When it comes to Christian music you can pretty much go one of two ways. The first conjures up images of fans totally dominated by the power of the Holy Spirit, raising their hands as if they can’t control them and signing along to tunes with titles like “Awesome God.” Tears are streaking down their faces and you find yourself just waiting for someone to start speaking in tongues.
We at Fresh Scouts are happy for those people who can get so into their sacred songs, and we respect their ability to get so emotionally attached to music, but it’s all just a little too cheesy for us. Honestly, we prefer the other type of Christian music—the kind that tricks you into loving it long before you realize it’s about God.
Bands like Needtobreathe are really good at this. They write fantastic music that just so happens to be about Jesus—not really intense prayers that just so happen to be music. I first heard their song, “Washed by the Water,” on XM Radio while driving a rental car in Massachusetts, and I loved it to so much I took a picture of the tuner with my cell phone so I wouldn’t forget the title.
When I got home I pulled down the MP3 immediately and listened to it over and over again. I even found this YouTube video that made it even more amazing, because lead singer Bear Rinehart is a voice best experienced live. Dude can sing, for realzies. All kinds of oomph and feeling behind those vocals.
So I dug deeper and found that they had a relatively new album out with another soulful single, “Something Beautiful,” that I grew to love almost as much as “Washed by the Water,” and from there I just immersed myself in the group’s catalog and found that pretty much everything they’ve ever written is gorgeous, acoustic, meaningful music. The fact that it’s got some serious religious undertones doesn’t bother me one bit, the way some overtly Christian music does sometimes.
Look, there’s nothing wrong with Christian music, despite the fact that there are so many people who won’t give it a chance once they see the crucifix on the CD cover. But Needtobreathe is genuinely good stuff. Bands like Creed and Evanescence hit the mainstream despite religious subjects in their songs, so there’s no reason Needtobreathe shouldn’t get the chance, too. They’re just as credible as those other bands, and quite possible even better.
Can I get an Amen?
Check out Needtobreathe’s 2009 Album, “The Outsiders,” here:
The Score, without a doubt, is my most favorite hip-hop album of all time. I am aware that it is a bold statement given the incredible selections that are out there. The Score is the first and only compact disc that I completely wore out. Yes, wore out. I played it so much that it stopped working in any device. If you want to verify that fact you can check with my 1996 college roommate who listened right along whether he liked it or not.
Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill & Pras
Many people falsely believe that The Score was the first album from the hip-hop trio. Blunted on Reality, released in 1994, was actually their first official release. There is some great material on that album, but The Score is what unleashed The Fugees on the world. Popular covers of “Killing Me Softly” and “No Woman No Cry” served as the fly paper that caught people that might have steered away from music that combined hip-hop, reggae and Caribbean sounds. The Fugees were master wordsmiths that strung together memorable lyrics. Not only did I wear out The Score, but it is also the only album that I know all the lyrics from start to finish.
The saddest thing about writing this post is that I have to use wording that talks about The Fugees in the past tense. The trio had a epic rise to fame that had everyone knocking on their doors. The formula that they used with The Score seemingly set the stage for a career that would churn out dozens of incredible records. But, it seems like anytime you bring together so much talent into one room you are bound to have conflict. Chatter has always pointed to infighting and creative differences within the camp. Fame has a way of doing that I guess. In 2004 the gang reunited for Dave Chappelle’s Block Party. 2005 brought us the single “Take It Easy” that got everyone talking about a comeback. Alas, it seems like a reunion is just as possible as me raising unicorns for profit. Ah, but a boy can dream can’t he?
Members of The Fugees have done some great stuff on their own as well. Wyclef certainly has been the one that forged ahead and made a name for himself as a solo act. Lauryn dropped the groundbreaking album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, and then pretty much dropped off the face of the earth. The Fugees seem to have a very complicated relationship that is hindering the release of future work. Thankfully what remains uncomplicated is the pure genius of The Score.
KC’s Personal Picks: “FU-GEE-LA”, “How Many Mics” & “Ready or Not”
Check out the action packed video for “Ready or Not”
Listen to the album
Buy the album
For those of you that follow us, you know that we love to rock. Whether it’s JET, The Raconteurs, Band of Skulls, Cavo or Vampire Weekend, we’ve got your rock covered. But what happens when you run out of things to rock out to? I mean, is there such thing as too much rock? I submit that there is not. That’s why I bring you White Rabbits.
