39 Stripes – “Beyond Broken”
Dec 16, 2010 CD Reviews
39 Stripes
“Beyond Broken”
10 tracks, 35 minutes
Grade – C
“Really, when you think about it, faith doesn’t really matter if you don’t trust God when the hard times come,” Mike Wilson, lead singer of the band 39 Stripes said in a promotional interview for their latest release, ‘Beyond Broken’. “Every heartache, disappointment and loss couldn’t help but bring us closer to Him. Ultimately, we didn’t really have a choice but to trust, and that’s a message that everybody needs to cling to.” ‘Beyond Broken’ shares that message and more wrapped in an indie sound.
The album begins with “Wake Up”, a catchy song reminiscent of an older Decyfer Down. It transitions well into the title track “Beyond Broken”, an anthem of hope. The track is definitely a highlight of the album, showcasing a lot of potential despite the slightly unfinished sound. “Mustard Seed”, another highlight of the album, is all about how faith begins as a mustard seed. Though the lyrics are a bit simple (“I don’t need to be a superhero”) they’re honest. Possibly the best of all the songs is “Saving Me A Place”, a song written to a loved one who has passed on. The acoustic of the track at the end of the album is beautiful and even better than the original.
Although there are some definite strong points, the entire album seems a bit repetitive and many of the tracks are easily forgettable. There’s an unfinished sound to the band, but for a first official album it shows potential. For fans of Red or Emery, 39 Stripes is definitely a band to watch for in the future.
- Elise F.
Tags: 39 Stripes
Not a Fan – A Small Group Discipleship Study
Dec 15, 2010 DVD Reviews, Feature
Not a Fan
Small Group Discipleship Study
City on a Hill Productions
“Not a Fan” is a multimedia based Bible study for small groups which primary tool are six video lessons combined with a “follower’s journal.” The overall premise of the study is about being more than a fan when it comes to your faith. It immediately questions your commitment to Christ – “Are you a fan, or a follower.”
The video clips are very engaging and the follower’s journal is highly interactive and will require a commitment of time for sure, but as I reviewed the journal I was amazed at how well it was put together. Personally, I like the challenging front that this project takes. It is not about being confrontational, but at the same time it is certainly not about hanging out in the stands being a nominal Christian or a “fan.”
The DVD comes with a leaders guide as well and after watching the leaders tutorial on the DVD anyone should feel comfortable leading the group study with a little effort. While the box says that this is a discipleship study for adults I would argue that it would be more suitable for a high-school youth group because of the nature of the delivery – the dramatic mini movies are more apt to appeal to this age group.
Check out the official website and watch the trailer for “Not a Fan” and while there you can check out the page samples for the study book. I personally believe that this series is a wonderful tool for small group leaders. It gives you the background information, including Biblical principles, and the guides also help to take off the usual pressures of leading a group.
Again, check out http://www.notafan.com for more information.
- Ken W.
Tags: Not a Fan
JJ Heller – When I’m With You
Dec 15, 2010 CD Reviews
JJ Heller
When I’m With You
Independent
Grade – A
I am finding it hard to believe that this is JJ Heller’s 4th full-length release and yet this is my first time to hear such great beauty and elegance. The airy pop and singer/songwriter mix makes this a very warmhearted and uplifting collection. The production itself is simplistically complicated – meaning that it adds color to the project while letting JJ be the forefront of each track. It supports it well without over powering the lyrics. The lyrical content too is full of twists and turns and always seemingly from the heart. I like that she’s using life’s events (like the birth of a child) to direct and focus her writing.
If you’re like me and you’ve failed to notice Miss JJ Heller I think it’s time to catch up.
- Ken W.
Tags: JJ Heller
Chris Tomlin – And If Our God Is For Us
Dec 15, 2010 CD Reviews
Chris Tomlin
And If Our God Is For Us
Sparrow Records / Sixstepsrecords
Grade – A
“And if our God is for us, than what could ever stop us?” the powerful cry from the major radio and worship hit “Our God” serves as an excellent title for Chris Tomlin’s highly-anticipated new release. Tomlin, possibly one of the best-known CCM artists has many hits both on the radio and in churches across the country. “And If Our God Is For Us” continues to follow the same worshipful recipe from Tomlin’s previous albums, sure to please any CCM listener!
“Our God”, the familiar radio hit resurfaces as an opener for the album. This time it’s had an orchestral makeover with heavy and rather impressive strings. While the sound has changed from its original release, there’s no denying that the worshipful passion and intense message of hope remain!
