing one of their two hits, "Peaches" during a TV appearance in France in 1996!  God Bless America!

Converge Tunes on Tuesday...

A day late but still here!  

I, as always, was disappointed with some of the winners in Sunday's Grammy's.  Since they want to be just like the Oscars and pick the artsy-fartsy pick for Album of the year (seriously....Allison Kraus and Robert Plant???) even though Coldplay, Radiohead, and Lil Wayne were all in the same category and had superior albums.  

Nevertheless, I watched and enjoyed the performances.  My two favorite were Radiohead's "15 Steps" with the USC marching band and Coldplay's performance.  Both were very, very cool! 

Radiohead - 15 Step

Coldplay - Lost (w/ Jay-Z) and Viva La Vida (record of the year)

Converge Tunes...

It was a slow music week for me last week.  I guess the ice, snow, and family illnesses kept me from looking at a lot of new music.  I do have a few noteworthy tunes to tell you about...so strap in for Converge Tunes.

Week of January 26th - February 2nd...

Kristian Stanfill - Attention EP

I have liked Kristian's voice, style, and passion as a worship leader since I first heard him at Passion four years ago. When he took the stage and lead us in, "Salvation is Near" and "Jesus Paid it All"I could tell instantly that he would be a great new voice in contemporary worship music.  However, I was going to hold that judgment until albums and songs of his own creation came out.  Two years ago he released the very good, Hello EP, that contained some original songs as well as his versions of some popular praise songs (such as Hillsong's "From the Inside Out").  His album, Attention, continues to increase Stanfill's stable of songs penned and performed by him.  It is an excellent collection of worship songs that are Tomlin-esque in their powerful choruses and bridges.  All in all it is a great album worth your consideration.  Stanfill will release a full length Attention on April 21st.  Kristian is part of the Northpoint Community Church - Atlanta team of worship leaders.

Here is Kristian Stanfill singing, "Jesus Paid it All" at 722 in Atlanta

 

Randy Newman - iTunes Live from Soho

 

Legendary writer and singer Randy Newman recently released a great little four song live album on iTunes.  Since many of his songs are used on soundtracks for movies you get great diversity even on a four song release.  The album for me is worth the price to just get a live verson of "You've Got a Friend in Me," from Disney / Pixer's Toy Story.  Here is Newman singing the song (also live) at the 2008 MacWorld Convention.

 

** Warning: this song will get stuck in your head! **

 

 

Flight of the Conchords

 

To celebrate the fact that I got tickets today to see FOTC in Dallas this May I close this week's Converge Tunes with a favorite track from the boys from New Zealand

 

Converge Tunes...

Converge Tunes for the Week of January 26th...

It was a good week to be a music lover! Several albums were released that you need to try out and give a listen to.

Family Fiction - Self Titled

Fiction Family self titled album was one I have been looking forward to for some time.  Fiction Family is a musical venture between Sean Watkins (formerly of Nickel Creek) and Jon Foreman (front man for Switchfoot).  Their voices throughout the album have a great synergy that makes you enjoy each song on this collaboration.  The album contains some original songs as well as some covers (including a terrific "Friday I'm In Love" cover).  Below is their first video, "When She's Near."  Enjoy!

 

Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP

 

I continue to be amazed by the music of Bon Iver.  Last year's "For Emma" was one of my most favorite albums of the year.  I was pleased with the fact that a four song EP would be released this month to fulfill my Bon Iver craving!  The Blood Bank EP is a great listen!  Here is a decent quality live video of Bon Iver performing

 "Blood Bank" in December.

Big Daddy Weave - Acoustic EP

Big Daddy Weave is one of my favorite bands (both Christian and secular) I think they are highly underrated for their music and ministry.  On top of that they are great live!  This week they released an acoustic album of some their best songs.  It's defiantly worth checking them out and giving them a listen! Here they are performing "Every Time I Breathe" (possibly their very best song) live and acoustic!

Converge Tunes...

2009 has the potential to be a great year of music.  The new year='s first few weeks provide very little in new music...but beginning in late January there is at least one album a week that will worth listening to. Here are some upcoming releases (with dates) that I am very excited about in 2009. 

January
*  Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will release a new album on January 22nd. You can then watch them during the halftime show of the Super Bowl...NBC has only     mentioned that 8 Billion Times already!

* Of Montreal will release two EP's at the same time on January 27th.

    - Note: Of Montreal has a really interesting video that you can download on iTunes for free this week.  Its worth checking into...if you don't like it no worries because it was free!