These guys have a knack for rocking out and have been doing it officially since 2007 (but most likely since they were born.) With a sound not too far from The Strokes and perhaps hints of the quirkiness of a band like Cake, these guys already have a lovable sound. Add in heavy drums mixed with melodic guitars and lead vocals, and these guys have the recipe for success. Which is good because most bands these days only have the recipe for mediocre. Which would be like eating cookies without the vanilla extract. Or peanut butter and jelly without the syrup.
You may have heard White Rabbits‘ latest single “Percussion Gun” gracing the radio waves of alternative and indie radio. It is growing to steadily become a radio favorite so, by the laws of commercial advertising, it should become a favorite of yours very soon. Songs like “Rudie Fails” and “Right Where They Left” have the heavy drum lines I mentioned a few sentences ago with the simple, yet epic sound signature of a band like Muse. And, although my comparisons to other bands make it sound like they are merely mixing together sounds of already great bands, they do have a very unique sound that lends itself only to White Rabbits.
But don’t take my word for it. Hear what the critics have to say:
“This is by far the best album I’ve ever heard in my life. I honestly cried when I listened the first time, and I didn’t even cry when my first son was born.”
- David Archer, The Jamesville Missouri Post
“White Rabbits should run our country. If their leaderships skills are anything like their latest album, we’ve got the next Abraham Lincoln on our hands.”
- Miriam Webster, Bedford Daily Rambler
“I went to a White Rabbits show a couple of years ago and saw a shooting star. If that’s not destiny, I don’t know what is.”
- Jimmy Parker, Student
Listen to the album:
Buy the album:
After watching the first 30 seconds Alpha Rev’s video for “New Morning,” I found myself waiting for the phone to ring with a scratchy voice on the line to tell me I’d die in seven days. I mean, compare it to the death montage from “The Ring,” and you’ve got some definite stylistic similarities.
But that’s pretty much where the parallels end. Alpha Rev’s music definitely isn’t what you’d expect to hear playing over frightening images from a scary movie. Instead, it’s calm, and sedate, and sweet. This is an overwhelmingly positive band, and despite the fact that their most recent video looks vaguely like something from a horror movie, they’re absolutely ready for mainstream pop radio, filling the ballad niche with gusto.
Alpha Rev has been among the country’s top independent bands for a few years now after debuting with “The Greatest Thing I’ve Ever Learned” in 2007, but it’s their more recent album, also called “New Morning,” that brought them to Fresh Scout’s attention.
The title track is smooth and optimistic, as lead singer Casey McPherson has an effortless upper range to his voice. The second song on the album, “Phoenix Burn,” has also gotten some attention for its gorgeous melodies and catchy hook. On stage, they’re a flawless band, hitting all the notes on pitch and milking all the instruments (which include a cello, by the way). In terms of bands that just bring good, old-fashioned musicality to a live show, Alpha Rev is getting it done on a ton of levels.
So grab the new album, just don’t watch the music videos. Unless you feel like messing with that whole dying-in-seven-days thing. In which case, knock yourself out.
Check out the video for “New Morning” here:
Listen to the album
Buy the album
We’ve all seen them. We all love them. We will never look at treadmills the same way again. Their videos are the pure definition of “viral” and they are constantly evolving not only their virtual fan base, but their sound which continues to mature with time like a fine wine. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Damien and Tim with OK Go at the Metro in Chicago, and they were everything I imagined they would be. Fun, entertaining and mustached (ok, maybe that last part was just Tim.) I was able to ask them about the process behind creating their critically acclaimed release Of the Blue Colour of the Sky and get a backstage look at what makes these guys tick. Check out what they had to say:
After the interview, I was invited to check out the show. I saw OK Go live years ago before the treadmill incident, so needless to say their fan base has grown exponentially since then. The show sold out (easily) and for good reason. Besides the great music spanning their entire collection, crowds were treated to light-up fuzzy guitars with lasers, scrolling marquee blazers, up-close cameras on every microphone and a retro video collection to coincide with the rocking out. Needless to say, there was never a dull moment. If you get a chance to check them out, do so. Their show was incredible and has grown to epic proportions since I first saw them in their musical youth. Check out their tour so you can plan accordingly. Wouldn’t want to miss out on light-up fuzzy guitars with lasers, would you?
Listen to the album:
Buy the album:
