matmusic ministries

My good friend Geoffery is nice enough to take me with him to the Dallas Stars hockey games every once in a while. His family has season tickets and he is nice enough to share.

I snapped these phone pics on the last trip down to the AAC in Uptown Dallas.

This is a picture of the famous Bank of America building from the inside of the commuter train that I ride to get to the arena.

from the train platform looking toward the AAC

a long shot of the AAC.

Thanks Geoffery for letting me go and have fun with you!

I subscribe to a newsletter pertaining to a worship movement in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area (and beyond) called tribeDFW. The main contributor is a worship leader named Kieth Luker. He and his wife Sanna move smoothly in worship and have been blessed with a wonderful ministry.

While the newsletter most often contains announcements about events and worship times around DFW a recent email contained some interesting words on spontaneous worship.

I encourage worship leaders to take whatever time you are given, whether it be 20 minutes or 75 minutes for worship, and pack into it the most intense spirit led worship that you can. For Sanna and I, God seems to have given us the ability to draw the entire crowd INTO the spontaneous worship even if they have never seen it. Many worship leaders who try to do the spontaneous, just take off and leave the congregation sitting there watching! This is not good leadership. We must LEAD the people into what God wants to do in any given service. The authenticity of the spontaneous worship and songs is that our HEARTS are connecting at a deeper level in a two-way conversation with God DURING the worship time. This is VERY ATTRACTIVE to even a novice or an evangelical. It is interesting to them and they innately WANT to participate. So as worship leaders we help them and draw them in.

How? Keep the spontaneous songs short and repeat them over and over, and on the mic gently invite the congregation to sing the refrain with you. Then don’t OVER DO IT, perhaps move on to the next part, and sing that over and over, until each little spontaneous song-let is a NEW SONG that the congregation is singing together. This can be electric! when several hundred people are suddenly singing the songs of heaven! Also it is very helpful for the Senior Pastor to teach on the subject of worship and include the very very biblical SING A NEW SONG in the teachings, so that the people have a framework for it.

Did you know that the word for praise in Hebrew, Tehillah, is the word used in the very famous “God inhabits the praises of His people (Israel)” That words means the SPONTANEOUS SONG! God inhabits (or is enthroned) on the SPONTANEOUS PRAISES of His people!

Practical teaching about spontaneous worship is hard to find because it is hard to define and hard to teach. I think it is very important to learn.

I have always tried to teach my kids that praise does not just happen on Sunday morning…it can happen anytime, anywhere. I agree with Kieth in that spontaneous worship will more often become part of the church’s worship services in the near future. I think this will only help worshippers to be able to see that worship not just as a set aside service once a week but a time that could break out anytime you feel like worshipping our Creator.

Day Five : Album of the Year

It’s been a fun week of discussion, some good natured disagreement, discovery and general tomfoolery. Thanks for joining me and for making my time worthwhile…it’s been cool for me to share my viewpoints with you.

Be sure to check matmusic.net throughout the year. While you will find a lot of family stuff and pictures and some worship music talk, I am planning to do an album review/feature each month of 2008. If you like what you have seen this week, these reviews may give you some hints on what to check out as the year goes on.

So, without further ado…here is my album of the year.

#1

Menomena - Friend and Foe

Talk about taking the listener on ups and downs, twists and turns; this album does just that. And what a sonic joyride it is. The creativity of this release begins with the album art itself. Illustrated by artist Craig Thompson, it’s detailed drawings are layered through several pages and have strategic cutouts that give window to other colorful illustrations. http://sleevage.com/menomena-friend-and-foe/

As for the music, it’s hard not to respect a band in which each member is multi-instrumentalist playing each with skill and passion. I have not heard another band that uses baritone saxophone and whistling to such a pleasing end. Also, their sweat-soaked live show, while I have only seen clips on YouTube, seems like a visual and aural assault.

