Progressive, short for Progressive Rock, has always been categorized as the genre for musical "nerds". The length of a typical song varies from 5-10 minutes, the music is more concerned about the instrumentation rather than the mere appearance, and the performers are usually the best of their class. Pink Floyd, Genesis, Queen (at times), and Rush are a few of their earliest shining stars. However, while the genre did magnificently well in the late 60s to mid-70s, the genre was getting to generic, the passion seemed drained, and much of the experimentation of early bands went much away... and re-emerged in the punk scene.
However, amidst the lack of prog bands in the 80s, much of the heavy hitters transitioned to post-punk/new wave (King Crimson, Yes) and many were influential in other genres, including Thrash Metal. Also, many bands emerged making a hybrid sound of prog with heavy metal, namely Queensryche and Dream Theater. Through these newer bands, as long as old bands returning to their original sound/energy, the genre returned with newer bands taking the helm.
Now, much like previous blogs, there are some songs by these bands that are at least spiritually influenced. These songs are more overt, and one song in particular has language that might distract the spiritual influence.
1) Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet
Now, this is the song which contains the bad language. In spite of this, the music is heavy, dense, and has virtuosity. In spite of the language, the song is actually a great song which depicts the clear errors of modern day society. Addictions to video games/drugs, pre-marital sex, the glorification of violence, and pornography are all discussed, and not in a way which glorifies them, but rather in a way which paints them in a way which shows them as errors of human society and things in which should be fled from. It's almost like a sermon, kinda, but in a way which is depicted by a first-person account of a teenager which, like with much of the world, accepts these immoralities as normal. The need for something more is referenced, which although not mentioned (or maybe not intended in the frame of reference of Steven Wilson, the lyricist) is where the spirit comes into play.
2) The Spirit Caries On - Dream Theater
This is one of Dream Theater's more "classic prog" songs, with the instrumentation sounding vaguely similar to "Dark Side of the Moon"-era Pink Floyd. Now, I have to let ya know, while this song clearly has a lot of spiritual aspects to it, the main theme of the song, along with all of the songs of this album, is the idea of reincarnation. However, looking into a gospel-tinged lens, this can kinda apply to when we die... that is, when our spirits arrive to the spirit world. (Plus, it can allude to the pre-mortal life, but again that is a stretch given the initial theme of the album... and the idea of only our spirits going to heaven is entirely heretical...)
3) As Cities Burn - Our World is Grey
To sum up, I'll take a more Christian-influenced prog band, As Cities Burn. Yes, they have been listed earlier under the Indie Rock post, but this comes from their more prog-inflected album "Come Now Sleep". In addition to the vast landscapes this musically covers and the eccentric rhythm/guitar parts, this is lyrically profound. This asks one question, "Amidst all of the garbage many people do under Your name, amongst all of the struggles we encounter, why do You (Heavenly Father) still love us and, if so, why do we have to encounter all this evil and sorrow in our lives?" In addition, they mention people who replace God with material possessions, asking "What have we done?" It's profound because, while we know in the scriptures that all experience is "for our learning and our benefit", there are still times where we have to ask God why. The answer isn't easy, and this allows us to be humbled enough to come to Heavenly Father in prayer and ask for revelation.
More coming soon...
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Artist Profile: Thrice
Now, if you are as much of a "music freak" as I tend to be, you would agree that much of music today is getting pretty old. Pop bands sound similar to each other, rock bands (depending on how "hard" they are) sound identical, and creativity hard to be found, if not impossible at times when you are looking for relevant music that exhibits both creativity and the power to tap into the voice of the Holy Ghost. However, don't be in dismay, because there is a band that all of you might like, and that is Thrice.
Now, truth be told, Thrice shares a lot of commonalities to another creative, spirit-inflected band back in the 80's... U2. Firstly, they both started off playing a particular variety of punk rock. For U2, it was post-punk, the genre that took a lot of the creativity and ingenuity of the 70's-era punk scene and expanded it (even to the point in which progressive bands like King Crimson and Yes experimented in the new-found genre). For Thrice, however, they were practitioners of hardcore/screamo when they began. However, as both continued to grow musically and lyrically, both grew to be heavily experimental and lyrically facing towards Christ. In Thrice's case, it began as referencing works of the great theologian C.S. Lewis until, recently, they even weren't afraid to quote SCRIPTURE in their music. To give you a variety of their experimentations and Spirit-filled music, I'll give you, the reader, 4 examples from their last four albums: Vheissu, The Alchemy Index 1-4, and Beggars.
