Spinning This Week:

Group 1 Crew : Self-titled
Coldplay : Parachutes
Regina Spektor : Soviet Kitsch
Nate Sallie : Ruined for Ordinary
Over the Rhine : Amateur Shortwave Radio
Rich Shapero : Wild Animus, Part One: The Ram
GRITS : Dichotomy A
Various : A Tribute to Joni Mitchell
Tyrone Wells : Hold On
Freedom Writers : Music from the Motion Picture
James Morrison : Undiscovered (sampler)
Bleach : Self-titled
The Best of Sixpence None the Richer
Derek Webb : The Ringing Bell

Hot Pick: Out Today

As promised, A Tribute to Joni Mitchell hits shelves today, featuring covers of Mitchell's songs by Sufjan Stevens, Bjork, Caetano Veloso, Brad Mehldau, Cassandra Wilson, Prince, Sarah McLachlan, Annie Lennox, Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello, k.d. lang and James Taylor. You can check out samples of the original and cover versions here.

Spinning This Week:

David Crowder*Band : Illuminate
David Mead : Mine and Yours
Patty Griffin : Children Running Through
Over the Rhine : Drunkard's Prayer
Superchic[k] : Regeneration
Caitlin Evanson : Self-titled
Black Eyed Peas : Elephunk
Caleb Rowden : Free from Ordinary
Dakoda Motor Co. : Welcome Race Fans
tobyMac : Portable Sounds
Diana Krall : The Girl in the Other Room
A Tribute to Joni Mitchell
Regina Spektor : Soviet Kitsch
Jacob's Trouble : Self-titled
Kevin Max : The Imposter

Spinning This Week:

Big Fil : Via De La Shekel
Nate Marialke : Heaven's Hero Live
Amy Winehouse : Back to Black

For Nostalgia's Sake: Via De La Shekel

If you are familiar with the books Velvet Elvis or Sex God, you are familiar with Rob Bell. Today I spun a CD released by Bell's former band Big Fil. In the late 90s, my band Hope for the Flowers (later renamed MR. levi) shared a bill with Big Fil at a talent jam at Grand Valley State University. I'm so glad I've hung on to Via De La Shekel all these years. I consider it a collector's item. As a side note, I have heard amazing things about Sex God, which I recently added to my "to read" list.

My Two Cents: Alright, Still...

: REGGAE-FLAVORED POP :

After hearing some buzz about little Lily Allen, I found this record on sale at Target for $7.98. I listened to the tracks on her site several times before I decided to actually open the CD shrink-wrap. Many of the English popster's songs are dishonorable tributes to her two-timing ex-husband. "Knock 'em Out" -- a song about escaping from creepy, sleazy players -- makes me laugh out loud. Alright, Still... is a fun party/hang out album. It's not recommended for spiritual edification, children or teens, though, as it sports a Parental Advisory: Explicit Content warning. To her credit, she wrote or co-wrote all of the material, however occasionally profane.

Another 'View' of Mat Kearney

Mat Kearney will make his debut on "The View" tomorrow, Friday the 13th.

For Nostalgia's Sake: Mezzamorphis

Listening to Delirious?' 1999 release reminds me of my life in Holland, Mich.; in particular some of the friends with whom I played in a worship band. I remember the band I played with for a district girls' conference that our church helped to organize -- there were too many folks invited to sing. I am strictly an alto and discovered upon arrival that an accomplished alto had already checked in. Needless to say, I sounded horrid trying to "find" another part to sing. Regardless, it was at that conference that the keyboardist (the alto's boyfriend, no less) spoke highly of this record. I was familiar with Delirious?, but wasn't yet sold on the band. I gave the disc a shot and am glad that I did. In addition, I saw the Mezzamorphis tour when the red coats stopped in Grand Rapids. I'll never forget how powerful "Beautiful Sun" was to me in concert. I was dealing with a painful breakup and that song really spoke to me. I also remember doing "Jesus' Blood" once or twice during worship at church under the direction of the great Nate Marialke (who also led worship at the aforementioned girls' conference). "Kiss Your Feet" is a very personal track to me, as well.

And It Burns, Burns, Burns

The Music City is in mourning. Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash's former, legendary Hendersonville, Tenn. home suffered a devasting fire today. Click here to read more. On a personal note, I just watched Walk the Line again recently...

My Two Cents: Dreamgirls

: POWERHOUSE VOCALS :

I admit, I bought this soundtrack primarily for Jennifer Hudson's stellar solo performances ("Love You I Do," "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," "I Am Changing" and "One Night Only"). Of course, the fact that I love the movie helps. But, even for those unfamiliar with the musical, fans of classic R&B or soul would do well to pick this one up. I prefer the first half of the record to the second, as it features the majority of the show's up-tempo numbers. A star-studded cast, the tunes are crooned by Beyonce, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx, to name a few. Other highlights include "Move," "Cadillac Car" and Foxx's ballad "When I First Saw You."

Spinning This Week:

David Crowder*Band : A Collision
Hillsong : Mighty to Save
Music from the Motion Picture Dreamgirls
Delirious? : Mezzamorphis
Lily Allen : Alright, Still...
Eisley : Room Noises
Switchfoot : Learning to Breathe
tobyMac : Portable Sounds

My Two Cents: Tear It Down

: LOW MAINTENANCE REMIXES :

I'm usually at least half-disappointed with the few remix albums that I actually buy. But, I was curious enough about My Brightest Diamond's Bring Me the Workhorse remix project to cough up the cash. The 13 tracks feature 13 different mix masters. I really enjoy this disc -- I'm surprised at how much. Of course, it helps when you start with a fabulous album in the first place. Tear It Down is not a loud, sweaty, dancehall record. Instead, it's a great background soundtrack or chill time spin.

Spinning This Week:

Rosie Thomas : These Friends of Mine
James Morrison : Undiscovered (Sampler)
My Brightest Diamond : Tear It Down
The Episode : Now in Full Color
Nate Sallie : Ruined for Ordinary
Mute Math : Self-titled
Iona : Woven Cord