For Nostalgia's Sake: A Picture of the Eighth Wonder

Listening to Poor Old Lu's A Picture of the Eighth Wonder reminds me of two things: 1) The guys in my second band, Hope for the Flowers/Eccentric Mr. Levi/MR. levi (our name morphed a few times). Rob, Matt, David and Dave introduced me to Poor Old Lu. I never became a huge fan of Lu, but I do love this album. Since then, I've kept tabs on the Lu crew ventures outside of the band (Rose Blossom Punch, Aaron Sprinkle, Serene, Fair, etc.). Years after my introduction to Poor Old Lu, Lu's drummer, Jesse Sprinkle, produced a project for my drummer Matt's band, annie's apology. I still consider here's to hoping aa's best record. 2) WTHS, my alma mater's radio station. 'THS was a huge part of my college experience. I DJed all four years there while at Hope College and was a staff member for two, serving as the personnel director and traffic director. Poor Old Lu's "Chance for the Chancers" was in my regular rotation at one point. I'll always remember dancing around the on-air booth with my on-air cohort, Emily (a.k.a. Dave), when that song began to spin. 4.10.07 Correction: Though the men of MR. levi are fans of Poor Old Lu, it was my on-air partner, Emily, who first introduced me to POL.

My Two Cents: Don't Wait

If you're expecting The Benjamin Gate or anything similar, DON'T buy this album. If you thought I was disappointed with Leigh Nash's solo debut, that was nothing in comparison to how saddened I am with The Benjamin Gate frontwoman, Adie Camp's (then Adrienne Liesching), freshman release. You see, TBG was and is one of my favorite bands. In TBG, Adie's vocals more than rivaled any female alt-pop-rock vocal, beating even The Cranberries', in my opinion. And, MAN, could this chick rock! Personally, I've never seen a woman rock so hard in concert. (I saw The Gate live three times and have the DVD to prove her prowess.) Since TBG disbanded, Adie's married CCM darling Jeremy Camp and had two children. I realize that love, marriage and children change a person (and that Adie no longer has the men of The Gate to provide the music behind her), but who ever said that moms can't rock? Listening to Don't Wait was painful for me. I was prepared for a little less rock than TBG's signature sound, but I was not prepared for an AC Adie. (It's a sad day when Rebecca St. James sounds more "edgy" than Adie.) The only semi-notable track is her cover of The Byrd's "Turn, Turn, Turn," but it definitely does not merit a purchase. If you're a fan of The Benjamin Gate, do yourself a favor and just remember Adie the way she was -- don't buy Don't Wait.

New Release: Adie

The Benjamin Gate's frontwoman debuts en solo today. Look for my review of Adie's Don't Wait in the days to come.

A Steal of a Deal

Just a reminder: You only have a few days left to buy Leigh Nash's Blue on Blue for $8.97 at LifeWay Christian Stores. Sale ends Sept. 30.

Spinning This Week:

Rita Springer : I Have to Believe
Mortal : Self-titled
David Mead : Tangerine
Fundamental Elements (formerly Fundamentals) : Birth of a Brand New Me
Sarah Masen : Self-titled
Joel Tanis and The Sleepwalkers : Seven Days Smiling
David Andersen : Midnight
tobyMac : Welcome to Diverse City
Adie : Don't Wait
GRITS : Dichotomy B
The Benjamin Gate : [Untitled]
Poor Old Lu : A Picture of the Eighth Wonder
Silage : Vegas Car Chasers
Missi Hale/Caitlin Evanson : Sampler

Underdog Spotlight: Charity Von

I've been wanting to launch a segment that features big voices that have little fanfare. A recent conversation with my friend Deborah prompted me to get started. 

Produced and arranged by Billy Smiley (formerly of White Heart), Charity Von's self-titled debut on Slanted Records truly showcased her bluesy, soulful rock vocals. Unfortunately, the release was seemingly all but hidden in a dark corner somewhere. From what I can tell, it looks like she is now an indie artist with a new record. This girl can sang and rock, all in the same song -- part Joss Stone and part Janis Joplin. For more on this soulful rocker, visit Von's Web site and MySpace.

Catch Kearney on Grey's Anatomy 9/21 & 9/28

Per Mat Kearney's Web site: Mat is featured on several upcoming TV shows. First, the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy airs on Thursday, September 21st on ABC. Tune in to hear "All I Need" as part of that episode. Then stick around, because one week later "Crashing Down" will be on the 2nd episode of the season. Also, Mat appears in the commercials for the new NBC drama "Friday Night Lights." The show airs on Tuesdays starting in October.

