find your [remedy].

The David Crowder Band has a way with music and worship, a fusion of passionate energy, creative talent and an ever-apparent love for their God. Their work in the Remedy Club Tour Edition CD/DVD is no different.

After the Fall 2007 release of their latest album, Remedy, DC*B hit the road to some of America’s best-known clubs. In the DVD’s bonus material, David Crowder says the band believes God is at work all the time, everywhere, so why not bring people to a worship experience where they might least expect it?

The CD/DVD begins with “Trying To Make you Sing” and "The Glory Of It All," a simple, yet powerful song that draws in the complete power and glory of God, from Creation to the end of time, and drawing on the whole Gospel story. It sets the stage for an experience of awe in worship that is incredibly powerful.

The rest of the CD? It continues on, almost as its own, complete worship experience. The band breaks for Crowder to explain bwack’s (DC*B drummer) technical prowess, including the radical transformation of a Guitar Hero controller into a stand-alone musical instrument. (His latest project built a sampler for the rock band Family Force 5).

Late in the show, Crowder explains the dual-purpose of the show. The evening was not pure entertainment for some faithful followers, but an opportunity to give back to the communities where each show took place. DC*B invited attendees to bring socks and towels to be donated to homeless shelters in each city. In one city, the patrons of the shelter came to pick up the goods and shed tears at the overwhelming generosity.

As usual, DC*B has innovated their use of music, they bring diverse styles to this album and yet remain so simple. The words are powerful, but not complex. They draw the listener in and share a hope for so much more. If you missed the tour, you can host your own concert experience. And while you’re at it, don’t let it be pure entertainment: find a shelter in your town that could use some socks and towels.

Published at HJ

THE NORVA

According to a Times-Dispatch story today, the Norva will be named one of the top 5 rock clubs in the country by Rolling Stone next week. I've seen a few shows at the Norva (The Fray, Switchfoot twice and Relient K) and they have all been great. A lot of times at a concert you feel lost in the crowd, but at the Norva every seat (well, ok there aren't any seats -- every "stand") is close to the stage.

But the best part -- Bill Reid, owner of the Norva and part owner of the National in Richmond, said, "What we've done at The National is even better than what we did at NorVa." He expects The National to get the same award before too long. That will be something Richmond can be proud of. For now, we can just be proud of our neighbors.

remedy.

I didn't have to be as stealthy as Marko to get an early copy of "Remedy," I just had to know the right person, and he loaned it to me. Crowder has always had a way with worship, and "Remedy" is no different.

"Remedy" begins with "The Glory Of It All," a simple, yet powerful song that draws in the complete power and glory of God, from Creation to the end of time, and drawing on the whole Gospel story. It sets the stage for an experience of awe in worship that is incredibly powerful.

The rest of the CD? It continues on, almost as its own, complete worship experience. I'm ready to put a video background behind it with moving images, highlighting certain words (a la iWorship) and using it as a worship service sometime.

"...neverending..." features the hottest piece of Crowder's summer tour, the now-famous use of the Guitar Hero guitar. Who turns something so simple (it only has three chords) into something so powerful? Well, other than Crowder... [side note: google "david crowder guitar hero" for a wide selection of YouTube/Google videos]

As usual, DC*B has innovated their use of music, they bring diverse styles to this album and yet remain so simple. The words are powerful, but not complex. They draw the listener in and share a hope for so much more.

On a personal note, this has been a really long week. When my friend handed me the CD Tuesday, he said, "I think you might need this more than I do right now." It has been on repeat ever since. At some point, I usually get tired of listening to the CD in the same order, so I'll let it shuffle. This one I have made sure to leave going in order. The song progression will lead you into a time of worship, and is quite remarkable. And now I'll echo Marko's sentiments:

"ok, i’m gushing, i realize. for me, this is why god invented music. sorry you have to wait a [week]. pre-order, i tell you."

sovatone.

The guys just got out of the studio recording their 6-track demo, and it's great to hear their stuff again. "Dance Revival" has one of my favorite lines ever in a song: "ain't no fire gonna get me, i was bathed in the water that set me free." Check them out online @ Sovatone.com and if you're in the RIC, they'll be playing at Alley Katz on September 29.

iPod first 15.

from Kurt.
The task: shuffle your iPod and list off the first 15 songs. Completely random and a lot of fun!

1.] The Birthday Song: Paul Colman Trio
2.] She Will Be Loved: Maroon 5
3.] Close My Eyes: Matisyahu
4.] Rock the Boat: Kinnie Starr [what the heck? random iTunes freebies I guess...never heard this one before!]
5.] Susie, Don't Be Blue: Evan Marshall [MySpace | iTunes]
6.] Student Driver: Stellar Kart
7.] Dancing Queen: A-Teens
8.] Names Sake: Shane & Shane
9.] Empty Me: Jeremy Camp
10.] Feel: Silers Bald
11.] The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg: Iron Maiden [again, who?]
12.] King of New Orleans: Better Than Ezra
13.] My Neighborhood: Verbs
14.] The Remedy: Jason Mraz [random fact: a couple of my students were in the school choir at Jason's former high school and sang on his album in '06]
15.] Creation: WFU Minor Variation [my buddy Mike recorded their album in '06

oh! gravity!

after a long, rainy drive down the interstate we finally made it to norfolk. it's become a tradition to eat at max + erma's before the show, so we grabbed dinner at the mall before we headed across the street. we missed the opening bands, which is a bummer 'cause the Moses Mayfield cd is incredible. but we didn't miss switchfoot, which was most important.

I want out of this machine
It doesn't feel like freedom
This is my American dream
I want to live and die for bigger things
I'm tired of fighting for just me
This ain't my American dream
- from "american dream"

great lyrics in a few of their new songs, especially "american dream." it was a great show, they played the old, they played the new, they played the brand new [side note: i guess this is how worship really should be. great words have been spoken through music for centuries--in the case of switchfoot, only for years--and none is necessarily better than another. end soapbox].

switchfoot has an uncanny ability to bring people together, reaching out to something beyond ourselves, and they do it in the confines of a public venue. worship is "the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity" and "adoration or devotion...shown toward a principle." put those two together, and a switchfoot concert is worship -- worship of God for those of us so inclined -- but worship nonetheless.

"i want to live and die for bigger things." this has, should, and will be my motivation in life. if i live on the edge and take a risk to do bigger things, in dying my life will be a reminder of bigger things. i want that.

Oxymoron: Christian Worship Music Awards

My friend sent me this link today. what is the world coming to? Awards for best worship song/album of the year? my response...

"Here, I’ve got an idea...let’s get people to make a CD of themselves worshipping God. then we’ll open up a store, just for Christians, and we’ll sell those CD’s, and books like 'em. and after we make a lot of money, then we’ll make awards for the CD’s, to see who’s best at worshipping God. and after that, we’ll forget all about why we really want to worship God and kids will just buy the CD because it’s cool music that won an award. sweet!

Now I need to write this disclaimer:I am good friends with a Nashville-based, Christian worship artist and I fully support him and what he does. He will be one of the first to admit to you that there’s something wrong with the whole concept. Still, I felt a need to rant...but now I’ll go back to listening to David Crowder and Chris Tomlin. Chris won an award, by the way...