1) Vheissu: For Miles
This song starts off very quietly, with piano taking center-stage with distorted guitars providing a counter-melody. Musically, it builds up, getting louder and more bombastic until, at the end, the soothing vocals of Dustin Kensrue transform into throat-curtailing screams! Lyrically, however, this is a beast in itself. This song has a great sense of the optimism that the one who keeps his eyes to Christ will have, even to the end when we return home, looking at the trials of our past as "milestones on our way". The chorus continues the optimism, reminding the listener that "There's no greater love than the one who shed his blood for his friends..." Wait... that's a clear reference to Jesus! It's a fantastic, yet at the same time exhausting, song that really provides the listener to how Thrice is.
2) Alchemy Index 1-2: The Messenger
This song is a quick, heavy, electronic-filled bit of mayhem... in a good way. The lyrics make a reference to Isaiah ("Kiss the coal, breathe in smoke and I say, 'Here am I, send me.") to describe the struggle of preaching the Plan of Salvation to a world that Satan actively tries to deceive... Wait, it is also a reference to Christ in Abraham 3! (You can tell the excitement when I find all of the clear scriptural references in this band... that's probably why I like these guys so much!)
3) Alchemy Index 3-4: Come All You Weary
Unlike the last two songs, this song is a nice, smooth, mellow. bluesy-type of song. In a way, the music is very appropriate, since this speaks of Christ exhorting us to find rest by trading our burdens with His. This is another great example of Thrice's experimentation at work (imagine if this had any screaming in it... yikes!) The lyrical value, in addition to the nice blues-inspired music, help communicate to the listener Christ's desire for us to come to Him and find rest in this life that seems to be filled with strife and temptation.
4) Beggars: Beggars
This final song in this Artist Profile is much like the last song... nice, smooth, and a tad bit bluesy. Lyrically, however, it is probably one of the most deepest of all of the songs. Quoting King Benjamin's speech in Mosiah 4 (Thrice probably didn't use this, but the Spirit probably inspired them), this song is much a song of humility to all, since we all suffer from pride in our lives. All the blessings we've been given were brought forth by God's grace, and noting this we should be grateful for Him and thank Him for our blessings. I find it personally deep because, while I might not be a big-shot who swaggers all he has or a "know-it-all" scientist trying to disprove the need for God, I do suffer with pride at times. Maybe, instead of looking at the things I've been blessed with as mine, I should really thank Heavenly Father and continue to Praise Him always...
Keep posted!
Now, truth be told, Thrice shares a lot of commonalities to another creative, spirit-inflected band back in the 80's... U2. Firstly, they both started off playing a particular variety of punk rock. For U2, it was post-punk, the genre that took a lot of the creativity and ingenuity of the 70's-era punk scene and expanded it (even to the point in which progressive bands like King Crimson and Yes experimented in the new-found genre). For Thrice, however, they were practitioners of hardcore/screamo when they began. However, as both continued to grow musically and lyrically, both grew to be heavily experimental and lyrically facing towards Christ. In Thrice's case, it began as referencing works of the great theologian C.S. Lewis until, recently, they even weren't afraid to quote SCRIPTURE in their music. To give you a variety of their experimentations and Spirit-filled music, I'll give you, the reader, 4 examples from their last four albums: Vheissu, The Alchemy Index 1-4, and Beggars.
1) Vheissu: For Miles
This song starts off very quietly, with piano taking center-stage with distorted guitars providing a counter-melody. Musically, it builds up, getting louder and more bombastic until, at the end, the soothing vocals of Dustin Kensrue transform into throat-curtailing screams! Lyrically, however, this is a beast in itself. This song has a great sense of the optimism that the one who keeps his eyes to Christ will have, even to the end when we return home, looking at the trials of our past as "milestones on our way". The chorus continues the optimism, reminding the listener that "There's no greater love than the one who shed his blood for his friends..." Wait... that's a clear reference to Jesus! It's a fantastic, yet at the same time exhausting, song that really provides the listener to how Thrice is.
