Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Superlist: Female-Fronted Bands

I love women who can sing. I love women who can scream. I love female-fronted bands. Ever since Evanescence's meteoric rise in 2003, I've been captivated by bands that have the influence of a woman in a rock band. In what is generally considered a male-dominant formats of Active and Alternative Rock, there have been many bands that have charted with songs and have been touring the States.

I'll mention most of the bigger bands that I like before I get to a list of the small, up and coming bands that I've been listening to for years. If you haven't heard from some bands, take a listen.

The Main Eventers:

The Up and Comers (not in particular order):
13. Renfue
21. Estrum
25. Eowyn
35. Valora
36. UnSun
38. Ardor
43. Dilana
49. Lunic

RIP

If you have any decent female-fronted bands that sound anything like these bands, I'm all ears.

You'd better like some of them, I've worked on this list for close to two hours now.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

An Analysis of American Idol: Season 8

In less than two hours from this post, history will be made yet again as America crowns its American Idol for the eighth time.

I figured it'd be appropriate to talk about it. But wait, this IS a rock music blog is it?

Sure it is, but that doesn't mean I don't follow anything else.

This is the first season I've watched pretty much in full since Season 2. I really only like a few Idols that have won, so why should I care?

Because quite simply, I like the competition. And in times as they are, it serves as a nice escape.

Now onto the analysis.

This season can be best be summed up in two words: Adam Lambert.

Whether people love him, hate him, or are indifferent, this season has been defined by his performances.

People weeks in advance have crowned him as the next American Idol and that may indeed be so.

But the true test will come after. If he does win, what's his sound going to be like? I can't imagine what it would be like, but I'm pretty sure it's not going to be that of a typical pop star.

Is he going to be marketable past Idol or is he going to become the next Taylor Hicks? I would hate to say it, but it would seem that way. As shallow as it sounds, music is a business first.

I'm not knocking Adam for his singing talent (he has incredible range, but is generally not my kind of singer), however, I feel that his marketability will be the life and death of him. 

Kris Allen may be considered by critics to be boring and just another guy, but I honestly think that he's more marketable than Adam. At least with Kris, he pretty much knows who his audience is.

If 30 million people are watching the show every week for 12 weeks and you can't sell at least 500,000 copies of your debut record, you'd better believe you're not going to be on that label anymore.

Remember that this is a singing contest, but it is much more. It's a popularity contest. Alison Iraheta may have very well deserved to be in the top 3 and perhaps even in the final after the performance she gave. 

This season can also be summed up with two more words: Kara Dioguardi (I was waiting for this.).

The new judge has been met with mixed reviews...actually most people would rather have her gone. Say what you want about the woman, but when it comes to talent, she knows what she's talking about. She's a talented songwriter, no matter what you think of "No Boundaries", and is a hell of a singer.

This season has had its good points and bad points, but I think overall this show has actually become stronger. A part of it is because the Idols actually do more with the music. They now play instruments, they now re-interpret classic songs. Some for the better, some for the worse.

One thing I wish they'd do more of though is use more current songs.

Chris Daughtry used Shinedown's "I Dare You" and it became their most popular single at the time.

Chris Sligh used Mutemath's "Typical" and it became their most popular single to date.

American Idol needs to exploit its place in the music industry to promote what's going on now.

They already do some of that by bringing artists onto their shows, but I think they can do more if they used more current songs.

Well played, AI. Well played.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Favorite Songs (5/17/09)

It was safe to say that I was going to do this at some point. I don't want to make a habit of it, but this is a snapshot of what would be my favorite songs of the moment.

1. Sick Puppies-You're Going Down: Ever since this song leaked a couple of days ago, I've had the song on repeat. I haven't played a song this much in a row since Breaking Benjamin's Diary of Jane.

2. The Veer Union-Seasons: Catchy, heavy, and flat out great stuff. And we just found out that Sick Puppies and The Veer Union will be on a tour together with Hurt.

3. Hurt-Pandora: And speaking of Hurt...I decided not to put the lead single up here because that would have been the easy thing to do. I LOVE this song, the frantic verses and the beautiful piano outro. It's sex in song form.

4. Halestorm-Innocence: Another non-single here. This song was co-written with CFW blog favorite Ben Moody. It's part of the reason that it's my favorite song on the album...or maybe all of it.

5. Dredg-I Don't Know: Well, as I said before, it's kind of weird for me as a Christian to gravitate to this song because of its skeptical view on religion. However, I feel that I can relate to the song because of its hook.

