Plugged ®

19 Apr 2010

Lucas Parry - Alive

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Artist: Alive
Album: Lucas Parry
Year: 2008
Label: Lucas Parry
Website: http://www.lucasparry.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lucasparry
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mrlucasparry
Twitter: @lucasparry
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - Official Store
Sounds Like: Tree63, Delirious?, Me In Motion, Jackson Waters, DecembeRadio, Needtobreathe, Nate Sallie, Gavin DeGraw, The Black Crowes, Train, Coldplay, U2, Sting, The Beatles, Lenny Kravitz, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Green Day, 3 Doors Down, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Maroon 5, Marc Anthony, Five For Fighting, Jars Of Clay, Jason Gray
Rating: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥

Lucas Parry, a spirited missionary, an artist and an Australian-born dynamic storyteller, shares his heart through the release of “Alive”, a contagious and irresistible message that encourages people to pursue their personal mission from God to their lives. This album combines his own musical tastes and the talent that God has given him as a composer, singer, guitarist and producer to create a cd full of energy and passion that comes from God.

“Ocean” opens the disc with solid guitar strumming on an impulsivity compass progression. The lyric is inspired by Psalm 139: “Your love is like the ocean / As far as deep as far as wide / I don’t deserve you / That’s the beauty of your grace”. The blistering “Something Beautiful” talks about the light we have to show the world, not hide beneath the fear and low self-esteem: “I know that you are something beautiful / A diamond in the rough that you just can’t hide / I know that you are something beautiful / It’s time for you to let it shine”. The titletrack “Alive” encourages us not to look at the circumstances and simply take a step of faith and believe. Then a voice pronounce excerpts from Isaiah 61:1, Isaiah 54 17, 1 John 4:4, Philippians 4:13, Romans 8:17, while the chorus proclaims total devotion to God: “I surrender to your Call / I lay down and give you all / Would you take this life and make me yours / I am alive, I am alive”. Acoustic guitars make their way to “Breath Of God”, a song of revival in search of mercy and the fire of God. “Dance With Angels” sings those with tears in his eyes, looking for answers in the emptiness (Proverbs 3:5): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart / Not on your own understanding / In every way you crown Him Lord of all / Then you come laying down your pride / You’ll dance with angels tonight / There in surrender you’ll find calmness from the storm”. Powerful guitars snatch energy on “Rise Up”, the cry of the Church of God raising a banner and proclaiming a spiritual awakening in the body of Christ to work in unity. “October Eyes” is immersed in the romance, in the fall and love: “Her eyes are like October skies / I’m blinded by her disguise / I search to find but time flies by / I’m mesmerized by her october eyes”. With gospel, blues and soul features, “Better Man” sounds like DecembeRadio and Needtobreathe. It is a prayer to God for being a better father: “I want to be a better man / Make you proud to be my / Oh my little man / Though I’ll never be a superman and I may never fly the world / But like my daddy was for me / I will be here for you”. The dynamic “Shine”, reminds us of the mission we have as children of God and compare us to a city on a hill that needs to shine with the hope of eternity. “You Are Loved” is constructed through the sweet pianos and acoustic guitars, talking about the incomprehensible love of God who answers the prayer of the afflicted spreading hope and mercy: “You are not forgotten / He has bottled all your tears, oh every tear / You are not forgotten / He has sent me here to be His hands and feet / To show his love for you”. Finally, “Fly Away” was inspired by the freedom of unity in a world of color, in an atmosphere where gravity has no limits: “Reach out your arm, and take the hand of another / When every color becomes one and we will be free”.

“I wanted to create an album that reflects my personal journey over the last three years. God has shown me what really matters in life … people. The core of everything we do should be to love God and to love people”, says Parry behind “Alive”. Simple and complex compositions with a small sample of an emerging talent. Lucas Parry has a passion simply contagious.

