Ain't no party (like a Manifolds party).

5†5†12

A Christian Book for Non-Christians

Michael Spencer (a.k.a. The Internet Monk) has caught my attention with his book Mere Churchianity. Released posthumously after a bout with cancer, “Churchianity” is a collection of Spencer’s blog posts and reflections on faith with a pinch of Southern charm.

One thing that makes this book markedly different from others in this genre is the target audience. Early on, Spencer shares that he would encourage Christians to read this book, however, the book is not meant for a traditional Christian audience. Instead, he is speaking primarily to people who might be drawn to God (if it weren’t for Christians).

In this book, he bunks the assumption that more church equals more Jesus, and even points to instances where the contrary is true. He sympathizes with those who have had sour church experiences, but implores them to carefully (re)consider Jesus. Society labels Jesus in a lot of paradoxical ways, and the difference can be as sharp as apple juice and apple vinegar. We need to learn how to pick Jesus out of a crowd.

In search of a more “Jesus-shaped” spirituality, Spencer brings us through his personal journey of being formed and transformed by Jesus. He insists that we seek the real Jesus – not an Americanized version of Jesus and not your church’s interpretation of Jesus. He even convicts with tough accusations like “are you a follower of Jesus or an occasional fan of Jesus?”

This book is both playful and insightful, but mostly I appreciate Spencer’s heart. Writing to the disaffected, the burdened, the church leavers, and the castaways, he is seeking an audience with the same people that Jesus would pursue.

He’s also somewhat of a pioneer trying to bring the gospel to a generation more likely to google God than to try and find him at church. I admire his attempt to present Jesus in a way that young people can understand, and yet is also authentic and biblically sound.

This book has challenged me to represent God better inside and outside the church. We can honor his life by responding to the call of Mere Churchianity, and we can make sure that these words find their intended audience somehow.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Yeasayer - Odd Blood Review

Odd Blood is the self-produced second studio album by American experimental rock band Yeasayer. Released February 9th, I've had sometime to listen to the album and many know my obsession with ambient distortion and sonic experimentation, well I still do. It's hard to fully figure out Odd Blood and many may not enjoy the album but overall it's great. The opening track "The Children" wouldn't of been my first choice for an intro to a sophmore album and with the band finally receiving claim but it's saved by their hit single "Ambling Alp" as a complimenting second track to the album. If you are in a draper mood from the winter weather and need a nice pick me up to get you through the morning commute it's a prime candidate.

Mattro's Review Rating: 4.10111111/5 Mattro's

Recomendations from Odd Blood:

Mondegreen

I Remember

One

Ambling Alp

The Shadow Lounge show boasted quite the turnout.  The room was full of many familiar faces there to support Luke, as well as a bunch of new folks who got to enjoy his sundry riffs and rants.

He didn't play this song at the show, but I want to talk about my favorite Eller song from the new CD. 

The song is "World on Fire, Man Forgotten."  The backstory comes from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s book, "Why We Can't Wait" in which King voices his struggle for freedom, including his immortal "Letter from Birmingham Jail."  

One of the chapters begins by telling the story of a young black man (only 19 years old) on death row.  A new gas chamber was being introduced in the state of North Carolina for executions, and to help research it's effectiveness, they outfitted the air-tight chamber with a microphone.  As King tells it, the witnesses to the execution heard this young black man's final words.  They heard him  cry out, struggling through the asphyxiation, "Save me, Joe Louis! Save me, Joe Louis".

A dark story (almost as dark as the Tale of Mark), but I thought Eller was able to beautifully capture the intensity, despair and nuance of the brutal event.  The death penalty is a controversial issue especially because it is such a horrifying experience for the executed and executors alike.  This young man had every right to feel scared, lonely, and forgotten.  Even still, he had hope.  Maybe it was curiously misplaced - asking help from a professional boxer?  Eller's music toes the fine line between hope and hopelessness.

The song starts slow, but builds to a heartbreaking crescendo.  First, there is a haunting piano melody.  The subtle heartbeat of the bass drums kicks in next.  Drums will continue to be a driving force behind the music.  On this track, however, I was most impressed with the violin strains.  They soar high above the dark and dingy subject matter of the song, which is portrayed interestingly by some lonely, echo-effect vocals.  Ever piece works together beautifully.

Bottom line, this song sets my ears on fire...in a good way.

There are many good songs, but this one is my favorite.  What's yours?

So let's hear some responses.  What's your favorite song from Eller and why?