Stevens' Show Satisfies

I saw him one week ago today at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium. I was pleased to see that his significant success has not changed the shy, unassuming, soft-spoken Sufjan, with whom I once shared a poetry class, into a poser. From my seat (a good one at that), I smiled to see Sufjan wring his hands and hesitate with his words while he introduced each song. One of the amazing things about Sufjan is that, although he is a showstopper, he's no showboat. He lets his art speak for itself (and speak, it does). He seems to be the same bashfully prolific, overachieving genius that I knew in college. If you are familiar with Sufjan's work at all, you know that he operates in a sphere all his own. His level of creativity is impossible to compare to another. On stage -- you can see it in his eyes -- he is in another place, another world and he takes you there with him. The concert experience was, in a word, otherworldly. When Sufjan stood center stage and faced the lights, it was clear to me that he was connected to the true Source of creativity -- the Master Creator.The Avalanche, Illinois and Michigan, that inspired and refreshed me. The encore was just a confirmation that Sufjan is not in this for stardom. Rather than shooting off fireworks and presenting a no-bars, all-out finale, he, his guitarist, female vocalist and banjo player left the mics and instrument amplification silent, and presented two songs from Seven Swans (my favorite of his albums). An extremely intimate encore, "To Be Alone with You" (a song written to Christ) and "The Dress Looks Nice on You" (my two favorite tracks on SS, no less) left me in quiet awe of what I had witnessed that night. And in those moments, my soul was satisfied. I felt connected to God, the creative process, and -- for an hour-and-a-half -- my fellow college poet.

Spinning This Week:

Delirious? : Glo
Delirious? : Mission Bell
David Crowder Band : Illuminate
Coldplay : X&Y
Kirk Franklin : Hero
Sufjan Stevens : The Avalanche
Dakoda Motor Co. : Into the Son
Delirious? : World Service
Switchfoot : The Beautiful Letdown
Mute Math : Reset EP
Five O'Clock People : The Nothing Venture
Lenny Kravitz : Baptism
annie's apology : here's to hoping
Jack Johnson : Brushfire Fairytales
faces and crowds : self-titled

My Two Cents: The Chess Hotel

While others are praising this, The Elms' latest project, I am disappointed. I like its predecessor, Truth, Soul, Rock & Roll, much better. To borrow reviewer Andree Farias' description of the two, I guess I prefer TSRR's "jangly, Beatlesque" sound to TCH's "'60s and '70s-inspired rock in the vein of The Rolling Stones, The Who and AC/DC." Since I like TSRR so much, I was definitely excited when I heard the band was picked up by Universal South Records after a two-year stint as label orphans. TSRR is my favorite Elms album, although my autographed copy of the band's indie record, Just Visiting, is a novelty. (A little trivia: Just Visiting served as the rock outfit's name before it adopted The Elms moniker.) I'll never forget the show I saw in the late 90s in my alma mater's Dimnent Memorial Chapel when The Elms (at that time, an indie band composed of high schoolers) opened for Big Tent Revival and blew established BTR out of the water.

The 411 on P.O.D.

Rapcore rockers P.O.D. released the following to their fans via e-mail this morning:

Over the past few weeks, P.O.D. have teamed up with Rhino Records to release a 'Greatest Hits' record simply titled, "Greatest Hits - The Atlantic Years"...Early reports are that this will be a 17-track record. But P.O.D. wanted to make this even more special, so they are including two NEW songs! One of the new tracks will be a never been released song from the Glen Ballard "Testify" sessions. The other new track is being recorded this week with producer Travis Wyrick. Chris Lord-Alge is scheduled to mix the song next week in Los Angeles. Rhino have set a Nov. 21 release date.

For Nostalgia's Sake: The Straw Theory (S/T)

Everyone has one -- an oddball record in your music collection; one that you rarely listen to but are strangely attached to. For me, this album is one of them. I consider it an oddball album because I don't really know much about the band at all. As far as I can tell, after the smallest bit of research, this group no longer exists. The only reason I own this disc is because my friend Darren told me about the band. He said it had a good live show. So, I checked the disc out and liked it enough to keep it all these years. The Straw Theory was a piano-based pop trio, before that genre was the new craze -- way before anyone was familiar with the likes of Keane, Gavin DeGraw or Coldplay. Some of the melodies are reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens' early work. In fact, one of the songs has a very similar musical movement to a track on Stevens' freshman release, A Sun Came. The other interesting thing about this group is that the vocals remind me of those of a defunct West Michigan indie band named Carson So Sorry (although TST's vocals are much more refined). One of my old bands played a show with CSS years ago in a Grand Rapids coffeehouse.

