Lunar Boulevard

Here it is: my most anticipated album of the year. There have been some magnificent records released this year and nearly every month has brought about a new record from an artist I love. However, The Killers have been a favorite of mine for years and I believe that they're probably the best American band out there at the moment (though The Gaslight Anthem is hot on their heels). After waiting nearly four years, The Killers have finally released their much anticipated fourth record, Battle Born . Does it live up to the hype? Well, yes and no. It depends on what you're looking for. Let's get this out of the way: this is NOT Hot Fuss . Nor is it Sam's Town or Day & Age.  The Killers have endured because they refuse to remain stationary with their sound. They're constantly evolving, experimenting, and changing like any great artist does. This has gained them as many fans as it's cost them. Those hoping for a repeat of anything in their past will find smal...

Reading about the final space shuttle ferry flight, featuring the shuttle Endeavour, I can't help but feel even more sadness that NASA and our space program in general is being shut down. It's one of the only government-run programs that I support and it's a cruel blow for those of us who see space as more than just something hanging up in the sky. I want to see America get back into space, go to the moon again, and prove why no one does it better. Hopefully someday....

Wow, that's a REALLY depressing picture of Homer Simpson. I usually try to find something a bit more jolly, so hopefully this post makes up for it. What we're looking at here isn't easy but I've seen it popping up in various conversations and apparently it's weighing on peoples' minds. I've been pondering it a bit myself and decided this morning that some deeper thinking is in order (especially before my customary Sunday afternoon nap). As Christians, it's often difficult for us to gauge what constitutes forgiveness and how far we're expected to go in order to love those around us who are exceedingly difficult. We all know someone like this: they're selfish, immature, quick-tempered, impatient, thoughtless, or downright mean and often we find ourselves in the direct line of fire. Many times it can be tough for us to know how to handle these instances in a Christ-like manner. Do we just sit there and take it? Do we fire back? What is the mid...

Here's a cool article about ten myths that make the world of science fiction better. It's a fun read and for those of us who love the idea of space travel, this one is even more fun. Enjoy! http://io9.com/5936924/10-myths-about-space-travel-that-make-science-fiction-better

When you think of Christian music, what's the first thing that pops into your head? You probably have your own preconceived notions and you're not alone. As a Christian I'll be the first to admit that I find a lot of CCM to be somewhat corny and kind of dull. That's not a judgement or insult toward the musicians; just a personal preference. What you may not know is that there have been some amazing and extremely talented bands that slipped by the mainstream and were part of the underground Christian scene that was booming in the late 90's and early 2000's. I even made a mix-tape (remember those!?) for a friend in high school and he was surprised just how good it was. Contrary to popular belief, there were some pretty amazing Christian groups back in the day and if you're curious then here are 15 great albums you might want to check out: 1. Ace Troubleshooter- Self-Titled Ace Troubleshooter's 2000 self-titled album is one of the most fun and in...

It's been nearly four years since Bloc Party released their last album, Intimacy . Since then the band members have gone on to various side projects and for a time it was questionable as to whether or not the band would even reunite and put out another record. I've been a big fan ever since I first heard their stunning 2005 debut, Silent Alarm , and I've constantly admired the way they've managed to push themselves musically and continually challenge their audience. Four  is a welcome return that, while not the knockout some of us might have been hoping for, affirms that this band has plenty of life left but that they're also trying to find footing in too many different fields. Let's get this out of the way: this album is not Silent Alarm . That's a brilliant album and it's ridiculous to expect the band to keep making that album over and over. Some of that same energy is certainly present here but it's channeled in a very different way. The ope...