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21 Apr 2010

Sixteen Cities - Sixteen Cities

Artist: Sixteen Cities
Album: Sixteen Cities
Year: 2010
Label: Centricity Music/EMI CMG
Website: http://sixteencities.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/sixteencities
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sixteencities
Twitter: @sixteencities
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - Official Store
Sounds Like: The Fray, Jars Of Clay, The Afters, Death Cab For Cutie, Brandon Heath, Tenth Avenue North, Hawk Nelson, Leeland, Bebo Norman, Rush Of Fools, Stellar Kart, Me In Motion, Satellites & Sirens, Abandon, Newsboys, Revive
Rating: 5/5 ♥♥♥♥♥

As I promised, Centricity Music gives us in this first part of the year, highly anticipated debut of another of their new members. Sixteen Cities, formed by Josiah Warneking (vocals, piano), Joshua Miller (guitar), Dustin Erhardt (lead guitar), Chad McCutchen (drums) and Joel Warneking (bass), are influenced by bands like The Fray, Jars Of Clay , The Afters and Death Cab For Cutie. The selftitled album features production by Jason Ingram (Brandon Heath, Meredith Andrews, Tenth Avenue North), Steve Wilson (Hawk Nelson, Leeland) and Rusty Varenkamp (Bebo Norman, Rush Of Fools).

The adrenaline starts with “Just Want to Dance”, showing the band’s strengthened faith. Many times our trust in God fades, we missed our first love; and this song encourages us to believe that while everything around us may change, God never did: “You are the same unchanging God that made me free”. Then we met with the harsh but honest “Save Me From Myself”, which through powerful guitars sincerely declare that our heart is not strong enough to walk alone in life, and definitely needs God: “You save me / Save me from myself / ‘Cause there is no one else / I’d lean on / You save me / You save me from myself / There is no one else to set me free”. Quickly, we find the first single, “Sing Along” who joyfully gives praise to God for the wonderful creation that he designed: “I love the way the stars shine for You / And every single mountain bows down / I love the way the universe is singing Your song / So I’ll try to sing along”. I met Sixteen Cities listening to “Pray You Through”, that suddenly became an anthem about the strength that we give to those who struggle with the petitions, especially if their problems are so difficult that mere words won’t provided the remedy: “I’m all out of words / There’s nothing I could say to you / To take away the hurt / So let me pray you through”. Many times we hesitate to surrender our destiny to serve God, but His grace gives us the conviction that everything we do is always worth the trouble. That is the message of “Only After You”, featuring insightful guitar riffs and piano, and that reminds me Stellar Kart. Then, “Come As You Are” arrays with contemplative pianos with the voice of God calling us to their presence, regardless of our condition: “Come to Me and I will love you more than you have ever known / Come to Me and I will take you places you have never been before / I love you more”. Showing the great forgiveness of God, “Innocent” reminds us that even knowing that we’ll fail a thousand times, His grace will not let us down: “And you say to me that I’m already innocent / And I can’t believe you take me as I am / And I’m on my knees begging for forgiveness / I know I’m guilty but you make me innocent”. The energetic “Captured” explodes in total devotion. Pianos accurate and powerful voice of Josiah by declaring: “You are the only one who can save me / Save me from myself / I’m gonna need your help / Take me and break me / Until I stand before You holy / I can’t get enough / I’m captured by Your love”. With an upbeat message, “Someone’s Work Of Art” is God whispering the identity we have in Him, in the midst of disappointment and uncertainty: “You are someone’s work of art / Just the way you are / And you’re shining like the stars tonight / All the pieces of your heart / And the lovely scars / Are someone’s work of art”. With a similar message, “Bleeding For You” reminds us of the sacrifice of Christ as the reason for our suffering and pain are gone: “You are more than a heart simply beating / If only you knew / You can have this love that is bleeding / Bleeding for you”. Finally, the somber ballad “Winter” becomes a cry of redemption: “‘Cause I’ve been searching for the sun / But I don’t know if anyone / Can tell me how to find my way home / All the things that I’ve become / Are all the things I’m running from / I don’t want my heart to turn to stone / This cold has been so bitter / Can You save me from this winter?”. The pianos are intertwined with the strings and the sweet melody that desperately ends this recording.

“We started playing in high school leading worship on Wednesday morning, and we loved this experience”, explains the singer and keyboardist of the band Josiah Warneking. “When we graduated we were praying to find God’s will. We feel called to music ministry, but with no interest in the music industry. One or two weeks later we called a person of a ministry called Common Ground, which is basically responsible for organizing concerts, games and presentations of the Gospel in public schools. So we thought we would no longer continue singing options to students once they graduate, we opened the door to remain in front of hundreds and sometimes thousands of teenagers singing about Jesus”.