Little Green for Blue on Blue

While Leigh Nash's solo debut Blue on Blue is available at any fine store, for a limited time, the disc is on sale for $8.97 at LifeWay Christian Stores. A deal like that is too good to pass up. (Read my take on the album in my My Two Cents: Blue on Blue post.) Sale ends Sept. 30.

thursdaytheory: A Tribute

In honor of my friend Annie's wedding yesterday, I bring you thursdaytheory. Annie is one-half of the retired indie folk duo. Her musical partner and longtime roommate Rachel served as a bridesmaid last night and sent Annie off into the beginning of a new song with her new life partner, Jeff. I was honored to be invited to the intimate ceremony and reception. There are certain events in this life that cause us to pause, reflect and remember. Last night's wedding was one of those for me. I remembered Annie and Rachel as the fresh-faced college graduates (fellow Hope College alumni) whom I helped to welcome to the Music City three years ago; the talented, young songwriters who became my friends. So, this morning, I didn't hestitate to pop their disc into my CD player. I love Rachel's song "Home." It does what every good folk song does -- it takes me to "that place." And Annie's hauntingly beautiful melody "Return to Me" always stays with me for days afterwards. Check out thursdaytheory's MySpace here.

Spinning This Week:

Enter the Worship Circle : Second Circle
thursdaytheory : Self-titled
Derek Webb : Mockingbird
Sufjan Stevens : Michigan
Sufjan Stevens : Illinois
The Elms : The Chess Hotel
Phil Wickham : Self-titled
Sufjan Stevens : The Avalanche
GRITS : Dichotomy A
india.arie : Acoustic Soul
Keane : Hopes and Fears

Two Gents & Their Upcoming Events

I'm quite excited about two upcoming events that feature a couple of artists about whom I blog a good deal. On Monday, I will witness Sufjan Stevens in concert at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Look for my concert review in the near future. In addition, I will attend a private songwriters' cafe on Tuesday evening, spotlighting Nate Sallie and his approach to songwriting. Have I ever mentioned that he looks like he could pass as Toby McKeehan (a.k.a. tobyMac)'s little brother? (See photo in my Sallie's Sophomore Release Postponed post.)

P.S. If you haven't watched Nate's "Breakthrough" video yet, you really ought to.

Sufjan to Release 5-Disc Christmas Box Set

Per Asthmatic Kitty Records' Web site: Recording traditional favorites alongside unique originals, Sufjan has, over the course of five years, constructed an odd, impressive, and compelling collection of Christmas hits (and some misses) that will either warm your heart or make you throw up eggnog all over the bath mat (depending on your constitution). Asthmatic Kitty Records is preparing to release ALL of the material (newly mixed and mastered) in one generous box set, due in stores November 21, just in time for the holiday shopping craze.for more. Sufjan strikes again. Great marketing move. Side note: Can't wait to see him at the Ryman on Monday.

Spinning This Week:

I've decided to start listing the records I listen to each week. I plan to update each week's post daily.

Chris Tomlin : Arriving
Jennifer Knapp : The Collection
The Straw Theory : Self-titled
Sufjan Stevens : A Sun Came
Kirk Franklin : Hero
Downhere : Wide-eyed and Mystified
Shawn McDonald : Ripen
Rita Springer : I Have to Believe
David Mead : Mine and Yours
Over the Rhine : Good Dog Bad Dog
Heaven & Earth : A Tapestry of Worship
Waterdeep : You Are So Good to Me
Sufjan Stevens : Illinois
Coldplay : Parachutes
Coldplay : A Rush of Blood to the Head

I Can't Stand "Standing Room Only"

I'm really at a loss. Over the last year or two, I've truly grown to detest standing through an entire concert. By the time you get there early for a decent "seat" (spot), wait in line for the doors to open, stand around waiting for the first opener to start (late), survive two (or three) opening acts and actually see the headliner, you've been on your feet for several hours! Call me old and crotchety, but I refuse to do it anymore. However, Mat Kearney, one of my favorite artists (see my My Favorite Artists post), is playing Nashville's Exit/In on Nov. 17. Unfortunately, Exit/In is typically standing room only. Thus, the rub. Don't get me wrong -- I've suffered with back, leg and feet pain many times at Exit/In and seen some amazing shows there -- Gavin DeGraw, Eisley, The Elms, Lifehouse, Mute Math and Sixpence None the Richer, to name a few. But, that was then and this is now. The real sticking point is that of Kearney's opener, Griffin House. Kearney + House = 2 gr8 singer-songwriters. I'm honestly torn at the moment. The real question is, if Exit/In hosts a show featuring singer-songwriters (versus rowdy, sweaty rock bands), why can't the venue offer chairs to the patrons? Maybe they'll surprise me this time.