Mike’s Mini Music Review – Thousand Foot Krutch – Welcome to the Masquerade

It’s been a banner couple of weeks for stellar album releases. Skillet blew me away with Awake, and now Thousand Foot Krutch has come out with … well, it’s not the best Christian rock album of the year (Skillet wrapped that one up two weeks ago), but Welcome to the Masquerade is really, really, really, really good.

I hesitate slightly to call it “excellent” – although it borders on that – because for such a fantastic album, Masquerade has a few flaws that keep it from being one of those five-star, two-thumbs up records.

First, though, the positives: many of the songs are tremendous. I love the title track, as well as Fire It Up, Bring Me To Life, and Forward Motion. There’s a good mix of traditional-style TFK rock-rap-nu metal songs, and some more pop-rock oriented songs. The ballad Looking Away blew me away because it didn’t sound like TFK at all. Heck, when I first heard it, I thought it was a band like FM Static. (Well, at least that makes sense.) Overall, the highs of this album are very high.

The negatives? The songs are great, but the structure of some of the pieces just doesn’t work for me. A song called Smack Down (Hello, WWE, are you going to pick this up now, or, like, now?) should be more like an in-your-face rocker akin to Fire It Up, but instead it’s almost a dirge and never really finds its groove. The closing song, Already Home, is a really pretty ballad until the last 20 seconds, and then all of the crescendo orchestration just suddenly dies in favour of an acoustic finish. It’s so abrupt, it’s like the orchestra got gunned down. As a result, it’s a huge anti-climax. And my biggest pet peeve of the album is that so many of the songs just end. Stop. Done. Finish. No flourish, no fade out, nothing. They. Just. End.

But in the end, you have to love any band that can properly incorporate triplets into its songs these days.

And for the record, the album cover freaked out my wife.

I still like Skillet’s Awake more than this record, but that’s a matter of taste and degree. TFK has put out an album that deserves the superlatives it’s receiving. My frustration is that with a little bit of tweaking of a few individual songs and some better choices on production, this album could have been an all-time classic. It’ll have to settle for being the second-best Christian rock album of 2009.

How big is Skillet's new album?

I know, I know ... I've been raving about Skillet's new album, Awake, for an entire week now. But it's really good! And now, it's really big!

How big?

It's the number two selling album on Billboard this week.

That's very cool.

Two of my favourite activities come together

Found this in my email today. My love of professional wrestling meets my love of Skillet.

SKILLET’S “MONSTER” TO BE USED IN “25th Anniversary of WrestleMania – World Television Premiere” THIS WEEKEND ON NBC

August 28, 2009
**As they near the close of an exciting street week, SKILLET’s active rock single “Monster” (currently #26 on the Active Rock BDS/Billboard chart and #28 on the Mediabase chart) will be used during the “25th Anniversary of WrestleMania – World Television Premiere” this Sunday, August 29th on NBC at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT).  This Special will feature all the action from the original April 5, 2009 Pay Per View broadcast, but condensed to one hour.  Unforgettable performances will be highlighted from WWE Superstars including Triple H, Randy Orton, John Cena, Big Show, Edge, Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Jeff Hardy and many others.
**WWE programming reaches nearly 16 million people per week in the U.S., and is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide.  "WWE Superstars" is the newest addition to WWEs line up, a one-hour show, which recently premiered on April 16th, 2009 and has been WGN America’s most-watched Thursday telecast every week since its premiere.

Mike’s Mini Music Review – Skillet’s “Awake”

I have to admit – I was a little worried about Awake. Skillet’s last album, Comatose, was a gigantic hit in the Christian music community, and I figured it was inevitable that the followup album was going to be a letdown.

It turns out I was completely wrong. This record delivers. It’s fabulous. Great melodic guitar rock. Fun harmonies. Powerful songs. (I dare you to listen to “Lucy” and not get teary-eyed.) I haven’t stopped listening to it since Tuesday. It’s easily my favourite album of 2009.

Judging from other reviews I’ve read, for the very few who don’t like Awake, the big complaint is that it’s Comatose II – that Skillet hasn’t grown as a band or changed their style or whatnot.

In many ways, Awake picks right up where Comatose leaves off, but so what? Skillet has figured out the formula of big arena rock with guitars, keyboards and strings, and 1980s-style power ballads, and they make it work for them. I happen to enjoy that formula a lot, so I’m perfectly happy with Awake. Ecstatic, even.

Which is not to say that Skillet has entirely duplicated Comatose. The biggest change on Awake is the addition of new drummer Jen Ledger to the vocal line-up, singing both backup and supporting lead vocals on songs, which is a definite upgrade to Skillet’s overall package.

