Here is a new music video project from Audio Adrenaline and their new frontman who you may recognize.  Read my thoughts after the video:

First off: Mind Blown

  WHAAAAAAATTTTTTTT!  (I may or may not have actually screamed that when I saw Kevin Max come on the screen)  If you don't know, I am a huge dcTalk fan.  It was the first music I ever owned, and I still have every album.  I followed each member after they broke up, but Kevin Max was my favorite.  When I started getting into more rock sounds, Audio Adrenaline provided me the sound I needed.  So to see the two join is, well, woah.  I think.  The new sound sounds really cool, but lets be honest.  This is not "Mighty Good Leader"....  And this is no "Jesus Freak"

Secondly

This is Audio Adrenaline.  But is it really?  The only remaining member is the Bass player.  The guitarist is from Superchick, the drummer is from Bleach. It sounds and looks like an entirely new band.  The sound changes, the writing changes, the genre changes. The name remains. I love the video.  I love the song. I love the mission behind it.

I am very anxious to hear more of the Audio Adrenaline Part Two
Note: album is expected, according to Jesus Freak Hideout, Spring of 2013

Setlist:

• All Because of Jesus
• Beauty of the Cross
• No One Higher/ The Stand
• O Come O Come Emmanuel
• God of this City

Today was the end of our Core Value's series.  We talked about being missional minded.  That MISSIONAL is just a fancy word for SENT.  

Christ came to us.  Everything we are is because of Jesus.  Because of the hope He gave us, because of His mission, we can find beauty in the once-ugly cross.  The cross that was a symbol of death, destruction, sadness- is now a cross of beauty, hope, love, and sacrifice.

We are called to go.  Christ came to the world.  We, as receivers of this grace, are called to pass it along to those who have not received it yet.  We need to be more like Mother Theresa.

During the Holidays (Thanksgiving to Christmas)- the world feels much more giving than normal.  We raise money for food for families, we shower them in gifts and grace, are arms open up as wide as we say they are.  Why can't we do this all year?  I understand why non-believers do- they get caught up in the moment.  That special feeling one gets at Christmastime, like there is something special present with us.  But we, as Christians, who have that special presence with us at all times (Immanuel- God with us)- why can't we be this charitable all year long?

David gave us 5 things for us to remember where to go.

• We go where our daily lives take us.
• We go where we see God at work.
• We go where God calls us.
• We go to places that are broken…places that are in need of healing.
• We even allow those God sends to enter into our brokenness.

I want to close with this post with this song.  It is called "Unlock my Roar" by Daniel Bashta-  I love the bridge of this song:
I am Jesus to this city
I am Jesus to this city
I am Jesus to this nation

I am Jesus to the world.



Be Jesus to your city. Be Jesus to your nation.  Be Jesus to your world.

The past few months (Starting in October), I have created a monthly playlist.  I am not saying it is the best playlist ever, but I enjoy it.  I do it for me :)

But I invite you to subscribe over Spotify, enjoy and listen to it as well.

So go and listen/ subscribe to my december playlist: December By The Fire

Playlist Listing:
Ships In A Bottle- Butch Walker
Lover, You Should Have Come Over- Jamie Cullum
Winter Winds- Mumford and Sons
Silver Bells- Relient K
Don't Move- Butch Walker
You Love To Sing (Slow Version)- Copeland
Rolling In The Deep- Go Radio
Be Good Until Then- Butch Walker
Fix You- Tyler Ward
Winter- Joshua Radin
Dark Horses- Switchfoot
Winter- Bayside
Thinkin' 'Bout Somethin'- Hanson
Tiny Dancer- Elton John
Royal Blue- Cold War Kids
This Love- Maroon 5
Some Boys- Death Cab for Cutie
Shake It Out- Florence + The Machine
Just Like Heaven- Gatsbys American Dream

It is Tuesday morning, and I am in Common Ground coffeeshop downtown getting some work done before staff meeting.  My first staff meeting.  I am not generally a 'meeting' type of guy.  Something about having to sit in one place for extended amounts of time. But I am excited about this one, because it is my first one- the beginning of the 'day-to-day' part of my ministry at Tidal Creek

I got the privilege to lead in a few songs Sunday (I don't start leading until the 18th, to let me help care for Dorothy and unpack), and let me just say- wow.  There was so much energy in the room!  But above any energy that was there because of me being there, and above the fact that the songs were on the edgy side, lies the truth that we praise the One who overcame death to bring us salvation!

