Desert Island Albums

Desert Island Albums / From the iPod — Comments Off
24
Apr 12

The Fire Theft

“The Fire Theft” by The Fire Theft

The Greeks tell of a great champion of humanity, a Titan, Prometheus. In a great act of revolution, Prometheus stole the fire that Zeus had withheld from mortals, and gave it to them. His punishment was to be eternally chained to a rock, alone in the mountains, while a giant eagle visited him each day to feast on his internal organs.

“I wanna hide in a cave, when I can grab hold of love if I want it.”

If I were chained to a rock, alone, being eaten by a big bird, I would have all the time I needed to brood on my misery, my loneliness, my anger, and my fear. And It would probably sound like The Fire Theft. Jeremy Enigk’s voice pierces with every word, straining, emoting. He screams as if he can’t be heard. He whispers as if he’s hiding.

“Wheels keep spinning around, still figuring out just where to begin. Head still sissy, in clouds, still figuring out where to fit in.”

The album’s almost ten years old now. And it hasn’t aged at all. It’s still as fresh as when I first heard it. It still calls to the isolated part of me, still screams at the fearful part of me, still soothes the worried part of me.

“Raise your arms and we’ll lift up this sky, holding stars.”

This is one of those albums that, the louder I play it, the more I recognize that the voice is my voice as well. That what strains so greatly to break out of the song has root in me as well. It’s one of those albums that’s as much a mirror as it is a thrill to listen to.

“I can’t see the day now that I’ve buried my life away. Can I dig it out again?”

Speaking of Prometheus…

Yeah, it’s Ridley Scott and it’s science fiction. So I can’t wait!

Desert Island Albums / iPod Must-Haves / Pop Brilliant — Comments Off
6
Jun 11

Pop Brilliant: My Favorite Albums of the 80s

That last post on Mercy Street got me listening to Peter Gabriel’s So again. Something I do every few months.

I grew up in the 80s. I listened to the radio in the 80s. I learned to love the magic of albums in the 80s. It wasn’t easy to skip tracks or just listen to one song. Here are my eight favorite albums from the 80s. These are the ones that I not only loved then, but that I have as much attachment to now as I did then (in some cases more, see Graceland).

I’m planning on spending one week with each of these albums for the next eight weeks or so.

Speaking of the 80s, we had this too…

Desert Island Albums / iPod Must-Haves — Comments Off
6
May 11

Another Mention: Insen

“Insen” by Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto

I’ve shared my love for this album before. There’s something powerful and transporting to it. There’s distraction music, there’s focus music, and then there’s this other kind. Journey music. The kind of music that makes you close your eyes and travel without moving. It’s internal and insular.

And when I drift like that, I always feel a little lost. Like waking up in the middle of the ocean. Where am I?

Buy “Insen” at the Amazon MP3 Store

And I can’t help but be excited about the new Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto album out in June. This one is Summvs.

Desert Island Albums — Comments Off
2
May 10

I Need a Little, Just a Little

“Dead Language” by K.S. Rhoads

K.S. Rhoads represents a new generation of dynamic Nashville songwriters. Dead Language is an incredibly rich and melodic album. The range shown on this debut is profound, both musically, stylistically, and lyrically. Most songwriters work up to this kind of range. His songs cover the range of human experiences, from desperate longing, repentant redemption, primal raunchiness, world-weary resignation, and hopeful longing.

The inside of me is New York in winter, the inside of me is Central Park. The inside of me is the snow on the trees, your breath in the breeze, and your grave in the dark.

 

Speaking of K.S. Rhoads…

Desert Island Albums / Favorite Christian Albums — Comments Off
15
Apr 10

Thoughtfully Sincere Letters

“Letters to the Editor” by Andrew Osenga

The beauty of Letters to the Editor is in its intimacy and craft. But its brilliance is in its conception and execution. Here’s the story in short: Andrew Osenga got it into his head to do something fun for his fans. So he asked them to send in letters and pictures. Then he wrote songs using these letters and photos as a basis. That’s cool, but it doesn’t stop there. He decided to record those songs using only a guitar and his voice. He allowed himself to switch up guitars on different songs, but once he chose one he used only it. The result is incredibly clean, creative, and intimate.