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Lucas Parry, un impulsador misionero, un artista y un dinámico narrador de historias de origen australiano, nos comparte su corazón a través del lanzamiento de “Alive”: un mensaje contagioso e irresistible que anima a la gente a perseguir la misión personal de Dios para sus vidas. Este álbum combina sus propios gustos musicales y el talento que Dios le ha regalado como compositor, cantante, guitarrista y productor al crear un cd lleno de energía y pasión que brota de Dios.

“Ocean” apertura el disco con sólidos rasgueos de guitarras en una impulsadora progresión de compases. La lírica se inspira en el Salmo 139: “Your love is like the ocean / As far as deep as far as wide / I don’t deserve you / That’s the beauty of your grace”. La abrasadora “Something Beautiful” habla sobre la luz que tenemos que mostrar al mundo, sin escondernos debajo del temor y la falta de autoestima: “I know that you are something beautiful / A diamond in the rough that you just can’t hide / I know that you are something beautiful / It’s time for you to let it shine”. El titletrack “Alive” nos anima a no mirar las circunstancias y simplemente tomar un paso de fe y creer. Luego una voz pronuncia pasajes extraídos de Isaías 61:1; Isaías 54 17; 1 Juan 4:4; Filipenses 4:13; Romanos 8:17, mientras que los coros proclaman total devoción a Dios: “I surrender to your Call / I lay down and give you all / Would you take this life and make me yours / I am alive, I am alive”. Guitarras acústicas se abren paso con “Breath Of God”, un canto de avivamiento en búsqueda de misericordia y del fuego de Dios. “Dance With Angels” le canta aquellas personas con lágrimas en los ojos, que buscan respuestas en medio del vacío (Proverbios 3:5): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart / Not on your own understanding / In every way you crown Him Lord of all / Then you come laying down your pride / You’ll dance with angels tonight / There in surrender you’ll find calmness from the storm”. Potentes guitarras se arrebatan de energía en “Rise Up”, el clamor de la Iglesia levantando la bandera de Dios y pregonando un despertar espiritual en el cuerpo de Cristo a trabajar en unidad. “October Eyes” se sumerge en el romanticismo, en el otoño y el amor: “Her eyes are like October skies / I’m blinded by her disguise / I search to find but time flies by / I’m mesmerized by her october eyes”. Con rasgos góspel, blues y soul, “Better Man” se asemeja a DecembeRadio y Needtobreathe. Es una oración a Dios pidiéndole ser un mejor padre: “I want to be a better man / Make you proud to be my / Oh my little man / Though I’ll never be a superman and I may never fly the world / But like my daddy was for me / I will be here for you”. La dinámica “Shine”, nos recuerda la misión que tenemos como hijos de Dios y nos compara a una ciudad en una colina que necesita brillar con la esperanza de eternidad. “You Are Loved” se construye a través de dulces pianos y guitarras acústicas, que hablan sobre el incomprensible amor de Dios que contesta la oración del afligido extendiendo esperanza y misericordia: “You are not forgotten / He has bottled all your tears, oh every tear / You are not forgotten / He has sent me here to be His hands and feet / To show his love for you”. Finalmente, “Fly Away” se inspira en la libertad de la unidad en un mundo de color, en una atmósfera donde la gravedad no tiene límites: “Reach out your arm, and take the hand of another / When every color becomes one and we will be free”.

“Quise crear un álbum que refleje mi trayectoria personal en los últimos tres años. Dios me ha revelado lo que realmente importa en la vida… la gente. El núcleo de todo lo que hacemos debe ser amar a Dios y amar a la gente” comenta Parry acerca de “Alive”. Simples y complejas composiciones, con una pequeña muestra de un talento emergente. Lucas Parry posee una pasión simplemente contagiosa.

