Web Wanderer

I'm happy to report that I stumbled upon something tonight -- during my nomadic 'net roaming -- that has ended the slump I mentioned in my previous post (at least for tonight). One of my favorite artists, Mat Kearney, is featured as an AOL Music "Breaker." Watch Mat perform live, field interview questions and more. Some of the videos have both full-band and acoustic versions to choose from. The Sessions highlight Mat on piano, a live cellist and even Tyler Burkum (of the retiring Audio Adrenaline) on lead guitar and BGVs. You can check it out here.

On Empty

I am officially experiencing a (music) slump. While I greatly look forward to Leigh Nash's Aug. 15 solo debut and the Sept. 11 Sufjan Stevens show at the historic Ryman Auditorium, there are currently no good shows in town or new releases that I am gaga over. I was counting on M.O.C.'s Fervent Records debut, Garden State of Mind, (see my To Be Released post) to tide me over until the 15th, but alas...M.O.C.'s new record is apparently MIA. (I'm wondering if Fervent dropped the all-girl, rap/R&B group after vocalist Beckah Shae left the lineup. After research and tapping personal sources, I've come up dry. Anybody know what's up?)

Spin & Recycle

If you've read many of my posts, you've noticed that I sell back or trade in CDs I no longer want. While many are downloading songs and sporting iPods, I prefer to collect the real thing. I come from the old school -- I love to be able to handle and hold the hard copies. I enjoy reading lyrics, studio credits and the specialty notes. The artwork, photos and graphic design of an album are important to me. These days, there are many places that buy, sell and trade used CDs. I frequent CD Warehouse to do so. I also visit The Great Escape and Phonoluxe from time to time. (I've even hit the jackpot in a thrift shop or two!) I love to treasure hunt at these stores and have been known to get lost in them for hours. You know what they say...One man's junk is another man's pleasure. (At least that's my spin on the familiar adage.) Of course, some folks prefer to treasure hunt and trade online. But whether online or in person, trade your unwanted CDs and share the love!

All Star United - Revolution - Circa 2002

I decided to give this disc one more spin before sentencing it to the dreaded trade-in pile. Unfortunately, my decision was not swayed. Don't get me wrong, Ian Eskelin, the band's wizard/frontman extraordinaire, is a talented songwriter, producer and entertainer. It's just that between ASU's sophomore album, International Anthems for the Human Race, and Revolution (the band's third release), the outfit's line-up completely changed (with the exception of Mr. Eskelin, of course). I guess I'm partial to the guys that I saw live when they opened for Third Day back in the day -- back before either band's debut hit stores -- and then again when they toured with Fold Zandura and Kosmos Express. I'll never forget that show (with Fold Zan and Kosmos). There's just something special about an eccentric keyboardist who ducktapes his keyboard to the stand! (Plus, they played at one of the coolest venues I've ever been to, The Underground, in Grand Rapids, Mich.) After IAFTHR, the All Star United I knew died, and Ian tried to repackage it.

Island Discs

If I was to be stranded on an island for an undisclosed amount of time (and had the opportunity to select 10 CDs to take with me), I would pick the following (in alphabetical order):

1. David Crowder Band: Illuminate - Makes me feel happy and close to God
2. dc talk: Intermission - My boyz forever
3. Heaven & Earth: A Tapestry of Worship - Makes me feel safe; that God is near
4. Mat Kearney: Bullet - Fresh and engaging
5. Over the Rhine: Good Dog Bad Dog - Beautiful and haunting
6. Jill Phillips: Writing on the Wall - Encouraging and honest
7. P.O.D.: The Warriors EP Vol. 2 - The rap, the reggae, the rock that I need
8. Sufjan Stevens: Seven Swans - Love the place where this record takes me
9. tobyMac: Welcome to Diverse City - Ultimate party disc
10. Chris Tomlin: Arriving - The first three tracks help me worship my God

Note: "Island Discs" do not necessarily equate to "My Favorite Albums." They each serve a specific purpose.

Favorite Indie Artist on ABC's "The One"

I've named Nashville's own (by way of Seattle) Caitlin Evanson as one of my favorite independent artists (see My Favorite Indie Artists post). Beginning tonight, see Caitlin battle it out on "The One: Making a Music Star"!

My Two Cents: Avalanche

After two spins of Sufjan Stevens' The Avalanche:
If there's anyone who can release 21 outtakes as a respectable record, it's Sufjan. He's the most ambitious, prolific writer I've had the privilege of (briefly) knowing, much less not knowing. That said, if you have an interest in acquainting yourself with Stevens' work, let me recommend that you begin with another one of his albums (with the exception of Enjoy Your Rabbit). Seven Swans is probably my favorite, but it's much more stripped down than his critically acclaimed Michigan and Illinois projects. After Seven Swans, I like A Sun Came best, the disc I bought in '99 at Jacob's Ladder, the music store I worked at across the street from Hope College, where Sufjan and I once shared an advanced poetry class.

