Lunar Boulevard

No, I'm not stylish like 007 but Lunar Boulevard has been upgraded, in case you didn't notice. I like to try and keep up with the times and that means updating the look and format as I see fit, not to mention this should be a bit more pleasing to the eyes. I don't know about you but I'm pretty sure my eyesight got worse after reading that white-on-black text. I may not be able to pay your optometrist bill but I can offer a design that hopefully won't make things worse. Rest assured the topics will keep on rolling, as we look at the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the power of great music, and the mystery of our massive universe. And maybe the occasional picture of a squirrel. Thanks to all of you who have subscribed or tuned in on a regular basis. For those who left or couldn't bear that atrocious background I urge you to come back. We're bigger, better, and we might even have cookies. Oh yes.

While Switchfoot's Fading West album isn't scheduled for release until early next year, they've already embarked on an ambitious tour and in the process have been gracious enough to give us a three track EP as a preview of what we can expect when the full album drops. Let me assure you that if this EP is any indication of what's to come then this will no doubt we one of their boldest and most interesting records to date. Lead single "Who We Are" opens the EP with surprising fashion, with its layered vocals and pop sensibilities. There's a VERY distinct MGMT vibe going on here and it fits the band really well; at first I was a bit confused about what they were trying to do but several listens later I was easily won over. "Love Alone is Worth the Fight" is an atmospheric powerhouse, propelled forward by a piano in the intro and processed beats and guitar fills during the verses. The expansive nature of the track, as well as the EP as a whole, ...

So check this out: Venus is the only planet in our solar system that rotates clockwise. Another fun fact you can know and tell at parties. 

If there's one thing I struggle with it's integrating myself into the local church. The idea of joining a small group or having to attend big social events is a daunting one, especially for introverts like myself who would rather spend their free time reading a book, dissecting a record, or indulging in the odd video game or two. Knowing other people is rarely something that inspires me, nor do I typically go out of my way to achieve it. I just assumed it was my quiet and reserved nature that leads to this train of thought (and that certainly plays a large role) but lately I've felt convicted about it for another reason. There's a rising feeling deep inside me that thinks part of it has to do with the fear of truly being known and exposed for exactly who I am.  When it comes to God's word we have no excuses, even if we like to think we do. It's far too easy for me to claim that unless I'm a leader or have a special skill then I can sit quietly in the p...

...U2 met for the first time at Larry Mullen, Jr.'s house to practice and discuss forming a band. I think we all know how that turned out. Happy birthday U2!

Today marks 17 years since Weezer's sophomore album Pinkerton hit the shelves. Since it's one of my favorite records it's only appropriate to dedicate a few paragraphs to it. Nearly 20 years after releasing their classic debut, Weezer seems just as renowned for the differing opinions on their legacy as they do for their music. There are many who will argue that this record, their sophomore effort, was the last truly great work they did and it was all downhill from there. There's certainly no denying that their first two releases deserve the legendary status they've been given and Pinkerton may very well be their crowning achievement, a testament to bold storytelling, tremendous energy, and a willingness to follow your own path regardless of what's expected. Pinkerton isn't easily digestible at first, a distorted cacophony of wailing guitars, pounding drums, and roaring basslines. Rivers' voice displays so much emotion, from frustration to confus...

I went into this release blind, having heard none of the songs and knowing virtually nothing about what how it would sound. MGMT is a duo that is full of surprises, to say the least, and this release is no exception. It's chaotic, loud, psychedelic, and free-flowing. Those looking for another repeat of their debut will once again be disappointed, as this picks up right where their excellent sophomore album left off. For listeners looking for something challenging and different, then this is a trippy and wonderful world to visit, if only out of curiosity. "Alien Days" is a fitting opener, with vocals and atmospheric twists that help to make it sound as if it's being transmitted from another planet. Like most of the tracks presented on this record, it's ripe for interpretation and multiple listens to uncover everything it has to offer. "Mystery Disease" would have fit in well on Congratulations , its distorted drums and chiming synth work coalesce into...