The songs on the album are well produced, well arranged and well ordered. “Wet and Rusting” with it’s genius lyric, “It’s hard to take risks with a pessimist” is one of the strongest tunes on the album and takes you on a thrill ride of changing tempos, frantic drums, tinkering piano and an adventuresome bass line. “Rotten Hell” is another strong song. A lilting piano and falsetto harmonies keep the song on an understated pace until the last minute when cymbals and drums bring the intensity up. The video for the song, however, sold me most of all with it’s super slow motion grade school food fight. A face full of spaghetti has never looked so gross.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0LIBCw8syA

“Evil Bee” is the crown jewel of a diamond studded release. “O to be a machine, o to be wanted, to be useful” is a refrain that could ring in the Everyman’s brain for days. The video is also thought provoking and well done. Friend and Foe even ends on a building piano phrase that leaves the listener wanting more…or at least wanting to put the iPod on repeat.

If you have not yet discovered this excellent band and their excellent release, you should do so today. To quote the great theologian Ferris Bueller, “If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.” Menomena’s Friend and Foe rounds out a great year of great music.

“With this ring that I wear today
My whole world is your property

O, to be a machine
O, to be wanted
to be useful”

MP3 - Evil Bee

Now for the surprise mentioned in the emails…I would like to share my 2007 music finds with you if you do not already have the albums and if you do not plan to purchase them. Just reply to my email with your physical address and the albums from the list that you would like to have and I will mail you an MP3 CD at my expense. Take note that this offer is extended to the small number of people who read my blog so we will not be taking thousands of dollars away from the artists. But in the essence of discovery with the potential for future purchases, I would like to help you expand your musical horizons. Pretty sweet deal! The only caveat is that you comment below to let me know what YOUR favorite albums of 2007 were. I hope that there is something that I missed that I will enjoy discovering myself.

Will 2008 bring another new and surprising band with a solid debut, or will seasoned veterans take the top spot? I hope to see you all next year.

Day Four : Top Albums of the Year

Presented for your edification today are my favorite albums of the year. I make no bones about my proclivity for indie rock so don’t be surprised by what’s below.

I have listed the albums in countdown form so don’t cheat by scrolling down! Now to the good stuff.

#6

Pela - Anytown Graffiti

Why is it that the most creative sounding bands have to have a wailing, wobbly voiced lead singers? Pela is no exception but, somehow, it works well. And what lead singer Bill McCarthy lacks in tonal precision, he makes up for with passion.

Pela is a young band that formed in 2004 and if their first full length release is any indication, the band has a bright future. “Waiting on the Stairs” starts off the album with a tempo changing charge complete with furious drums and screaming vocals. Fingering air frets on an air guitar during “The Trouble with River Cities” is almost irresistible. Then the centerpiece of the album, “Cavalry,” takes the listener on a one song roller coaster ride. You cannot help but sing, “LA LA LA” at the top of your lungs while listening…and being in tune matters not!

Anytown Graffiti is a gem that, when uncovered, shines brightly.

“the cavalry now strained
flank single file lines
and storm like crazy
booms and slings ‘charge’ the great general screams!
everyone to his grave!
or so the legend goes cause none were saved”

MP3 - Cavalry

#5

The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

From hook-laden choruses and guitar riffs to Billy Joel sound-alike melodies, the Shins have again made an album that makes you sing along while saying nothing meaningful at all. Four years had passed since The Shin’s last release “Chutes Too Narrow” (not counting the Garden State soundtrack which contained no new material) and Wincing is well worth the wait.

“Sleeping Lessons” starts the album on a slow boil that heats up all the way through one of the best one-two punch song combinations of the year in “Phantom Limb” and “Sea Legs.” Finally, see if you can spot the vocal homage to Billy Joel in the album’s closing song, “A Comet Appears.”

Wincing the Night Away is The Shin’s most approachable and complete album and one that will gain the band many new fans.

“Girl, if you’re a seascape
I’m a listing boat, for the thing carries every hope
I invest in a single lie
The choice is yours to be loved
Come away from an emptier boat”

MP3 - Sealegs

#4

Radiohead - In Rainbows

Dark, moody and immersive, In Rainbows sucks you in and doesn’t let go until the last note which, even after 45 minutes, is too soon. My suggestion is that you take the time to listen to this album all the way through on a good set of headphones by yourself with minimal distractions…you will not be disappointed.

