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Ep. 34 – Christianbook.com – Aug 26th, 2008

About a week ago I somehow stumbled across a christian media website called ChristianBook.  While i was on their i noticed that some of the CD’s they had for sale were ridiculously cheap.  I found a few on the list and snapped them up right away.  They came in the mail two days ago!

“Contact” – The Benjamin Gate

This is the first album i had ever hear by the Benjamin Gate.  I downloaded it during my senoir year of high school along with some other albums and it sat on my computer for awhile.  Sometime during my freshman year of college i got bored with the music i had and found this album on my computer.  From the first time i listened to it I loved it!  This album is a perfect album.  There is not one song that i do not like.  I really love the singing; this is one of two rock bands i really follow that have female vocalists.  The sound of the album is a mix of Rock, Pop, and a little bit of Dance.  I recommend giving this album a spin and deciding for yourself if it is your style.  

Track-listing:

	1. Lift Me Up (Far Away)
	2. This Is Not
	3. Calling, The
	4. Do What You Say
	5. Overkill
	6. Need
	7. Light
	8. Your Kisses Blind Me
	9. Tonight
	10. Gratitude
	11. Way You Are, The
	12. Violently
	13. Fall Away

Price Paid: $2.99 (plus shipping for all 3 CDs <3.99>)

“Brace Yourself for the Mediocre” – Roper

From the ashes of Five Iron Frenzy, The O.C. Supertones and some other bands, the pop-punk band Roper arose.  Brainchild of Reese Roper, X-FIF Singer, the band released one album before disbanding.  Some don’t like it, but i think that is because they compare it to the supergroups that came before.  This album still features Reese’s zainy lyrical style and his great singing voice.  It is a solid pop-punk album.  Do not expect Five Iron and you won’t be disapointed. 

Track-listing:

1. “Hello Lamewads” – 3:16
2. “You’re With Stupid” – 2:27
3. “Amplify” – 3:59
4. “Vendetta” – 3:47
5. “Red Eye to Miami” – 2:56
6. “Quicksilver” – 3:21
7. “1985″ – 3:20
8. “Say Sayonara” – 3:32
9. “How Your Halo Fell” – 3:30
10. “Day of Pigs” – 2:37
11. “Fireflies” – 3:28
12. “You’re Still The One” (Shania Twain cover) – 2:57
13. “In Excelsis Deo” – 3:42

Price Paid: $1.99

“Until My Heart Caves In” – Audio Adrenaline

This was Audio Adrenaline’s last full-length before they callled it quits.  They were one of the first bands i ever got into and have been with me since.  For awhile i didn’t really like that style of music, so i kind of forgot about them for awhile.  I downloaded this album when it came out and it reignighted my liking of them.  I saw it for really cheap on that site and decided since i didn’t have to pay any additional shipping that i might as well take advantage of that.  Plus the website gave me an additional 5% off if i added this item to my order.

Track-listing:

1. “Clap Your Hands” – 3:28
2. “Until My Heart Caves In” – 3:41
3. “King” – 5:01
4. “Melody (Lost Inside the Wonder)” – 4:16
5. “Starting Over” – 4:04
6. “Are You Ready for Love” – 3:31
7. “Undefeated” – 3:36
8. “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher” – 3:36
9. “Light of the Sun” – 3:46
10. “All Around Me” – 3:30
11. “Losing Control” – 4:47

Price Paid: $2.84

Well, that’s all the new albums i have for now.  Might be awhile before my next post, but then again you never know.  I’ll try and post anything intersting that i come across.  Be sure and check out my new Links section up there ^^^^.  Thanks for reading!

Ep. 32 – “Loud and Clear” O.C. Supertones Review – Aug 22, 2008

Two days ago i went to lunch with a friend.  We walked down the street to one of my favorite little sandwich places.  Lunch was great and we had a really good time talking and thinking about the approaching school year and what God was going to do on our campus this year.  On the way home we passed by a christian bookstore and she asked if we could go in because she was looking for a book there.  I casually strolled over to there music section to browse.  I wasn’t really expecting to find anything there, I had been there before and had ever only found one really good CD (although that one CD was a really good find, Buck Enterprises “Live Worship” – Christian Ska band from Detroit playing worship songs… it’s great and it was only like 5$ )  Anyway, i wasn’t expecting to find anything but all of a sudden i look down and see a great CD staring me in the face.

