Friday, February 13, 2009

Worship Music

So over the years I have shared my issues with a lot of Worship albums put out by pop bands. Not worship music at church, I like that it makes sense it fits, I'm not talking about that. There is something that has always rubbed me the wrong way about the worship album. Maybe it is the worship albums that has the lead singer on the cover (weird), or when the band thanks their stylist but it has always felt strange to me. I totally understand if you love it, that's fine, just has never been my thing.

Well recently at church I was sitting behind this family and they had a little girl about the age of 4 or 5. I doubt she can read but when they started playing the songs let me tell you she was belting them out. I just though now that is super cool.

I started thinking about my family, yes weird my family and I totally want my kids to be able to belt it out in their worst voice just like mom and dad. So recently I have been buying worship songs, just trying to find some of my favorite songs from church so we can sing them around our house and hopefully they will become the songs of our souls, well that and Five Iron, and bS2 and some others.

On a side note been listening to a lot of Switchfoot/Jon Foreman lately, good stuff...

Cheers,
Caleb

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Sunday, November 16, 2008

Reese Roper Interviews

Reese Roper is the lead singer of Five Iron Frenzy and Brave Saint Saturn. He did some interviews recently. Check them out, support good music.

Jesus Freak Hideout

Interview on Five Iron Frenzy.com

Support good music.

Caleb

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Thursday, November 13, 2008

Greatest Albums Ever!!!

I saw someone with a list of “1001 albums you need to listen to before you die!!!” Now I am not crazy enough to think that you need to listen to these 136 albums before you die, but it was something to do during my down time at work and in the middle of class. So here it is, my favorite 136 albums. The (*) ones are the next level of favorite, like super favorites. If you ever want to ask questions about any of these bands I love talking about useless crap. P.S. I don’t agree with all of these artists ideologically. I thought about getting links to all these but forget that crap...

Enjoy!



+Alternative Rock+

Anti Meridian – Brave Saint Saturn*
Accents – Dennis Bayne*
The Lean and Tender Years – Model Engine*
Consolers of the Lonely – The Raconteurs
5 Years, 50,000 Miles Davis (EP) – Black Eyed Sceva*
White Blood Cells – The White Stripes
Weezer (The Blue Album) – Weezer*
Weezer (The Green Album) – Weezer
Weezer (The Red Album) – Weezer*
Way Before the Flood – Black Eyed Sceva
The Kindest Days – Aaron Sprinkle
Learning To Breathe – Switchfoot*
The Light of Things Hoped For – Brave Saint Saturn*
Live at Hyde Park – Foo Fighters*
Liver – Steve Taylor
New Way to be Human – Switchfoot
Flood – They Might be Giants
Icky Thump – The White Stripes*
In Utero – Nirvana
The Hunger – Seven Day Jesus
Bareface – Aaron Sprinkle
Beautiful Letdown – Switchfoot*
The Worst-Case Scenario – Fair*
The Blackpool Deluxe EP – The White Stripes
Broken Boy Soldiers – The Raconteurs
The Colour and the Shape – Foo Fighters*
Commonwealth – Plankeye*
Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace – Foo Fighters*
Elephant – The White Stripes*
Foo Fighters – Foo Fighters
Grace – Jeff Buckley
In Your Honor – Foo Fighters
Lullabies to Paralyze – Queens of the Stone Age
Mercury – The Prayer Chain
Aaron Sprinkle – Moontraveler
MTV Unplugged In New York – Nirvana*
Nevermind – Nirvana*
The One and Only – Plankeye
A Picture of the Eighth Wonder – Poor Old Lu
Pinkerton – Weezer*
Pocketwatch – Late
Relocation – Plankeye
Seven Day Jesus – Seven Day Jesus
Sin – Poor Old Lu
So Far From Home – Brave Saint Saturn*
So Much for the Afterglow – Everclear
Songs for the Deaf – Queens of the Stone Age
The Spark – Plankeye
Squint – Steve Taylor*
Straight Six (EP) – Poor Old Lu
There is Nothing Left to Lose – Foo Fighers
The Waiting Room – Poor Old Lu
Walking with a Ghost – The White Stripes