6. Dredg-Saviour: Might as well add another one.

7. People in Planes-Mayday (M'aidez): This song's been out for a while but the video just came out for it and I fell in love with the song again.

8. Ra-Supernova: This band can do no wrong, releasing song after song of goodness. Most underrated band ever. Seriously.

9. Nural-Stop Me When You've Had Enough: How this band is not raping rock radio is absolutely shocking. This album is like a male version of Paramore's Riot!

10. Madina Lake-Never Take Us Alive: See Nural.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Favorite riffs.

Riffs are a rock song's DNA. 90% of the time, they make the song what it is. Of course, there are so many songs to choose from, but I'm going to give you just a sample of some of my personal favorites. Some of them are no-brainers and some of them are relatively new. All of them are awesome.

1. Alice in Chains-Man in the Box: And speaking of no brainers...

2. Deftones-My Own Summer (Shove It): This song has such a great riff to groove to. Easily one of the most recognizable riffs of the last 15 years.

3. Muse-Stockholm Syndrome: This is my favorite Muse song just for the riff. 

4. Sevendust-Inner City Blues: I could theoretically add any Sevendust song I want on this list, but I added this one because of how they made it their own and somehow made it sound close enough to the original without losing it.

5. Ra-Do You Call My Name: I love how this song incorporates a Middle Eastern vibe and then kills you with the beat.

6. Black Water Rising-Brother Go On: The song is only a year old, but having heard it, it really sticks in your head. This song was one of my favorites of all of last year.

7. Seether-Remedy: Probably the only Seether song that I could ever dance to. The song is a catchy party song that's not really a party song at all!

8. Three Days Grace-Animal I Have Become: Howard Benson's producing peak right here. This is the song I feel he'll be most remembered for producing because of the riff, the catchy lyrics, and the danciest drum beat this side of Paralyzer.

9. Red-Shadows: This song ought to be the next single for Innocence and Instinct. It just has to happen!

Submit a band!

I told you guys to stay tuned!

This is your forum. If you guys have a band or artist I should feature and you think they're good enough, reply to this message. I can't promise that I'll promote the band right away, but I promise that I'll at the very least listen to them.

I feel myself starting to run out of good bands to promote and I don't want to do that so that I stop writing entries. 

A band a day...The Fleeting Moment

Pennsylvania is really starting to become a hotbed for great rock bands. I've mentioned Halestorm, Breaking the Silence, and of course there's always Breaking Benjamin.

Could The Fleeting Moment be next in line?

The Fleeting Moment is:
Jordan Barmore (Vocals/Guitar)
Brad Kramer (Guitar/Vocals/Keys)
Jon Covert (Bass/Vocals/Keys)
Drew Kramer (Drums)

The Fleeting Moment kind of reminds me of some of the early 2000's pop-rock bands that were exploding onto the scene such as Vertical Horizon and Nine Days based on the song "Six Billion Pieces". Their demos seem to be moving in somewhat of a heavier direction though.

By the way, I'd like to thank the user Flyfreak on Tunelab Music who recommended them, making this band the first featured band to have actually been recommended by someone else on this blog.

If you have any bands that you'd like to recommend, you know what to do...or actually...I have a better plan. Stay tuned.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

A band a day...Damone

Sometimes failing can be a good thing.

Let me explain. Damone has jumped from label to label before finally self-releasing their third album and with each release, they have gotten better and better.

Damone is:
Noelle LeBlanc (Vocals/Guitar)
Mike Woods (Lead Guitar/Vocals)
Vazquez (Bass)
Dustin Hengst (Drums)

Damone started in 2002 on RCA Records when they released From the Attic. Their deal fell through and then they got signed in 2006 by Island who released Out Here All Night. They left Island in 2008 and then without any warning released Roll the Dice late last year.

I'm not a big fan of classic rock. I just can't get into it.
I'm not a big fan of pop-punk. I just can't get into it.

However, this band has elements of both in their sound. And I LOVE them. They can shred and they know how to write a hook.

Somehow, this band always seems to wind up getting a raw deal.

I think they could theoretically be added to the Hidden Classics list with their last two records that I've purchased.

Noelle's style may remind you of a Joan Jett, but her voice is more reminiscent of Karen O. from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

This band has perfect party music if you don't feel like dancing. 

Here's a live video for "What We Came Here For" from Out Here All Night.

If you don't feel like going on I-Tunes, you can grab their newest album, Roll the Dice, from Amie Street for a little over $2.

Bargain album of the year for me.