“Loud and Clear” – The O.C. Supertones

To tell you the truth when i first heard the Supertones I wasn’t really impressed…  The reason, i believe, is because I wanted them to be another Five Iron Frenzy.  I got really into Five Iron Frenzy sophomore year of high school, downloaded all there albums and loved them all.  I started to wish there were more FIF albums but sadly by then FIF had already called it quits.  So I decided to check out other Christian Ska bands.  I checked out the Supertones and didn’t quite like them…  They weren’t FIF (which now seems like a silly reason not to like a band…)  Another thing i didn’t like about them at the time was their lyrics… i thought they were too preachy…  Now I  know that’s because the music convicted me, i wasn’t really living my life for Christ in those days, I was rather luke-warm and I had little interest in Christian music that talked about God all the time (but i only listened to Christian music – figure that one out… lol)  Now the lyrics are one of the great things about the Supertones and one of the reasons I love them so much!  This album, their fourth release, is one of their best and it included my all time favorite Supertones song; “Jury Duty”.  This song is about how we should praise and thank God even during or crappy days and our bad times.  It is such a great song!  The entire song is great but i’ll share only the first verse with you here:

5 am on tuesday
Why am I up so early
Drive out to santa ana ’cause I’ve got jury duty
No breakfast short tempered
And I cut my head shaving
Ten miles out I hit traffic
Some days just aren’t worth saving

You know I haven’t had the best of days
But I want to stop and thank you anyway

You really should check that song out!  Other great songs on the album include “Pandora’s Box,” “Wilderness,” and “Forward to the Future.”  Really the whole album is great though.  If you love Ska, or just love music that glorifies God and really has something to say, I recommend checking this CD out… it’s a few years old but shouldn’t be too hard to find if you look in the right place.  I probably could have found it for cheaper but it was an impulse buy   Price Paid: $13.99

Yesterday I found yet another great album and i am in the process of soaking it in, so a review for that one is immenant.  Check back soon!

Ep. 31 – Dance Or Die Review – Aug 20th, 2008

Yesterday Family Force 5 released their second full-length album to delight of many.  I rushed to Walmart and was delighted to find that it was actually in stock…  I had to hunt around for it a little bit but i did find a few copies tucked away on one of the shelves.  I have given myself a day to soak it in an am now prepared for a full review, here goes:

“Dance or Die” – Family Force 5

I have been waiting for FF5 to release a new album since their first album came out!  I absolutely fell in love with Soul Glow Activator and his crazy bandmates from the first time i heard the song “Kountry Gentelman.”  Now two years and one re-release later they finally boast new material on a large scale (the re-release featured 3 new tracks).  This album starts off strong with the title track, “Dance or Die”; a groovy 80’s sounding tune that really rocks.  Next, “Get Your Back Off the Wall” comes wailing in with Fuzz-drenched guitars and catchy lyrics, it got stuck in my head several times since yesterday…  It’s one of their “heavier” tracks and one that i really enjoy.  Following that is “Rip it Up” which maintains the fuzzy guitars and heavy synth buts moves the album in a little bit of a funkier direction with some nice drum-work (especially the high-hat-heavy dance rythmn.)  The song also has some great singing on the chorus.  Then the album totally shifts directions for a second; “How in the World” brings the album into a more ethereal vibe.  Waves of digital synth-sounds and electronic beats crash against your eardrums with a surprising pleasantness and pull you out into a deep ocean of sound.  A very full sounding song with very nice singing and lyrics, again it boasts a very 80’s pop sound.  “Fever” re-energizes the listener and shakes all that digital water of ya’ with it bumpin’ beat.  Nice club/dance number, reminiscent of “erfquake” from the first album but with it’s own distinct sound.  Then comes “Party Foul” one my other favorites on this disc.  It’s classic FF5 at it’s best; nice effects on most of the vocals.  This song manages to crack me up and make me feel like rockin’ out at the same time!  Then comes my favorite track on the disc and maybe my favorite FF5 song of all time; “D-I-E 4 Y-O-U.”  By far the “heaviest” track on the album and in my opinion the one with the most energy.  Rocks out through the entirty of the song and even has a metal-esque breakdown.  Then with “Share it With You” the album chills out again.  Kind of goes into a classic hip-hop sounding song and the grooves on through like a low-rida.  “The First Time” keeps it in the same type of musical area except it sounds more punk-rockish… like a punk rock power ballad…  “Wake the Dead” breaks back into a more recognizable sound as FF5 lights up the dance-floor of your mind.  Nice funky guitars and just a groovy all-around feel.  The album closes out with another one of my favorites, “Radiator.”  This song is in the same vein as the previous track but with a little more Rock.  It also boasts a good message in the lyrics… i think…  I interpreted the song as talking about shinning for Christ… but even if that isn’t what it’s about, it’s really good.  In conclusion, “Dance or Die” is a fun-filled romp from dance-floors to mosh-pits and everything inbetween.  I am excited to see what FF5 brings to the table next time.  Remember kids, keep it C-R-U-N-K in the U-S-A!  Price Paid: $9.87

I’ve got some other new CDs that i’m listening to and i should review the shortly… stay tuned.