“I Will Follow”, a piano-driven track, maintains Chris’s profound lyrics while playing with a fresh, pop sound. “No Chains On Me” is a fun, energetic song with a heavy electronic beat. It’s definitely a new style for Tomlin, and I think he pulled it off well. “Faithful” features a duet with Christy Nockels, continues the same worshipful sound from Tomlin’s previous albums. “Awakening” is possibly the most beautiful track on the album and closes it nicely.
Chris Tomlin has written numerous songs congregations sing each Sunday morning. His music is truly spirit-filled and has a knack of bringing people together. While many of his releases have featured life performances, this studio-recorded album shares a different side to worship. It brings a more personal, one-on-one sort of feeling. I look forward to singing several of these new songs on Sunday mornings!
Tom F.
Tags: Chris Tomlin
Jars of Clay – The Shelter
Dec 15, 2010 CD Reviews
Jars of Clay
The Shelter
Essential Records
Grade – A
The term “community” has been making its rounds in the church lately and really, considering their commitment to missions (Blood:Water) and their long standing career in music, there are very few groups who could pull together a real a community-based project. The object of the CD was to allow fellow artist to collaborate on a Jars of Clay CD while maintaining some their own individual styles, however, the overall project still has a very Jars of Clay sound.
Aside from the collaborations the whole theme of the album is based on community. The song writing, the recording process, and the various guest appearances were all combined to make a creative project that can be shared in the community of the church and of our homes. As it is described in the press release, “In short, these songs are designed to be sung aloud, with others, within the parameters of that listener’s own shelter.” We need each other and I think that the message of “The Shelter” conveys that well and unlike other collaborative projects the focus is not on star power, but instead on lifting each other up in community and in Christ.
- Ken
Tags: Jars of Clay
Vineyard UK “The Lamb Has Conquered”
Dec 15, 2010 CD Reviews
Vineyard UK
“The Lamb Has Conquered”
Kingsway/Vineyard Records UK
12 tracks @ 46:00
Grade = A-
A nice sounding worship and praise record recorded live at Mercy Vineyard, Southhampton, UK, this record has much to offer.
The acoustic “On the Wooden Cross” and “See the Risen Lord” could find their way into the church while ‘The Lord is My Sheppard” is inspired Psalm 23.
Free cord charts and lead sheets are available on line.
- Rob S.
www.vineyardrecords.co.uk.
“Introducing The City Harmonic”
Dec 15, 2010 CD Reviews
The City Harmonic
“Introducing The City Harmonic”
Kingsway
6 tracks @ 27:03
Grade = A-
Elias Dummer, the lead singer for The City Harmonic, says, “Worship ought to feel like some unveiling of something bigger than ourselves; something we find ourselves in. Otherwise we’re not peeking into eternity so much as wishing we could.”
One of the feature’s of this Canadian group’s sound is the layered vocals on the choruses. The song “My God” takes a nice 180-degree turn in tone. The first single, “Manifesto,” includes what struck me as a little too staccato, robotic recitation of The Lord’s Prayer.
On leading worship Dummer says, “There’s been this “worship vs. performance” paradigm in the discourse around worship leading for a long time – I think the days of that kind of language are done. It just seems to be yet another way of allowing that dualistic schism to shape our thinking. If we love God and lovingly serve the people in the room, we serve God. It becomes a question of intent rather than appearance. We might carry out a “performance,” but it’s no more “fake” than a preacher who tells the same joke to a different audience. The joke works and invites people into the experience. It’s not a question of whether someone is “worshipping” or “performing.” It’s a question of whether someone is performing selfishly or selflessly, and the fact is, that it’s almost impossible to judge that as a casual observer. If I don’t get to know someone, how can I know their intent?
“The thing is, if we don’t “perform” as musicians, i.e. if we don’t recognize the reality of what being on a stage looks and feels like to an audience, I think we run the risk of actually making the obstacle between performer and audience bigger rather than smaller, and ironically, elevating ourselves rather than sharing the moment with the room. You can eliminate the “stage” by turning it around or trying to be as shy as possible, and this can work with great effort, but you can also eliminate the stage for your audience by seeing them eye-to-eye as God-loved human beings who want you to be one too. I personally think people find it easier to forget about the stage when they see a group of people that engage them and share that moment with them – including helping them to understand the musical things that might be going on. We look and pray for that special moment, for God to surprise us, but it’s naive to think that we shouldn’t have a well thought-out plan of how to get there.