We now interrupt this music program to bring you this special report.

I got on TV!

Well, Roger Clark of New York 1 News approached me to get interviewed and he was a nice guy. I don't normally just draw attention to myself so I kind of forced it.

I've got to find a way to get over my shyness and while I was visibly nervous, I think I made my points clear enough. Thanks New York 1 and thanks Roger Clark!

This has been Christopher Fuentes-Woods, reporter for the CFW Rocks Music Blog. We now return you to kickass music already in progress.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Favorite Music DVD's

Music DVD's come in so many different forms: As part of the special edition of an album, as a visual companion to the album, or perhaps it simply stands alone.

This list was not easy as I think I have enough music DVD's to make my own cable music network (Hey, I can always dream...)

12. People in Planes-Beyond the Horizon Live DVD: Aside from the album being brilliant, the live companion of this album is also great. In some instances, it's a completely different experience to listen to those songs live.

11. Thrice-Live at the House of Blues: Very simple live DVD that features the very best Thrice songs in about two live hours of music. The set is every bit as diverse as the music found on The Alchemy Index , ranging from screams in "The Messenger" to the bluesy "Come All You Weary".

10. Sevendust-Retrospective: I'm actually a relatively new Sevendust fan as I didn't start getting into them until I got the greatest hits set back in 2004, which is around the same time that Corey Lowery left. This pre-Animosity retrospective goes through performances, music videos and interviews, including the still fresh accident that killed Snot frontman James Lynn Strait.

9. Flyleaf-Beneath the Surface: Consider this DVD an unofficial, official release. It's not a typical DVD, which is in part why I put it up here. If you ever wanted to switch places with a rockstar for a day, this is your chance to see what it would be like without having to sneak into their bushes.

8. Evans Blue-Unplugged Melody: This DVD came as a Best Buy exclusive to those who bought The Pursuit Begins When This Portrayal of Life Ends. Aside from the cover of Possession, every song from the first record was redone acoustically with sexy results.

7. Godsmack-Greatest Hits Acoustic DVD: This DVD, much like the other one is an acoustic record, but it's not completely unexpected as they also released The Other Side. It's just so well done though. They even managed to do an acoustic version of fan-favorite "Batalla de los Tambores (Battle of the Drums)"

6. Finger Eleven-Then vs. Us. vs. Now: This is the ultimate retrospective for any fan. Aside from having a CD full of demos and rare tracks, the DVD contains video material from every album they've released and somehow including two mini live sets bringing the DVD to almost three hours in length. I can describe how good the retrospective is in three words: Rainbow Butt Monkeys.

5. Seether-One Cold Night: Yes, it's yet another acoustic DVD. The great part about this DVD is that it features a song in their catalog that they'd never done before and a cover that they'd only done a number of times before performing it on this official release. But the most surprising part of this DVD was an in-depth interview with WMMR's Pierre Robert that actually got bassist Dale Stewart to talk!

4. Alice in Chains-MTV Unplugged: This is the classic MTV show at its best (when MTV actually stood for its name) with one of the last shows ever featuring frontman Layne Staley. You could tell that he was a bit distant, but he was still very much there if that makes any sense to you.

3. Demon Hunter-45 Days: This is one of my personal favorite DVD's ever. I actually don't include their live DVD, even though that's included in the 3 disc package. However, this is actually a feature length documentary that covers a tour from last year with Living Sacrifice. The cinematography in this DVD is just so stunning. It's completely done in black and white and it feels more like a movie than your traditional DVD. Even if you don't like the band, I think you can appreciate what is done on this DVD. My personal favorite part of the movie is when you hear all of the fan stories about the connections to the music. I wish every artist would have a DVD like this one.

2. Killswitch Engage-(Set This) World Ablaze: This is one of my favorite DVD's because a part from being a home show, it was filled with music videos and hilarious interviews featuring band members and members of other bands. Plus Adam D. is just ridiculous. This is the funniest music DVD I've ever seen.

1. Muse-H.A.A.R.P.:Epic doesn't even begin to describe this. It's a live performance and only a live performance, but just calling it that would seem like an insult when you watch this. This is a home show by one of the greatest live bands in the world. Watching this DVD isn't just a live performance, it's an experience. The way it's shot, you feel as if you're a part of the 70,000 that watched that day. They're not the heaviest band in the world, but they are every bit as intense.

Musical Elitism

This blog entry is inspired by a couple of reviews from a website that shall remain nameless so as to not give this person any credibility. I can rule one site out immediately: Tunelab Music.