The album kicks in strong with a dirty, distorted back beat followed closely by Thom Yorke’s excellent falsesetto on the opening “15 Step” then continues with my favorite song of the album, “Bodysnatchers” which is a head-bobber from the first note. “All I Need” has lyrics good enough to sing to your indie-music-hating wife. The album continues in an excellent manner all the way to the haunting “Videotape.”

In Rainbows also gets a nod for it’s revolutionary pay-what-you-want distribution. This album, no matter what you pay, will be worth every cent (or euro as the case may be.)

“I do not
Understand
What it is
I’ve done wrong
Full of holes
Check for pulse
Blink your eyes
One for yes
Two for no”

MP3 - Bodysnatchers

#3

Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

This is a band that knows what it means to make a rock album. The sound is unique and all their own while never sounding tired or boring. There is always a guitar lick, a back-beat, or a perfectly delivered smarmy lyric to look forward to. Brit Daniel’s artistic direction for the band keeps things tight while allowing for creative flows at many turns.

From the opening guitar plucks of “Don’t Make Me A Target” to the spooky background vocals of “The Ghost of You Lingers” the album opens strong but not formulaic. “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb” introduces Spoon fans to horns and, while I cringed at first, they are not overpowering. My favorite track on the album is “Don’t You Evah” (see below for a listen.) With Josh Zarbo’s great bass line, steady-as-ever drums by Jim Eno and liberal harmonies when the tambourine kicks in with :35 seconds remaining, you feel not like the song is 3 minutes old but that it’s just about to take off.

While Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is not only hard to type but also not my favorite of the band’s efforts, it still soars above most rock that exists today and certainly is worth a purchase and several listens not to mention #3 on my year end list.

“Single sleeps alone
and I know you don’t really mind
Five years by your side
so I know you really don’t mind”

MP3 - Don’t You Evah

#2

Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight

When you cannot get an album (not just one song) out of your head, you know you have catchy, solid rock goodness. My wife, Kara, generally does not have anything to do with indie rock but this album even had her hooked. Rilo Kiley, composed mainly of vocalist Jenny Watson and lead guitarist Blake Sennett, who interestingly were both child actors, know how to play off of each other perfectly.

The electric guitar lick in the album’s opening “Silver Lining” is just as good at it’s “now I’m gold” lyric. “The Moneymaker” is a dark and rocked out diatribe on the adult film/entertainment industry (complete with provocative video) which is followed by a disco-esque “Breakin’ Up” which forces you to break out in song: “Ooh, it, feels good to be free…”

When listening to Under the Blacklight, the lyrics will make you think, the music will make you pay attention and the album will bring you back for more time and time again.

“Betrayal is a thorny crown
You wear it well
Just like a king
Revenge is the saddest thing
Honey, I’m afraid to say
You deserve everything”

MP3 - Breakin’ Up

#1

COME BACK TOMORROW!

Friday, I will present my favorite album and wrap up the year…I look forward to your comments.

Day Three: Worship Album of the Year

Robbie Seay Band - Give Yourself Away

How fitting that today is the day that I post my worship album of the year. Just this morning, I read the following:

Have you seen the latest ads for [American Idol]? (FOX has been running them non-stop, not surprisingly. They dominated the commercials for the BCS Championship game.) More specifically, have you noticed the music? One of the ads has a Coldplay-ish sounding band and the lyric “Rise, rise, people of love rise/People of love rise, give yourself away.” Sound familiar? It’s “Rise” by Robbie Seay Band, off their new album [Give Yourself Away].

I know some of you might be wondering what the big deal is about a little 30-second ad, but consider this: the people at American Idol and FOX have a limitless pool of music from which to choose. They selected a song by a Christian artist—a worship band, no less—to promote one of television’s most-watched programs. And it’s not like they picked a widely familiar, best-selling artist from Christian music. They selected a relatively obscure Christian band for their commercial, solely on its quality.

-Russ Breimeier
ChristianityToday.com

This is quite a quote about quite an album…read on.

This outward focussed album challenges the listener, as the title says, to share oneself. Many messages are about loving your neighbor which may make you question how this can be a worship album in it’s traditional sense. I would argue that the less you are focussed on yourself, the easier it is to worship God. And, after all, how can you go wrong by following Jesus’ words in Mark 12:31 (look it up!)?