+Ska+

Beuatiful World – The Bruce Lee Band*
Anthem – Less Than Jake*
All the Hype that Money can Buy – Five Iron Frenzy*
The End is Here – Five Iron Frenzy*
Upbeats and Beatdowns – Five Iron Frenzy*
The Green Album – Skankin’ Pickle
The Adventures of the O.C. Supertones – O.C. Supertones
The End is Near – Five Iron Frenzy*
Fight of Your Life – The Insyderz
Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electiric Boogaloo – Five Iron Frenzy*
Losing Streak – Less Than Jake
Motor City Ska – The Insyderz
Our Newest Album Ever – Five Iron Frenzy*
Proof that Youth are Revolting – Five Iron Frenzy*
Sing Along with Skankin’ Pickle – Skankin’ Pickle*
Soundtrack to a Revolution –The Insyderz
Supertones Strike Back – O.C. Supertones



+Punk+

Brace Yourself for Mediocre – Roper*
Wolves in Wolves’ Clothing – NOFX
It’s Never Enough – Ace Troubleshooter
Life in General – MxPx
On the Cover (EP) – MxPx
Guerilla Rodeo (EP) – Guerilla Rodeo*
American Idiot – Green Day
The Tennessee EP – Relient K
Dookie – Green Day*
Five Score and Seven Years – Relient K*
Mmhmm – Relient K
Philmore – Philmore
The Bare Truth About Philmore – Philmore
Punk in Drublic – NOFX*
Rock Against Bush Vol 2 – Various
Sumo Surprise –Ghoti Hook
War on Errorism – NOFX*



+Rock+

10,000 Days – Tool
Led Zeppelin I – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin II – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin III – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin
Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium – Rage Against the Machine*
Live Killers – Queen
How to Live with a Curse – Stavesacre
The Battle of Los Angeles – Rage Against the Machine*
Bull Takes Fighter (EP)– Stavesacre
Morning View – Incubus
A Night at the Opera – Queen*
Probot – Probot
Rage Against the Machine – Rage Against the Machine
S&M – Metallica
Speakeasy – Stavesacre*
Stavesacre – Stavesacre
Evil Empire – Rage Against the Machine



+Folk+

Modern Times – Bob Dylan*
Blood on the Tracks – Bob Dylan*
Infidels – Bob Dylan
Black Sheep – Martin Sexton
The Bootleg Series Vol 1-3 – Bob Dylan
North Hangook Fallin – Mike Park*
Saved – Bob Dylan
Slow Train Coming – Bob Dylan*
Wonder Bar – Martin Sexton


+Country+

American IV: The Man Comes Around – Johnny Cash
O Brother, Where Art Thou – Various*


+Rap+

Backbreakanomics – Mars Ill
Hindsight – John Reuben*
Hello Nasty – The Beastie Boys
MTV Unplugged – Jay Z
Pigeon John Sings the Blues – Pigeon John


+Pop+

X&Y – Coldplay
Madman Across the Water – Elton John


*So I don’t love best of albums because there is something good about listening to the album, the way the artist wanted it at the time, but if you really want to sample an artist a best of album is usually a good way...

+Best of Albums that are really worth it+

Legend – Bob Marley & The Wailers*
Best of Bob Dylan Vol 1 – Bob Dylan*
Best of Bob Dylan Vol 2 – Bob Dylan*
Chronicle: 20 Greatest Hits - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Collective – Stavesacre*
The Essential Electric Light Orchestra – Electric Light Orchestra*
The Greatest and the Rarest – The Insyderz
The Greatest Songs Ever Written (by Us) – NOFX*
Queen’s Greatest Hits – Queen*
Roten Apples – Smashing Pumpkins
20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection – Sublime
Wave of Mutilation – Pixies
16 biggest Hits – Johnny Cash
Rearviewmirror – Pearl Jam

Yea Music!!!

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Friday, September 26, 2008

Review of the new Brave Saint Saturn CD



Edited on 11/16

So this is the newest CD from Brave Saint Saturn (bS2). It is entitled Anti-Meridian. Brave Saint Saturn is basically the spin off/side project from Five Iron Frenzy (5Fe) ...

If you don't know 5Fe is by far and away my favorite band ever they still rock my socks off. Brave Saint Saturn was a band created so Reese (lead singer) could write songs with darker themes. Brave Saint Saturn is much more mainstream music. It is pretty standard power pop, alternative rock with a space theme. Basically they use space as a metaphor. The albums all have three different themes that are based around a made up space mission to mars. The first album "So Far From Home" is centered around being alone. The second album "The Light of Things Hoped For" is about being lost and then being found. Then the third album is about coming home, starting over and finding victory.