Onto the house: we have gotten settled into our new home (basically)  There are still lots of boxes in a few rooms, but there are some extenuating circumstances that prevent us from really unpacking one wing of the house.

And on a side note: I am currently listening to the Capstone Worship album, 'No Condemnation'.  I would highly recommend going over to the website (www.capstoneworship.bandcamp.com) and downloading it for only $6!  On it, you will find some songs you have heard before, and 6 songs written by John Dukes and I.  I would say this is a must-have for all the STONERS out there, and anyone else who is looking for some new music to plug into the iPod.

[Note: If you are kind of freaked out that I used the word 'stoners', then 1) I can safely assume you have not been to Capstone, and 2) don't worry- it is an acronym of what the people of Capstone do/ believe)

Back on topic- not sure which topic- but back on a topic.  Ah- Tidal Creek.  We'll do that one.  First off, thank you so much for welcoming my family into yours like this.  We have been overwhelmed with love, kindness, and generosity.  Secondly, thank you for the opportunity to lead you in worship each week.  I hope to be a doorholder for you as you are ushered into the Throne Room of God.

It is my prayer to lead you effectively, lovingly, and worshipfuly.  It is also my prayer to continually be faithful to the calling God has placed on my life.  I hope you pray that for me as well, and all your leaders at Tidal Creek.

Before I came, I used the phrase "Good things are coming".  I strongly believe this still, and have used this as my personal slogan for this position.  Not because of anything on my end (I'm just a guy trying to follow my Savior), but because it seems Satan is trying every way he can to steal our joy or to send us home. And God is telling us each step to stay. If I didn't believe in Spiritual Warfare before, I do now.  But I have joy in this because I know that something awesome is waiting that Satan does not want.

Sorry for the length- but because we don't have internet right now at the house, I'm stuck to updating whenever I get wifi, so I have alot to say for a change!

While I have yet to find an 'official' preorder on Butch's site, I did stumble across Amazon's preorder.
$14.02 for Compact Disc, 
$13.98 for vinyl on Amazon


As I said before, I cannot wait for this album.  I have been on a big Butch walker kick lately, and even covered his cover of Taylor Swift's 'You Belong With Me'.  


I'm not a superfan, however. You know what I mean- the people who know all his albums by heart, who know his middle name, know random facts about him and how he writes.  I feel like I'm a superfan of Ben Harper, and sometimes Brett Dennen.  And I do know alot about Butch, but it would be cruel to his real, hardcore fans for me to group myself in with them.


I have tried finding some early reviews, to see what we are all in store for.  Lojinx.com wrote, 

The Spade is an adrenaline-pumping blast of hook-fueled rock and roll that features 10 new tracks written by Walker in collabo- ration with his longtime band-mates, The Black Widows....                    The record showcases Walker’s sharp lyrical wit and unbridled affection for the anthemic pop of his youth. From first single “Summer of ‘89” (where he sings “Nobody really knew Bryan Adams wasn’t cool / The TV just told me he was”) to “Synthesizers” (“I don’t have a synthesizer / I can still get down like Duran Duran in 1985”), the album is full of knowing winks, half-cocked smiles, and monster sing-alongs. Walker writes with a boozy swagger, leading his band through what sounds like the soundtrack to the world’s greatest house party.  

I cannot wait to see what this album is going to hold! I love the month or so before an album releases by any of your 'top' artists- or anyone you like more than others- because in that month, getting that album the moment it releases is the only album you care about.

Last night I decided I would cover Butch Walker covering Taylor Swift and play "You Belong With Me".

You Belong With Me Cover from Josh Williams on Vimeo.

Muse Want To Record New Music In Outer Space | Ology
Really???
Outer Space????

Matt Bellamy, Muse's singer and guitarist, said to Contactmusic.com:
“We’re trying to bag a free trip on [Virgin Galactic]. I’m going to try to convince Richard Branson to let us make a music video or record a song up there. I think that would be cool. Would I be scared? I think I’ll be alright,”


 I mean, I guess it had to happen someday, and the first band to do it isn't going to be some small indie band.  It is either going to be U2, Coldplay, or Muse.  Or the NASA A Capella group.

At least they aren't asking for something extreme, like all green M&M's in their trailer or something.

I should preface this post with the fact that I am not a huge Coldplay fan.  I enjoy their music, but just am not a huge follower.

But this video is stinkin' amazing!  It blows me away.  I don't care if you hate Coldplay and have to put the song on mute- watch the video. (But the song is pretty sweet too!)

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a rockstar.  I grew up listening to dcTalk, and would sing along with their albums in my room, pretending to be in front of thousands of people.  This wasn't like most kids dreams of rocking out- I was determined.

Then, when I first started writing songs and playing guitar, that dream popped up again. I was convinced I was God's gift to music and would book 'gigs' in coffee houses around Anderson.  To put it simply, I was conceited and somewhat of a jerk when it came to music.  And to anyone who got a bad taste in their mouths from meeting me then- I'm very sorry.  I hope we can start a new relationship not built around my ego.

But something changed in me.  Around my junior year of college, God grabbed a hold of me.  You see, this 'gift' that I was using for my own benefit, was God's.  And it was given to me for a reason, which was not to be a rock star.

I felt God calling me to worship ministry- to lead a group of Christian into the Throne room of God.  And he shifted my focus from national reach to serving the local Church.

Now- there are people out there who are serving God by writing songs that reach millions of people. Being a 'rock star' in Christian music could be God's will for someone.  But that someone wasn't me.

I was called to something greater: a chance to interact, to serve, a group of Christians, pouring into them and ushering them before our God.  A chance to be a servant.

This doesn't mean I don't enjoy "rockin' it out" on stage, but as a servant of Christ, I want all the glory and attention to go to him, not me or anyone on the stage.

I have heard worship leaders called "failed rock stars".  While yes, I did not succeed as a rock star, I do not position myself with this title.  Because I think being able to hold the door for those going into the Throne Room is a much greater honor than any fame could bring.

Butch Walker posted his new single "Summer of '89" on youtube Monday.  I am loving it!  It has a great classic sound that people will, in my opinion, fall in love with.  It's always fun hearing biographic songs (who knows if that is the proper term? Not me.), and Butch is an expert on it.

His new album with his band, the Black Widows, "The Spade" releases 8/30/2011.  I cannot wait to hear it- the single sounds like it is going to have a great rockin' sound similar to "The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker".


The album releases August 30th, and although I have only heard this one song- I can guarantee that it's going to be filled with awesome lyrics, amazing music, and a great time!

This will be Butch's first release under the Dangerbird label, to which he was signed earlier this month.

I heard this quote and couldn't get it out of my head, so this morning I decided to go ahead and make it into an graphic.

Music truly does speak universally.  It doesn't matter what the song is about, or what language it is in- anyone can find a way to connect with it somehow.  Whether it be through melody, rhythm, lyrics, or simply the overall feel of the song.  It doesn't matter how simplistic or complex you make it- you can connect.

it's funny how things can get stuck in your head so easily.  i don't mean one song- although a song can drive someone insane!  i guess i don't mean 'stuck in your head' as i mean 'going on a [insert something here] kick'.

right now i'm on a butch walker kick.  i have been for about a month.  which means that i have listened to basically nothing but butch walker.  if you don't know who that is-a singer-songwriter, rocker, former 80's metal-band member and former 90's band member, and current awesome music maker.  he has produced albums for: pink, sevendust, pete yorn, family force 5, katy perry, panic! at the disco, dashboard confessional, the academy is..., avril lavigne, and the rocket summer (just to name a few)

i think i love his music because.... well.... its obvious in the music- its just catchy, connectable, and intimate.

but back to the point (if there is one)- i have been on a butch walker kick lately, and i don't really plan on getting off of it- the way he writes music and lyrics really inspires me to do all sorts of creative things, even if they are more on the depressing side.  i think its because instead of hiding emotions behind metaphors like most artists do, he makes the emotion a fore-front and pillar in the song, making every lyric drip with passion.

my top 5 favorite songs by him:

• don't move
• mixtape
• race cars and goth rock
• be good until then
• here comes the...

really, the entire album of letters is amazing, you can't go wrong. 

one of the songs that really gets me is "joan".  its an incredibly sad song, and when you hear him play it live on leavin' the game on luckie street, you can hear the crowd go deathly silent, as if each and every person held their breath the entire song.  it was amazing.

do you go through 'kicks'? if so, what kind of a kick are you on right now?