What makes Mr. Seay’s lyrics even more powerful is the music used to deliver them. The tunes have lyrical and instrumental hooks that stay stuck in your brain long after listening. A worship album that makes you worship subconciously even when not listening to it is effective indeed. And, of course, the smokey-voiced delivery is instantly recognizable.

Song of Hope is my favorite song on the album, which may come as no suprise due to its four-on-the-floor driving kick drum and upbeat tempo, and is for sure the most translatable to group worship. The bluesy and fun “New Day” includes the lyrics “if you’re like me you need hope, coffee, and a melody”…I guess I am like him. An anthem for the hope-challenged can be found in “Love Wins.” Finally, a highlight can be found in the hymnal-sounding “Beautiful, Scandalous Night” (Kara’s favorite) with it’s waltz beat and female accompniment. Also, musically, it is good to hear that the drums have improved for this album and are no longer occasionally distracting.

“All things bright and beautiful You are
All things wise and wonderful You are
In my darkest night, You brighten up the skies
A song will rise”

MP3 - Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down)

Day Two : Rap Album of the Year

I listen to less rap than ever. Maybe it’s because my musical tastes skew toward indie rock. Maybe because I cannot relate to most of rap’s lyrical content. Because of this, my pool of albums from which to choose is admittedly small (sorry, I have not heard Jay Z’s American Gangster album.) Regardless, I still like the rap that I hear and so, I include the category here for your edification.

Kanye West - Graduation
The name of the album is also indicative of Mr. West’s arrival at a formula that is appealing to the mainstream while staying true to his rap roots. As usual, West is honest and funny while mixing in a heavy dose of familiar samples and adept rhyming flows. (Any rap artist that samples the great Daft Punk is alright in my book.)

Kanye might not be the most technically sound rapper but when he sets out to make a complete and approachable album, there are few that can touch him (take note Fitty Cent.) The heavily played and aforementioned “Stronger” is a sing along, toe-tapping smash hit and the duet with Cold Play’s Chris Martin on “Homecoming” is also fun. Most of these songs will become a loop that plays in your head long after you stop listening. In a weak rap album year, Graduation rises above the rest.

“Did you realize
That you are a Champion in their eyes

When it feel like livin’s harder than dyin’
For me givin’ up’s way harder than tryin’
Lauryn Hill say her heart was in Zion
I wish her heart still was in rhymin’
Cause who the kids gon listen to? Huh?
I guess me if it isn’t you”

**NOTE…still no MP3…I had grand plans, dang it…I WILL make it work!
MP3 - Champion

I now interrupt your regularly scheduled music programming to bring you this exciting news:

Wyatt had his UIL competition this past Saturday and finished in third place out of all the second and third graders in The Colony! (Wyatt is only in second grade.)

As you can see, there was a large crowd and a lot of competitors. Wyatt said that there were about 20 storytellers in his group. After round one, he advanced and was able to tell another story. The final scores were tallied and he found out at school today that he got third place overall. Quite an achievement! Congratulations to Wyatt!

Wyatt with one of the other storytellers (he’s the one in the middle)

Thanks for joining me for the expanded version of the matmusic awards now brought to you in a wonderful blog format! Before we begin the week of awards, please allow me some observations and notes on music in general.

2007 brought some interesting trends in the music industry. Because of the strengthening role of digital music, streaming radio and music sites from all over the country, and a shrinking terrestrial radio audience, music listeners are being divided more distinctly into two camps.

One is the milquetoast, spoon-fed, American Idol group who only buys what advertising sells them…and, by the way, only one 99 cent song at a time. The other is the dedicated music fan who sets aside time to take in the album and work of the artist in its entirety. Those who fit into the second group are known to some as music snobs. I proudly fit into category number two. In fact, I almost bought myself the following t-shirt for Christmas:

I enjoy listening to the album as a complete work. Most artists elect to put together a collection of singles, but even with those albums, the sound and production throughout the entire album is most enjoyable. Concept albums such as 2006’s The Crane Wife by The Decemberists tend to score high in my book.