The members of 5Fe are hero’s of mine. They just did things right as a Christian band and I have commented on them before. I connect with Reese and Dennis’s music and lyrics like no other they always seem to hit a cord with me. So here it my review of Anit-Meridian.


The album is different, if you were expecting the next The Light of Things Hoped For (TLOTHF) then yea the album is way different. I think what I had in mind going in is that it’s been 5 year so they have changed, so I was expecting something different.

Also this is totally on their own, they didn’t have to answer to anyone they got to do what ever they wanted so they tried some new stuff. I think the other thing is they wanted to get as many songs on to plastic as they could. So if the album has any fault maybe they should have cut some stuff, but cut 5 tracks and holy crap there are some good songs here.

Blow by Blow with my rating our of 5 stars

1. Here is the News – Nice start to the album not a blow you out of your seat song but it the one song Reese has always wanted too cover, and it is still a fun song 4 star

2. Mercenary – This is a great song. Super catchy hook, and it’s bashing the Christian/mainstream music industry. 5 Star song.

3. Starling – I think the words to this song are alright. Why must helpless creatures die. I like the metaphor and the music is good it’s different but I like the sound again very different. 4 star

4. Underground – Good song reminds me of Accents but about how Dennis sees the music/political climate. “Real love doesn’t come from a mandate. Real love you cannot mandate.” 4 star

5. When you burn to Fast – O.K. I don’t get this song, I think they were going for a Giants sound I don’t think it worked, weird. 2 to 3 stars not ready to give up on it.

6. Through Depths of Twilight – Great song, good message about racism it again super catchy hook. 5 star.

7. Hero's Homecoming – Again nice song it has that classic Dennis sound. Super catchy hook. Again it’s like a four star song.

8. AMMODRAMUS – These are dumb, wish they wouldn’t have done that but they split the album up, we kind of have the intro songs with the exception of burn to fast are all really solid song. So then we transition into the heavy stuff if the album drags it’s here a little but we still find some good stuff.

9. Fields of the Fallen – This is the one Dennis song that is just O.K. I really don’t have much to add it’s O.K.

10. Always Just Beneath the Dawn – So as a new dad yea this song hits a cord and as a person who feels like his dad is great again I just feel like this song hits a cord with me. I cried at work today thinking about my baby girl. 4 star.

11. Fortress of Solitude – Reese said he needed to write this song to kill the demons left over from 5Fe. Random people calling him because he is probably to nice (check out the bS2 message board, totally accessible). The crescendo saves the song. There are a bunch of superman references in this song. And Reese has also has said that the song changed to be more about how his perfectionism was not cool. This song grows on me every time I listen to it 3 star but it’s growing.

Edit* I was wrong it started as that but now see this.

Quote... "Tell me about the song "Fortress of Solitude". Strange sounds and angry lyrics - influences and reasons?
Reese: Well, writing Anti-Meridian made me crazy. I have made so many mistakes in my musical career, and I was overwhelmed enough by them to try and somehow work to make this album into some sort of all-out trench fight to not make them again. Mostly it was because of the issues of writing songs as filler, or compromising lyrics and music for some record label deadline, or watering songs down by having to make music for the tastes of an eight-person band, instead of just making the greatest song you are able to make. I thought that if I wrote, performed, and recorded it all myself, I could avoid all of that. The problem with that idea, was that it was way above my pay grade to do all three of those things. I just didn't have the ability to make it sound the way that I envisioned the songs in my head. "Fortress of Solitude" is about me dealing with that. I made a pretty song with a lot of Superman allusions, and then just destroyed it sonically, to say that I am not Superman - just some washed-up, musical hack who had spent four years making an album that should have been done in one. I guess it was kind of therapeutic."

12. Blessed are the Land Mines – I love this song it is a great assessment of the church and the Christian right, I love the passion. And I love the little Pat Robertson click while Reese reads the beatitudes (super subtle stuff like that really grows on you). 4 songs

13. AEGOLIUS – Don’t need it but se transition to three awesome songs.

14. Begin Again – So catchy, so good, great song about new birth or starting over. This song is one of Dennis’s best the issue is that where does it fit on the album, I think the song kind of throws us off, like wow I didn’t see that coming. 4 Stars.