17 Feb 2010

Charmaine - Love Reality

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Artist: Charmaine
Album: Love Reality
Year: 2010
Label: in:ciite
Website: http://www.charmainemusic.net/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/charmaine
Twitter: @charmainemusic
Buy: Official Store
Sounds Like: Lily Allen, Rebecca St. James, Joy Williams, Kate Havenik
Rating: 5/5 ♥♥♥♥♥

It’s been a long time since I witnessed a debut as impeccable as Charmaine’s one. The recent signing with in:ciite and the mixture of upbeat, youthful energy with its Euro-contemporary sound produced by Fred Williams (Backstreet Boys, Jeff Deyo) have resulted in “Love Reality”. Having shared the stage with such artists as Jeremy Camp, Rebecca St. James (whose father/manager David Smallbone discovered her innate talent) and Newsboys, and recently returned from Lima, Peru (my hometown) after visiting with Compassion International on a social mission support. Embracing her fears and moving forward, says: “I am reminded daily of God’s goodness and I rather to be in His mission than mine ; is a path that he himself fulfilled”.

It seems like Charmaine has a remarkable addiction to the violins, a clear example is the opening song “Tell Me” with an impressive string introduction continues by pizzicato and organs, in a song written for people oppressed by loneliness and showing the hope that is in Christ: “I’ll give you something to believe in”. With a beat similar to Joy Williams, the wonderful “At My Door” talks about hope in the day God returned again for his church while the world gets worse every day: ““They say I’m going crazy / Don’t care how long it’s taking / I know You’re down the road, almost at my door / Endless sun through my window / I’ll say good-bye to the night / So I won’t close my eye’s, till I see Your face”. A similar facet to Lily Allen can be heard on “Love Reality”, which reveals the mystery of God’s love through pianos, sweet melodies, glockenspiels and xylophones: “There is more to the story than this / More than the morning routine / If I open my eyes I can glimpse / Pieces of eternity”. “Run” leans on Katy Perry and Plumb, with a captivating dance beat: ”Run, run, run / Looking for something that is gone / Love  is on the way”. The first single “Tokyo” obviously has oriental features that consolidate the security we have knowing that no matter where we go, his presence will be with us: ”Home is where the heart is / and my heart is in your hand / You can build your kingdom / in the center of this life”. Time Comes with “Tied To The Ground”, with touches of Pink and Kate Havenik, which encourages us to rid ourselves of the fears that afflict our souls and our hearts tied to the past: “You can let go, your heart’s not tied to the ground / And I’ll be singing for you / Can you hear it? / Your soul will move to the sound / The musics playing for you”. The mysterious “Fighting Furies” talks about the battles in our minds against insecurity, with aspects of Imogen Heap. “Why do You love me, why are You here? / You know my intentions, are never sincere / My heart is unfaithful, I’ll do it again / But Your words are like fire, that burn through my skin” says the first verse of “Not Fair”, which questions the incomprehensible grace of God, yet still not being worthy, he loved us in our sins. “Epiphany” has a Hindu sentiment combined with touches of Beyonce and Enya, with successful synthesizers and a glorious melody: “Why do You love me, why are You here? / You know my intentions, are never sincere / My heart is unfaithful, I’ll do it again / But Your words are like fire, that burn through my skin”. There is no better outcome than “Revolutionary Thought” gives us, with a pleasant and intimate piano and guitar that flirting with subliminal pads/synths.

Charmaine confesses: “This record reflects all the things I am convince:  that love is the true reality, God is good, and because of this, there is hope”. The australian singer has the ability to balance pop orchestral sounds and electronic beats behind an angelic and energetic voice, with a mission to make known the true reality of the kingdom of peace. Available on March 30, “Love Reality” becomes one of my favorite records for 2010. Inspirational, creative and captivating.

