I haven't taken the time to browse my library's card catalog to see if they got any new, intriguing Christian artists. Twice a week, however, I get to flip through the selection at one of Mid-Continent Public Library's branches. That's usually where the "Not in the Collection" reviews come from. There is only one of them this month. Radrockers.com and Hastings coughed up some good stuff this month. "Coughed up" sounds bad, considering my daughter's congestion this month. Maybe it should read "revealed".Not in the Collection
From the Collection
- Israel and New Breed: This is big-production high energy praise and worship rock with a funk and Caribbean flavor. Only one thing put me off. It wasn't until track seven that I gave any thought to the artists being black. I think if fewer would mention race, fewer would notice the difference --not saying, by any means, that we shouldn't live with and acknowledge that colorful part of who we are. What Israel and New Breed had to say was, however quite correct. It's not a black thing, and it's not a white thing. We shouldn't have to say that. Unlike some other things we might claim are "the way God made us", color isn't a choice we make. God made us the colors we all are, and it's about Him, not us. OK, off the old soapbox. [3]
- Dead Artist Syndrome: New wave meets alternative with a somewhat David Bowie-ish flavor. Laid back coffeehouse style. I even heard some faint Beach Boys-like sounds. The artistic style was easily explained as I read the names in the printed material that came with the CD: Mike Roe, Mark Harmon, The 77s. These are serious musicians, who like the art more than catering to "the Industry." [5]
- Global Wave System: Industrial rock. My daughter said, "Sounds like Industrial is techno meets metal." Global Wave System is sort of techno, but it's way slowed down and lots heavier. Very electronic, with distorted, but understandable lyrics. It's on the same line as Mortal and Deitiphobia. I love their term for the Revelation lukewarm people --"greyscalers" and "fenceriders." Beware, greyscalers and fenceriders: Judgement Day is coming. [4]
- Mark Farner: Here's Grand Funk Railroad's old lead vocalist and guitarist. He's lost lots of the classic rock sound for an arena sound. [4]
- Rhonda Gunn: She's got some rock, but it's mostly country or MOR. There was too much keyboardy effect and breathy vocals for me to give a higher rating, but two of the CD's tracks got fives, and there was one four. She CAN do blues rock, and display energy. Otherwise the CD didn't do much for me. [3]
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