15. These Frail Hands – Awesome song, I love this song, fade out with Gloria in the background. This song encourages me to keep on working to be a special education teacher…

“And I am overwhelmed
With grievousness and suffering,
For those who lack the voice to speak
For those of us left uttering”
Awesome!!! 5 Stars!

16. INVICTUS – Fantastic praise song. Great way to end the trilogy by praising God for being perfect!!! 4 Stars.

Cut 5 – 8 – 9 – 13 – and 17 obviously and this album becomes much more dense. But even with these songs the CD is still solid the album grows on you. I keep on listening to it and gets better every time.

In the end give it a listen it grows on you, it did on me. It’s different but really all three albums are totally different.

If you read this, go buy their albums, support some real artist.

Cheers,
Caleb

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Friday, April 28, 2006

It's been a while...

Well one of the best parts of the summer is to ride around in your car and make everyone else listen to the music you are listening to. And as you can see I am ready for this summer!!!




The other great thing about the summer is trying new and interesting experiences, like new restaurants. Like this awesome Indian restaurant with super smart and amazing waiters...




O.K. So the new Stavesacre is really good. And I'm still stoaked for the other new CD's coming out. Anyway I will do some more post after school ends. Sorry I just am to tired to give it a try right now...

Peace,
Caleb

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Friday, April 14, 2006

Mars Ill


So there is one more CD that I am excited for this spring it is "ProPain" from Mars Ill


They are by far and away the best Christian Rap/Hip-Hop thing out there. And are my favorite Rap/Hip-Hop group, artist!!! I don't even know if there is a close second, maybe Outkast, maybe. They are gritting and not supper popy but they are amazing. Anyway the album "ProPain" has been delayed for 533 days because of a bunch of legal complications with samples... Anyway I have had this CD on order from musicforce.com for almost two years, I am excited you should definatly check these guys out. If you like Hip-Hop even a little these are the guys for you!!!

Peace,
Caleb

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Monday, April 10, 2006

Weezer

Well life will be pretty busy for a while but so is life. Anyway I wanted to say hi post something quick before class starts.

How about those Twins? It could be a long season. We will see, long way to go.


Here is a little play list for you. I love Weezer they are a super cool band. Everyone knows all their hits but I think it is their other songs that make them sweet. I saw them in October (I think) it was awesome (ah I don't think it was awesome, the concert was, I think it was in October). It was way better then I expected it to be. I know they are a little weird and smoke a lot of dope, but Nerds Rule, and Weezer Rocks!!!


Album is Bold

Best of Weezer by Caleb
My Name Is Jonas---Weezer
Dope Nose---Maladroit
Perfect Situation---Make Believe
Buddy Holly---Weezer
Why Bother---Pinkerton
Susanne (Single Version)---Weezer (Deluxe Edition)
El Scorcho---Pinkerton
Don't Let Go---Weezer (Green Album)
Pink Triangle---Pinkerton
Hold Me---Make Believe
In The Garage---Weezer
Hash Pipe---Weezer (Green Album)
Peace---Make Believe
Surf Wax America (Live)---Weezer (Deluxe Edition)
Across The Sea---Pinkerton
Butterfly---Pinkerton
Island In the Sun (Live)---Islands In the Sun (Live) - Single
Undone (The Sweater Song)---Weezer
Say It Ain't So---Weezer
Only In Dreams ---Weezer
















O.K. there are some more posts coming soon I swear but this is the best I can do right now. Peace…
Caleb M. Saarela

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Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Spring Sure is Exciting

Music: O.K. ready for this, tons of variety... Led Zeppelin, Simon and Garfunckle, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Wallflowers, Probot, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, White Stripes, Stavesacre, and "Steady, as She Goes" by The Raconteurs...

Well I have so many things to be excited for this Spring. Baseball starts in like one week and the Twins could be a contender. It kind of depends on if the gambles they took pay off we will see. Go Twinkies!!!

Reason number two to be excited this spring is all the super cool music coming out. Here are probably more but three big ones for me are...

1. Stavesacre:How to Live with a Curse, April 18th. They are one of the coolest Hard Rock bands out there. Their concerts are super intense and they are probably the best band you have never heard of. They have these great lyrics and just this intense sound. I heard someone once call them the Emo version of Tool, which probably annoyed them and I am not a huge fan of people making random comparisons like that but you get the point.