Ep. 27 – Echoing Bean – Aug 10th, 2008

So when i went to Joe’s yesterday I actually got so excited about the Denison Marrs CD i found that i forgot to get one of the albums i went there to get.  I went back and got it today.

“Well Adjusted” – Beanbag

Lame band name.  Good sound.  Very original and hard to describe but very cool.  Price Paid: $6

Then i noticed another album and i bought it totally on impulse.

“Supernova” – The Echoing Green

I have only listened to a few tracks so far but i like it so far.  The liner notes say that Micah Ortega, formerly of Five Iron Frenzy, did turntables on this record so that’s pretty cool.  Price Paid: $5

I am probably going to spend a little more on CDs this week then i normally would since i am going to school soon where there aren’t really any record stores… Check back soon!!

Ep. 24 – Weird, South, and The Hunt (for Red) – Aug 5th, 2008

Had lunch with an old friend from high school this morning and before lunch we decided to go to Record Time.  I tried to trade in some records and CDs but they didn’t want any… i’m going to try Hots Hits next, i think they will do it.  I found a couple good ones today though.

“The Fundamental Elements of Southtown” – P.O.D. (CD)

I have liked P.O.D. since “Satellite.”  I downloaded this album awhile ago and liked a few tracks like “Southtown” and “Bullet the Blue Sky.”  I’m not too familiar with the rest of the album but i think it will be good.  Price Paid: ($3 – $1 store Credit =) $2

“October” -U2 (CD)

Really good album by U2.  I have it on Vinyl and have been keeping my eyes open for it on CD so i could listen to it more.  Price Paid: $6

“Greatest Hits” – Weird Al Yankovic (Vinyl)

Found Weird Al on Vinyl, lol.  Couldn’t say no…  Price Paid: $5

Pretty good stuff today.  I may be able to do some hunting once or twice more in the next week but after that it will be a little more difficult while being at school… i will have to try other things…

Ep. 20 & 21 – More Stuff From Joe’s – July 31st & Aug. 1st, 2008

Ep. 20

I went to Joe’s today to return a ‘vinyl i had purchased on tuesday.  Sadly the copy of “Monolith” by Kansas that i got from him was cracked.  He was really cool about it though.  He said he’d “file it” as he tossed it in the trash can and he told me to just go pick out another one.  I browsed for a little while before deciding and found something worthwhile.

“Willy and the Poor Boys” – Creedance Clearwater Revival

I got into CCR last year from the movie Forest Gump and my friend George.  Forest Gump has the song “Fortunate Son” in it and one day i was watching it and decided to look up the song.  Then my friend George burnt me a copy of one of their compilation CD’s.  I really like their sound.  It almost borders on being something other than rock… but i can’t quite decide what.  All i know is it sounds great!  Happy to have this in my vinyl collection.  Price Paid: $0 (technically $1 if you count what i paid for “monolith”)

After stopping at Joe’s it was still early in the day so i decided to check out Record Time and see if they had gotten anything new in. I also noticed some boxes of CDs i didn’t notice in the clearance section last time i looked.  Stuff under the shelf, so i pulled those out and looked through those and i actually found a couple good ones!

“The Ever Passing Moment” – MXPX

This album was one of my favorites early on in my life.  My brother bought this CD when i was in sixth or seventh grade.  I never actually owned it but i copied my brothers and i would listen to this CD all the time.  I remember listening to it while cutting my neighbors lawn back when I used to live in at my old house.  It is a really solid pop punk album with some of MXPX’s best stuff on it.  After all these years i still know all the words to the songs   Price Paid: $6

“Vintage” – East West

Album has some good songs on it.  Not the best of East West, but not bad.  Price Paid: $2

“Gone are the Days” – Joseph Israel

A christian reggae artist.  I am always on the lookout for these… Thought i’d give it a try.  Price Paid: $3

A couple good finds for not much dough!

