It's Bright in Here!

I can't remember the last time I heard a really truthful and sincere love song.  It must have been sometime before 2000.

But then along comes Scott Van Slyke of Cleburne, Texas, as It's Bright in Here!  He has a two-song EP that includes a very deep, meaningful song called "Just a Reminder" . 

http://www.reverbnation.com/itsbrightinhere

Only I don't imagine this song as one to slow-dance to.  I see it as a making-out song after a fight, a misunderstanding.  Scott's strong lyrics set it above the standard of the pretty boy-type love songs, which, to me, are superficial, especially compared to Scott's songs.  Four beautiful words:  Our souls are intertwined.

"The Long Way Home," another great love song, with even greater music!  That's the first time I've heard the state of Maryland mentioned in a song.  That the first verse is about being on the road reminds me of "Faithfully," by Journey.  And unlike Airheads, the song was written just as much for him as it is for her.

Exemplary music from someone who played drums and sang the scream-o vocals for Deaf Angel, a metal core back from Ft. Worth, Texas.

Attack CD-Disciple

 To have the CD named Attack is one thing.  It's another when there are complementary song titles, as if it's a thesaurus or a commentary for Christian rock.  In O God Save Us All, we had "Unstoppable," and "Outlaws."  Attack, in addition to common song titles like "Crazy" and "Unbroken," has "Radical," "Dead Militia," and "Kamikaze."

Compared to O God Save Us All, there are tempo changes in some of the songs, keeping listeners guessing.  Many of them have a simultaneous musical and lyrical difference, may have some inconsistent moments, as heard in "Lion" and "Yesterday is Over."  The one that had me guessing-I had to check to see if it was the same song-was "Radical."  Nonetheless, I appreciate the complementary themes in both parts of that song.

And the powerful "It's the size of the fight in the dog" messages in the songs are still there.

What never ceases to amaze me about Kevin Young is his choice of lyrics.  Perhaps as a writer, I notice the profound poetic Christian hard rock lyrics. My favorite is "Unbroken":  "every breath is cold as ice, but the fire will never die."  Others worth pointing out are "raping my mind," "straitjacket symphony," and some mention of surgery (I couldn't get the exact wording of it).  Furthermore, in "Scarlet," he rhymed it with harlot.

And he doesn't just sing "Emmanuel" of "Jesus" in "The Name," or "Insane" in "Crazy"-he screams it! Regarding the former, that was the first time I could recall "Emmanuel" being screamed, not to mention the JESUS, JESUS...then at the end "Jesus-there's just something about that name, it takes our breath away."  I consider this song an outgrowth of "I Just Know."  So, next time I see that poster that has all the names of Jesus, I think I'll scream them out of love not only for our Savior, but for Disciple.

There's also something to be said in how some things are sung.  It speaks volumes of pain, hurt, and passion.  I'll mention two:  "I don't care if they drag me off in chains, no power of hell can shake my faith" in "The Name," and "my hands have been an enemy of God" in "Scarlet."  "Nothing can tear [or break] us apart" in "Angels and Demons"-a great way to sing about the inseparable relationship with Jesus.  Of course, it's not surprising that Kevin screams part of that.  I also noticed the whisper/twister contrast in "Crazy."

Another aspect of Young's lyrics is the overall theme of the song, such as "Kamikaze," which is about offense.  It reminds me of many of Love & Death's song in Between Here and Lost.  My personal favorite is in "The Right Time."  Nothing in particular stands out about it, but I consider it a "but God" song.

And once again, Disciple makes a killer CD!

Get the Hell Out

On, Reverbnation, Chaotic Resemblance is categorized as "High-Intensity Rock."  However, even that is an understatement for this 21st century Christian Motley Crue. 

http://www.reverbnation.com/chaoticresemblance



(Left to right:  Zak Fury, drums; Stevie Shea, bass; Rexx Roxx, lead vocals; and L A Ellis, guitar.)

With that said, I'll take the liberty of saying that I heard guitar patterns that were very similar to those in Shout at the Devil.  So, thank you, L A Ellis for that.

Furthermore, the CD's title, Get the Hell Out, shows that not only has the band worked well with Stryper great, Oz Fox, but this band knows no limits in their music or their choice of topics  for the songs.  Some include but aren't limited to materialism, sexual molestation, meth abuse, as heard in "Greatest Show Alive," "Super Hero," and "Sin," respectively.

It is possible to have a killer bass intro, a cowbell, a flatline sound that will give you goosebumps, and "rockin' and a-rollin'" in a Christian hard rock song.  If you don't believe me, listen to "Son of Man," "The Cost," and "Sin."  You'll hear the passion in every aspect of the music and never have to ask where God is in this; that speaks for all of their songs.

For more bass intros, check out "Don't Walk Alone."  When you do, don't forget to take note of Rexx saying, "You have my back," the Rexx Roxx Translation of a verse in Psalm 23.

Chaotic Resemblance nailed it with another aspect of glam rock:  having a rock ballad, "Your Star.".  Or, in this case, and with apologies to Jars of Clay, a love song for the Savior, THE STAR.  Roxx's raspy voice and his heartfelt lyrics make this song.

If I had to say one mildly critical thing, it is about one line in "Son of Man" that goes like this:  "Let down your guard, this world is full of defeat."  Based on my personal beliefs, as Christians, we are to always keep our guard up for that very reason.  However in the band's defense, I'm sure the context was about having a good time, letting your hair hang down, rockin' out with a Christian hard rock band.

In the time I've heard this CD, I'm sure I've lost some decibels.  But it was worth it; maybe it got some hell out of my own life!

Jimm Hatchet Benefit Concert

Last night, I came in on the last half of the Jimm Hatchet Benefit Concert at The International in Knoxville.  I believe it it was to raise funds for medical expenses for a musician who had suffered a stroke. 

I came just in time to see Belfast Six Pack.

 

Whoever said drummers don't have any character or don't say much, it was different for James "Pirate" Jameson.  At least three times between songs, he encouraged everyone to buy raffle tickets and said something great about their "brother" Jimm.

For those faithful Belfast followers, you know the words to "Slept With the Devil"-to where you can sing along with or in place of Brandon Bane, even when he sings it faster than usual, which is what he did very well at last night. 

The same things goes with the only stoner rock version of "Copperhead Road" I will ever hear.  And who better to hear it from than Belfast Six Pack?!

Have any of you thought of any different from what Brandon has always had for his songs?  I'm sure he'll welcome that for their new song, one that's more Southern, "Tattered Flag."

http://www.reverbnation.com/belfast6pack

They say a show needs to end with a very strong, powerful band.  Well...Van Kale, the last band in this lineup, exceeded the standard. If anyone in the audience was bored, it was their fault.  Jeremy, Ryan, Nick, and Chris, all took turns standing up on some box that in the front.  Most of  the time, all four of them were up close; fans were within kissing distance of the guys. To prove that music moves through your body, Dave Vandanda, the drummer, made the hair on my arms stick up and shook the floor, almost causing an earthquake.  "Cast Aside" was played in honor of Jimm. 



Will it be one more song, two more, or a whole other set?  Please come up with your answer by clicking on this link to listen to Van Kale http://www.reverbnation.com/vankale