I have to confess I expected a little more flexibility in the sound of this album, but it is worth noting that the progression of each of its tracks is perfect. An acoustic and intimate adventure that fuses rock with pop fully ready to conquer the world. Sixteen Cities, as Me In Motion, have a prominent future.

Como lo prometido es deuda, Centricity Music nos entrega  en esta primera parte del año el tan esperado debut de otro de sus nuevos integrantes. Sixteen Cities, conformado por Josiah Warneking (vocalista, piano), Joshua Miller (segunda guitarra), Dustin Erhardt (primera guitarra), Chad McCutchen (batería) y Joel Warneking (bajo), reciben influencias de bandas como The Fray, Jars Of Clay, The Afters y Death Cab For Cutie. El autitulado álbum cuenta con la producción de Jason Ingram (Brandon Heath, Meredith Andrews, Tenth Avenue North), Steve Wilson (Hawk Nelson, Leeland) y Rusty Varenkamp (Bebo Norman, Rush Of Fools).

La adrenalina arranca con “Just Wanna Dance”, mostrándonos la fortalecida fe de la banda. Muchas veces nuestra confianza en Dios se va apagando, echamos de menos nuestro primero amor; esta canción nos anima a creer que si bien todo a nuestro alrededor puede cambiar, Dios nunca lo ha hecho: “You are the same unchanging God that made me free”. Seguidamente nos encontramos con la cruda pero honesta “Save Me From Myself”, que a través de potentes guitarras declara con sinceridad que nuestro corazón no es lo suficientemente fuerte para caminar solos en la vida, y que definitivamente necesitamos a Dios: “You save me / Save me from myself / ‘Cause there is no one else / I’d lean on / You save me / You save me from myself / There is no one else to set me free”. Rápidamente, nos encontramos con el primer sencillo del álbum, “Sing Along” que gozosamente brinda alabanza a Dios por la maravillosa creación que Él diseñó: “I love the way the stars shine for You / And every single mountain bows down / I love the way the universe is singing Your song / So I’ll try to sing along”. Conocí a Sixteen Cities, por medio de “Pray You Through”, que en solo instantes se convirtió en un himno sobre la fortaleza que entregamos a aquellas personas que luchan con las peticiones, sobre todo si sus problemas resultan tan difíciles que las meras palabras no proporcionan el remedio: “I’m all out of words / There’s nothing I could say to you / To take away the hurt / So let me pray you through”. Muchas veces dudamos de nuestro destino al entregarnos al servicio de Dios, sin embargo su gracia nos da la convicción de que todo lo que hagamos siempre valdrá la pena. Ese es el mensaje de “Only After You”, que cuenta con perspicaces rasgueos de guitarra y piano, y que me recuerda a Stellar Kart. Luego, “Come As You Are” se atavía de contemplativos pianos junto a la voz de Dios que nos llama hacia su presencia, sin importar nuestra condición: “Come to Me and I will love you more than you have ever known / Come to Me and I will take you places you have never been before / I love you more”. Mostrando el gran perdón de Dios, “Innocent” nos recuerda que aún sabiendo que volveremos a fallar una y mil veces, su gracia no nos deja caer: “And you say to me that I’m already innocent / And I can’t believe you take me as I am / And I’m on my knees begging for forgiveness / I know I’m guilty but you make me innocent”. La enérgica “Captured” estalla en total devoción. Pianos certeros y la potente voz de Josiah al declarar: “You are the only one who can save me / Save me from myself / I’m gonna need your help / Take me and break me / Until I stand before You holy / I can’t get enough / I’m captured by Your love”. Con un impulsador mensaje, “Someone’s Work Of Art” es Dios susurrándonos la identidad que tenemos en Él, en medio de la desilusión y la incertidumbre: “You are someone’s work of art / Just the way you are / And you’re shining like the stars tonight / All the pieces of your heart / And the lovely scars / Are someone’s work of art”. Con un mensaje similar, “Bleeding For You” nos recuerda el sacrificio de Cristo como la razón para que nuestras penas y dolor se acaben: “You are more than a heart simply beating / If only you knew / You can have this love that is bleeding / Bleeding for you”. Finalmente, la balada sombría “Winter” se convierte en un clamor de redención: “‘Cause I’ve been searching for the sun / But I don’t know if anyone / Can tell me how to find my way home / All the things that I’ve become / Are all the things I’m running from / I don’t want my heart to turn to stone / This cold has been so bitter / Can You save me from this winter?”. Los pianos se entrelazan con las cuerdas y la dulce melodía que desesperadamente culmina esta grabación.