2) Alchemy Index 1-2: The Messenger
This song is a quick, heavy, electronic-filled bit of mayhem... in a good way. The lyrics make a reference to Isaiah ("Kiss the coal, breathe in smoke and I say, 'Here am I, send me.") to describe the struggle of preaching the Plan of Salvation to a world that Satan actively tries to deceive... Wait, it is also a reference to Christ in Abraham 3! (You can tell the excitement when I find all of the clear scriptural references in this band... that's probably why I like these guys so much!)
3) Alchemy Index 3-4: Come All You Weary
Unlike the last two songs, this song is a nice, smooth, mellow. bluesy-type of song. In a way, the music is very appropriate, since this speaks of Christ exhorting us to find rest by trading our burdens with His. This is another great example of Thrice's experimentation at work (imagine if this had any screaming in it... yikes!) The lyrical value, in addition to the nice blues-inspired music, help communicate to the listener Christ's desire for us to come to Him and find rest in this life that seems to be filled with strife and temptation.
4) Beggars: Beggars
This final song in this Artist Profile is much like the last song... nice, smooth, and a tad bit bluesy. Lyrically, however, it is probably one of the most deepest of all of the songs. Quoting King Benjamin's speech in Mosiah 4 (Thrice probably didn't use this, but the Spirit probably inspired them), this song is much a song of humility to all, since we all suffer from pride in our lives. All the blessings we've been given were brought forth by God's grace, and noting this we should be grateful for Him and thank Him for our blessings. I find it personally deep because, while I might not be a big-shot who swaggers all he has or a "know-it-all" scientist trying to disprove the need for God, I do suffer with pride at times. Maybe, instead of looking at the things I've been blessed with as mine, I should really thank Heavenly Father and continue to Praise Him always...
Keep posted!
Artist Profile: Switchfoot
For anyone who has been alive around the turn of the 21st Century, you probably have heard of the ever-so-famous rock band Switchfoot. Even if you haven't heard of the name before, it would be shocking to say that you haven't heard of their tunes before. Whether it be their hard-rocking "Meant to Live" to their powerful ballad "Dare You to Move", the songs should be very recognizable. However, what many few might not know is that they are not only famous among the other mainstream groups of today, but they also have a strong base among Evangelical Christians. With this, there are obviously spirit-induced lyrics among the rock cover. And, as part of this blog's fashion, I'll present you a few examples, even though one or two might not be well known to people who don't have their albums.
1) "On Fire"
This song, featured on their mainstream debut The Beautiful Letdown, is one of their many slow moving ballads in the album. Musically, much of the song is presented with music provided by the piano and an acoustic guitar, in addition to well constructed ambient soundscapes. Lyrically, however, the song is really about seeking out the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost in a world that expects people to be complacent with mediocrity and sin. It truly is a good song to listen to while reading the scriptures during a difficult time of temptation and weakness.
2) "Twenty-Four"
This song, much like "On Fire", is a slow-moving ballad on The Beautiful Letdown. In fact, musically, it is a pretty similar tune, with a piano and guitar providing the music and an orchestra/choir providing background music. This song is mainly a song of repentance... true repentance. Not just simply getting on your knees telling Heavenly Father, "Sorry for getting caught," but rather, "Please forgive me and help me change..." In fact, the element in which is used to describe the type of conversion that is being sought is, "I am the second man now." This born-again experience, which is echoed in the scriptures, is emphasized to help us remember how we as Christians should repent and change.
Much more coming up! Please stay tuned!!!
1) "On Fire"
This song, featured on their mainstream debut The Beautiful Letdown, is one of their many slow moving ballads in the album. Musically, much of the song is presented with music provided by the piano and an acoustic guitar, in addition to well constructed ambient soundscapes. Lyrically, however, the song is really about seeking out the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost in a world that expects people to be complacent with mediocrity and sin. It truly is a good song to listen to while reading the scriptures during a difficult time of temptation and weakness.
2) "Twenty-Four"
This song, much like "On Fire", is a slow-moving ballad on The Beautiful Letdown. In fact, musically, it is a pretty similar tune, with a piano and guitar providing the music and an orchestra/choir providing background music. This song is mainly a song of repentance... true repentance. Not just simply getting on your knees telling Heavenly Father, "Sorry for getting caught," but rather, "Please forgive me and help me change..." In fact, the element in which is used to describe the type of conversion that is being sought is, "I am the second man now." This born-again experience, which is echoed in the scriptures, is emphasized to help us remember how we as Christians should repent and change.
Much more coming up! Please stay tuned!!!
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