“Sometimes people talk about music, and in particular worship music, as “emotional manipulation,” but aside from a harsh choice of words, I don’t believe this is bad. Great stories move us. Great songs move us. Great art moves us. It’s designed to. Why does the fact that something that might be intentionally designed to move us certain ways mean that it is inherently bad? Don’t you have to manipulate a steering wheel to drive a car? You could use a different word: inspire, encourage, whatever – but at the end of the day we’re talking about the same thing. You’re still doing intentional things to elicit a specific response. Or, to put it another way, nobody’s disappointed when the roller coaster does what it’s supposed to.
“So when we play live, I love enjoying that journey together eye-to-eye with the room. To me, it’s part of a robust and healthy spirituality that values the whole person before God. We don’t need to be “islands together” in worship; we can share that moment and maybe even aim for it. Sometimes the plan changes when everybody comes together, but you really have to see the people and seek God to get any sense of what that looks like – some things work every time, some things don’t. Nonetheless, some part of what we do is a performance – a thing designed to accomplish a goal. We do that out of love for our neighbour and in worship to God because we’re to do everything in worship to God.”
Hopefully this promising group will have much more output.
Rob S.
www.thecityharmonic.com
Yancy – Stars, Guitars & Megaphone Dreams
Dec 15, 2010 CD Reviews
Yancy
Stars, Guitars & Megaphone Dreams
Independent
Grade – B
Yancy is one of the hardest working artists in the industry right now and one of the most eclectic. Her musical projects have ranged from worship to teen-pop and children’s songs as well. Yancy has authored companion devotionals and other books to boot. Additionally, she has worked as a staff worship leader and a speaker at father/daughter conferences with pastor Jim Wideman. An amazing display of work ethic and more importantly an amazing display of a heart for others.
The latest project is in the pop/rock genre with a good mix of anthem like songs and some modern worship. “Stars, Guitars & Megaphone Dreams” is a fun project to listen too and I believe the interested age range is quite wide. While some of the tracks feel like they would fit best in a pre-teen youth group
I think the songs are also constructive enough to engage those in high school as well. Just listen to the track “Love God, Hate Sin” and you should understand where I am coming from. It’s an anthem like track that would make for a spirited sing-along. Then follow that up with the more acoustic worship track “I Love You” and you’ll see the other end of the spectrum described.
Having reviewed Yancy’s previous projects and having perused her last devotional with “Rock-n-Happy Heart,” I am happy to endorse her work and I highly encourage parents to dig into the music and the books together with their children. In many ways Yancy connects her ministry to her music to equip parents and youth leaders alike with some fresh content. Check out http://www.yancynotnancy.com for more information.
- Ken W.
Tags: Yancy
The Narnia Code (DVD)
Dec 15, 2010 DVD Reviews
The Narnia Code (DVD)
Entertainment One
This video delves into the deeper meanings of a very complex and intriguing author C.S. Lewis. The narrator breaks apart the Narnia books looking for connections and meaning beyond the entertainment value. The video also includes some really interesting background on the life of Lewis, but the near scientific approach to the video makes it somewhat dry and hard to follow. Seriously, you need to want to get beyond the entertainment and surface reflections of Christianity and to what the author believes is truly behind the series of novels.
Check out http://narniacode.com/ for more information and an interview with author Michael Ward with a better synopsis of “The Narnia Code.”
- Ken W.
Tags: Narnia
TobyMac: Moving Pictures
Dec 15, 2010 DVD Reviews
TobyMac: Moving Pictures
Forefront Records
In the day and age of iPods and iTunes it seems out of place to even release a DVD collection of music videos. Of course with Toby Mac things are rarely typical, and as of November 9th said DVD has been available. The “Moving Pictures” DVD includes all of Toby Mac’s videos to date and it includes a few bonus videos like the never released “Directors Videos” and a new video for “Tonight.”
TobyMac is an esteemed artist and having an entire collection of videos like this is certainly worth the change. However, again in a digital age where DVD’s are coming bundled with all kinds of extras this particular project is quite ordinary. It would have been an awesome feature to include a digital copy for your iPod or computer. It would have been extra special and worth paying more to have some behind-the-scene footage of TobyMac at work and play. But of course for less than $10 at Amazon, it’s still a bargain collection for the multitude of fans out there.
- Ken W.
Tags: TobyMac