The Wiyos are Coming

I thought it was about time I (Aaron) contribute to this blog, and I want to spend my first post introducing you to, "The Wiyos". They spent the past summer opening for Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, and Willie Nelson. A concert I attended, but unfortunately arrived past their allotted playing time. Though, seeing the legend Bob Dylan himself made up for missing my opportunity to see this gem of a band in concert. The Wiyos are a group of musicians playing music that is reminiscent of 30's blues guitarists like Blind Willie and Lead Belly. They equip their sound with an upright bass keeping the back bone of the music, steel string guitars, piercing harmonicas, and finger picking blues acoustic guitar. The band is fronted by Michael Farkas. An eccentric man with an olive oil voice that sports a washboard for rhythm with horns and whistles attached to complete the ensembles' sound. I encourage you all to listen to their music at www.myspace.com/thewiyos. They are a perfect band to listen to if you are a fan of kazoos, harmonicas, blues, swing, 3-part harmony, and beat boxing. Their music is sure to take you to a better place. The band mixes the classic 30's blues/swing sound with contemporary influences such a rahzel. And no, I am not kidding. Their latest album "The Broken Land Bell" is riddled with beat boxing that compliments their sound surprisingly well. Check out their tracks "Promenade", "Dying Crap Shooter Blues", and "Stomp".
And dont forget!!! Lu-Lu has his show at the Shadow Lounge this Sunday. Sure to be a real crowd pleaser. Especially if you are a fan of Britney Spears.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVhJ_A8XUgc Check the first line.

Stay Tuned for some Bearskin News.

Spoon's Transference Debuts Mid Jan. '10

Review: 4.5 of 5

The acclaimed indie band Spoon is scheduled to release their 7^th LP “Transference” January 19^th, 2010. Announced in late ‘09, Britt Daniel (Lead Singer, Songwriter) dropped a video tease for Transference, which for many gave the Spoon faithful, a sense of relief after bad reviews tainted their Got Nuffin EP Summer of ’09. Even though you will find the ends of each spectrum when a band makes an initial release after such a praised and respected album “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga” in 2007, Spoon kept a consistency to their credible sound and vividness.

Transference will still process Spoon’s familiar vocal harmony, major key tonality, basic rock structures and their unmatched brilliance in distorted recordings. The Transference tracklist will include:

01 "Before Destruction"
02 "Is Love Forever?"
03 "The Mystery Zone"
04 "Who Makes Your Money"
05 "Written In Reverse"
06 "I Saw The Light"
07 "Trouble Comes Running"
08 "Goodnight Laura"
09 "Out Go The Lights"
10 "Got Nuffin"
11 "Nobody Gets Me But You"

In less than 3 weeks you will be hearing much of this Austin, TX band over the airwaves, at festivals and if you graced with such an honor a stop at your city.

My Expected Favorite Tracks Include:

“Mystery Zone” - For Kill the Moonlight Hearted

“Who Makes Your Money” - The Deep Track

“I Saw the Light” - Girls Can Tell Lovers

“Trouble Comes Running” - Expected Hit Single

Shining light on the Shadow Lounge

In light of the upcoming Eller show, I wanted to give a quick profile on the venue.

The Shadow Lounge is located in the bourgeoning East Liberty neighborhood on the corner of Baum & S. Highland.  It shares the same block as the very tasty Abay Ethiopian Restaurant, Carnegie-Mellon's experimental restaurant/reality show known as The Waffle Shop, and a shady Taco shop that never seems to be open (perhaps it once belonged to a Mexican man who has long since vanished).

Weekly, the venue serves up wide array of musical genres, sure to please even the most sophisticated of musical palates.  Whether you are a fan of hip-hop or bepob, dance or trance, but especially if you are a fan of Eller Music, you should definitely come check it out.

You enter the lounge directly from the outside and come into a narrow rectangular room.  A low-set stage sits at the front end, allowing for an intimate concert experience.  The audience can get up close and personal with the artists.  On the opposite wall is a bar.  Sorry kids, alcohol is readily available, making this an over 21 show.

In between the stage and the bar is a viewing area where the patrons can mingle, drink, listen and watch.  There's a sprinkling of chairs and even a well-worn couch along the wall for those who need to rest, or kick back and play a game of chess.

If you aren't doing anything on the evening of January 31st, come down to the Shadow Lounge and hear some sweet tunes.  It's going to be exactly like that scene from 8 Mile, but way better.

One last thing, when you buy your tickets online you have the opportunity to specify that you are coming to the show to see Eller.  This is better for the artist because it lets the Shadow Lounge know that he can draw a crowd.  So don't wait to buy your tickets at the door.