Here's a quick little nugget about the Andromeda Galaxy. While it's the largest galaxy in the Local Cluster, it's not considered to be the largest overall. Our own Milky Way is thought to contain more dark matter, thus making it the most massive.  Funny how even what you can't see can make something bigger!

Today NASA posted a photo on Instagram in memory of September 11, 2001. As you can see, it shows the smoke rising into the sky from the rubble of the World Trade Center and it's a haunting reminder of what happened and what we're up against.  Frank Culbertson, an astronaut who was the only American in space during the 9/11 attacks, wrote this from his vantage point: It’s horrible to see smoke pouring from wounds in your own country from such a fantastic vantage point. The dichotomy of being on a spacecraft dedicated to improving life on the earth and watching life being destroyed by such willful, terrible acts is jolting to the psyche, no matter who you are. And the knowledge that everything will be different than when we launched by the time we land is a little disconcerting. I have confidence in our country and in our leadership that we will do everything possible to better defend her and our families, and to bring justice for what has been done. I have confide...

Arctic Monkeys is currently one of the hardest working bands in music and it's a title that's been earned through tireless touring, promotion, and experimentation. It seems only fitting that the band who holds the record for the fastest-selling debut album in British music history should arrive at their self-titled fifth release in top form. AM is a bustling collection of energetic tunes packed to the rafters with hooks, melodies, and the band's trademark wit, making it one of the year's best releases. Chances are you've had a chance to listen to "Do I Wanna Know?" or "R U Mine?" by this point. Those tracks are wonderful in their own right but it would be unwise to assume the best tracks have been released upfront. The rest of the record is ripe with deep grooves and relentless energy. The funky soul-pop of "Knee Socks" finds frontman Alex Turner crooning in a gentle falsetto that sounds so natural and confident that you ca...

Have you ever noticed that the very first verse of the Bible states that God is a creator? In fact, He's the creator of our entire universe and everything in it, including us. Think about it: our God is a worker, tirelessly creating, intervening, sustaining, and renewing. He never tires, never feels overworked, never takes a day off, and doesn't need board members and numerous votes to make decisions. Don't you wish your job gave you that kind of freedom and satisfaction? While many of us may toil away in unsatisfying jobs (or be in the process of looking for work, as I know many of you may be) it's vital to our spiritual well-being to remember that we work for the Lord first and foremost.   Too often we become complacent in our jobs and it's easy to assume that whatever we do is irrelevant, meaningless, or unnecessary. Believe me when I saw I've held my fair share of jobs that seemed mundane and downright frustrating. It's part of the curse we be...

Science-fiction and space travel have always gone well together, like chocolate and peanut butter or whatever strange food combination you prefer. Futurama stands out to me because it embraced the future and exploring the far reaches of the universe but used it as a backdrop for characters that we can all relate to and situations that that we can't help but laugh at. It works as a sitcom, drama, science lesson, nerd companion, and adventure series. Tonight the show will air its series finale and those of us who have faithfully followed the exploits of the Planet Express crew will be forced to say goodbye to old friends and the fascinating world of New New York in the 31st century. It's hard not to feel the sadness of watching this end (at least for the time being) but now's as good a time as any to reminisce and remember just how much joy and wonder this show has brought to all of us. The show had a rocky start when it premiered on Fox back in 1999. The problem s...

Released in November of 2004, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb was met with a lot of hype and big expectations. It had been four years since the band's last album and coupled with their own iPod and the massive hit of "Vertigo", it was a lot to take in and an exciting time to be a U2 fan. Some fans and critics complained that this album didn't break any new ground sonically, which I'll admit is true for the most part. However, I don't believe a record needs to be innovative to be great and in the end it's the songs themselves that determine an album's success. I loved this record when it first came out and at the time I thought it might just be the band's best work to date. Does it still hold up nine years later? I believe it does and it does so extremely well. "Vertigo" was a well-deserved hit and an example of the band having fun with their big sound. There's a louder and more abrasive edge (no pun intended) to this album, with ...