This person seems to make it a point to bash artists. Every sentence more virulent than the last, but much like the reviews, don't seem to go anywhere. It's even worse than when Maxim had the Black Crowes fiasco.

I used to do CD reviews of my own back when I had the Rockturtle blog, but then I thought to myself "Well, I'm not a musician and I don't know what plays good, I just think I know what sounds good."

So that's what I set out this blog to do. Rather than focus on the artists or artists that I don't like, I make it a habit to promote the artists that I like in the hopes that those checking this blog out listen to them.

I don't claim to be a know it all and I'm definitely not holier than thou.

I hope you keep checking it out and keep listening. 

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Hidden Classics

There are plenty of albums that I've mentioned on this site that are very much well-known. However, for every really great album that gets noticed, there's always a diamond in the rough. I spent a little time digging in the crates, looking for lesser known artists that never quite get their due.

1. Acceptance-Phantoms (2005): This pop-rock band put out this amazing record in 2005. I thought of the record as a fresher sounding Coldplay. "Different", the first single, was just the tip of the iceberg. It's a beautifully crafted record and it's just a shame that it didn't have more commercial success. The band broke up the very next year. Members have gone on to form bands such as Search/Rescue. One of the members went on to become part of Universal act Anberlin.

2. Big Wreck-In Loving Memory Of (1997): Before I was completely into rock like I am now, I remember watching Big Wreck's video for "The Oaf" on Muchmusic Canada and I remember I actually liked it and would watch the video anytime it was on their top 30 Countdown. I was lucky enough to pick this record up from a bargain CD store last year and love this record. The Canadian band released one more record before the band broke up. Ian Thornley went on to form the band Thornley, who released their second record Tiny Pictures earlier this year.

3. The Receiving End of Sirens-Between the Heart and the Synapse (2005): Great band with an atypical sound and lyrical approach. This is one of those albums you actually have to read the lyrics to because they really sound as if you're reading a poem. Just take a listen to "Planning a Prison Break". They'd go on to release The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi before ending in 2007. I think VersaEmerge's sound is influenced by this band.

4. Revis-Places for Breathing (2003): This album is very well known among my friends and fellow fans of this music. As good as this record was though, it was a "one and done" record. "Seven" is one of my favorite songs ever. Justin Holman went on to play for the band Aujalyn. Two other members went on to form The Yelling.

5. Parmalee-Inside (2004): For the record, the link I posted of Inside is just three songs from the record since they didn't have the whole thing on Myspace. Also for the record, this record is great. It's a straight up hard-rock album that always fills you up and never lets you down (sorry for the copyright infringement, Bud Light). I remember seeing these guys the first time I went to the Crash Mansion with Rev(elation) Theory. The album is a nice straight listen. Unlike most of the bands on this list, this one is actually still together. Most recently, they've opened for Hinder, 3 Doors Down, and Theory of a Deadman.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Child Prodigies

I am a humongous drums fan. Drums are my favorite instrument and if I could play, I would.

For those of you who visit Youtube, you guys may have seen a video of a young 12 year old Tony Royster Jr. going nuts on a drum solo. I was still playing with my WWE action figures at 12 years old. How this kid did what he did is astounding enough. He's gone on to drum in a band called Lazyeye and he also has drummed for Jay-Z.

This week, I found myself at a loss for words at a four year old that has essentially killed my desire to ever play drums. The kid is not perfect. Yeah, I know. Shut the hell up. Give him two years, he'll be throwing sticks in the air like he's Ray Luzier. Most drummers when they play wear band shirts or just play shirtless. This kid's wearing Shrek like a little bad-ass.

But drums aren't the only instrument that little kids can own.

They play guitar and boy, do they!

I mean, at 8 years old, I barely had enough hand-eye coordination to tie my God damned shoes. These little kids play guitar like freakin' Mark Tremonti.

Kids are getting better at doing this younger. Drive A, Crooked X, and Black Tide have played with Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, Trivium and other great bands.

I haven't even picked up an instrument and I quit!

A Band A Day...Uriah

Knock knock?

Who's there?


Uriah who?

Keep Uriah on the ball!

It was a joke, come on!

But this band certainly isn't.

Uriah is:
Lucas Carbajal (Vocals)
Philip Beer (Guitar)
Chris Breedlove (Bass)
Ryan Wade (Piano)
Ralf Muegler (Drums)

My last blog entry focused on an artist that plays the piano. This band also uses the piano, but in this case, it's like Mozart Metalcore.