2. The Raconteurs: Broken Boy Soldiers, May 16th. This is a group consisting of Jack White of The White Stripes and Brendan Benson an old friend of Jack's from Detroit and then Jack Lawrence of The Greenhornes and Patrick Keeler also of The Greenhornes. Their first single is called "Steady, as She Goes." You can find it on their web-site which can be a little finicky at times but it is really cool, the song, the web-site is pretty clever. Anyway I'm pretty excited for that album.

3. Less Than Jake: In with the Out Crowd, May 23rd. Their last album Anthem was really good super solid punk-rock-ska album. So I'm pretty excited for their new one. There aren't a whole lot of ska bands that are still around making cool music so I like it when one is still doing their thing.

Also just doing all the stuff getting ready for this summer. I need to find a summer job and try and get into a class or two, time is running out... Yikes, but I am excited to keep on going with the whole nursing thing. I was definitely using this semester as a litmus test. Do I really want to subject myself to endlessly tiring weeks for the purpose of pursuing this career.

And the usual fun things about spring and summer, nice weather, weddings (way to go Andy), Softball starts in like thirty three days, and just a chance to take a break for my school job I'm super excited!!!

Probably the thing I'm most excited for is the worst part of my week...

Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

Times Like These
Dave Grohl

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Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Best of Cd's

Music: Stavesacre, little Coldplay, Jeff Buckley, Foo Fighters. On Monday night I finally found an acoustic version of Everlong, it is awesome, I have been looking forever...

So something is jacked up and messing up my “photo” on my profile and everywhere I go it is messing things up. So if it looks like everything has loaded but that. Just stop the loading process, sorry if I messed up anyone else’s blog, my bad…

So this is just a great way to waste some time here and there but not really doing anything serious. So I made this Best of Five Iron Frenzy Cd for Missy and thought I would post the list and see if anyone thinks there are songs missing. I think I will do this periodically with other bands too. I think it will be fun, I don’t know maybe I am crazy. Maybe everyone will be totally bored with it but this was perfect I could do it in like 20 minutes before class started. Bands that I would like to do this for would be Stavesacre, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Black Eyed Sceva/Model Engine, Poor Old Lu, Plank Eye, and a couple others. Anyway here is my Five Iron Cds, oh yea Five Iron gets two Cd’s every other band will probably just be one. Suckers…



Album name is Bold

1. The Old West Upbeats & Beatdowns
2. Where Zero Meets Fifteen (Live) Extra Fun Stuff
3. Cool Enough For You Upbeats & Beatdowns
4. A Flowery Song Upbeats & Beatdowns
5. Cannonball The End Is Near
6. Third World Think Tank (Live) in Holland Winter Wonderland
7. One Girl Army (Live) Proof That The Youth Are Revolting
8. Pre-Ex-Girlfriend Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
9. The Phantom Mullet All The Hype That Money Can Buy
10. Sweet Talkin' Woman Quantity Is Job 1 (EP)
11. Pootermobile The Cheeses of Nazareth
12. Blue Comb (Live) Proof That The Youth Are Revolting
13. Rhubarb Pie The Cheeses of Nazareth
14. You Probably Shouldn't Move Here (Live) The End is Here
15. Canada (Live) The End is Here
16. Farenheit All The Hype That Money Can Buy
17. Four-Fifty-One All The Hype That Money Can Buy
18. Handbook For The Sellout (Live) Proof That The Youth Are Revolting
19. New Years Eve The End Is Near
20. Far Far Away Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
21. A New Hope (Live) The End is Here
22. Something Like Laughter The End Is Near
23. That's How The Story Ends The End Is Near
24. On Distant Shores The End Is Near