For Nostalgia's Sake: For the Sake of the Call

If you're like me, you buy music (among other reasons) to stay connected with your history. Recently, I bought Steven Curtis Chapman's For the Sake of the Call, circa 1990, on CD (at a healthy discount), though I have it on cassette somewhere in the back of my closet. It reminds me of my middle school years, when I listened to the album on my Walkman while mowing the yard on steamy summer days.

Sherri Youngward - Six Inches of Sky - Circa 2002

One of the many underrated, undercelebrated singer-songwriters. All of her albums (SIOS, No More Good-byes and Faces Memories Places) are great. For a good cry about friends past and present, listen to "All the While" on NMG. "Jesus Saw Her" off of NMG gets me every time. Need peace and rest from the chaos? Spin "All Who Are Weary" (SIOS), "Quiet Place" (NMG) and "Peace" (FMP). "Broadway (the Matthew 25 Song)" from FMP reminds me of a show that I co-produced/directed with my good friend Daniel one summer, while "Pedestal" (FMP) takes me back to a mess of tears on the floor with an ex. Truth be told, I've avoided listening to FMP for some time, not willing to chance another tearful breakdown, even some nine years later. Oh, the power of memories and music...

Note: Upon a little research, just discovered that Ms. Youngward has two more albums available to enjoy!

Creepy Discovery of the Week

1. Listen to track #4 (John Wayne Gacy, Jr.) on Sufjan Stevens' album, Illinois.

2. Do a bit of Internet research on John Wayne Gacy, Jr. (A simple Google search will do.)

3. Listen to track #4 (John Wayne Gacy, Jr.) on Sufjan Stevens' album, Illinois, again.

A Heads-up for My Homies

Folks, I went to THREE stores (Best Buy, CD Warehouse and Target) this evening to buy Sufjan's The Avalanche, but to no avail. I just called Tower Records (the Nashville West End location), which reportedly has 89 copies in stock. So, go, people, go! Head on over to Tower to get your Sufjan Stevens fix!

P.S. I believe Borders carries the disc, as well.

My Two Cents: Postcards

I've heard nothing but rave reviews about this record -- from folks I respect, no less. But, the thing that really prompted me to pick up the disc was HM Magazine Editor Doug Van Pelt's VERY brief description: "Really reminds me of Fleming & John." The fact that F&J is one of my absolute faves (see My Favorite Artists post), coupled with my listening history with Cindy Morgan (a fan since her pop/R&B debut in '92), I thought for sure this album would be a homerun. NOT SO! While track #1 is Fleming & John-ish, and track #2 sounds like a fusion of F&J and Over the Rhine, the rest of the disc is NOTHING like Fleming & John. I REALLY wanted to love this record, but, alas...I have already placed it in the "trade-in" pile -- not because it's a poor album. Obviously, many enjoy the disc. It just didn't "do it" for me.

Avalanche in Stores

Sufjan Stevens' The Avalanche, a collection of outtakes from the Illinois album, is out today. Look for my two cents on it in the near future.

Sufjan's Next States

As you can probably tell, I am currently on a Sufjan Stevens kick. If you know much about Suf, you know that he aspires to make a record for each of the 50 states in the U.S. Having already released Michigan and Illinois, fans want to know which state is next. I'm happy to post the following.

According to Wikipedia:

"...The next states to be taken on in the project have been reported as Oregon and Rhode Island.[4] Minnesota may be another candidate; in late 2005 and early 2006 Stevens played a new instrumental track titled "The Maple River." The Maple River mentioned in the title of the song runs through several counties in southern Minnesota.[5]...There have been other times Stevens has said he does not really plan to make an album for every state, specifically listing Texas as a state he will "probably never do." [7]..."

Stevens Plays the Ryman

Sufjan Stevens Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tenn. Monday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. $25

Tix: Ticketmaster - on sale Friday, July 21 at 5 p.m.

To Be Released

I'm looking forward to the following releases:

7/11: Sufjan Stevens - The Avalanche
7/25: M.O.C. - Garden State of Mind
8/1: Group 1 Crew - TBA
8/15: Leigh Nash - Blue on Blue
8/29: Nate Sallie - Ruined for Ordinary
9/26: Adie - Don't Wait
9/26: Israel & New Breed - Christmas
9/26: Chris Tomlin - See the Morning
10/10: Skillet - TBA
11/14: Kirk Franklin - Complication
11/21: Switchfoot - TBA
12/5: tobyMac - TBA

Note: All dates are subject to change.

Past Interviews

It's been my great privilege to have interviewed some wonderful artists over the years. I will try to remember them all, but will most likely return to this post from time to time to add a name that may be escaping me at the moment, as well as to add new interviewees.

