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Music
Album Review: Emery’s “We Do What We Want”
Apr 1st
In the extremely remote chance that an album review could be “objective” (which is hideously false), I will not feign such notions: I am a devoted Emery fan, so what follows is unadulterated fanboy subjectivity. Go read something else if that offends you.
We Do What We Want has been highly anticipated for some time now. First, it was released under Tooth and Nail Records‘ sister label, Sold State Records, which is *typically* known for releasing “harder” music. This, of course, led to much speculation that this album would be Emery’s “hardest” to date (it’s not). Second, Tooth and Nail/Solid State did a really nice job via social media of promoting the album. From releasing certain tracks in advance, to putting together nice pre-order packages, to inventing fun and interactive games for fans, the March 29th, 2011 release date was hard to miss.
And like other Emery releases, it was not one to miss. WDWWW is pretty much what you would expect from Emery–pounding, in-your-face songs that rarely let up, yet are consistently underpinned by really thoughtful lyrics. The classic interplay of alternating melody and screaming is brilliantly pulled off, and the album is diverse enough to not become redundant, while maintaining enough More >
Auto-Tuning Theology: The Disappearance of Death
Dec 14th
Continuing with Athanasius, we come across an outstanding passage from On the Incarnation of the Word wherein Athanasius brilliantly lays out the reason for Christ’s Incarnation. But for Athanasius, the importance of the Incarnation is of more importance than the mere appearing of God in the person of Christ. Rather, he sees an indelible link between the manner in which Christ has come (in the flesh), and the work which he accomplishes.
To Athanasius, the assumption of human nature is the means by which the corruption and dissolution which has infected humanity can finally be undone. Through his suffering and death, Christ tastes the annihilating power of sin and death. Yet because he is at the same time the incorruptible Word of God made manifest in the flesh, the corruption of sin and death which would normally obliterate the human person severed from God is of no permanent effect on him. By virtue of his justification and “grace” in the resurrection granted to him by the power of the Father, Christ reveals the powers of sin and death to be ultimately vacuous, and in this triumph over the grave, he crushes forever their claim on his brothers, the race of humankind that has been More >
Emery’s “Jesus Gave Us Christmas”
Dec 11th
For those who don’t know, Emery ranks among my favorite bands right now. I love their in-your-face music, but also admire the thoughtfulness that they put into their lyrics, as well as the steps they’ve taken over the years to grow as a band. Over the course of their last 4 releases, the band has explored new styles, tried new things, and I think has created within their fan base an expectation for innovation.
If you’ve listened to Emery–ever–you might expect their Christmas offering for this year’s Happy Christmas compilation (by Tooth and Nail records) to be more of the same intense approach that has been a hallmark of their music (including their last Christmas single, Ho Ho Hey, a Way for Santa’s Sleigh). However, Emery’s contribution is atypical, in more ways than one.
What is most immediately apparent is the aesthetic of the music. A far cry from the scream-core for which they are most well known (and loved), this song is a stripped down acoustic set that would could be easily imagined to come from a group like Copeland. It’s simply, but tastefully arranged and composed, and I think really shows that Emery is capable of much more musically than what some More >
Really Nice Update to MOG
Nov 16th
I’ve been using the MOG iPhone app for several months now. While I’m more or less happy with the service, the app itself has always left a lot of things to be desired. In it’s most recent update, however, MOG has finally addressed what I considered to be some of the biggest deficiencies…with these updates, it’s finally a real app 🙂 Here are some of the upgrades:
- New “Now Playing” Screen
- Seeking within a song (duh, can’t believe it took this long)
- New queue features:
- Queue Next
- Add to End of Queue
- Clear Queue and Play
- Stop audio by unplugging headphones (to me, this is the biggest upgrade, and is something I’ve been looking forward to for about 4 months)
Anyway, that’s about it. Again, MOG is a great service, and it’s nice to see continued improvements to the app.
Share this: Auto-Tuning Theology: Theosis
Oct 25th
St. Athanasius – On the Incarnation of the Word, 54
In the second part of Auto-Tuning Theology, we stick with Athanasius and select a passage for which he is probably most famous: his outline of the doctrine of Theosis.
Listen to the TrackAs, then, he who desires to see God Who by nature is invisible and not to be beheld,
May yet perceive and know Him through His works,
So too let him who does not see Christ with his understanding at least consider Him
In His bodily works and test whether they be of man or God.
If they be of man, then let him scoff; but if they be of God, let him not mock at things which are no fit subject for scorn,
But rather let him recognize the fact
And marvel that things divine have been revealed to us by such humble means,
That through death deathlessness has been made known to us,
And through the Incarnation of the Word the Mind whence all things proceed has been declared,
And its Agent and Ordainer, the Word of God Himself.
He, indeed, assumed humanity that we might become God.
He, indeed, assumed humanity that we might become God.
He, indeed, assumed humanity that we might become God.