1. My Evil Plan To Save The World Quantity Is Job 1 (EP)
2. At Least I'm Not Like All Those Other Old Guys (Live) The End is Here
3. Arnold & Willis & Mr. Drumond (Live) Proof That The Youth Are Revolting
4. You Can't Handle This Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
5. Anthem (Live) Proof That The Youth Are Revolting
6. Vultures (Live) The End is Here
7. Amalgamate Upbeats & Beatdowns
8. Giants All The Hype That Money Can Buy
9. Juggernaut Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
10. Banner Year Our Newest Album Ever
11. Milestone Upbeats & Beatdowns
12. See The Flames Begin To Crawl The End Is Near
13. Suckerpunch Our Newest Album Ever
14. It's Not Unusual All The Hype That Money Can Buy
15. Mayonnaise Taco Monday (Live) Live From Cornerstone 2003
16. Pootermobile (Live) Live From Cornerstone 2003
17. Wizard Needs Food, Badly The End Is Near
18. Marty The Cheeses of Nazareth
19. Most Likely To Succeed Our Newest Album Ever
20. When I Go Out Quantity Is Job 1 (EP)
21. Farsighted Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
22. Spartan Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
23. The Greatest Story Ever Told All The Hype That Money Can Buy
24. Dandelions Quantity Is Job 1 (EP)
25. World Without End All The Hype That Money Can Buy
26. Every New Day (Live) The End is Here

Let me know what you think, also if you know me and would like to borrow this collection to check out the coolest band ever or other bands I do this for let me know and I can make it happen, the first would be free you know just to get you hooked…
Caleb

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Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Take advantage

*Updated 2/23/06 Around 9:00 taking advantage of the internet and a little free time at work.

Well I will take advantage of the quality Internet connection (at home ours has been wacky to say the least), and my total lack of motivation to study, and do a music update and then I think I will blog on the poverty thing this weekend. We will see though.

So Music: I have been listening to this strange mix of punk, ska, and alternative rock. Lots of Switchfoot, Black Eyed Sceva, Model Engine, The Bruce Lee Band, Less Than Jake, Skank'in Pickle, and Roper. I have also been totally addicted to Mike Park’s new Cd "North Hangook Falling" which is a reference to North Korea. I don't know it's not like this amazing Cd in the sense that it is just him and an acoustic guitar for the most part and it's not like he has an amazing voice but it is just a great Cd. I really like it. I have also changed my links around. One of them is to Mike's record company Asian Man Records. He runs it how all record companies should be run, out of his garage with help from his dad. Awesome!!!

*The other band that I am just starting to realize is awesome is The Bruce Lee Band. It is another Mike Park thing but they have this sweet 6 song EP that is available through iTunes and Asian Man Records, it is named "Beautiful World". It is cheap and is a great little ska EP which is really catching and cool. So cool, so wicked awesome... Check it out or I will poke your eyes out with a stick...
Anyway see you all around.
Caleb M. Saarela

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Sunday, February 12, 2006

Christian Music

(Updated February 13th, after reading Scott's comment)*

So I have to really knock this one out of the park and then head to bed quick but I need a little break to write and “speak on it.”

Music of the Day(s): So 5Fe off and on the last couple days, but lots of Electric Light Orchestra, Punk Rawk, with a little Plank Eye thrown in there, and Queen. I have been listening to “A Night at the Opera” by Queen which is awesome it has “Bohemian Rhapsody” on it which is arguably their best song ever but another song that I think just rules and I have been listening to a lot is ”39”. I don’t think it is one of there more famous songs but it rules, really cool sounding and pretty cool lyrics. Two other highlights, Queen’s “No One but You” and Plank Eye's “Beautiful.” Sweet Songs!!! (well you knew I had to say it once)

A note on Hemmingway, I liked the story that is all I was saying I don’t really care about his life or what he was trying to say or what anyone else thought he was saying… I just liked it, I hope I did not imply otherwise…

Now on to the subject of Christian Music. I am not sure what I was originally saying was totally understood, maybe it was but let me sum up and give a good example. A lot of super popular bands lyrics are not very good and we like them because we are told we should when there are artist out there who say it better and with more heart and passion but they don’t look the part and are thrown to the way side.
Example: Big House by Audio Adrenaline and World Without End by Five Iron Frenzy

Both are songs about the hope we have in heaven but look at the lyrics which one exudes the passion you want expressed about the one place we will finally feel at home in? I guess that was my point that I wish more Christian artist would write stuff that had some depth. And it doesn’t just have to be “Christian” stuff. It can be the hurt and pain and doubt and struggle of the Christian life. But again so many of the “big” songs about this just leave me lacking and wanting more. No offense to AA but I guess I have grown…

Also I love “secular” music. The Foo Fighters are one of my favorite bands and “Everlong” is one of my all time favorite songs, that song rocks… Can God use a secular artist to bring them to know him? I think that’s kind of a dumb question, God can use anything, heck he could even use me which is ten times more amazing considering I have no talents, especially compared to some the amazing artist that he has blessed with amazing gifts, not only in music but in other stuff (sorry Eileen that sentence was long but that is just the way my mind works). I don't like it for the same reason I like most Christian music I listen to but I still love it. More on this in two paragraphs…

O.K. other general thoughts on Christian music. First I will say this I don’t know their hearts I am just connecting the dots from what I have seen or read to come to these conclusions. I understand that God can and will use any band but that being said, I think we should hold Christian Artist to a Higher Standard then Non-Christian Artist even though it might be more difficult for them.