Bloodlined Calligraphy, core, Duvall, Eleventyseven, The Katinas, Man Alive, paisley dave, Twila Paris, Jill Phillips, The Rocket Summer, Siler's Bald, Sixpence None the Richer, Skillet, Rita Springer, Yellow Second, ZOEgirl

Albums of the Year: The Halfway Mark

Now that we're into the third quarter, I've decided to post the titles that are currently in the running for my five favorite albums of the year.

Note: "Favorite Albums of the Year" are not necessarily synonymous with "Best Albums of the Year." For example, last year, while I would have considered discs like 4th Avenue Jones' Stereo: The Evolution of Hiprocksoul, Sufjan Stevens' Illinois and Switchfoot's Nothing Is Sound to be possible Best Albums (ambitious projects, if nothing else), they were not amongst my Favorite Albums.

IN THE RUNNING:
Mat Kearney - Nothing Left to Lose
Jennifer Knapp - Live
P.O.D. - Testify
Phil Wickham - Self-titled

P.O.D.: EP vs. LP

I was saddened early this year after P.O.D.'s latest LP, Testify, was released, having LOVED The Warriors EP Vol. 2, which hit stores in late '05. The EP represents everything that I love about the boys from Southtown -- raw passion, reggae, rap and rock. So, when I spun Testify, I was disappointed to find that the "wildfire" seemed to have been subdued. The disc is not a total wash, however, thanks to notable moments with Matisyahu, etc. While Testify has been back on my shelf for some time, EP numero dos remains in my car, ready for rotation and rawk.

Note: You'll notice that Testify is in the running for my five favorite albums of the year (see the Albums of the Year: The Halfway Mark post), despite the lack of wildfire.

CD Reviews: Mat Kearney & Plumb

For my complete review of Mat Kearney's Nothing Left to Lose, pick up HM Magazine's July/August issue; for my complete review of Plumb's latest disc, Chaotic Resolve, see HM's May/June issue, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Family Christian Stores.

Two Cents on Two Gents

DAVID MEAD - TANGERINE
A bit disappointed with this album. Indiana is his best record, by far. I like his singer-songwriter side better than his pop vein.

TEITUR - POETRY & AEROPLANES - CIRCA 2003
Great, Danish singer-songerwriter. Think John Mayer, with less pop and more pretty. In fact, at one time, Mayer endorsed Teitur and even invited him to tour with him. Love the album. It reminds me of an ex. We saw Teitur in concert together. It's amazing how the mind can associate music with people and places. It almost hurts to listen to this record...

My Favorite Indie Artists

Pol Buckingham (formerly of Polarboy), Michael Christopher, Caitlin Evanson, Brian McSweeney (formerly of both Seven Day Jesus and Matthew), Jill Phillips, Josh Schicker (formerly of both paisley dave and the episode), Scratch Track, Ariana Terrell.

Note 1: I don't consider Sufjan Stevens an independent artist, simply because of his wild success. If I did consider him an indie, however, he would be listed here, as well.

Note 1.5: I went to college with Suf and have some priceless mementos. I even had a poem published in his independent-study, self-published literary magazine, Moxie.

Note 2: If you discover that any of the above artists do get signed to a major label, please let me know.

My Favorite Artists

The Benjamin Gate (retired), Coldplay, Common Children (retired), dc talk (on hiatus), Fleming & John (on hiatus), Lauryn Hill (on hiatus), Hoi Polloi (retired), Iona, Mat Kearney, Jennifer Knapp (on hiatus), Sarah Masen (on hiatus), Over the Rhine, PAX217 (retired), P.O.D., Sixpence None the Richer (retired), Sufjan Stevens, tobyMac, Velour 100 (retired), The World Wide Message Tribe (retired).

Matisyahu - Youth

Hasidic Jewish reggae rapper. I was drawn in by his novelty image, but prefer him as a cameo artist (i.e. on P.O.D.'s Testify).

New Albums

FREAKED! - A Gotee Tribute to dc Talk's "Jesus Freak"
After the initial spin, my reaction was, "Why?" As much as I like to support Toby & Co., you're better off just popping in the original Jesus Freak. Trust me.

Phil Wickham - Self-titled
One of my favorite new artists. Sounds like: Jeff Buckley (minus the vocal shenanigans), Josh Groban, Coldplay & a smidgen of Kevin Max.

Ayiesha Woods - Introducing
Going into this purchase, I knew it was a gamble, but I was counting on the comparisons to Tracy Chapman and Lauryn Hill that I had read about (not to mention the fact that Mr. McKeehan himself discovered her during a visit to Jamaica). Needless to say, I was poised to be wowed and inspired. While Ms. Woods is not bad, she's no Chapman or Hill; that's for sure. While the reggae-infused "Crazy" may make it on my party mix, unfortunately, this disc is already in my "sell-back" pile.

Mission Statement

This blog is intended to be a (disc) jockey journal of sorts; a place where I can discuss music -- what I'm currently listening to and why.