Free Music!

Ronnie from Skyhawk Drive has a side project called "Safe And Sound". He recently released an EP through NoiseTrade absolutely free! I haven't been able to listen to it yet, but I'm sure it's good! Be sure to check it out here!

Mission Six Giveaway Winner!

The randomly chosen winner of the Mission Six "Shockwave" MVP Giveaway is......

Courtney!

Congratulations Courtney! I will be in contact with you as soon as possible! Enjoy!

California, Yosemite and Youth Camps!

Hey guys!
It's Lisa here, and although I'm afraid I'm too busy to give you a REAL post, I thought I'd update you really quick on what's going on.

We've been in California for almost a week, and I'm really enjoying it! We stayed with a Pastor friend last weekend and saw Yosemite, which is absolutely gorgeous! The teenagers around here are really friendly, and I've made quite a few new friends.

We are now at the Boy's Rodeo Camp, where my family is helping out at another Pastor's ranch. They host two rodeo camps, one for girls (I missed it by a week!) and this week is the boys. There's around 30 boys, mostly under 13, but boy can they rope and tie! On Saturday there'll be a big rodeo competition where the boys will compete for buckles, ribbons and hats. Another girl volunteer taught me how to twirl a lasso today, and I can now say I can rope a dummy cow! It's SUPER hot out here with the temperatures hitting 106 degrees. A lot different than Pennsylvania!

Next week, if everything works out, I'll be going to another youth camp, then heading home. I'll try to get some of my friends to do guest posts, so keep an eye out for that. I just want to say thanks to my wonderful friend Katherine who put up my Memento Mori Review!

Keep hanging in there!
Lisa

Memento Mori by Flyleaf Review

I’ve been a fan of Flyleaf for a while now, with their debut album, “Flyleaf” being an all-time favorite in my music library. Flyleaf’s second album was released in 2009, and successfully managed to avoid the “sophomore slump”.

      Starting the album off is “Beautiful Bride”, an anthem for the Church today to unite and be strengthened through him. Flyleaf brings their signature sound, and Lacey’s voice is stunning. “Again”, one of Memento Mori’s first singles comes second, and is full of amazing lyrics such as “They don’t have to understand you, be still, wait, and know I understand you, be still!” This song is full of power and passion from start to finish.

      “Chasm” hits hard, with a warning message of Hell. This song follows the story Jesus told of the rich man and Lazarus, as told in Luke 16:19-31. (Please read this, it will really stir your heart for the lost.) The chorus is basically the rich man crying out, knowing the horrors of Hell. “Please, give me something, I’m so thirsty, I’m so thirsty! Please, let me warn them, don’t you come here! Don’t bring anyone here!” This song really stirred me, as during a sermon preached at my Grandmother’s church (nearly all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins are unsaved, but they go to the church.) the preacher had some of us read letters from someone we knew that went to Hell. I chose my Aunt Deana, who died in a horrific car crash, and based it off this song. “Chasm” is an amazing song, and as Lacey says, there is nothing more loving than to warn someone of Hell.

      “Missing” is slightly different from the normal style of Flyleaf songs, carrying a little synth and more of a pop rock feel. Lacey sings of missing the love of Christ in her life, and her vocals are passionate and strong. “This Close” follows, and is one of the best songs off the album. The lyrics are raw and honest, but best of all, Lacey really draws the listener in and you can really relate to this song. “The Kind” warns against promiscuity, and the “loveliness of sin” that quickly becomes a raging monster. There’s a lot less screaming in this album, but “The Kind” brings a small taste of that towards the end.

      “In The Dark” was the song that got me hooked on Flyleaf. This is such an amazing song, from start to finish. Powerful vocals, lyrics that describe things almost everyone goes through. The chorus pleads, “Jesus, kill me inside this, raise me up to live again, like you did, like you did!” The bridge is the strongest part of the song, with the Light (Christ) coming in, and Lacey screaming, “Damn the DARK!” This is by far one the best tracks on the album. One of the things I really like about Flyleaf’s screaming is it always sounds like a prayer or a plea, not someone just yelling to yell.

      “Set Apart This Dream” tells the story of two girls, one a pretty little girl who is abused, yet dreams of a place full of love and joy, while the other has been sold into human slavery as a prostitute, but dreams of a place where we only cry from joy. Lacey passionately reassures them God loves them and they are pure, clean, and lovely before Him, not the worthless beings they have been told they are. “Swept Away” is another heavy-hitter, with Lacey accusing a man of being a false teacher, demonic in his motives and deeds done just for show. However, the chorus encourages forgiveness and love, which brings healing to the broken Church. Lacey’s screaming returns in this song, and really sets the mood for this song: passionate and angry, yet having a desire for healing and change.

      “Tiny Heart” changes things up, with a beautiful slower beat, and could definitely be seen as either a love song to us from God or a love song to someone who doesn’t know how much we care for them. A creepy interlude follows, and brings us to “Treasure”, a moving song that talks of once we go through the trial fire, we become God’s treasure.  This song relates to Job’s story in the Bible, as well as I Peter 1:7. “Circle” speaks of the sacrifice Jesus made for us at Calvary, yet we won’t receive him. Lacey’s vocals mourn that she “left His arms empty, and outstretched for me until he died.” The true theme of this song is the amazing Love of God. This is a beautiful song about the crucifixion and coming to Christ.

