Lunar Boulevard

We're all familiar with the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:5 where He declares " Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." It's a famous verse that even atheists know and pretty much anyone can quote or at the very least recall. It's an easy verse to gloss over because so often we don't really give it any serious consideration. What's even more tragic is that perhaps we don't really understand what it means to be meek and therefore miss why it's so vital and powerful. Let's begin by looking at the actual dictionary definition of the word "meek". It's defined as "quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive." At first glance this sounds like a negative trait. We have images of weak doormats who allow others to push them around and can't stand up for themselves. That may be true in some instances but the word has another meaning, one in which the strong and powerful humble themselves and aren...

I have a confession to make: this has never been one of my favorite R.E.M. releases. Yes, it has some great songs on it but I've never hailed it as a classic the way many fans and critics have since its release back in 1991. Recently I decided that Out of Time would be the perfect album to explore on this edition of Second Listens. Has it finally won me over and climbed up into the higher ranks of their catalogue? There's only way to find out. There's no denying that Out of Time is the record that officially launched R.E.M. into the stratosphere of the public consciousness. The single "Losing My Religion" still remains arguably their biggest hit and most recognizable song, the title of which is well-deserved. It still sounds fresh nearly 25 years later but it's not the only track that has that effect.  The haunting "Country Feedback" remains one of their most devastating ballads, a twisted tale of a dysfunctional relationship that's on...

This is my favorite Psalm. There could be many factors that play into this: the uplifting nature of the psalm, the U2 song named and worded after it, and the various verses that we all take solace in. There's really no way for me to break this whole thing down because all of it flows so well.  Perhaps it speaks so clearly because it expresses a joy that we all long for: those moments when God has answered our prayers and delivered us from our troubles. Not only that but it touches upon the central issue of our faith: God has saved us from our sins and given us a way to be reconciled with Him. It is this message that gives us our hope and our reason to celebrate.  Listen to the U2 song "40" and read through this psalm. No matter what you're going through it gives us a reason to rejoice. God will come through.  

...what was so super about it? I understand the moon was moving in an egg-shaped orbit and it would appear brighter and larger, yet I didn't really see any evidence of that, at least not here in Missouri. Sure, it looked a tad brighter but I can't tell if that was just because of being out in a more secluded area from the city lights or if it was actually doing something more. The picture above is pretty incredible but I witnessed nothing like it. It's a fascinating event but after some of the hype there wasn't really anything to write home about. Or a blog post about but I did anyway. Here's hoping the next super moon appears a bit brighter or at least wears a cape. I could deal with that.

Green was a pivotal album for R.E.M., not only because it was their first on a major label but also because it demonstrated a big change in the band's sound. While the trademark guitars and catchy anthems were still there it also signaled the period where instruments like the mandolin became more prevalent in their songwriting. Green may not be one of my favorite R.E.M. records but it's definitely a solid and enjoyable one when taken for what it is. Everyone knows the hits like Orange Crush and Stand, as well as fan-favorites like Pop Song 89, World Leader Pretend, and Get Up. The folksy sounds of Hairshirt and You Are the Everything are a far departure for the group, yet they sound confident and exciting, given the album a unique sound that greatly expanded their talents. Even the hidden track, aptly named Untitled, is a favorite of mine and displays a pop finesse that few groups have been able conjure so well. Some fans may have been jumping ship and crying "Sellout...

Often when we hear people talk about constellations they mention the Big Dipper. However, they may be shocked to realize that is, in fact, not a constellation but rather an asterism instead. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, an asterism is a pattern of stars that do not belong to one of the 88 official constellations. Not only that, but they're also made up of stars that are not related to each other and can even be great distances apart. Now you can go and impress your friends by telling them they're wrong.

Bono once said that the Psalms were the original sound of the blues. It's important to remember that many of the Psalms are actually pleas with God in times of danger or agony. In fact, 2/3 of the book is in this fashion, making it one of my favorite books to turn to both in times of joy and in times of sorrow. Psalm 6 is definitely in the latter category. Right from the start we can see that David is in a world of hurt and trouble. In the first few verses he cries: "O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am faint; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O Lord, how long?" It's interesting to note that many of these psalms do not ask God "Why?" but rather "How long?". Often in tough times we cry out to the Lord asking Him why things are going so poorly or why He's chosen us for this difficult season, yet the psalmists were not ...

Ever wondered how astronauts learn to walk in space? The Police may have sung about walking on the moon but apparently it doesn't come naturally. In fact, astronauts take SCUBA lessons in order to learn how to maneuver in the weightlessness of space. If you partake in diving then you might have what it takes to work in space too!

Let's start with a short Psalm, shall we? In fact, it's the last psalm of the entire book, yet it makes for a great ending that sums up not just the Book of Psalms but the Bible as a whole.  Immediately the psalm begins with "Praise the Lord", which in Hebrew is Hallelu Yah , which also appears again in verse six. This psalm is short but the message is crystal clear: we are to praise God. In fact, we're told to praise God in many different places and in many different ways, including i n His sanctuary and i n His mighty heavens.  For those of you who may have an aversion to rock music and loud instruments being used in worship, the Bible actually encourages it here in verses 3-6. Trumpets, crashing cymbals, strings, the flute, harps, and even dancing are all included. Whether it's simple piano hymns or a 60-piece orchestra, God is worthy of our praise and we have a wide variety of ways in which to express our love and gratitude toward Him. The fina...

By now there seem to be two camps of BNL fans: those who pine for the days of Steven Page and those who accept that the band has moved on and forged their own path without him. There's no doubt that Page was a vital member of the group and his voice, as well as songwriting abilities, are nothing short of stellar. That being said, I admire the band for continuing on and All in Good Time was an enjoyable record that proved, at least to me, that the remaining four Ladies are more than capable of making creative and fun music. Seeing them live in 2010 further sealed the deal for me and that show remains one of my favorite concert experiences. They haven't lost a step in terms of musicianship and humor. Their records with Page are a treasured part of my collection but I don't choose to focus on their past. It's what they do from here on out that matters and Grinning Streak, while not their strongest effort, has plenty to offer on its own. Right away the upbeat pop songs...

I was beginning to think Beck had given up on releasing proper albums. Nearly five years after his last studio album, Modern Guilt , he announced to Rolling Stone magazine that he's working on an acoustic album and a proper follow-up to Modern Guilt .  Beck has been one of my favorite artists for many years and I'm relieved that he apparently has plenty of great songs left in his arsenal. Some of my favorite Beck material is his low-key, acoustic material, yet I also love his frantic and experimental electronic anthems as well. Hopefully we'll see both of these surface soon!

It's been a while since I've had some more Bible-intensive posts and I decided that this month would be a great one to focus less on my Christian observations and more on a specific book. I love the Book of Psalms and so over the next few weeks we'll take a look at some of my favorite chapters and what God is teaching me through them. Stay tuned!

Noah and the Whale is one of those groups that continues to evolve, pushing past expectations and following their interests in any direction they take. Frontman Charlie Fink once again helms the ship by further exploring the poppy sound of 2011's Last Night on Earth, so those hoping for the melancholy folk of their earlier efforts may feel unsettled and disappointed. For those that enjoyed that foray into new territory then Heart of Nowhere should easily satisfy. The first track is an introduction, appropriately titled "Introduction". It sounds like effects from an Apple ad and doesn't really contribute much to the record, though it does get points for being relaxing. The album's title track features Anna Calvi and sets the upbeat tone for the rest of the record. The 80's sound is prevalent once again but it really suits the group and Fink's voice is both passionate and convincing, something that has always been at the heart of the band's music....