Not only is there not a bad song on the entire album, the first half of Awake is among the strongest string of songs I’ve ever heard on any record. And given the album’s lyrical emphasis on real-life situations (love, loss, forgiveness, bad relationships, etc.), songs like “Don’t Wake Me”, “One Day Too Late” and “Forgiven” would not be out of place as soundtrack songs on any number of teen or young-adult dramas. And “Hero” would make an excellent action movie trailer song.

OK, there are some nitpicky things. For instance, the fact that the line “My voice will be heard today” gets repeated during the second verse of “Hero” bugs me and strikes me as lazy lyric writing. And if I had done the arrangements on “Alive and Awake” I would have tweaked the chorus just a bit.

But, again, it’s nitpicking. I don’t have enough superlatives for Awake. This album is tremendous. Five stars. 10 out of 10. Highest recommendation. Just go buy it.

POD's Anything Right - Same chorus as TFK's Fire It Up?

My friend Jim comments on my previous post that the chorus to TFK's Fire It Up sounds an awful lot like POD's Anything Right.

So here's POD's song. What do you think? (Chorus starts at 1:20)

Thousand Foot Krutch - Fire It Up live

The guitarist could have shown more enthusiasm.

Thousand Foot Krutch - Fire It Up

The greatness of new autumn releases continues!

Skillet's two new songs - Monster, Hero

From the much-anticipated forthcoming Skillet album, Awake, out August 25.

Downhere - Unbelievable

These guys are supposed to be coming to Edmonton in August, and I do plan to be there. Here's a classic from their album Wide Eyed and Mystified.

Mike's Mini Music Review: Newsboys - In The Hands of God

I have a general rule for albums: If there are three good songs on it (read: three songs I really like), I don't regret the purchase.

By that standard, the Newsboys' brand new album, In The Hands of God, is a fine purchase, as it passes my general rule, with a minimum of three songs that I'll listen to lots. The title track has been a big hit on Christian radio, and as I've written about before, it's a song that really surprises you with the way it builds. My Friend Jesus is a rather amusing ditty about - wait for it - being on hold with tech support. No, really. But that's what makes the song work - it pulls something profound out of something so mundane. (It's a song that I'd expect to hear Relient K or Stellar Kart sing, actually.) Lead Me to the Cross is a pretty powerful worship oriented ballad.

The rest of the album? Eh ... it's a decidedly mixed bag. Dance starts out really well, but the chorus doesn't work for me. The Way We Roll is just OK. But The Upside is kinda nifty - kind of a throwback summer song that you'd play with your windows down.

Worth picking up if you're a fan of the Newsboys.

Skillet's new song, Monster

From their forthcoming album. Quality is as good as it gets for YouTube, really.

Skillet: A Day in the Life of a Show

Time-lapse videos are nothing new, but that doesn't make this any less fun to watch.

Happy Easter!

A Better Way - Downhere

An appropriate song for Good Friday.

The New Newsboys

Sorry ... I'm just not sold on Michael Tait as lead singer yet.

Late slip - My favorite Christian albums of 2008

(I meant to write this post, like, three months ago, and just forgot. But what the heck.)

I bought Run Kid Run's "Love At The Core" album yesterday off iTunes, and have been loving it to death for the last 24 hours. That got me thinking of some of my fave Christian music from last year. Looking through my album collection, I'd have to narrow it down to three albums:

Newsboys - Houston, We Are Go
Downhere - Ending is Beginning
Starfield - I Will Go

The Newsboys live album produced what was my favorite song of the year (and, actually, the year before, too, seeing as they've done several versions of it) in "I Am Free." It's a great rocker and it sounds awesome live.

Downhere put together was I think was, front to back, my favorite album of the entire year. It's the album that I can put in my car stereo any time and enjoy it.

But Starfield produced a fantastic album that had my favorite worship song of the year in "Reign In Us." Plus, about half the songs on the album are now part of the worship signing in our church.

Loving the Internet some more - Newworldson - Working Man

My day of musical discovering continues. I love this song!

This is why I love the Internet

All the (mainly bogus) complaining about Facebook aside, this is why I love the Internet: I get to discover fun Christian bands that I don't hear on my local Christian radio station.

3-2-1

This is my favourite song right now.

Bride - God Gave Rock N Roll to You

I remember Petra doing this ages ago. This version is pretty cool.

Downhere - How Many Kings

An appropriate song for the Christmas season.

Mike's Music Review: Skillet - Comatose Comes Alive

This finally arrived in my mailbox today after a too-long wait to get it over the border. Fortunately, it was absolutely worth the wait: a total of 21 tracks (including 6 downloadable) on the CD, and a live concert DVD with its own bonus features, and it cost me less than $20. (See? That's how you sell people on actually buying music: Give them lots of stuff for a decent price. On a per-song cost, this album is absolutely cheap.)

