Dizmas
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Dizmas Dizmas is a fun band, and their first major label release stays true to who they are and what they do best. I was hesitant to pick this album up at first, since half of it is re-released songs from their...
The Voice
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Adriana Once again, Bill Myers has taken a scientific "what if" and used it to demonstrate spiritual truth. As multiple factions seek the recorded Voice of God- some to experience it, others to unleash it, and...
On the Brink of It All
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Ever Stays Red On the Brink of It All kicks off with a short instrumental that leads perfectly into a title track- an energetic number that begs to be played at top volume and is pregnant with the hope of Heaven! This...
Worth a listen | Posted May-25-2008
Dizmas is a fun band, and their first major label release stays true to who they are and what they do best. I was hesitant to pick this album up at first, since half of it is re-released songs from their first two albums. The selection was good, including Jealousy Hurst, This is a Warning, and Redemption, Passion, Glory. I would have liked to see Let This One Stay make the cut as well, but that's just a matter of personal taste. In terms fo the big picture, it probably would have been out of place on this album, so I can't fault its exclusion.
Even with the small number of new songs, this album is worth getting a hold of, on the strength of the new music. Yours will grab you on the first listen with it's anthemic (in a modern rock kind of way) celebration of our Creator and catchy guitar hooks, while Save the Day nicely epitomizes the Dizmas sound. Worth Fighting For and Different also fit this mold, though with a milder (but far from dull) approach.
One you put this album in your cd player, it is hard to remove!
Album of the year contender! | Posted May-10-2008
On the Brink of It All kicks off with a short instrumental that leads perfectly into a title track- an energetic number that begs to be played at top volume and is pregnant with the hope of Heaven! This sets the stage for the entire album, and upbeat worship experience that makes perfect use of the unconventional rhythms and timing that have always marked Ever Stays Red's unique style. From the onset, through the energetic Love Outloud, anthemic Glorious, calming Look to the Hills, and everything between, this album is 100% filler-free. On the Brink of It All is not an album that you simply listen to- it's one you experience!
Myers doing what he does best! | Posted May-10-2008
Once again, Bill Myers has taken a scientific "what if" and used it to demonstrate spiritual truth. As multiple factions seek the recorded Voice of God- some to experience it, others to unleash it, and others to destroy it, the story unfolds into a fast paced action novel that would be fit for the big screen.
Just as quickly, the characters in the story develop into unique personalities, easy to identify with, as they experience the Voice of God and discover it's power- the power to create, destroy, transform, heal, and change lives.
This would make a great movie | Posted March-01-2008
Easily the strongest book of the trilogy, The Presnce takes the events (and cast) of Soul Tracker to an amazing new level. The character development is very thorough, as eight diverse individuals are chosen to live in the ever-growing presence of God. Each bring their unique character flaws, strenghts, and weaknesses, making The Presence read like a reality show that's actually worth watching. As the cast confront their sin, their shortcomings, and the deepest parts of their souls, they are compelled to make life changing decisions about their own faith. The reader is guaranteed to identify with at least one or two characters. A must-read for any fan of Christian fiction.
A solid book | Posted February-28-2008
While Soul Tracker doesn't dig quite as deep into spiritual themes as some of Myers' other works, it lays a good foundation for the trilogy. And this is not to say that spiritual themes are absent- far from it. In the midst of a vivid adventure is the radical transformation of one man's life as he learns the true value, depth, and importance of love on his radical journey through Heaven and Hell, and faces the most important decision of his life. For the Myers fan that has come to expect good fiction, a strong supernatural setting, and an important Christian truth, Soul Tracker will not disappoint.
How did I miss this one? | Posted February-26-2008
I can't believe I didn't review End of Gray sooner. Oh well- better late than never. Fans of post-grunge will appreciate this album for the music alone, but End of Gray runs far deeper. Melodic tunes such as Life Again, Burn Back the Sun, No Longer, and Walking Dead take an introspective look at our relationship to Christ, and our answer to His call. And the heavy riffs of Break Free and Fight Like This complement the rallying cry of the songs. The vocals are strong and crisp throughout the album, and across all spectrums, the mood, message, and music blend perfectly.
If you read just one Myers book... | Posted February-26-2008
...read this one!
Eli is a fun story and challenging experience all at the same time. Bill Myers uses familiar modern concepts to demonstrate just how radical Jesus' ministry was, and strip away the reader's comfortable and insulated view of Christ through a distant historical lens.
Who are the tax collectors? The fishermen? The shepherds? The Pharisees? As you read one man's take on these questions, you will find the questions becoming more deeply personal. Where do I fit in this story? Would I have rejected Jesus if I lived in His time, or He in mine? Am I willing to follow His radical call to complete devotion, and to love at all costs?
Eli is great fiction, but it's an even better spiritual journey. After you read it, you will go back to the Gospel with a fresh, bold perspective.
I was hooked when I heard the title track | Posted November-16-2007
And the rest of the album did not disappoint! It's hard to describe music this good. Of course, I could use all of the cliche words and call it melodic, innovative, refreshing, energetic, deep, versatile, and real. And all of those words would be accurate, but there's something about the way all of these elements blend that makes each song cohesive and complete. Just about any song on the cd could make great radio music, most notably the current single (the title track), The Life, and Can I Start New. And as a bonus, the planetary imagery of the album, both in the music and the artwork, resonates very personally with this writer.
One listen is all it takes... | Posted September-20-2007
I prefer to review albums that I have listend to often and grown familiar with. I'm only in the midst of my second listen of this cd, so don't expect me to get into too much detail about the nuances of the songs. So why would I want to review a cd right out of the gate, anyway?
Because it is that good!
I've always liked Kids in the Way's songwriting, and Dave Pelsue's vocals, but I always felt the execution fell a bit short of their potential. Their last album, [i]Apparitions of Melody[/i], leaned too heavily on screaming. With the addition of [i]Fiction[/i] (which makes a reprisal on [i]Masquerade[/i]), to the special edition of [i]Apparitions[/i] the Kids gave us a glimpse of the musical depth that they could achieve.
And achieve they did! [i]Masquerade[/i] delivers a refined sound, amazing guitars, and a broader approach then before. And it does so without sacrificing any of the raw energy and passionate vocals that make the Kids who they are! This album is a true masterpiece!
Keep an eye on TBR! | Posted July-29-2007
One thing is clear after listening to Even Heroes Need a Parachute- This Beautiful Republic has the talent and the testimony to become a household name in Christian music. They mix hard rocking guitar riffs, catchy melodies, and an unashamed message together to form a very complete debut album. TBR delivers driving rock on Going Under and Black Box, and prayerful peace on Jesus to the World and New Year. But where they shine brightest is in the middle, with Casting Off, Right Now, The Surface, and Lets Be Honest all featuring energy that will make you want to move your feet, and a challenging message that will make you want to move your heart. Even Heroes Need a Parachute isn't just great music- it's great ministry!
mercury's Music and Book Reviews 