He, indeed, assumed More >
Auto-Tuning Theology: Christ’s Death
Oct 25th
St. Athanasius – On the Incarnation of the Word, 26
This selection is from St. Athanasius’ famous On the Incarnation of the Word, section 26. This paragraph is an introduction to the argument which Athanasius makes regarding the necessity and efficacy of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Listen to the TrackShare this:Fitting indeed, then, and wholly consonant was the death on the cross for us; And we can see how reasonable it was, And why it is that the salvation of the world could be accomplished in no other way. Even on the cross He did not hide Himself from sight; Rather, He made all creation witness to the presence of its Maker. Then, having once let it be seen that it was truly dead, He did not allow that temple of His body to linger long, But forthwith on the third day raised it up, IMPASSIBLE and INCORRUPTIBLE
The pledge and token of His victory.
Underoath: “Illuminator”
Oct 5th
In preparation for release of their “Disambiguation” album (look for it 11.09.10), Underoath has been releasing “layers” of a new song over the course of several days. These layers finally came together into their newest finished song, “Illuminator.”
Overall, I like this song a lot. It’s not terrifically innovative for Underoath, but if you like what Underoath has done in the past, you’ll like what’s offered here. Hope you enjoy 🙂
IlluiminatorAwake to the sound of emptiness. Alone in a room that is filled with the darkest of light. I was told there was nothing beyond here. How do I know what side I'm on? Breathe! A captive with nothing but the thoughts increasing, Worsening I dont belong here But I cant find my exit. This is where they all come to hunt me down, hunt me down Where they go to hunt me down, they hunt me down Weigh out the options Pave the narrow I know what you're thinking Come on man I swear you can do this Come on man I swear you can do this I break free from this room they built for me I break free from this room they built for me This is More >
MOG for iPhone: Better, but Still Lacking
Aug 12th
MOG, one of the newer contenders to wade into the fray of online music streaming and downloading, followed up on the release of their iPhone app last month with an upgrade yesterday. Among other things, this upgrade corrected what I feel was a huge blunder in releasing without multi-tasking support for iOS4.
I downloaded the upgrade yesterday, and immediately began enjoying the benefits. But then I found the limitations.
The biggest lack still in the app, IMO, is that it is not fully integrated into player controls. If you’re running MOG with headphones in the office, you’ll need to be sure to pause the music before disconnecting your headphones. Unlike Pandora and the native iPod players that automatically pause the stream when headphones are disconnected, the MOG app apparently has no idea whether or not your headphones are being used. Unplug, and you’re bound to make nearby cube-dwellers angry, amused, or worse: they’ll launch into their own musical counter-offensive.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m glad for the upgrade to basic multi-tasking support. This upgrade prevented me from ditching MOG altogether and checking out greener pastures like Rdio. Hopefully upgrades for the other player deficiencies are in the works and will be released soon…otherwise, I’ll More >
Favorite Albums of 2009
Jan 1st
2009 was a bit of a disappointment for me musically. It's not that there wasn't a ton of great music released…it's more that I allowed myself to get far to busy to truly enjoy a reasonable amount of it. This travesty is something I intend to resolve over the next year.
Anyway, of the stuff I did listen to, here's a sampling of some of my favorites.
Ironhorse – Pickin' on Modest Mouse
Ok, so technically, this was released in 2004. However, I came across it this year, so I'll count it 🙂
If you're not familiar with the Pickin' On series of albums, it's basically a bluegrass take on popular music. This series covers everything from Zepplin to Coldplay–very fun stuff.
This album is brilliant. I've always liked Modest Mouse AND bluegrass music, so what better combination could there be? In fact, I liked the MM/bluegrass fusion so much that I actually prefer several of the tracks off this album far better than the MM originals…
I swore to myself that I would not like this album, and tried and tried to not enjoy it. However, the more I listened to it, the more I loved it.
The part of this More >
Thoroughly Impressed with ToothandNail Records
Nov 5th
Over the last three weeks, ToothandNail records has released 3 tremendously cool albums, all of which reveal just how far ToothandNail has come.
Before the albums, however, let me reminisce :). I've been a fan of ToothandNail for a LONG time. 10 years or so ago, ToothandNail was releasing copious amounts of albums. The one problem: they didn't have the resources for good production or good recording. The result was really cool albums that sounded like crap.
Fortunately, those days are long gone. With the success of many of its roster of bands, ToothandNail has obviously been able to upgrade its recording and production talent. Most of albums coming out of ToothandNail are slick and finished, lacking any remnants of the good old days.
With that said, the albums I've been listening to are as follows:
Emery : While Broken Hearts Prevail
This is really more of an EP, but it's got some seriously cool songs on it. Emery's sound continues to evolve as the band becomes less and less afraid to loosen the tether to their trademark screamo. It worked well for Dead Poetic (IMO), so I think it's a positive for Emery as well.
Ruth : Anorak
My first exposure to Ruth More >