I love this song, and I'm lovin the feel of this acoustic version

Collide Magazine posted an article last month entitled "Secular Music In Sacred Settings".  In the article, the author, Kyle Baker, explores the idea of using secular songs in services.  Traditionally, in more traditional churches, that idea is 'frowned upon'.    
I'm not going to quote the whole article- here's the meat of it:

1. All truth is God’s truth, regardless of the source. The personal righteousness of a creator or artist has surprisingly little to do with the truthfulness of their work. Many humans who deny God in their personal lives create artifacts that celebrate His truths. We make no apologies for using work (music, video, stories, quotes or otherwise) by non-Christians if it contains truth.
2. Not every action during a service or assembly is intended for corporate worship. We assemble the church for a weekend service for a variety of reasons: fellowship, worship, teaching, celebrating, sharing, testimonies and announcements. Generally speaking, corporate worship songs are songs we sing about and to God. Sometimes there are songs we sing for fun, for teaching, or to edify the body.
3. Music is a part of how we participate in our culture. God has not asked us to withdraw from our society; he has called us to reach our community and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them. For that reason we occasionally make use of secular music as an act of hospitality towards those who are unfamiliar with our church culture. Similarly, we also sing a hymn every week as act of hospitality for those who grew up in church, so they might hear something that is familiar to them. We do this in the spirit of 1 Cor. 9:20-22.
4. There is no clear boundary between the sacred and the secular. The whole earth is His, and everything in it (1 Cor. 10:26). Any attempt to delineate the vulgar from the holy fails, and places us in God’s seat. Man looks at the outside, but God judges the heart. We use worship music by despicable and fallen Christian musicians—some are adulterers and frauds; we also use music from atheists and pagans that is profoundly worshipful to those of us that know God. Strange as it may be, all beauty is God’s, whether it is brought to life by a faithful Christian or proud pagan. To us, this only reinforces our belief that God is alive and active in all men, just as he used Rahab, Pharaoh, and Pilate’s wife in the Bible.

My thoughts?
I agree- but I think you have to be careful.  Some people can see the truths of God in secular music, while others cannot, and see a fun song they heard on the radio, not an opportunity to worship God.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 8:9, 

"But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak."

Now, there is a difference between playing secular music before the service and during "greeting time", and using in in the worship set.  I find nothing wrong with playing it before and during greeting times, and I personally struggle with its use during worship- mainly because of this verse.


For me, I typically avoid secular songs in worship, for the reason that I don't want to distract from worship or cause anyone to lose focus on Christ.  My job as a worship leader is not to introduce awesome sounding songs, my job is to usher people into the Throne Room of the Almighty.  


So it depends on the people, how will they best connect?
What do you think of secular music in sacred settings?

This isn't going to be some amazing quality album, it is just a collection of worship songs I wrote and recorded in our apartment.  But it isn't about amazing quality, it is about worshiping God.  If you would like any of the lead sheets, just let me know, or check on the music page.

To download- just type in your email address and zip code.  This is only seen by me, in order to put together a mailing list (which I don't.)  Noisetrade will email you a download code, and the album is yours.

This download is free.  There is a tip section of the download, and if you feel like you would like to donate a tip, you can (it is safe and secure), but I am not in music for the money, I am in it because it is where God has placed me, and that is all I need.

I hope you worship through this.

Ben Harper's eleventh studio album, Give Till It's Gone, released last Tuesday, May 17.  I am not going to do a step by step review, because I'm not necessarily good at that, and I want you to be surprised the songs.

Overall, I'd get the album 8 out of 10.  It has that classic Ben Harper sound, like the feel of his "Burn To Shine" album.  It has a feel of passion in it that is hard to find in anyone but Harper.

There are the quick tempo, rockin' songs like "Rock and Roll is Free", "Clearly Severely", and the instrumental track of "Get There From Here"- which features Ringo Starr on drums.  

There are also insanely powerful songs, like "Feel Love".  This song would not work with any style but Harper's- the lyrics are great, but it is the passion and desperation in his voice that makes the song cut into you like a knife.

Personally, I feel like the opening track, "Don't Give Up On Me Now" has the same feel to his song with the Relentless 7, "Up To You Now", but is still an awesome song.

This isn't my favorite solo album from him, I think Both Sides of the Gun was a phenomenal album, but this has a different sense than his other solo albums.  It feels like he was accessing something different on this album, and it turned out awesome, just had different inspirations.

I really think you will enjoy the album.  If you are looking for an album that will speak to your soul, this is the album for you.  

And on a side note- there are some unbelievable guitar tones in here.  Harper's band's tones have always had a real dirty tubular sound, but the sounds you will here on this album are amazing.

You can purchase the album: on iTunes ($7.99), Amazon MP3 ($5.99), Amazon Physical Copy ($11.59), or at your local music store.

Give Till It's Gone releases tomorrow.  In honor of that, I found a live video of one of the tracks from the new record on youtube.



Love the sound of this track!  I cannot wait to hear it in studio quality!  It has that classic Harper sound that mixes amazing music with unbelievably passionate lyrics.
For those wondering- the album is streaming on Harper's myspace.  It is the studio album, but the quality will not be anywhere as good as the quality of the physical copy or even the iTunes copy.  So if you just want to hear the songs, go for it.

Also: found the track listing!
Tracks:
1. Don't Give Up On Me Now
2. I Will Not Be Broken
3. Rock N' Roll Is Free
4. Feel Love
5. Clearly Severely
6. Spilling Faith
7. Get There From Here
8. Pray That Our Love Sees The Dawn
9. Waiting On A Sign
10. Dirty Little Lover
11. Do It For You, Do It For Us


You can also see a review he did with Huffington Post here: Ben Harper Interview with Huffington Post.

I will post a review of the album as soon as I get a chance, so tune in!

Take a look at my recent search keywords:

Apparently my post on Ben Harper was popular to those hoping to illegally download the leaked album, if it has leaked (I honestly haven't looked and hope it hasn't)

I'm stoked that all of you ben harper fans have visited.  However, apparently I should go ahead and say- I am not leaking the album. I don't have it. I'm waiting until Tuesday like everyone else. 

That is all.  But while you wait- go get the new Brett Dennen album!

I stumbled upon this site earlier today and found a site full of mashups!  Here are some of my favorites (out of what I saw immediately)

I love this one so much!
Katy Perry vs. 30 Seconds to Mars - Not Like a Queen (Sergio's Mashups) by Mixes and Mashups #21



The Beatles, Jackson Five vs Green Day - Hey Jude, I'll be there (Mashup-Germany) by Mixes and Mashups #1

Beyonce Vs Paramore - Brick Halo (Rock Dance Mix) DJ Schmolli by Mixes and Mashups #1

Black Eyed Peas Vs La Roux - bulletproof _I Gotta Feeling (House Dance Mix) DJ Divide & Kreate by Mixes and Mashups #1

Ben Harper's first single of his new album, Give Till It's Gone, is on youtube.
I found several other songs, but I think they are leaks, and I am going to be "that guy" who doesn't listen to the leaks until the album comes out.



I am glad to see Ben Harper back on a solo album.  His last few albums with Innocent Criminals (Lifeline), and Relentless 7 (White Lies for Dark Times) were great, but they don't have the "Ben Harper solo feel."

 I feel like his solo albums have a little more heart in the lyrics.  Don't get me wrong- there are some unbelievable lyrics in his band albums, but once while performing his song "Better Way", he cracked a rib while singing.  That's passion.  (Info from Relevant Magazine, September 2007, page 57).

Lifeline was an album created to be personal. White Lies was about attitude, in my opinion.  It was a chance for Harper to not "try to change the world with each lyric", or "invite you into his bedroom and have an intimate chat", but a chance for Harper to have fun playing some good ole' rock and roll with some rock n' roll attitude.

I am not sure what to expect with Give Till It's Gone.  His last solo album, which was a double album, had one disc of 'rock' songs, and a 'softer' side.  So I may not be able to tell you what the album will sound like, or if it will have an intimate or in your face feel to it.  But I can tell you it is going to be good.   I have never heard Ben Harper make a bad album (I have not liked some of his albums, like his partnering with Blind Boys of Alabama on There Will Be A Light- on a whole that album wasn't really my style- but it was good on a musical sense)

Give Till It's Gone  will be released May 17.  You can preorder it here