Ch. 68: Here’s Your Future

68 ¹ Intro: “Burn and Shine” by The Elms ² “Storm Warning” by Red Umbrella. ³ “Strangers” by Son Lux f/ Jer1. ⁴ “All The Things That Go To Make Heaven and Earth (Live)” by The New Pornographers. ⁵ “Throwing Punches” by The Myriad. ⁶ “Here’s Your Future” by The Thermals. ⁷ “Evil Urges” by My Morning Jacket. ⁸ “I’m Going to Heaven To See If It Rains” by Close Lobsters. ⁹ “Evil Bee” by Menomena. ¹⁰ “Holy Ghost” by Laguardia. ¹¹ “Christ for President (Live)” by Wilco. ¹² “Serpent Charmer” by Iron and Wine. ¹³ “Church” by Plagiarists. ¹⁴ “A Soldier’s Song” by Dabney Morris. ¹⁵ “Everybody Hurts” by Bodies of Water.

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Art for the Church: Dr. Harold Best

The folks over at the Soujourn Music Podcast posted audio of Dr. Harold Best, author of Music Through the Eyes of Faith, on the subject of “Art For The Church; Art From The Church, Art Facing The Church”.  Dr. Best discusses challenges of art, music and worship in the contemporary church including the following ideas:

• The engagement of the Church in the arts should be the norm, not the exception.

• We’ve exhausted our superlatives.  Everything is “awesome” now.  We’ve reserved no words for God.

• If you’re asked to serve the liturgy in corporate worship: the Word is pre-eminent.  Art must serve the liturgy by humbling itself to wash the feet of the Savior and the congregants.

• Art for the Church must be simple, accessible, authentic.

• Don’t use “canned music” to make yourself “sound great”.  Strive to be authentic.

• Art from the Church should be a rampant, outspoken, prophetic invader.  For instance, write simple tunes on Sunday morning to serve the liturgy, then go “out there” in culture as prophet, going to the edge of who you are, creatively.

• The blood of Jesus is needed by Christians as much as by sinners.

• The intent of the worlds’ art is idolatry, but the content is neutral.  Don’t try to out-art them.  Debate the intent while celebrating the content.

Listen to Dr. Best’s presentation here »

Verra Cruz: Innocence (2008)

Innocence punishes those who might take the title in vain and press play without first buckling in.

From the first track, the UK band Verra Cruz unleashes a torrent of blues-infused licks that lets up only long enough for you to pick your chin off the ground. The lead single, Not in the Fire, implores its listeners to “rise up” at the risk of being tread upon by its own charged chorus. Following closely is the beautiful train wreck Blind Man, with its driving percussion and sufficiently-shredded lead.

The album takes a slight detour on Friend to You which simmers and soaks in its own sappy juices. The title track, too, seems a bit out of place with its uncharacteristically predictable melody. Fortunately for the long-laden, the album quickly turns back to the rhythm and soul that has become the band’s trademark.

In all, Innocence has all the trappings of a well-seasoned album that knows where it’s going and exactly how to get there. Verra Cruz is verra good riff-rocking roll. Verra, verra good.

Would put on a mixtape between: Silverchair and Soundgarden

Tracks to sample: “Not in the Fire” (myspace), “Blind Man”, “How Long for This World”