Universal Gospel - Ooh LA LA by Run the Jewels

Run the Jewels has been a breath of fresh air in a genre now dominated by trap, auto-tune, and mumble rap. I didn't get on the ride until Run the Jewels 2 (every record is just marked by a number), but they've by far been my go-to when it comes to hip hop for the last 5 years. I'm anxiously awaiting Run the Jewels 4, and if the lead singles are any indication they're about to drop a bomb on us.

The 2nd single, Ooh LA LA, dropped a few weeks ago, and this past week they released the video for it, which was filmed just before Coronavirus went crazy.

As I said in my intro post to what I hope will be a series, I've been noticing and looking out for things that are "the Gospel" that are unexpected, unintended, etc. It's all around us, and we just have to keep our eyes and spirits open to notice it. 

Here goes...

This statement opens the video: "One day, the long fought battle between humanity and the forces of greed and division will end, and on that day, finally free, we will throw a motherf*cking party." - someone

It hit me immediately. That's it. That's a Gospel (good news) message about the kingdom we should be trying to create while we're here, and the kingdom we expect in the resurrection, when all things are made new.

Psalms 103:6 - The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed (all will be NRSV)
John 13:16 - Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one that sent them. 
Mark 12:31 - You shall love your neighbor as yourself, there is no greater commandment than these.
Colossians 3:11 - In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all in all. 

There is a LOT of content in the Bible that points to God's intended design for society to be egalitarian, with no divisions drawn between factions; no in-groups and out-groups. In the story, the people of Israel are favored, but not because they're better but so they would be a blessing to all nations (Gen 12:2). 

Jesus made a point of bringing outsiders in. He built his squad with a group that shouldn't fit well together - fishermen (pretty typical in that time), tax collector (viewed as a traitor serving an occupying army), a zealot (a revolutionary aka what could be called a terrorist fighting against that occupying force), etc. And though the Bible doesn't make it entirely clear some women had prominent roles and were the most faithful to the end, especially Mary Magdalene.

Anyway, when I saw this video - the intro, the people dancing in the streets, tossing down and burning money, and the joy of it all - my first thought was, this is a Jesus kingdom message. God's economy isn't one of supply and demand, and zero sums. Its goal is peace. Balance. Shalom. Freedom. Liberation. That's the original meaning of salvation - freedom; as in salvation from the Egyptians holding them captive, salvation from the Roman empire, etc.

One day, our money will be worthless. I take seriously that the "love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." (1 Tim 6:10) Politics is an obvious target here, but so many decisions are made to preserve and/or grow money for those who already have too much of it. Filthy.

This is not some lefty, socialist/communist message. It's what Jesus' kingdom has promised us. Killer Mike and El-P may have been unintentional in doing it, but they threw down a Gospel message and I'm here for it.

Man, I can't wait for RTJ4 to drop!!!

Favorite Records of 2016

2016 was a hot mess, right? My dad died in August. A bunch of our musical heroes died throughout the year. Our very existence is at risk because 'Merica decided to elect a narcicistic reality TV star as the next president in response to fears instead of being driven by hopes. I think America has been fleeced by a con man and the evangelical community has lost any standing it had to call itself the "moral majority." **Yeah, I guess I'm still pretty perplexed over this. Really unbelievable. But I digress. 

This is about the music. And 2016 was a killer good year for new music; a year for COMEBACKS. A Tribe Called Quest, Thrice, American Football, Metallica, and Jimmy Eat World had comebacks in some form in my view.

I can't narrow down and rank a top ten for the year so here's more of a hodge-podge commentary of what I loved in music this year along with Spotify links and some media.

A Tribe Called Quest - We got it from Here - Thank You 4 Your service: News of this record hit right before the record came out. It was recorded before Phife Dawg died. This record sounds like the natural followup to Midnight Marauders, as if the real records that came after it never happened. This year a bunch of older dudes put out killer hip hop - ATCQ, De La Soul, Common, Public Enemy...and new Run The Jewels soon (Killer Mike is not a young man, you know). The video is We The People from their performance on SNL.