      “Arise” ends the album, encouraging the listener not to give up, to arise and be everything they dreamed; to fight for what’s right and be strong in Christ. I didn’t think Flyleaf could get any better, but they really turned it up a notch for this song. Lacey’s vocals have never sounded better or more passionate.

      “Memento Mori” is a must-have for your music library. The album is full of Biblical messages, passionate, meaningful lyrics, Lacey’s amazing vocals, and of course that signature Flyleaf sound.

Update

Hey all you awesome blog readers!
i have been in Illinois visiting my grandma for the past week, and we are now unexpectedly going to california for almost two weeks to help out at a pastor's youth camp. I most likely wont be able to post much, but my wonderful friend Katherine has agreed to help me out . so be on the lookout for some stuff from her! i'll also email her a few posts. meanwhile be sure to check out my other reviews, interviews, and throwback thursdays!

thanks!
by the way. sorry about all the weird lowercase stuff! i dont know what is going on with my phones keyboard right now.

Throwback Thursday: DigHayZoose

Ok, I have to admit, I picked this band for Throwback Thursday simply because of the HILARIOUS name. Apparently "DigHayZoose" is a misspelled version of the Spanish way to say "Dig Jesus".

One of the first Christian Alternative bands, DigHayZoose was considered to be a clone of The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jane's Addiction. DigHayZoose released their first album, "Strugglefish" in 1991. Tours followed, and they even played at Cornerstone Festival. "MagentaMantaLoveTree" released in 1993, and clocked in at an astounding 65 minutes. Personally I find most of their music a little strange, as they claimed to use the language of psychedelia to create bizarre and unusual lyrics, but, it WAS the 90's. Their music was definitely rock tinged with Praise & Worship, with all the 90's craziness thrown in. After being released from their contract in 1994, DigHayZoose announced their leave from the record label at Cornerstone Festival and released on final album in 1995. They searched for a new label and made a handful of demos before disbanding in 1997.

Bil Brown, the bassist, created a "neo-psychedelic" Christian band called "Hot Pink Turtle" and they released one album, entitled, (and I kid you not) "TickleWiggleJigglePickle". Ummm....ok. It was reviewed as a "hodge podge of music and meanings". This is definitely one of the craziest bands I've ever heard of. I keep reminding myself, "It was the 90's, it was the 90's."



The band reunited in 2005 to rerecord their material from the Infrared era, and several band members have side projects now. I wonder what they will name their albums..."Funkymonkeychunkyklunky"?

Versus: "Flyleaf" vs. "Flyleaf EP"

VERSUS

In 2004, an up and coming female-fronted band released an EP. What band? Flyleaf, that's who! A year later, their full album released to great response from both the mainstream and Christian markets. There are a lot of things that changed from the EP to the full release though, so today we're going to put the two releases against each other, and decide whether we like the original versions of the songs better, or the ones off the full-length album.


The first two songs to duke it out are: I'm So Sick vs. I'm So Sick (EP Version)


The original version is very different than the version that made it onto Flyleaf's debut album. The original version seems to be in a higher key, has more screaming, a bridge and a tag. I prefer most of this version compared to the album version. The bridge and tag on this version really strengthens the song, but the album version seems to be in a better key. That being said, "I'm So Sick (EP Version)" wins this battle.


"Fully Alive" vs. "Fully Alive" (EP Version)


I like the album version of this song better, although I really like the raw sound of the EP version. The album version with the guitar solo wins out, as it sounds more polished and because I'm a sucker for guitar solos. :)


"Breathe Today" vs. "Breathe Today" (EP Version)
Why, oh WHY did Flyleaf cut out the intro to "Breathe Today" found on the EP version? It added so much to the song. The one problem I have with the EP version is there's a weird reverb on Lacey's voice that you can hear in certain parts. However, that's not a huge deal. The EP version wins this battle with the great intro. This was a close one, because the album version is just as good, but the EP version barely had the edge with the intro.

"I'm Sorry" vs. "I'm Sorry" (EP Version)
This is the one song on the EP that the album version clearly wins over. Both versions are good, however the album version seems to be in a better key and packs more of a punch.


"Cassie" vs. "Cassie" (EP Version)
However, "Cassie" (EP Version) clearly wins over the album version. The intro is more in your face, the raw sound of the EP version hits hard, and it's nice to hear Lacey's screams not be messed with. The only problem is they used that strange reverb again.


"Red Sam" vs. "Red Sam" (EP Version)
Once again, the EP version is victorious over the album version. Lacey's vocals seem stronger and more personal, and that weird reverb actually works on this song. I wish they would've left the bridge in the album version. There is no question in my mind that the EP version is the best.


Now to tally up the wins....

Album Version Wins: 2     EP Version Wins: 4

It's definitely a matter of taste when it comes to comparing the different versions. The EP has a raw feel to it, with messier guitars (not skill-wise, for sure!) and untouched screams, as well as a few unexpected intros and bridges. The album versions of the songs polished to perfection, with cleaner guitars, a few lyric cuts, and smoother vocals. Both albums are extremely good, and deserve a place in your music library. The EP has been pulled off iTunes, but you can still buy it at Amazon MP3 for only $3.61. Who can pass up a deal like that?