Artist that are not making music for the glory of God are making it for their own reasons, like money, power, fame, or enjoyment. Let’s call this purpose A. When I listen to music made by people searching after purpose A music then any enjoyment I receive from it is cool, but I don’t have that expectation going in. If it brings me closer to God so be it. One thing I believe strongly about this type A music, it should never be used in church services. Romans 14:23. Why use music like that when you could use music that people had intended to Glorify God (purpose B).

But when someone is attempting to make type B music and I am listening to it, it is O.K. for me to expect that this music should move me in some way, hopefully. Side note not every song on a CD needs to be a “spiritual” song and not every cd needs to be a worship cd. It is O.K. to write songs about life and girlfriends and silly songs about where you live, but there should be more than just that. In fact I don’t like worship cd’s that much, I would rater listen to a band that can write about Jesus, friends, heartaches, life, death, loss, love, random crap, important issues and other stuff and it moves me to worship.

I think the problem that Christian music runs into is that the lines are getting blurred. Like Scott probably more eloquently pointed out the Christian music industry is just that an industry and what is the purpose? It is to sell a product.

I will pick on one band here that most people like but totally turned me off a couple years ago and maybe through this you all will be able to see why. The band is Third Day. I loved the Offerings album I thought it was cool. It had a Bob Dylan cover on it which was nice and the song “Ten Thousand Hills” was a team theme song my first year in China. But on the album “Come Together” there was something on it that changed the way I saw them and their music. In the cd notes they thanked their stylist. This is a person you pay to fix your hair and pick out your clothing so you have the right look. Some people have tried to say well they are very busy, but I’m not buying, they are going for a look. Why are they going for a look? Well the conclusion I came to was that they are selling a product. Which makes their music fall into category A. It was an interesting turn of events and I don’t know if that is truly their intentions but the Chevy sponsorship doesn’t help their case and their treatment of roadies at the 2003(?) Lifefest is another strike against them. Anyway it changed how I looked at there music and them. I am sure they are nice guys and who knows maybe there is a reason that they are paying someone to dress them, but you got me…

*So what does this mean for me? Well I will probably not buy anymore Third Day cd's or go see any Third Day shows. Does that mean you shouldn't? I don't really think so, but I know I was never able to look at them the same. And it is true for a lot of bands. I guess I would like to avoid supporting Type A music that is claiming to be Type B. I don't know it is tough and I don't have it all figured out, just my thoughts...

My point is this, how does the Christian music industry balance being “rock stars” with being Christians called to humility, looking at others as more valuable then yourself and exulting Christ. How do they stay out of category A? It’s tough, few bands and individuals have done it. Keith Green was the original and he got it right. If you don’t know how he did music, learn (I mean that learn you can start by clicking on his name find out how much he chaged for cd's and compare to today’s bands, you will be shocked). Five Iron copied him a lot so you can learn from them to, but much props to Keith Green for being ahead of his time and for doing it right. His music was pretty good too.

Last thought sorry this is long and I know it has a ton of mistakes and incomplete thoughts. Every comment made is automatically e-mailed to me so I read them all, even the ones making fun of me and I smile, cause I know I am dumb. I wanted to get it out there for conversation and I want to hear from people, and I mean that, if I don’t respond this week forgive me school and work and all it won’t be until next weekend that I will for sure have time to check back.

