Elevation Worship- “Nothing Is Wasted” The new project from
the now popular worship band from North Carolina is helping to further their
attempt at being America’s answer to the very popular, and very good, folks
from the land down under in the various Hillsong worship bands. They trade off
lead vocal duties from male to female and feature a lot of guitar, though not
as much as their previous effort “For The Honor” which featured John Mark
McMillan’s touring lead guitarist, James Duke. “Nothing Is Wasted” features a
bit more synth in the mix this time around, though not nearly and prevalent and
dramatic as “Zion” the new Hillsong United album which I have previously
reviewed. That is a good thing! “Let Go”
to me is the defining moment on this project, as they pack both lyrical punch
and musical power into the same song, but generally this albums strength is
it’s lyrics focused on God never loving us and never letting us go!
Propaganda- “Excellent.” History is being made here; as for
the first time ever I am reviewing a rap/hip-hop album. That job usually stays
with our resident hip-hop guru Shawn, but I thought I would share a little on
an album that has impressed me a lot! Propaganda samples a lot of folk and soul
on this project interspersed behind his hip-hop beats, and spoken word styles
while the lyrics both are funny in places, clever in others, and brutally
honest in still others. “Don’t Listen To me” and “I Ain’t Got An Answer” appear
to share biographical stories, the former being fun and clever, but the latter
being serious and sad in places. “Precious Puritans” finds Propaganda taking on
pastors who quote famous puritan preachers, who while they had good things to
say, also contributed to slavery in America. He vents his anger, but at the
same time extends grace summing up the whole song by saying that ‘God truly
does use crooked sticks to draw straight lines.” Thus giving us an excellent
reminder that God can use us, even though we are broken.
The Heavy- “The Glorious Dead.” Back in November, my favorite
magazine, Relevant, picked this British quintet as the band who is going to
save rock and roll. While I think this is not even close to true, I admit these
folks have grown on me. You should be aware that there are a couple of
sprinkled cuss words (F bombs included :-/) amongst these songs. Their sound is
an interesting marriage of rock and soul, as there is straight up rock and roll
on songs like “Can’t Play Dead,” “Big Bad Wolf” and “Just My Luck” yet a
soulful swag on songs like “Be Mine” and “What Makes A Good Man?” Overall The
Heavy help bring back the incorporation of soul into the modern music world,
along with acts such as last summer’s phenoms The Alabama Shakes. Check them
out if you are inclined to hear this new sound development!
From the Macintosh of James Morovich, your resident music genius and self proclaimed Christian Rock Historian!