Basement - Promise Everything: This might be my favorite record of the year. I found these dudes through a Spotify recommendation for me and it was spot on. I don't know much about the band other than they're from England write super hooky alt-rock. I spend most of my time listening to music trying to find new stuff to like, but this record was in regular rotation this year. The video is for Aquasun.

David Bazan - Blanco: I love this man - probably my favorite artist now. I'd say we've probably had similar spiritual journeys where we've left something behind to move on to something that feels real and keeps our consciences clear. I've seen him live twice in the last year and have told myself to not miss him again. His last show at Exit/In was just him and an electric guitar, tones dialed in. It was captivating. This year's record, Blanco, is a compilation of songs he released as part of the Bazan Monthly Volumes - 2 songs written, recorded, and released per month. I *think* we'll get more music from Bazan this year, but we'll also get a record from Lo-Tom, a collaboration with Jason Martin, TW Walsh, and Trey Many. Videos are Hard To Be from his Nashville show in December 2015, and Trouble With Boys, from Blanco. Note how few actual words are in Trouble With Boys, but the line about "stepbrothers" brings to mind the image of a girl thrown into a new family she doesn't know, thrown into a new reality she's not comfortable with. This lit up the empath in me - feeling it from her point of view.

O'Brother - Endless Light: I'm still in love with these noise-makers from Atlanta that are flying too far under the radar. Again, their have their guitar/bass tones dialed in and the songs are pushed by the Michael Martens' plodding rhythms and Tanner Merritt's vocal runs. Video - Deconstruct

Thrice - To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere: Thrice returns from hiatus with a record that builds on the exploration and maturity they've developed over the last few. They've moved from blending hardcore and punk to being more of an enigmatic rock band exploring tones and texture. I loved the experimentation of the Alchemy Index EPs and the new record still carries some of the twists they explored there, but this to me is a mature band's record. The most Thrice-y moments to me are the companion tracks Death From Above and Whistleblower, a scathing critique of U.S. government policy and behavior. And, as always, there's a water themed track with the opener, Hurricane. Man, Dustin loves him some nautical theming. (ex. Red Sky, Water EP, The Great Exchange, Words in the Water). Video: Hurricane

Turnstile - Nonstop Feeling: I think this is my 2nd favorite record of the year - this and Basement's record both came out early in the year so I had a lot of time to get to know them. I love hardcore. I love melodies. I love music with pop tendencies that isn't pop-music. Turnstile toured the U.S. with Basement this year and I didn't get to see it, but I can only imagine it was amazing. Just check out the video - this rules. I'm 40 now and I love this stuff.

Chance The Rapper - Coloring Book: I didn't know who this guy was until this year. Kanye protege who's been active in the mixtape world (which I don't follow). My God this record is good. Keeps me hopeful about the younger generations. I get the sense he knows how much of a God record this is, but also may never be able to grasp the hope and positivity he's bringing into the world. Seems like such a good dude. Do your thing man. Video: Blessings (Reprise) from Tonight w/Jimmy Fallon.

Jimmy Eat World - Integrity Blues: I think this is their best record since Futures. It sounds dumb to say it sounds like a Jimmy Eat World record, but it's true. I had it as part of a random playlist and when they'd come up I'd know it was them. I'm still growing into it since it was a fall release, but this is solid all the way through. Video: Sure and Certain from Jimmy Kimmel Live

Civilian - You Wouldn't Believe What Privilege Costs : These dudes live in my town and I had no idea about them until I saw some tweets from Derek Webb and some promo messages from Tooth and Nail. I've followed T&N since their inception and haven't been into much they've released in the last few years. This record is a gem and it'll be in regular rotation for a long time to come. I probably should have gone to the show where they opened for Paper Route recently. Doh! Video: Cut & Run

Other notables: 
Metallica - Hardwired...To Self-Destruct: Better than Death Magnetic so far. Hope they come to Nashville so Griffin and I can finally see them together - not that he really wants to now, but we're still going.

American Football - American Football (LP2): I wasn't a big emo kid and this band wasn't on my radar with their first record. In fact, I just added it to my New To Me playlist so I check it out. I love this record. It's great to have in the background when I'm working, but I also think it's one where you can sit with headphones and really pay attention to all that's going on.

PJ - Rare: I don't like pop music, but I heard about this from the Sound Opinions podcast and gave it a whirl. I like this in the same way I like The Weeknd. It's pop, but it's edgy. 