Anybody that knows the type of stuff I listen to knows that I'm a sucker for strings and pianos. Their 2007 album Letters in Blood mixes piano with Killswitch Engage-esque intensity. It's as awesome as it sounds.

Sure, you have symphonic metal bands out there, but none of them have the slick production or commercial appeal that Uriah appears to have with their music.

Hollywood will never be the same.

Here's a promo vid for a new song called S.O.S.

Buuuuuuuut wait, there's MORE.

Two members of this band (Breedlove and Beer) also play in the same area for a band called Mission:Black with Chris Collier (Vocals) and Dan Stone (Drums).

They've got a great heavy modern rock sound that is undeniably catchy.

Both bands have a really great sound and it's just a matter of time before one of them or both of them break out.

Here's a live cover of Eleanor Rigby.

As an added bonus, you can actually download their song "We Collide" on Purevolume.

A Band...er uh...Artist A Day...Eric Lewis

I normally pimp metal bands and hard rock groups on this site...but during this week, I went on Absolute Punk and found a video of this guy performing.

I couldn't believe my eyes or my ears.

This guy was playing both the inside and the outside of the piano. 

Not to mention, he put a dark, but brilliant spin on a song from my favorite band.

Not to knock Vitamin's String and Piano tributes to bands, but it's not what Lewis covers that makes the music sound great, it's how he covers it that makes it sound great.

His influences range from Coltrane to Mudvayne. As weird as that may sound, you may actually hear a little bit of both in the way that he plays the piano.

According to a poster on Absolute Punk, his band ELEW intends to record a full length album of covers from bands like Thursday, Taking Back Sunday, and Thrice.

Epic would not even begin to describe that.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Who makes Steve Guttenberg...A STAR?!?

For those of you who don't know, I'm a major Simpsons buff and the Stonecutters song is one of my favorites on that show.

However, I'm not referring to that Steve Guttenberg, I'm referring to the one that made this article.

In the article, he talks about how the current industry is going to falter in three years and how the filters that separated us from the music industry have disappeared with the growth of the Internet and implied that it's hurt the business.

Which leads me to these questions:

Has the era of Myspace hurt the music business?

Have the multitude of bands to listen to actually negatively impacted the way you listen to music?

Has music become disposable?

Are you willing to pay for music? If not, why not?

Is too much music, too much?

For an audiophile like me, it's really hard to believe, but it sounds like a legitimate argument.

A band a day...Lovers and Liars

I've heard of this band for a couple of years, but I can't believe I've yet to give them any props.

Lovers and Liars is:
Stacy Hogan
Adam Nagel
Jason Stout
Stephen Taylor

A band from the bustling music scene of Nashville, Tennessee, this band has played for many national acts such as Seether, Shinedown, 10 Years, Theory of a Deadman, and more.

Their blend of rock may be very much different from the bands that they play with, but it is every bit as intense.

They are most influenced by and sound similar to Blue October

Last year, they put out a concept dual EP called Before & After the Awakening that deals with introspective struggle and cathartic release.

It's so good, even Jesus likes it. Jesus...Chad Kroeger...I get the two confused from time to time. How do you explain all of that radio play?

Anyway, Lovers and Liars is definitely a band worth checking out.

If they don't rock your socks off yet, perhaps you should check out performances of Nothing Left to Burn and a cover of Peter Gabriel's Digging in the Dirt.

If you're convinced you can buy their dual EP on Amie St. for less than $2 provided you don't wait too long.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Sexiest Songs...

My lists are going to be a little bit different. I don't want to post round numbers all the time. It makes things a bit easier to qualify and a bit more interesting.

1. Nine Inch Nails-Closer: OMG, duhhhh. You can't have a list like this and not expect this song to be on it. It's just not possible. While I'm at it, I'd like to add 2. "La Mer", 3. "Even Deeper", 4."The Hand That Feeds", 5. "All the Love in the World", 6."Me, I'm Not", and 7. "Discipline" (if you're into that sort of thing).

8. Deftones-Digital Bath: Even though NIN is #'s 1-7, I think that the Deftones' Digital Bath is perhaps sexier than those. 

9. Deftones-Change (in the House of Flies): I'd heard this song covered at a Seether song a few years ago, turned around and saw two people basically dry humping. It works.

10. Finger Eleven-Paralyzer: You may think this is a surprising choice, but this is like the rock version of "Jizz In My Pants".