Comatose is a great rock album, and the live version is just as good. Gotta love any band that uses orchestral strings to back up crunchy alternative/arena rock. I got through most of the DVD tonight, and I'm listening to the album on my iPod as I type this, and this is going to be one of those albums that I play over and over and over again until the CD melts in my car stereo.

And right now, I'm enjoying the heck out of the multi-vocal "Yours to Hold" which features pretty much everyone in the band taking turns on the song, including the band's brand-new 18-year-old drummer, Jen Ledger.

Big thumbs up.

Relient K - The Best Thing

Otherwise known as "That song used to advertise Trading Spaces on TLC."

Stryper - Always There For You

I can't believe this song is 20 years old. I still remember driving my Hyundai Pony down to the University of North Dakota to see them in concert.

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Newsboys - I Am Free

Hmmm ... watching this older clip ... the Houston We Are Go CD may have been less "live" than advertised ...

Skillet - Rebirthing

Love this song.

BarlowGirl - Never Alone

Michael W. Smith - A New Hallelujah music video

Newsboys - Houston We Are Go - CD/DVD Review

I have to admit ... I've been hot and cold on the Newsboys. Way back when, I liked their connection to Steve Taylor and their goofy, humorous songs, and thought they were funny and thought provoking. Then I kind of lost touch with them and what I did hear from them was more worship-oriented music, which was fine for what it was, but there are a billion bands that do worship music and it didn't exactly gravitate me towards their CDs.

Then I heard the live version of "I Am Free."

That song single-handedly got me back into listening to the Newsboys. I'm not a rabid fan (they'd be no higher than my fourth or fifth favorite band right now), but I've got enough of an appreciation of their music to spend a few bucks on the new Houston We Are Go live CD/DVD. Well, that and my general love for live albums.

I'm still watching the DVD (literally, as I type this), and I've listened to most of the CD. It's really good. Nothing surprising. The Newsboys have a very polished sound that doesn't sound *that* much different compared to their studio albums. But it's absolutely a fun listen (and completely slick DVD). If you're a fan, you probably already own it. If you're not a fan, this is a pretty decent "best of" collection that will introduce you to all facets of the band.

Thumbs up.

Free BarlowGirl Christmas song download

Right click here for a free version of What Child is This from the band's new Christmas CD.

Downhere - My Last Amen

From the new album, Ending is Beginning.

Newsboys - Live

newsboys LIVE trailer from Inpop Records on Vimeo.

Christianity Today gives Ending is Beginning 5 stars

See? I told you Downhere's new album is good!

Their best album so far? In many ways, yes, though each Downhere album has had its share of pop/rock highpoints. At the very least, Ending Is Beginning further cements the band's place in Christian music for their artful expressions of our faith. Downhere has hit their stride with this album, and assuming that their following continues to grow, it appears that we can expect continued excellence from them for years to come.

Mike's Music Review - Downhere - Ending is Beginning

OK, I promised a review of the album tonight, and circumstances have conspired to make it shorter than I wanted it to be. No song-by-song review. Just some overall thoughts.

It's a fantastic album - sonically and lyrically. I think my favorite song at this point is Don't Miss Now, which has a great piano hook and some stunning harmonies, and actually reminded me of a post-Peter Cetera Chicago song at times.

One thing I noticed listening to it going to work this morning is how some of the songs on Ending is Beginning would have not sounded at all out of place on a Starfield album. (That's a compliment, by the way - to both bands.)

Finally, Chris Sligh has some very kind words about Ending is Beginning. I think, "You must, must, must check out this album" pretty much sums it up.

Coming tonight

A review of Downhere's Ending is Beginning.

Music currently on order

Tomorrow is the release of Downhere's new album, Ending is Beginning. I'll be getting that one off iTunes before I head into work tomorrow.

I also have three other albums headed my way in the mail: Skillet's Comatose Come Alive CD/DVD; Newsboys Live: Houston We Are Go CD/DVD; and Toby Mac's Alive and Transported CD/DVD combo.

Hey, I'm a sucker for live concert albums. Plus, I need some concerts to watch on the iPod while we do our long drives to visit family.

Downhere - The Real Jesus - Live

One of the hidden gems from Downhere's last album, Wide Eyed and Mystified.

A rave review of Downhere's Ending is Beginning

The album isn't out for another week, but we already have our first rave review of Downhere's latest, Ending is Beginning.

Based on the two songs I've heard in full from the album, and the 30-second snippets now available on iTunes, there's nothing in this review with which I disagree. This is going to be a great record!

Too late update: My review of the album is here.

Relient K song for Trading Spaces

I am watching TLC tonight, and they've been showing promos for the new season of Trading Spaces.

The song used in the promo was Relient K's The Best Thing.

Very cool!

Casting Crowns - The Altar and the Door Live CD/DVD

I've said it before but it bears repeating: Casting Crowns should only put out live albums.