Musical Roulette: Where The Streets Have No Name by U2

*Going to try to get back to doing this. Stole the idea from Riley Breckenridge of Thrice. I'll randomly play one of my "saved" songs on Spotify and post it regardless of how mundane or embarrassing it may be. There's a story behind a person's relationship with every song. These are my stories.

I didn't become the music lover I am until middle school. Early on I liked the Beach Boys and listened to a lot of oldies, but I didn't listen to modern, popular music until middle school. In 7th grade I had one of those young, cool science teachers and I'd hang out in this guy's classroom at lunch sometimes, and he'd give me music. Joshua Tree was one of the tapes he gave me. The other I remember vividly is Def Leppard's Hysteria. This one's an instant classic - hard to believe it's about to be 30 years old. 

I'm not a huge U2 fan, but have tons of respect for what they've done. And I absolutely love how much they've worked to make the world a better place through AIDS prevention, sourcing clean water, etc. Good dudes bringing the Kingdom to the world, not trying to take the world to the Kingdom. 

Random Start: Father Son Picnic by Slick Shoes

Love these shredders. They were one of the first bands I worked with when I was hired on at Davdon. They were super young at the time - I think the singer Ryan was 14 when they started up.  His mom was their manager. We had to book shows around their school schedule, although eventually Ryan dropped out to do the band full time. This was mid-90s and pop-punk was hitting big.

Slick Shoes was a band that could hang with their peers "chops"-wise. The first thing that always comes to mind when a song from them comes up is "my favorite little shredders." I only got to meet up with them and see them play once here in Nashville. Definitely wish I could have seen them play more. They just reunited for a show last August with MxPx and Five Iron Frenzy, and they're either about to play or just played w/Zebrahead.

Here's a recent podcast ep from the Mike Herrerra show with the guys talking about the reunion shows.

And a bit of live vid from that show:

Random Start: One True Love by Rich Mullins

Rich Mullins was the realest. In 6th or 7th grade a missionary came to our church and introduced me to Christian music. I wasn't really looking for it, and I didn't really have any limitations on what I could listen to from my parents - but I dove in. Maybe because it was a small, more exclusive community where I fit in - as opposed to the bigger world out there. Thinking back...there's something to that - something that's off.

Anyway, this tape was included among the tapes this guy gave me to go home and dub. I liked the melodies and feel of the music. In the late 80s this had kind of a Paul Simon/Billy Joel/Singer-Songwriter vibe that I was into. Musically this is very 80s - echo chamber drums, spacey-sounding keyboard bits, bass line that flows but seems more treble than bass.

Back to Rich being the realest. This guy kept making music and was part of the "Ragamuffin" community that embraced grace and simple living. He even had his accountants figure out the minimum amount of income he could live on and donate the rest to charity.

Unfortunately Rich died in a jeep wreck in 1997. I'd be curious to see what part of the faith community he'd be in today. I have a feeling he would shun the evangelical title just as I have.

Random Start: It's All About Fear by The Crucified

This band was my jam all through high school.  Still love this record. This was from a time when there were folks making "Christian" music but its quality and creativity matched their "general market" counterparts. IMO the 90s were a golden age for music and the same goes for "Christian" bands from that decade - stuff like Adam Again and The Prayer Chain.

Random Start: Straight For The Sun by Lamb of God

The most legit of metal bands. In more legalistic times I had a problem with them, but I'm over it. These are some older dudes from Richmond VA (also home to GWAR) who've been doing this for a LONG time. D. Randall Blythe (vocals) is a super interesting dude and a great follow on Instagram. He's an accomplished photographer and a very thoughtful writer. I looked around for info on what the song is about but couldn't really find anything. It's kind of a two-parter with the next song on the record, but they're individual tracks so I'm just posting up this one.

Lamb of God on Spotify

Lyrics:
Gone
Gone
Shoot me straight for the sun
I wanna be the only one left
Misdiagnosed condition
Burnt beyond recognition
Sink her straight through the floor
She's not breathing anymore
Choke in this atmosphere
Nothing will be left here
Gone.