11. The Lonely Island-Jizz In My Pants: That's right I said it.

12. Flyleaf-All Around Me: This song is less about being closer to God and more about being closer to God...

13. Hoobastank-Inside of You: Notice how most of the songs on this list are danceable. You can't have a sexy song without being close to someone.

14. Hurt-Pandora: A recent song off of their new album Goodbye to the Machine. It's less tongue in cheek and more tongue in somewhere else.

15. Melissa Auf Der Maur-Taste You: I don't know what's sexier...this song...or this song in French.

16. A Perfect Circle-Thinking of You: This may very well be my favorite music video ever. It's violent, it's sexy...exactly what masturbation should be about!

17. Psychostick-Orgasm = Love: This song is pretty. This song is disturbing. This song is pretty disturbing.

18. Red-Lost: Not so much an obvious choice, but listen to the words and I think and hope you'd agree.

19. Skratch n'Sniff-Addicted to Lollipops: Who knew that a remix would ever make this list? A mashup of Saving Abel's "Addicted" and Lil' Wayne's "Lollipop"...it's as if the songs themselves had sex and made a baby with facial tattoos.

20. Framing Hanley-Lollipop: While we're on Lollipop...as far as videos go, this was the sexiest one of all of last year. Unlike the porn I'm accustomed to, this one actually had dialogue! Well, that and strip poker.

21. Korn-A.D.I.D.A.S.: This is not a song about footwear, unless you're referring to fuck me pumps.

22. The Urgency-Fingertips: Because subtlety is overrated.

Giggidy.

Friday, May 1, 2009

CFW Rocks Live: Summer Music Preview (Part I: May and June)

Just as today begins the summer season for movies with the release of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, I'd like to use today as the beginning of the summer season for music and with that...there are some big releases coming up.

Starts with Decyfer Down on May 5th with new lead singer TJ Harris formerly of Fighting Instinct.

At first, I didn't know how I'd react to TJ Harris being the replacement for Caleb. However, TJ is the real deal live. No question.

Decyfer Down:

May keeps it going with Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown on May 15th (yes, that's a Friday).

Green Day:

June starts off with Taking Back Sunday's New Again

Taking Back Sunday:

Scooter Ward's alt-rock project The Killer and the Star will be putting out their self-titled debut and the first album for Sonicstar Records/Universal/Fontana in June.

The Killer and the Star:

Dredg puts out The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion on June 9th.

Dredg:

Evans Blue will be releasing their third album, a self-titled and their first with new lead singer Dan Chandler.

Evans Blue:

Finally, Killswitch Engage will be putting out a self-titled new album on June 30th.

Killswitch Engage:

All of these songs are brand new and are something to look for in the coming months.

May = List Month.

I've decided that the month of May will be mostly dedicated to lists of songs or artists.

Could be as simple as what I like right now, but I'm going through a kind of lull as far as bands are concerned which is why I haven't posted as much.

Hey, why all the Christian bands?

I don't know if you people have noticed or not, but throughout the blog, I've posted a lot of bands that would probably classify themselves as Christian artists.

It's not intentional, but it's just so you know. I don't mean to offend, but I guess it's that some of these bands just have great messages in their songs...some subtle...some, perhaps not so subtle.

I think of a Billboard article that I stumbled upon from big-time modern rock producer Howard Benson. At the time, he was producing Third Day's new record at the time, Revelation, which featured huge crossover artists such as Robert Randolph, Lacey Mosley, and Chris Daughtry.

Benson said this in Billboard:

I personally like Christian artists because they believe in something. As a producer, a lot of times what you're trying to do is find something that the artists believe in or something to be confident in. With a Christian artist, you know what that thing is.

I don't know if I'd go that far, but just look at his past history with artists like P.O.D., Flyleaf, and his most recent work with Skillet. Clearly, he's onto something.

*goes on tangent*

Metal: A Headbanger's Journey is a great documentary that discusses the history of metal, debunks stereotypes, and plays to stereotypes. The film, in part, discussed satanism's connections with metal. 

However, I'd actually like to see something that discusses modern Christian metal bands such as Demon Hunter and Underoath. You can't have one side of the story without the other and I think it'd make for an interesting spiritual debate when you consider that these artists could be influenced by the same artists but in completely different ways.

I guess a part of why I made this entry is because I don't want people to think that I would only listen to Christian artists. I don't want people to think that I'm any particular type of musical elitist.

Heck, I even listen to Dredg, who's upcoming album in June The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion seems to be inspired by themes of atheism and agnosticism.

I was born and raised a Christian, but I suppose we're all entitled to question or be inspired by our own spirituality from time to time.