Ep. 21

I went to Blast in the Past again today because his blowout sale started today… but only for CDs.  I browsed the racks of CDs for awhile and found a few that were pretty sweet.

“Disintegration” – The Cure

The only Cure album i am really familiar with that i would buy at this point.  It was in the pile with it’s booklet but not it’s original case.  For the price i was ok with that.  Price Paid: $1

“Chronicle Vol. 1 (Greatest Hits)” – Creedance Clearwater Revival

I really like CCR.  Got into them last summer a lot and they remind of that time.  Working at my uncles studio working on car shoots (photography) and working for my grandma painting stuff… good times and great music!  Price Paid: $1

“Greatest Hits (Disc 1)” – The Doors

I like the Doors a bit.  Not so much whole albums but a lot of the singles, so this was perfect.  Price Paid: $1

“Staring at the Sun (Maxi-Single)” – U2

From the “Pop” era.  Some b-sides of the album.  It looked cool so i grabbed it.  Price Paid: $1

Lots of good stuff this week, and i’m going back sunday!

Ep. 16 – Haggling is Fun – July 22nd, 2008

 

Since i had so much money left after hunting yesterday i went out again today.  I went to Rcord Time first, picked up a couple good things.

“Survive, Kaleidoscope” – Underoath

I picked this up because it is a live DVD and CD and they play a couple songs off of “They’re Only Chasing Safety” which is an album i love by Underoath.  I’m not crazy about their new one, Define the Great Line.  I’m hoping this DVD / CD combo will help a few of those new songs rub off on me…  either way i get to see Aaron Gillespie rock out by drumming and singing at the same time (he does both extremely well, even at the same time!!)  Price Paid: $8

“Masque” – Kansas

This is one of my other favorite Kansas albums.  A little less well known but on par with their two biggest hits which i already own.  They had this on Vinyl at Record Time and i didn’t know when I’d get the chance again so i picked it up.  Price Paid: $3

 

“In-a-gadda-da-vida” – Iron Butterfly

Haha.  This song/album pretty much sums up my last two years of high school.  It was the theme song for me and band of wacky friends.  I first heard this song through my friend George Lutz III.  He had this big ol’ conversion van that me and my friends would always pile into when we wanted to spend the night having fun.  He would always play crazy music from “Rock Me Amedeus” by Falco to “Atomic Dog” by George Clinton.  He played this 17 minute classic many times at full volume, cruising down gratiot or down harper yelling at old ladies, or just before entering Meijer to kill some time by pretending one of us was blind… those were the days.  Last years my band even covered this song as an omage to Mr. Lutz.  It was in the new arrivals at Record Time, on Vinyl… how could i say no?  Price Paid: $2

That was all I picked up at Record Time today.  I decided to go by Hot Hits for a second time to pick up a couple albums i remembered seeing there but didn’t feel like getting at the time.  I picked them off the shelf and took a look at the disks and they were actually scratched up… they were probably still playable but Hot Hits is a little pricey and i didn’t want to overpay for scratched up CDs.  I decided to try and haggle with the guy a little.  I showed him the scratches and said i’d give him $5 a peice for them.  He look and the disks and saw that they ideed were scratched and he apologized.  He then took them and said he would clean them for me.  He put some wondex on them and buffed them with what looked like a table grinder with cloth on the rotars.  He gently held the disk up to the spinning cloth covered wheel and slowly rotated the cd with his fingers.  It worked like a charm.  He got rid of almost all of the scratches on both CDs!  But that’s not even the best part… he gave them to me for the price i named!  I got them both for $10 plus tax.

“The Adventures of the O.C. Supertones” – The O.C. Supertones

First release by one of the two great christian ska bands.  Solid album, no hiding the christianity which is great.  The lyrics are straight forward and glorify God.  A little rough sounding considering it is their first release but the listener is willing to forgive the roughness because it is expected with this kind of genre.  Price Paid: $5.30

“Chase the Sun” – The O.C. Supertones

This is the album the Supertones released 3 years after their debut album.  It sounds a bit more polished, a bit more professional and it flat out rocks.  So many good songs.  I love the song “in between” i which the chorus claims:

 ”What I am is in between what i want to be and who I am”

I love this!  He talking about the struggle of following Jesus and how we strive to be perfect but never reach perfection.  Even the Apostale Paul spoke of this struggle in the book of Romans.  I really identify with it, i’m a work in progress.  Highly recommended album, check it out!  Price Paid: $5.30

 

I was quite amazed that my attempt to haggle actually worked but i’m sure glad it did.  It made today a very productive day of hunting!