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Hacía mucho tiempo que no presenciaba un debut tan impecable como el de Charmaine. La reciente firma con in:ciite y la mixtura de su optimista y jovial energía junto a su sonido euro-contemporáneo, producido por Fred Williams (Backstreet Boys, Jeff Deyo) han dado como resultado “Love Reality”. Habiendo compartido escenario con artistas como Jeremy Camp, Rebecca St. James (cuyo padre/manager David Smallbone descubrió su talento) y Newsboys, y recientemente regresó de Lima, Perú (mi ciudad) luego de visitarnos junto a Compassion International en una misión de ayuda social. Abrazando sus temores y siguiendo adelante, nos dice: “Me recuerdo a diario la bondad de Dios y que prefiero estar en Su misión que en la misma; es un camino que Él mismo cumplirá”.

Al parecer Charmaine tiene una adicción notable a los violines, claro ejemplo es la canción de apertura “Tell Me” con una introducción de cuerdas impresionante que se prosigue por pizzicatos y órganos, en una canción dirigida a las personas oprimidas por la soledad y mostrándoles la esperanza que hay en Cristo: “I’ll give you something to believe in”. Con un beat similar al de Joy Williams, la maravillosa “At My Door” habla sobre la esperanza en el día que Dios vuelva por su iglesia mientras que el mundo empeora cada día más: “They say I’m going crazy / Don’t care how long it’s taking / I know You’re down the road, almost at my door / Endless sun through my window / I’ll say good-bye to the night / So I won’t close my eye’s, till I see Your face”. Una faceta similar a la de Lily Allen podemos oír en “Love Reality”, que desvela el misterio del amor de Dios mediante pianos, dulces melodías, liras y xilófonos: “There is more to the story than this / More than the morning routine / If I open my eyes I can glimpse / Pieces of eternity”. “Run” se inclina hacia Katy Perry y Plumb, con un cautivante dance beat: ”Run, run, run / Looking for something that is gone / Love  is on the way”. El primer sencillo del álbum “Tokyo”, obviamente tiene rasgos orientales que consolidan la seguridad que tenemos al saber que no importa dónde nos vayamos, su presencia estará con nosotros: ”Home is where the heart is / and my heart is in your hand / You can build your kingdom / in the center of this life”. Llega el turno de “Tied To The Ground”, con pinceladas de Pink y Kate Havenik, que nos anima a despojarnos de los temores que agobian nuestras almas y que amarran nuestros corazones al pasado: “You can let go, your heart’s not tied to the ground / And I’ll be singing for you / Can you hear it? / Your soul will move to the sound / The musics playing for you”. La misteriosa “Fighting Furies” habla sobre las batallas en nuestra mente contra la inseguridad, con aspectos de Imogen Heap. “Why do You love me, why are You here? / You know my intentions, are never sincere / My heart is unfaithful, I’ll do it again / But Your words are like fire, that burn through my skin” nos dice la primera estrofa de  “Not Fair”, que cuestiona la incomprensible gracia de Dios, que aún no siendo dignos nos ha amado en nuestros pecados. “Epiphany” tiene un sentimiento hindú combinado con pinceladas de Beyonce y  Enya, con acertados sintetizadores y una gloriosa melodía: “Why do You love me, why are You here? / You know my intentions, are never sincere / My heart is unfaithful, I’ll do it again / But Your words are like fire, that burn through my skin”. No hay mejor desenlace que el que “Revolutionary Thought” nos entrega, con una placentera e íntima guitarra que coquetea con pianos y subliminales pads/synths.

Charmaine nos confiesa: “Este disco refleja todas las cosas de las que estoy convencida: el amor es la verdadera realidad, Dios es bueno, y gracias a ello, hay esperanza”. Esta australiana tiene la capacidad de equilibrar orquestales sonidos pop y ritmos electrónicos detrás de una voz angelical y enérgica, y con la misión de hacer conoce la verdadera realidad del reino de paz. Disponible el 30 de Marzo, “Love Reality” se convierte en uno de mis discos favoritos para el 2010. Inspirador, creativo, cautivante.

