Not that anyone cares, but here are 7 songs I’ve been listening to a bunch these last couple of weeks. Only one of them I bought recently, the rest just managed to get on my top played list somehow. Since I like ‘em a lot maybe you will too?
All the Right Moves (One Republic)
This song is so simple yet so catchy. No dirty lyrics, but not mindless lyrics either. One Republic really does do a good job of incorporating its strengths which are their piano skills and their cellist. This song is definitely one of those pop chart toppers that is actually really good and enjoyable. Not to mention, the CDs really good. With 15 songs One Republic definitely explores different things within their music while staying true to themselves. Some songs remind me of Maroon 5 and Mutemath. Exploratory effects on instruments and long instrumentals add a uniqueness to these MTV regulars that is refreshing. This song just makes me wanna sing along. Still heavily produced and such, but it’s just really good. If you get the CD, the previous track actually has a cool intro to the song that meshes the first song a children’s choir and then the second song together. One Republic is expanding creatively and I really like it.
You Are Able (Christy Nockels)
I had only heard of Christy Nockels through the Passion CD. She was the lady that sang Hosanna instead of Brooke Fraser. Then, I was able to see her live at a Chris Tomlin concert and thought to myself: “She’s cool, good voice, she should sing more often with other artists.” I was shown You Are Able by Amy, one of our worship leaders at PAC at a worship leaders meeting. At the beginning of the songs, I stereotyped the happy guitar with another christomliny song, but as soon as the verse melody started I was pleasantly surprised. The song somehow, in my opinion, is original with it’s melody and arrangement and also remains worshipful, serving as a good Sunday morning worship song. The lyrics are great. The lyrics worship God for his sovereignty, power, and love for us. Not to mention the album also contains other really good songs such as “A Mighty Fortress.”
The First and the Last (Hillsong)
I’m not gonna lie, even though Hillsong has released some of my favorite all time worship songs, the first time I came across this album I was disappointed. I’m not sure why, because it is a good album. I think it was because This is Our God is one of my favorite albums period so by comparison I didn’t like it. Anyways, this song took a couple of months to sink in. Wow, what a good song! First of all singing “You are the First and the Last” to God is already such a powerful worship statement, so this song definitely does not lack in lyrics at all. Musically, there’s something about the beginning guitar riff and the rhythm of the verses that just makes you happy. I know how fruity that sounds, but there is a good marriage between the music and the lyrics, which is great. The song still has the classic Hillsong congregation acapellas backed up by a kick drum only to go into the chorus full blast again. This is probably done in every single Hillsong song, but hey, it works.
I Worship You (Generation Unleashed)
If you have never heard of Generation Unleashed and like Hillsong, get them. I believe they are part of a church in Oregon which has developed a very talented worship team and has started to produce their own worship albums from concerts. It is definitely a fun album, but “I Worship You” in its simplicity, has caught my attention and has been an inspiration for worship lately. Music and lyrics aren’t very complex, but for some reason it’s one of those songs that says what I want to say to God in a personal way. It’s true, for the most part I will tend to like songs that within their lyrics express worship to God in a way that I could not have come up with but agree (like Brooke Fraser songs), but also, sometimes it’s great to sing “I will live to give you praise and to lift your name” period. This song also has the classic aforementioned Hillsong buildup, which doesn’t hurt. All in all, it’s a great song, and one that I will be looking to do at church sometime in the future.
The Hospital (And Then There Were None)
This was the band that introduced me to Techmo, at least that’s how I call it. A perfect combination of what I call Emo with techno effects and bass rhythms. I really don’t know how or why, but it works. You can just listen to the entire album really and not mind it. Vocals sound like (Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard, Jonezetta) but the music is like Cascada. Again, I don’t know why, but it works. Got this album a while back, but it’s made it up to my most played list these last couple of weeks. No dirty lyrics that I could detect, just good entertaining music. Hospital is just the best example from the album. Traditional techno chord progressions add to the catchiness. It’s crazy to think that an emoish band can be played at a rave and not suck. Honestly, this is the type of band that you just have to listen to understand what I mean. Just go on itunes and preview hospital and you’ll probably know what I’m talking about. I really enjoy this song. The song is great to play while driving around with your windows down or while doing house chores or whatever.
Hymn (Brooke Fraser)
This is another album that I’ve had for quite a while. However, I think I always get stuck on C.S. Lewis song and forget that there are other songs. Hymn is the last track on the album, and I think I had never heard it before until a couple of weeks ago. Brooke Fraser just has this ability of writing lyrics that is so well rounded and great. Her songs definitely reflect what I think is her and probably her life. (I can only speculate, I don’t know her personally). However, in Hymn, she wrote well, a hymn. Super simple, super short yet piercing and very worshipful. The Song is only a little over 3min, and with a half of it being instrumental, however she is able to put into words a desire to be with Christ at the same time Chirst’s love for His children and His sacrifice for us. Musically, it sounds like a really well arranged hymn. Piano, strings, what else do you need? This is a great song to just reflect on my relationship with Jesus, to think about how much He loves me, and really my desire to love Him.
little skeptical about the “techmo,” but gotta give you props because You Are Able and Hymn made the list
and i listened to the new One Republic album and it IS pretty good. not sure if it’s an album i want to listen to repeatedly, but it was at least a good first listen.