Tag Archives: New music

Post Summer – Pre Fall New Music List

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The title says it all

Life’s a little crazy right now but one of the things that’s keeping me trucking is the continual discovery of some great new music.  Here are some things that are inspiring me for congregational music as I look at the fall.

(click picture for link to the songs)

I’ve been a fan of Dustin Kensrue for a few years.  It’s even easier for me to be a fan of his new sound with his worship band, Modern Post, based out of Mars Hill O.C.  Check out their brilliant versions of “Before the Throne” and “Amazing Grace”.

 

 

I have not heard a song, any song, that has grabbed me like this since I first popped in Jonsi’s album “Go” 2 years ago.  Kenosis’ version of “How Deep The Father’s Love For Us” is not necessarily the greatest thing I’ve ever heard, but it’s probably the most exciting hymn rearrangement I’ve ever heard.  Love it!  Absolutely love it!

 

The Royal Royal came on the scene last year when they toured the U.S. with Hillsong United.  As soon as I heard their song “Praise Him” I was hooked.  It was what I wanted to hear from the worship music genre, because it didn’t sound like the genre.  And yet, while having a fresh sound that gives some nods to the influence of bands like Passion Pit the songs are still totally congregationally singable.  Great stuff.

 

I haven’t tried incorporating any Bellarive tunes into a worship set yet, but it’s only a matter of time.  I love their sound.  I’ll never be able to sing as high as this dude but their approach to worship music resonates with me.  I’m a fan.

 

 

This last one is something a little different, yet totally familiar.  Imagine some of the popular worship songs from the last few years…with a Punk Rock sound.  That’s what my buddy, Ryan Gartner from my home church has been working on.  Because fist pumps and praising Jesus just belong together.

 

 

What are you guys listening to?

Reason to Sing

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click the image to view the album on iTunes

Today I’m not trying to teach.  Today I’m just giving you a glimpse of what’s rattling around in my head and heart.

Sometimes I’m expected to be the trendy worship leader.  Sometimes it’s assumed that I care more about lighting, staging, arrangements, gear, v-necks, and delay settings than I care about connecting people to God.  Sometimes (like now) I make too many assumptions.

I love Jesus.  Everything else is just peripheral.  For the few of you reading this who don’t have a relationship with Jesus yet, I hope and pray you soon will and that you’ll see Him in me.  For those of you who know Jesus, but you’ve forgotten about His goodness, or you’ve forgotten your identity in Him, or you’ve left Him in the corner while you live life on your own strength…I pray you feel an unquenchable thirst for His words and dive deep into His all sufficient love and faithfulness.  For those of you who are walking with Jesus daily…worship.  Worship Jesus. Whatever that looks like for you.

Do it.

All out.

Set the time aside.

I’m sitting in Starbucks, listening to the new album from All Sons and Daughters titled “Season 1″.  These songs are resonating in my heart.  There’s an honesty in their delivery that invites me to join in with them.  ”Reason to Sing” is particularly grabbing me.  This song   echoes the honesty and seeking of the Psalms of the Old Testament.

When I’m overcome by fear, and I hate everything I know

When this waiting lasts forever, I’m afraid I might let go

I need a reason to sing, I need to know that You’re still holding the whole world in Your hands

Will there be a victory
Will You sing it over me now
Your peace is the melody
You sing it over me now

To worship God is to let go of our un-knowns, our fears, our pressures, our anxiety, our sleepless nights.  That’s what you need, that’s what I need, and that’s what everyone needs.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:4-7

Come, let us bow down in worship, 
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 
for he is our God 
and we are the people…under his care.          - Psalm 95:6-7

Christmas Music I Like

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Every year around this time I find myself frantically searching for music that we can use during the Christmas season.  My goal is to find songs that are accessible to everyone but still sound fresh. Here are some of the songs I’ve found that we’ve used recently or plan to use this year.  Hopefully you find something in here that helps you in your search.

 

and check this out while you’re at it…and this too :)

Merry Christmas!

Mylo-the-what-now???

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If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you know I’m a huge Coldplay fan.  And last night was like Christmas at the Delamont house!  I got home from leading worship at our evening service feeling pretty wiped.  I went to bed fairly early but first checked to see if Coldplay’s new album Mylo Xyloto was available for download yet on iTunes.

YES!!!!!!!!

It most certainly was!  So instead of sleeping I decided to listen to the whole thing straight through.  It was fantastic!

I love Coldplay because like me, they are so obviously music fans.  They pull influences in to their music from all over the place.  There’s even a track featuring Rihanna on here.  It’s called “Princess of China” and it’s a great track.  Some of my other favourite tracks on the album are the instrumental opener “Mylo Xyloto”, “Charlie Brown”, and “Up With the Birds”.

Coldplay is inspiring to me because they are constantly evolving, constantly trying new things.  They may have gained or lost some fans along the way because of that.  I don’t know and I don’t care.  But they never stand still.  With every music video, every song, and every live show they are trying new things.

As a musician, pastor, and heck, even just as a human I really resonate with that.

Never. stand. still

So you’ve got a large group of people that are happy with what you’re doing now.  Great!  But don’t just stay there.  Never stand still.

You’re comfortable, you’ve found your “groove”.  Well, what’s next?  Are you just going to stay where it’s comfortable?  Never stand still.

You think you’ve got it figured out.  You’ve been doing this for a long time.  Think you’re done learning and growing?  Think there’s nothing left for you to learn?  Never stand still.

You may not be us much of a Coldplay fan as I am.  I’m not here to convert you to the fan club.  I’m just here to ask that if you’re someone who wants to make this world better, if you’re someone that wants to live a life full of purpose, and especially if you’re someone who wants to help people discover who Jesus is…if that’s you…then never stand still.

 

By the way, in case you were wondering where in the world the band got the idea for their album name “Mylo Xyloto” here’s what lead singer Chris Martin told The Sun (UK Newspaper) in September, 2011.

Quoting The Sun: It is pronounced My-low Zy-letoe… and even the lads admit the title doesn’t mean anything. Chris says: “At the moment it seems a bit ridiculous and I accept that. “Something about it feels quite fresh. The title doesn’t have any other meaning. I think we’re a band with a lot of history now so it’s nice to come up with something that doesn’t have any history at all. We’ve had that title for about two years on a board and any other potential titles had to be written next to it. Other ones made more sense but we just liked this one, that’s all we can defend it with.”

Worship Trendiness

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John Mark McMillan

I don’t know if that’s a fair title for this post.  I don’t mean any disrespect to the artists and worship leaders in the videos below.  The fact is just that right now there’s a fair amount of attention around these artists and the direction they may or may not be taking popular worship music as we know it.

To be honest I like it.

I think the future is bright.  I think we might be seeing such big changes as smaller or no stages in our churches, trading hazers and motion lights for simple light bulbs.  Less sitting and watching and more standing and engaging.  We might see the congregation participating in new ways.

But I’d like to hear from YOU!

If this is the future, what do you think of it?  Tell me what you like.  Tell me what you don’t like.  Together we might be able to save ourselves from making some mistakes down the road as we figure out the future or worship music in our own contexts.

Watch and Discuss

(keep in mind lots of these are not actual “worship service” moments)

and something a little different

 

Discuss…GO!