29 Jan 2010

Planet Of The Stereos - Before The Storm : The Acoustic EP

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Artist: Planet Of The Stereos
Album: Before The Storm : The Acoustic EP
Year: 2009
Label: Planet Of The Stereos/Byrneside Management
Website: http://www.myspace.com/planetofthestereos
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - emusic

It is impossible to deny that australian bands have a very particular, creative and above all dangerous sound. Planet of the Stereos is not the exception. Shaped by Chris Collins (vocals, guitar), Mitch Serena (piano), Daniel Hunt (drums), Joel Geering (bass) and Marcüs Beaumont (guitar). In anticipation of a future album, the band released ‘Before The Storm: The Acoustic EP’ produced by Craig Porteils (Cher, Ozzy Osbourne) and recorded by Mike Shipley (Queen, My Chemical Romance, Maroon 5), including love songs and personal experiences.

“Pleased To Meet You” is the official single of the EP, and is a song that expresses the infinite feelings we have at falling in love: “Like sun in ran, my life you came / So pleased to meet you / It’s nice to see some love in someone’s eyes / I so want to be you / I can’t escape the love inside your eyes”. Perfectly accompanied by acoustic guitars and rhodes that gives more delight to the track. “This Moment” continues to provide love phrases, but this time it may take two meanings, for a girl or to God: “It’s so crazy / You are a song I want to sing / I can feel it / Can you feel it too? / In this moment I’m just for you”, with a captivating organ, a wonderful piano and a fast guitar riff. Many times we are with the wrong person, who robs us of our dreams, who off our aspirations. “Must Be Dreaming” is a confession about escape from that which doesn’t allow us to dream.  “Cinderella” is the story of a girl who is tired of being used, and not being respected. Now she decided to value her heart, no matter if people watch her wrong. Very inspiring.

Planet of the Stereos is fascinating, commercial and positive, so we’re looking ahead to a future project full of innovation, guitars and interesting arrangements.

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Es imposible negar que las bandas australianas tienen un sonido muy particular, creativo y sobre todo peligroso. Planet Of The Stereos no es la excepción. Conformado por Chris Collins (vocalista, guitarra), Mitch Serena (pianos), Daniel Hunt (batería), Joel Geering (bajo) y Marcüs Beaumont (guitarra). Como adelanto de un futuro álbum, la banda lanzó ‘Before The Storm : The Acoustic EP’ producido por Craig Porteils (Cher, Ozzy Osbourne) y grabado por Mike Shipley (Queen, My Chemical Romance, Maroon 5), incluyendo canciones de amor y experiencias personales.

“Pleased To Meet You” es el sencillo oficial del EP, y es una canción que expresa los infinitos sentimientos que tenemos al enamorarnos: “Like sun in ran, my life you came / So pleased to meet you / It’s nice to see some love in someone’s eyes / I so want to be you /  I can’t escape the love inside your eyes”. Perfectamente acompañado por guitarras acústicas y un rhodes que le entrega un mayor deleite al track. “This Moment” continúa entregándonos frases de amor, pero esta vez puede tomar dos significados; para una chica o para Dios: “It’s so crazy / You are a song I want to sing / I can feel it / Can you feel it too? / In this momento I’m just for you”, con un cautivante órgano, un acelerado piano y un riff de guitarra maravilloso. Muchas veces estamos con la persona equivocada, y nos roba nuestros sueños, apaga nuestras aspiraciones. “Must Be Dreaming” es una confesión sobre escapar de aquello que no nos deja soñar. “Cinderella” es el relato de una muchacha que está harta de ser usada, y de que no la respeten. Ahora ella tomó la decisión de valorar su corazón, sin importar que la gente la vea mal. Muy inspiradora.

Planet Of The Stereos es fascinante, comercial y positivo; así  que estemos atentos a un futuro proyecto colmado de innovación, guitarras y arreglos interesantes.

Israel Risco
Rating-Calificación: 3/5 ♥♥♥