Those who know me know that my musical tastes are varied. (Miranda would argue with that statement and say I don’t listen to much other than the Dave Matthews Band and David Crowder, but she just likes to start fights.) Here is a sampling of what is currently wearing out my iPod.
James Blunt – Back to Bedlam James Blunt is former UK soldier who served in Kosovo who is now a singer/songwriter with a simply haunting voice. I’ll be honest… the first time I listened, I honestly didn’t like his voice. Now, this is often the first thing I put on in the morning. I have often said that there is a certain passion that comes when a singer is singing lyrics of his own creation, and James Blunt proves that.
Jack Johnson – In Between Dreams Similar to James Blunt, but whereas Blunt can come across as brooding, Johnson sometimes seems to me more like a fraternity brother… fun, and a little more light-hearted. He is from Hawaii, and that sometimes seems to come through in his music as well. (Don’t ask me exactly what I mean by that, because I am not exactly sure.)
Derek Webb – Mockingbird I have been a long time fan of Derek Webb, and I think I may own every CD he has ever released… both with Caedmon’s Call and as a solo artist. His songwriting skills have always impressed me; I consider him a voice that needs to be heard.
Frankly, this is a CD that is likely to piss off some of those who hear it. Unfortunately, those who need to hear it and be angered by it are not very likely to be the ones who buy it and listen to it. Is there a way to force someone to listen to it? He asks some probing questions and makes some provocative statements. I started a song-by-song review last week, but my computer locked up on me… I shall try again soon.
Chris Tomlin – Live From Austin Music Hall Chris Tomlin is one of my favorite worship leaders, and live worship CDs are always better than studio projects. Now having said that, I have to say that I was somewhat disapointed with this CD. I am not sure what logic went into the song choices, but there are some that I thought would be obvious choices that were left off of the CD. Don’t get me wrong, I totally dig this CD, but I wish I had been consulted.
David Crowder Band – A Collision David Crowder is a musical genius. Each time I listen to one of his CDs for the first time, I just shake my head and think, “Nobody else would even try this…” I mean come on… on his last full project, he recorded a song about the love of God and titled it “Intoxicating.” I know I am not the only one who thinks that it sounds like and Irish drinking jig, right?
So what about you? What is on your playlist?
Coming later this week: What I am Watching, What I Have Been Reading
ahhh what have i been listening to??? let’s seeeee…
Panic! At The Disco- A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out
We are Scientists – they kinda sound like the killers but not quite.
Mindless Self Indulgence-Frankenstein Girls will seem strangely sexy, so if you are not into techno music with extremely profane and crude lyrics, i think you better skip this one
Motion City Soundtrack-Commit this to memory
aaaand Bayside-(i forget what the name of the cd is) it’s really good though
oh and i rather like james blunt myself
Blair & I have very different tastes & I may embarass him on this one. I love music & have a variety of genres that I branch out to.
Lately:
Porcupine Tree- In Absentia
Opeth – Damnation
Shawn McDonald – Live in Seattle
Korn – See you on the Other Side
I have also recently revisited listening to some old Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Nirvana & Soundgarden. Good stuff!