I guess I will leave you with a similar thought as last time, Christian music should be ahead of secular music. Bach was, Steve Taylor was, Keith Green was, I believe Five Iron was, and I am sure there are hundred of other great examples but don’t just eat what the record labels are telling you is good. God is bigger than any band and just because they say His name doesn’t mean anything, look into things for yourself. Don’t just accept things as they appear, hold Christian artist to a higher standard the same way I believe God will because they had a voice, maybe not the same as pastors but... Christian Rock Stars are our generations pastors, and the preaching lacks depth. I’m done I promise… Don't settle for Type A music!!!
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela


Blue Mix
R.Roper

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Sunday, February 05, 2006

North Hangook Falling

O.K. well this will be quick just got done studying for like six or seven hours and am feeling ready for the week. But the weekend was really good. I got to brew beer on Saturday afternoon with some fellas it was sweat we are brewing what should be an awesome oatmeal stout. I am super excited to get it in two weeks. It's really the only beer I am buying this spring so it sounds so good.





Anyway Friday was super busy. I went to a lecture about where science and faith intersect. After that I had a sweat homemade dinner with Scott and then we headed over to Bethlehem to meet Mitch and watch “Seoul Train” a documentary about North Korean refuges. That is what the title of the blog is about it is the title of a song by Mike Park former front man of Skank’in Pickle about North Korea.

So the movie “Seoul Train” was amazing. I said that I think it would be good if everyone read “Searching for God Knows What” well I am saying you need to see “Seoul Train.” It is a powerful and very informative. It really did a great job of explaining the general hopelessness of the situation. I am not going to go into a whole lot of details I am going to give you the link and let you know this. North Korea needs our prayers and anything else we can give. So go to seoultrain.com there will be a link on the side. Go check it out learn more and get involved, it’s not the only place in the world that is hurting but I can think of few that are hurting more.
Last thing came down from all the studying and there were like 15 people in the living room so here is a picture of them watching the game, I got in there too.
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

P.S. I tried to get all the red eye out sorry...

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Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Down at Colfax and Broadway


So I am leaving class yesterday, walking out to my peice of crap smashed to heck car, feeling a little tired and worn out from class, studying, being super poor, living in a neirborhood where your car gets broken into, and trying to balance all these things with the relationships that matter most in life. The first song to pop onto my Ipod is "Where the Zero Meets the Fifteen" (lyrics below) by Five Iron Frenzy (yes I still listen to them all the time). I have always liked the song, I mean it's about dealing with all the stuff and still wanting to share in and share Christ with others, right at that moment a guy comes up to me and asks if I have a cigerate and I say "No, I don't smoke." (read the lyrics) And as he walks away all I can do is laugh and smile that God is good and at the very least thinks it's funny (funny in a good way like "Caleb your so cute when your tired, I died for your sins) that I would struggle with the amazing stuff He has given me and put in my life. Anyway I have never connected with this song so much in my life. Favorite line "How can I ever save the world, on cup-o-soup and student loans?" Good thing it's not up to me all I have to do is trust He will fill me up and when I'm bumped He will spill out. Anyway above is a picture of the intersection the song is about, after my senior year in high school my family took a trip to Colorado and I asked my parents if we could swing by downtown Denver to take a picture of this intersection. And how cool are my parents they actually let me, totally an hour out of the way, it's funny what parents will do for their children... Thank God for His grace, Thank God for parents, Thank God for being busy and having things in my life to care about...
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

"My car broke down in Arizona,
have to ride the bus again,
at ten-o-clock on Tuesday night,
with thirteen cents and a broken pen.
I put my backpack on the bench,
tell two people I don’t smoke,
see the cop across the street,
he thinks that I am selling dope,
I could have walked another block,
to get away from the scene.
Why does it always come to this,
where zero meets fifteen?

And so I gave my thirteen cents,
to the man who peed his pants.
He passes out and falls on me,
I watch my change fall from his hand.
I see the lady next to me,
holds her baby black blue.
The junkie gutter-punks keeps asking,
where I got my new tattoo.
What does it matter anyway,
thirteen cents or all I own?
How can I ever save the world,
on cup-o-soup and student loans?

I want to try and save the world,
but it never goes that way.
God I don’t know what to do,
down at Colfax and Broadway.

Now the man with no shoes on,
says I don’t know how to play.
He says I fumble all the time.
He thinks that I am John Elway.
I put my face down in my hands,
water wells inside my eyes.
What do I have to give them?
Does it matter if I try?
I can’t stand to see yousuffer,
I try to intellectualize,
a formula to end you pain,
it doesn’t work,
God knows I’ve tried.
Sometimes my cup is overfilled.
Sometimes I’m too afraid that I’m going to spill."
R. Roper

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