* Franz Ferdinand's highly anticipated new album will come out on January 27th.
    - Note: You can download the first release from that album on iTunes today!

February

*  The Fray's new album will drop on February 3rd making me and a million 10th grade girls really happy!

    - Note: Get their first single on iTunes right now.

* Ben Lee will put a new album out on February 10th.

March

* U2 will please all the hipsters on March 3rd with their new album "No Line on the Horizon."

* The Decemberists will give fans a full album (they treated fans to a single a week release in November / December) on March 24th

April
* Sara Watkins (of Nickel Creek fame) will relase a solo album on April 7th

* the Dave Matthews Band's new album will come out April 14th. 

* Switchfoot will release a new album sometime in the Spring though no date has been selected.

Websites the Pitchfork and Metacritic have fuller lists HERE and HERE that you can learn about other projects upcoming.  Speaking of Metacritic they released their choices for best albums of 2008.  Their list also contained the best collection of other blogs, sites, and magazines rankings of 2008 albums I have seen.  You can read them HERE.  Of course my list was not mentioned so you can see my choices HERE

NO matter who you like or listen to 2009 has the potential to be a great year for music.

Converge Tunes - The Great 8 for 2008...

Let's be honest with each other.  Musicians do not aspire to make money or create great art...they really want to make it onto Joel's top 8 albums of the year.  For the 8 lucky artists enjoy your time at the top of music!

The Great 8 of 2008...

Number 8: The Killers -  Day & Age

 Number 7: TV on the Radio - Dear Science

Number 6: Weezer - the Red Album

 

Number 5: Radiohead - In Rainbows

 

Number 4: Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

 

Number 3: Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

 

Number 2: Coldplay - Viva La Vida

 

Number 1: Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

 

Converge Tunes - The Almost Great 8 of 2008...

As we enter the last few days of 2008 I want to take some time to reflect and review on some of my favorite things of 2008.  Since I normally set aside Monday to do Converge Tunes I thought the last Monday of the year would provide a good time to give to you my top 8 albums.

There was much great music to be had this year and though my friend Pete the Fire Fighter would encourage you to chose a hard rocking band from the 1980's or faithful blog reader / commentator Whitney E. would tell you to buy Brittany Spears Circus...I, because I love you, will give you 16 GOOD choices for your music player of choice.

First up...my 8 honorable mentions

1. Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreaks: Like him or not Kanye puts our amazing music. On this CD he only sings.  This album is honest, raw, and at times heartbreaking.

2. Chris Tomlin - Hello Love: You are guaranteed two things with Tomlin albums. First, great production and solid songs. Second, at least one soaring ballad that every church with some contemporary element in their worship is going to sing for the next 5 years.  With "Hello Love" you get both...in abundance.

3. Coldplay - Prospekt's March EP: Released after the terrific Viva La Vida this was given to Coldplay (and music) fans as what the entire album would have been if the guys had the time to produce all they had written and imagined.  It is a fitting conclusion to what was already a wonderful album.

4. David Crowder Band - Remedy Club Tour Edition: Seeing DCB live is always a treat. The same passion for Christ and creative worship that pours out of their albums is alive in their music when on stage. To hear that captured so faithfully in a live album is rare.  Not surprising the guys did it on the Club Tour Edition CD.  Listening to this album makes you feel what it is like to see them and hear them live.

5. Amos Lee - Last Days at the Lodge: It was really difficult for me to keep this off my to 8 albums for the year.  Nevertheless, I believe that his live or raw albums are the best to buy to get the true depths of Lee's music (highly recommended is Lee's Live at iTunes EP released in December). However, the full albums give you more bang for the buck. 

6. Jack Johnson - Sleep through the Static: Do not get me wrong I love Jack Johnson and his music. Heck my kids love Jack Johnson and his music.  This was an amazing album with very good music from the surfing songster.  My only hesitation is that it was not loaded with as many memorable cuts like Brushfire Fairytales (2001) or In Between Dreams (2005)...still it was a great CD to add to the growing collection of Johnson in my iPod.

7. the Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads: Another great band bringing amazing music from the UK.  Though not as good at 2005's Employment this year's album was still rocking, loaded with great lyrics, and a whole lot of fun to listen to.

8. Various - Juno Soundtrack: Sure you have to put up with the occasional swear word (you are able to purchase an edited album on line) or anti-Bush rantings of the Moldy Peaches / Kimya Dawson to enjoy this album, nevertheless it is a still a really fun album.  If you enjoyed the movie, as  I did, you will want the soundtrack.  As a compliment to this CD this was the ONLY soundtrack I purchased in all of 2008.

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