Random Start: Focus by The Crucified

This one is a heavy hitter for me. The Crucified was my #1 favorite band all through high school and they're still one of my favorites today. Teenage me was crushed when they broke up right before I was going to see them for the first time at Atlantafest in 1993. Fun fact - I came to that festival from Albuquerque, NM and my future wife who lived in Smyrna, TN was also there at the same time. We saw all the same shows. I wish we could go back now and watch it over again and see if we ever saw each other, rode a ride together, etc. Small world.

Years later I had the privilege of being a booking agent for Mark's and Jeff's band Stavesacre, who became a new favorite of mine before I started working with them. I came to Nashville to work in the music business and I was over the moon to get to work with Stavesacre and some of my other favorite bands. I started the job out of college and didn't know what I was doing right off. I know we booked some rough tours, but I also know there were some good ones. 

For some good conversation I highly recommend Mark's podcast, Never Was.

Lyrics: 
The deficit, environment, a government corrupt
So many things to worry us and tangle our minds up
We know we're being taken, we know it all too well
We know that something must be done but there's more to tell

Where are you going? What's your focus?
Losing your reason? For a... Lie

Caught up in the cause, the fight, caught up in the roar
You know that your intentions are right in what you're fighting for
But in the midst, the heat of it all, don't forget your drive
We're hear to do the father's will our reason to survive

There's so much going on around us and we must be aware
It's important that they see our love and that we truly care

Our time for lying dormant while the world is so in need
Is over now but don't forget the purpose of your doing

Where are you going? What's your focus?
Losing your reason? For a... Lie

Random Start: Unopposed by MxPx

Yeah, there's a trend here. A BUNCH of my saved songs in Spotify are gonna be nostalgic. I still like MxPx, and I LOVED their Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo record. I didn't love this record, but I probably like it more now than when I first got it back in the mid 90s. Looking forward to hearing the Urban Achiever episode with Mike Herrera that's sitting in my podcast queue.

Lyrics: 

We're all walkin' down a dusty road
I wouldn't care to bear the load
I know my limits but you won't leave me alone

It's a system unopposed
For those of us who won't say no
Your time is your own now, face the facts are real
'Cause they are real

Establishing lines always comes first
So many don't realize the pain they cause

We're all walkin' down a dusty road
I wouldn't care to bear the load
I know my limits but you won't leave me alone

It's a system unopposed
For those of us who won't say no
Your time is your own now, face the facts are real
'Cause they are real, yeah

Establishing lines always comes first
So many don't realize the pain they cause

Random Start: Council of Perfection by Strongarm

More heaviness - this could happen a lot. This is from Strongarm's 2nd/last Tooth and Nail record. I really liked the turn they took with this record. I can't even describe the new sound, but it left behind the straightforward speedy hardcore sound of their first record. I think I find this record interesting because there are so many movements in the songs without much repetition. 

Council of Perfection of Spotify

Lyrics: truth and justice belong to You behold the power of His undying sacrifice as a sanctuary for the wounded in the council of perfection all creation stands as a witness all creation stands as a mark of Your will all creation stands on the breath of God wisdom hides behind Your eyes darkness divided by Your fallen tear there the wicked cease from turmoil and the weary are at rest all sacrifice and all suffering is redemption formed in the palm of God's mighty hand shaped by the work of His will and alive from the breath of His heart man's inspiration is God's touch on the quickened nerves of the spirit enflamed by Your unquenchable fire i stand in the spirit of conquest through You i am created to conquer fleeting living a life of calamity forces unseen are controlling your destiny we're not at the mercy of fate fears born of this world are groundless lord teach me and i will be silent word made flesh we long to hear You You are my advocate my mediator with complete power and perfect love You alone hold the scales of judgment

Random End - Solder & Child by Anything Box

I really liked the Random Starts I posted a few years ago. I'm still an audiophile and still searching each week to find new jams. I probably quit posting right around the time the Zune service was killed off and replaced with the atrocity that is XBox Music. The Zune devices didn't go over in the marketplace, but the software was a stroke of genius. SO SO SO much simpler than iTunes and very easy to manage. I'm a Spotify boy now, and I've cultivated my presence there enough that I can use my "Saved Songs" to create these posts. I'll try to post about the first jam that comes up when I start playing on shuffle. It'll be a mess and probably embarrassing sometimes, but that's part of the fun of it. 