I fell for this album immediately. It’s a charm and honesty that’s hard to capture. It could be that’s what happens when you remove the pressure to productize. Or it could be that this is simply who Andy is at his simplest. Whichever, it works perfectly.

Maybe getting what you want is a blessing, because you may find that it can sting and it can burn. And what if it’s just a hint of all that you were missing? Getting what you want is both a blessing and a curse.

Speaking of Andy Osenga…

And speaking of Swingin’ Wide…

Baker's Dozen / Desert Island Albums — Comments Off
28
Mar 10

Baker’s Dozen #1

Befriended

Baker’s Dozen #1: “Befriended” by The Innocence Mission

Tomorrow On The Runway – The Innocence Mission


MP3 search on MP3hunting

As my favorite album of the decade (choosing between number one and number two was tough) you have to know that whatBefriended album means to me has more to do with my wife, my kids, my mortality, my family, and my Lord than it does the simple songs on the album. This album is not the most complex of the decade, not the most artistically experimental, not the most profound, not the most powerful, not the most perfect. But I think it is the most beautiful.

According to the story, Karen Peris wrote these songs in a year that saw the death of her mother and the birth of a child. It was a year of heavy loss and abundant happiness. That drips off every word of this album. It’s a context that the songs cannot live without. But Karen’s strong Christian faith is not absent in that context. She’s anchored and stable, fully confident in expressing life’s ebb and tide in the most subtle, crafted, poignant lyric.

Tomorrow On The Runway:
While my heart is sinking I do not want my voice to go out into the air. Did you leave the darkness without me? You’re always miles ahead.

I Never Knew You From the Sun:
Snow is on the ground but this is not my landscape now, where I find myself without you. Oh I never knew you from the sun.

Beautiful Change:
Flower forth, and soon, branch of Easter. I want to be here when he needs me, he will see a beautiful change. Oh and he wades into the yard. Nothing has been what I’d guessed so far. Unforeseen, this most sweet, beautiful change.

I wish I could post all the lyrics here for you. They are all so beautiful and consistently rich.

The low-key beauty of the music sets the songs exactly where they need to be. Intimately in your heart. Karen’s voice is that of a old friend whispering tenderly in your year words of consolation, comfort and joy. My first child was born the year this album came out. These songs melted themselves into my own experience in such a way, I don’t think I could separate my experience from the words and tones they express.

Songs don’t get more beautiful than that.

Speaking of Innocence Mission…

Baker's Dozen / Desert Island Albums / Favorite Christian Albums — Comments Off
27
Mar 10

Baker’s Dozen #2

Derek

Baker’s Dozen #2: “She Must and Shall Go Free” by Derek Webb

More Derek Webb music on iLike

She Must And Shall Go Free is an important record. It’s a monument in the Christian music industry. It’s a rare thing of honest, raw, tough passion. It should be a catalyst in many people’s lives in regard to how they see Christ and the Church. This record profoundly impacted me. There are four songs on this album that everyone following Christ needs to hear:

Lover:
Like a man comes to an altar I came into this town; with the world upon my shoulders and promises passed down. And I went into the water; my Father, he was pleased. I built it and I’ll tear it down so you will be set free.

Wedding Dress:
If you could love me as a wife and for my wedding gift, your life; should that be all I’d ever need? Or is there more I’m looking for? And should I read between the lines and look for blessings in disguise to make me handsome, rich, and wise? Is that really what you want?

Beloved:
Beloved these are dangerous times; you are weightless like a leaf from the vine. And the wind has blown you all over town. There is nothing holding you to the ground. Beloved listen to me: Don’t believe all that you see. And don’t you ever let anyone tell you that there’s anything that you need but me.

The Church:
I have come with one purpose: To capture for myself a bride. By my life she is lovely, and by my death she’s justified. So when you hear the sound of the water you will know you’re not alone. ‘Cause I haven’t come for only you, but for my people to pursue. And you cannot care for me with no regard for her. If you love Me you will love the church.

There’s not been another set of songs written by a Christian songwriter this decade that is as important as those four songs. I hope that this album is not buried in the years and forgotten. It will be sad if the Christian culture pass over this work for the sake of more superficial clichés about the Lord.

Speaking of Derek Webb…