With the exception of the worship albums, the 2007 matmusic year in review does not have any concept albums but the collection of singles are strong and tend to take the listener on a complete cycle of twists and turns, ups and downs that make listening to the entire album as a whole a must. The year in music was a good one and so, without further rambling, here is day one.

Day One : Considered

There were several albums that were in the running for the top spots. I would feel remiss if I did not list some of the excellent albums that just missed making the best of the best.

**NOTE: There is a problem linking to the MP3s right now but keep checking back…i’ll figure it out sooner or later. MP3s are working now. Click the links below to hear the song.

Category : Top Albums

Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
There are some tremendous songs on this album (”No One’s Gonna Love You” may be my song of the year) but a few lulls brings the overall appeal down a notch.

“Anything to make you smile
You are the ever-living ghost of what once was
I never want to hear you say
That you’d be better off
Or you liked it that way
But no one is ever gonna love you more than I do
No one’s gonna love you more than I do”

MP3 - No One’s Gonna Love You

Battles - Mirrored
Most unique sound of this year (maybe this decade) but the lack of lyrics keeps it from having mass appeal.

“People won’t be people when they hear this sound
That’s been glowing the dark on the edge of town”

MP3 - Ddiamondd

Klaxons - Myths of the Near Future
The sound, even while nodding to the 70s and 80s, feels fresh and energetic. This album has a few great songs, a few good songs and a few snoozers. (Check the video for Golden Skans - greatness!)

“Light touch my hand, in a dream of Golden Skans
From now on, you can forget our future plans.”

MP3 - Golden Skans

White Stripes - Icky Thump
Bluesy, creative, solid. This album has great attitude and simply some of the best guitar licks heard in years. It is, however, becoming harder and harder to overlook Meg’s continued lack of drumming skills.

“Well, Americans:
What, nothin’ better to do?
Why don’t you kick yourself out?
You’re an immigrant too”

MP3 - Rag & Bone

Category : Worship Album

Worship Album

David Crowder Band - Remedy
A return to a more contemporary sound without totally eschewing the electronics and record scratching. Personally, I prefer creative to nice-sounding.

“Oh the glory of it all, is he came here
For the rescue of us all, that we may live”

MP3 - The Glory of It All

That’s it for Day One…tomorrow: Top Rap Album of 2007.

Thank you to all of our family members for wonderful times of joy and happiness this holiday season. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful support system for our kids and for Kara and me. The gifts are wonderful and will be enjoyed for years to come but the love is the best gift of all. I pray that 2008 brings new and fulfilling adventures for all.

As promised, here are more pictures of our fun times.

Thanksgiving is always great for food and even the kids love to thank God for the food!

Thanksgiving dinner with Grandma.

Of course, you must play games. Here, Dad plays Chutes and Ladders with Wyatt and Ashton.

This was the official Guerry kids Christmas picture for 2007.

Ashton was all aglow every step of the way during her Ballet Recital.

Then, the Christmas festivities began.

One of Parker’s gifts was a “drivable” Lightning McQueen car (a character from the movie “Cars.”) Parker, due to a line from the movie, calls Lightning “Speed, I Am Speed.”

After Christmas at the Parkers, it was time to give the kids their first gift: a night at the Great Wolf Lodge. This is a new resort in Grapevine with a complete indoor water park. The kids were ecstatic when we pulled up and saw the following.

A few of the slides actually came out of the building then went back in.

The entrance to the lodge had huge wolf statues.

The mascots for Great Wolf.

The air and water was a comfortable temperature but we did spend a bit of time in the warm spa.

After a great time at the resort, it was off to my Mom and Jim’s house for Christmas celebrations.

My Grandma and Papa were there and Ashton found Grandma’s lap very comfortable for a brief nap.

Some of the presents were as big as Parker.

Jim bought a pocket knife for Wyatt and very much enjoyed teaching him knife safety.

As usual, the Layman hospitality was wonderful. Thank you Mom and Jim.

The other parts of the Guerry family got together on Friday night.

My cousins were all in attendance and we had a great meal and some fun and games.

Finally, we spent New Year’s Day back at the Parker’s eating and playing games.

I cannot be more thankful for a blessed family. May God bless you all with a great 2008.