Today's entry is Soldier & Child by Anything Box. There aren't ANY videos on YouTube for it so I only have Spotify links. I ONLY know this band because I used to hang out with Joey Belville of The Echoing Green in Albuquerque in my high school days (back when they were called Ocean Chorus) and he introduced me to them. This song is a deep cut, but their record Hope is a pop/dance masterpiece of catchiness. Listening to them again reminded me of a more current band that is probably also influenced by them, Bad Veins.

Rising From The Ashes?

I haven't written anything here since 2012 - wow, that's a LOT longer than I thought it had been. I'm trying to decide if I want to start writing stuff here again. I used to post a song a day with my thoughts on it...and most other posts were Disney Parks or soccer related.  

I chose the name Burn It, Build It because I wanted to have a decent sounding name and the theme of it was from a Thrice song, The Arsonist. Now, the name makes all the sense in the world as I've truly gone through a burn down and rebuild process with regard to my faith. I think about God related things all the time and sometimes drive myself crazy with it, but I'm SO glad I've gone through the burn it/build it process because I feel like I have something more sustainable now. My house of cards can withstand some wind. 

So maybe I'll fire this guy up again and post up about faith and how I see things...and do some music, footie, and Disney stuff too - although we haven't been to the World since 2012 and who knows when we'll go again since the kids are so tied up with dance, cross country, and track. Time FLIES now...too fast.  I'm about to turn 39 and my kids are going to be in 10th and 7th grades. WHAT?!? Speaking of....here are my young adults with a random photo-bomber at the beach. Good times. Talk at you later! Or sooner? Whatever.

Random Start: Dare by Gorillaz

Well, 2 bummer Random Starts in a row in my opinion.  I've liked some of Gorillaz' singles, but otherwise they don't do it for me.  About to do more deleting.  Note - I keep a LOT in my collection that I don't regularly listen to thinking that it's something good I'll come back to later.  Having Zune Pass I can afford to do that and not spend a ton of $$ on music.

Random Start: Exit Wounds by The Script

Someone at church recommended The Script to me after seeing them perform on a late night talk show.  I'm not sure why I haven't deleted this yet...it's kind of like The Fray part 2.  Just not into it.  Deleting now.  Bummer of a Random Start.

Random Start: Save Blood by The Stills

I've had a rough with Random Start lately pulling up some really obscure songs I can't find video files for.  Today it pulled up a track off a demo by the Stills, so I found a video for a song that was pushed for them as a single.  I don't listen to this band a ton, but they're one where I know they'll have some good songs.  I don't have to be in any particular mood to listen to them...just good, melodic rock.

Random Start: Death To Traitors by Beloved

Beloved is a band I never got into before they broke up...and I still haven't really caught on.  Some music people I respect really liked this band, so I think I'll give it another shot.  Plus, lately, I've been loving a metal band called Advent and I believe some of their members were from Beloved.

Random Start: Creed by Petra

I first got into Petra in middle school when we started going to church and I was pretty heavily locked into this band for about 6 years.  I just listened to this song again for the first time in years and still remember every bit of it...I was a pretty big fan.  

Random Start: Nietzsche's Madness by Living Sacrifice

Love me some Living Sacrifice.  Still can't believe I saw them for the first time when I was in high school in the early 90s and they're still making good music.  I couldn't find a quality video of a live performance.  LS is best experienced live.

Random Start: Hotfoot by Sainthood Reps

Man, this is the only file I can find of this band...unfortunately the recording isn't that good.  I'm stoked to be seeing these guys on a tour with La Dispute, Balance & Composure, and All Get Out....a stacked lineup if you ask me.  Sainthood Reps have a sound that hearkens back to grunge.  I never liked grunge, but I do like these guys.

Random Start: FEZ - Being Born by U2

This song is from U2's most recent record, which I didn't like much.  Honestly, I probably didn't give it much of a chance.  I really like some of their newer material, but I tend to "discover" it after it's been out for a year or two.  Maybe I don't like things that are over-hyped.  I will say that the concert I saw from them last Summer was amazing.  I was glad a big tour like that rolled through Nashville.