Ep. 13 – St. Vincent DePaul’s – July 13, 2008

Went to a St. Vincent DePaul’s today to look at Vinyls.  My friend told me she gets hers there for 10 cents.  She said that you don’t find anything very often though.  Well i didn’t find any good Vinyls but i actually did find some good cd’s!

“Lift” – Audio Adrenaline

Great release by a great christian band.  I think the title track “Lift” is great as a praise song.  Who would of thought i’d find it here.  I found it unopened!  Price Paid: $2

“Point of Know Return” – Kansas

I got really into Kansas last year.  I illegally downloaded a few of their albums, and this was one of them.  Only recently did i find out that a lot of Kansas’ later releases are heavily christian inlfuenced because Kerry Livgreen gave his life to the Lord.  Kansas’ albums are very good and i’m excited i found this one.  Price Paid: $2

“Under a Blood Red sky (Live)” – U2

U2’s legendary live album featuring live tracks recorded at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre.  My interest in U2 has been reaffirmed since purchasing Achtung baby and War and the album released after the War Tour in 1983 caught my eye.  For the price it was well worth it!  Price Paid: $2

Well that’s all for today.  A couple of unexpected finds from an unexpected place.  It just goes to show that however unlikely, it still pays to take a look!

Ep. 12 – One Mans Trash… – July, 11, 2008

…is another man’s treasure.  So the saying goes… well over the past few days i proved that true.

I have bought a lot of cds this week.  The first bunch i bought off ebay.  Hey Music Hunter, i thought you said you were going to hunt in stores and stay off the internet?  Yes, i was but i was curious so i checked ebay to see if they had anything rare by my favorite band stavesacre and sure enough they did.  I also found someone who was selling a bunch of cds i liked rfor really checp because they bought them intending to start a store.  I guess that fell through.  That sucks for them but it was good for me.

“Absolutes (Advance)” – Stavesacre

Someone on ebay was selling an advance copy of Stavesacre’s album “Absolutes” and i couldn’t pass that up.  The album was released in 1997 so i bet an advance copy is pretty hard to find.  It’s a really good album and it was on the hunt-list, so it’s a Double Whammy.  Price Paid: $5.98 (including shipping)

“Catch For Us The Foxes” – Mewithoutyou

One of my favorites bands.  This album is dark and ambient, heavy and beautiful.  Perfect experimental post-hardcore.  I really recommend this album, and i think the track “My Exit, Unfair” is my favorite mwy song.  Bought on ebay, new.  Price Paid: $5.79 (including shipping)

“4 Wall Blackmail” – Dead Poetic

Got really into these guys freshman year of high school (maybe a little before that).  This album was really good and i listen to it many, many times.  These guys have remained one of my favorite for years so when i saw this album on ebay brand new for cheap i snapped it up.  Price Paid: $5.99 (including shipping)

“No sir, nihilism is not practical” – Showbread

Their first album and what got me interested in them in the first place.  I think they have matured musically since this release but it is still a good listen.  The voice of Reese Roper (formerly of Five Iron Frenzy) is featured on two tracks on this album.  Found on ebay, new.  Price Paid: $1.04 (including shipping)

I also made a trip to record time today and picked up a few things:

“New Way to be Human” – Switchfoot

i like this sound much better than the newer popular switchfoot.  I noticed it the last time i went to record time and i decided to get it this time. Price Paid: $6

“5 score and 7 years ago” – Relient K

The best release by Relient K in my opinion.  The song Deathbead is to die for (no pun intended).  the whole record is a nice return to Relient K’s christian roots where their waws not much evidence of them in “mmhmm.”  Price Paid: $6

“Fall + Winter” – Jon Foreman

Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman’s solo project.  4 ep’s in one year, one each season; these are the first two.  His music is passionate emotional folk.  It’s really well written and a little sad, but for this sad is good.  Give it a listen even if you don’t like switchfoot.  I liked it and at first i didn’t even realize who Jon foreman was.  Price Paid: $13.99

Also, today i was driving around and i stopped at an estate sale to see if they had a record player for sale.  Turns out they did.  It was stuck in some back room, still plugged in with cords running behind cabinets and such.  I helped them dig it out and talk them down to $20.  So i got me a record player today!