Since my last blog I've left vocational ministry for a role as a church planter (on a team) and a musical instrument salesman. Working so much with music and watching Vh1's most arbitrary list of musicians ever, I decided to throw out a few albums that greatly effected my life over the years. Rather than going from best to worst, I figured I could mention an album, where and when it became significant in my life, and let you have a brief taste.
So, here's a few classics that have shaped me over the years.
1. Goo Goo Dolls: A Boy Named Goo
I'm not saying this is the greatest album ever, but it was the first rock record I ever picked up and it was a quick trip to chaos from there.
You can watch an old favorite tune, "Long Way Down" Here
2. ReeL BiG FisH: Everything Sucks
When I was 14 I first discovered independent music with these guys leading the charge. Their sarcastic, upbeat-yet-sad, hilarious, music turned me onto the idea of going out and finding bands that nobody had ever heard of. To this day I still enjoy rocking a little RBF if the opportunity affords me.
3. Rancid - Let's Go
The album that took me from casual punk fan to lover of all punk rock. My sophomore year of high school I decided to learn everything Rancid ever did and I would put this album in right when I got home from school and play every single song. There was a good six month period in my life where I could note-for-note play every song on this cd on my guitar from memory. I loved it.
4. Jason Upton - Faith
There is no musician who has personally affected my life like Jason Upton. There is only one reason for it - Spirit. He's a guy who is all about God and trying to know him better. Simply listening to his music usually opens my heart to hearing God's voice and repenting of those things I've been clinging to. I've listened to a lot of the coolest and most stylistically awesome worship bands out there. But if I could be a worship leader, I would probably most emulate Upton of anyone.
5. U2 - The Joshua Tree
I'll confess, I'm probably the last person to have discovered this band and this album. But U2 entered my life at a really profound time, where Jesus had become my first priority, but I still was confused. It seemed evident that my deepening focus on Jesus was actually not helping me serve him. Finding myself in a "holy huddle" surrounded by Christ-followers but not actually connecting with the preChristians around me, I found U2 as a source of inspiration. While they would often sing songs fully and wholeheartedly to God, they would do it in a way that was winsome to everyone and still unashamedly spiritual. I have spent many nights with my Bible, this album and the Holy Spirit.
Thrice: The Alchemy Index
I love Thrice for a lot of the same reasons I love U2, but Thrice embraces a new kind of experimentation that resonates with my stylistic and heart preferences. They have songs that make my heart beat double-time and songs that make me quiver down to the bones. They have songs that I cannot compare to anything that anyone else has ever written. I really enjoy this band.
I could go on, but I'm really tired.
It's been a year, I was due for another post. Maybe I'll start blogging again. Maybe.