The Altar and the Door Live CD/DVD is so much better than the studio version, it's almost mindboggling. This is a band that has so much fun and brings so much passion to its music that it just can't be captured in a studio session. As a result, their live albums just buzz with excitement, and their song arrangements are far more energetic and inventive than the studio versions.

If you haven't bought The Altar and the Door and you like Casting Crowns, just go straight to the live version. It does not have every song from the studio release, but it hits the highlights of the studio album. Not to mention, there's an absolutely haunting version of Love Them Like Jesus (originally from the Lifesong album) that will bring tears to your eyes.

Downhere - Ending is Beginning - September 23

Just doing my bit ...

Downhere - A Better Way

One of the greatest songs ever written, in my humble opinion.

Downhere - The More

Yeah, I've basically turned the blog into a music video reposting service. Consider it a respite between the Learn to Run updates.



And the studio version ...

Lincoln Brewster - Everlasting God

Stellar Kart - Me and Jesus

The cornucopia of Christian music videos continues. I love this song, but the album version is much better.

Downhere - Here I Am

My current favourite song.

More free stuff from Downhere

The Christian band Downhere released their 2006 album Wide Eyed and Mystified entirely free on the Internet a while back. Anyone who took advantage of it got quite the deal, because the album is very good.

The band now has a free song, My Last Amen, off their forthcoming album Ending is Beginning available for download here, and the new single, Here I Am, streaming off their website.

If these two songs are any indication, the new album is going to be great.

Healing continues following church floor collapse

CanadianChristianity.com has an excellent article catching everyone up on the fallout from the church floor collapse at the April 25 Starfield concert in Abbotsford, B.C.

Downhere free album download

The Christian band Downhere has offered up their 2006 album, Wide Eyed and Mystified, for a completely free download here. I believe the offer is only good until the end of June.

In my opinion, it's a fine album and well worth downloading. Hey, it's free! If you don't like it, delete it.

Starfield speaks about Abbotsford concert accident

Amanda Falk - Beautiful

My first YouTube video to hit 2,000 views, which it did yesterday.



(And, no, I'm not awake now, sitting in front of the computer posting. I used the scheduled post feature in Blogger to put this up in the middle of the night.)

More on the Starfield concert accident in Abbotsford

Here's a TV report about the concert. Footage of the floor collapsing appears about 45 seconds into the clip.

EDIT APRIL 29: Sorry, folks, the video has been taken off YouTube.

Starfield's Facebook page has a lot of first-hand accounts of the accident.

It's a miracle that no one died, although one person is reportedly seriously injured. But after looking at the TV footage, it's apparent that it could have been a lot worse. God was at work even in that bad situation.

EDIT MAY 11: Because Google is still directing anyone searching for Starfield concert accident information here, I should note that a new video of Starfield addressing the accident is linked here.

Church stage collapses in Abbotsford, B.C.

A disturbing story from the Starfield concert last night in Abbotsford, B.C.

Starfield - Reign in Us

My current favourite song.

I Know You're There - Casting Crowns (Live!)

I got to see Casting Crowns last year at the BreakForth conference. They didn't do this song (the new album wasn't out yet), but I was very impressed by the fact that this is a band that sounds 100% better live than they do on their albums - and their albums are great.

This is one of my favorite tracks off of their Altar and the Door album.

On vacation

We're spending Easter weekend travelling to the American west coast to visit family, so it's unlikely anything will be posted until early next week.

In the meantime, here's a Chris Tomlin song appropriate for Easter.

Starfield - Son of God

An appropriate video for a Sunday morning. Enjoy!

This is cool

This is a rare convergence of my love for pro-wrestling with my love for Christian rock music:

Rockers Disciple Land Song On New WWE Album; Gain Support From WWE Stars Hawkins And Ryder

FFH - Ready to Fly

This song is very special to me for reasons that not very many people know. I love this song. Utterly love this song.

The video ... well, did I mention how much I love the song?

Petra - Creed

This post serves two purposes:

1) It's an excuse to post a video for Petra's song "Creed," which is awesome.

2) It's a test of YouTube's "post directly to your blog" feature, which was very easy to set up, but the actual mechanics of which are hidden under the "Share" button, which was not the most intuitive thing I've ever seen.

NEW! Shared items

The keen-eyed among you will have noticed that I now have a "shared items" applet along the right-hand side of the page. I have several dozen blog feeds in my Google Reader (an amazing application), and from time to time, I'll be marking items there that I think my readership (all 4 of you) might be interested in reading as well. Or not.

The items can be clicked one at a time, or you can click the "read more" link to read all the items in my list.

Currently, there's some MMA news, a good article on the death of Christian rock pioneer Larry Norman, and and older link to the day I got cut from the Edmonton Sun.