“Empezamos tocando en el instituto dirigiendo la alabanza los miércoles por la mañana, y nos encantó esta experiencia”, explica el cantante y teclista de la banda Josiah Warneking. “En el momento de graduamos estuvimos orando para encontrar la voluntad de Dios. Nos sentirnos llamados al ministerio musical, pero sin tener ningún interés en la industria musical. Una o dos semanas más tarde nos llamó una persona de un ministerio llamado Common Ground, que se encarga básicamente de organizar conciertos, juegos y presentaciones del Evangelio en escuelas públicas. Así que nosotros que pensábamos que ya no tendríamos opciones de continuar cantando a los estudiantes una vez graduados, se nos abrió la puerta de poder seguir estando en frente de centenares y, a veces, miles de adolescentes cantando sobre Jesús”.

Tengo que confesar que esperaba un poco más de agilidad en el sonido de este álbum, pero cabe resaltar que la progresión de cada uno de sus tracks es perfecta. Una aventura acústica e íntima que se fusiona con pop rock totalmente preparado para conquistar el mundo. Sixteen Cities, al igual que Me In Motion, tienen un futuro prominente.

4 Mar 2010

Me In Motion - Me In Motion

Artist: Me In Motion
Album: Me In Motion
Year: 2010
Label: Centricity Music
Website: http://meinmotion.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/meinmotion
Twitter: @meinmotionband
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - Store
Sounds Like: Oasis, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Jet, The Killers, The Bravery, The Beatles, Jimmy Eat World, Switchfoot, Hawk Nelson, Stellar Kart, Delirious?, Newsboys, Seven Places, Superchick
Rating: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥

Centricity Music is undergoing a musical revolution with a pair of new additions in their roster. The first is Sixteen Cities (we will post a review of them very soon), and second, but not least, Me In Motion. Formed by Seth Mosley (lead vocals, guitars), Tim Wilson (bass, vocals) and Brian Dexter (drums, vocals) deliver their self-titled debut album Me In Motion, which through its pop rock, touches different angles of life with a great message of salvation. Seth Mosley is a total prodigy, as well as having produced his own album with Ian Eskelin, is participating in the production and composition of the new album by Newsboys. With multiple influences from Oasis, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Jet, The Killers, The Bravery, The Beatles, Jimmy Eat World, Switchfoot, and more. In other words, what we can expect from this album is simply extraordinary.

“Losers” opens the album with powerful guitars, aggressive melodies in a song dedicated to all those who ever felt rejected, based on Mark 25:35-36. Many times people see us as outsiders by the fact of following Christ, and this track encourages us to look through the eyes of mercy and compassion, love those who suffer rejection as Jesus did: “Someone has to be the victim / Someone’s got to eat alone / And maybe, that’s a four-eyed Jesus coming from a broken home / Go on and throw your stones”. With strong influences from Delirious? and Newsboys, “The God I Know” encourages us to break the fear and conformity to show our faith: “There is one thing i know for sure / I can’t let fear hide my faith anymore / That’s not the God I know”. With an introduction based on raging guitars that later become optimistic, “Gotta Be Something” is intended not to fall into today’s culture, refuses to be satisfied with what this life gives us. It sounds like something between Superchick and Children 18:3. The album slows down with “Seek Justice Love Mercy”, melodically resembles Hawk Nelson or Stellar Kart. It encourages us to open our eyes and see the suffering of the world, taking action to give them grace and compassion: “Who’s gonna set the captives free / Who’s gonna love the refugee? / Our God is calling us to seek justice and mercy / Seek justice, love mercy”. The contagious and unexpected “Leaving Here Someday” hurry up with rock’n’roll which is similar to Run Kid Run. It shares the message of valuing things that really matter in life: “I’ll be gone before you know it, Darling / This don’t feel like home but I’ll be leaving here someday / Nothing but love is worth the trouble / Nothing else will last / I gotta give it all away / ‘Cause I’ll be leaving here someday”. Then we find “You Never Fail Me”, a fusion of Nirvana and Audio Adrenaline, with delusions and crunchy guitar riffs, melodies impulses that highlight the importance of trusting God, because He will never fail us. The captivating “Back To You” is painted with Coldplay and Seventh Day Slumber features, a ballad that plotted us the story of the prodigal son: “I’m coming home to / Arms open wide / I’ve seen the light / And I wanna get back to you / Running back to you”. The sweeping “Welcome To Your Life” fascinates us with interesting arrangements, and similarities to The Elms and Hawk Nelson, reflecting the struggle between accepting the power of Christ and say goodbye to the ways of the world: “Say goodbye to the lies in the shadows / Let it go and say hello to the / New you stepping out for the very first time / Welcome to your life”. With influences from Stellar Kart, the rollercoaster “Here In The Middle” talks about the reality of life with God while we are here on earth, adding dynamic pianos and organs that increase the potential of the song. “You Move Me” closes the album effectively, and we hear Mosley shines vocally through acoustic guitars, while the lyric speaks about the inspiration that God gives us.

“I’m trying to write songs that will inspire people to ‘live’ in a way they never have before, to realize that loving everyone, regardless of circumstance, is what it’s really all about. Doing simple things like helping their neighbors, or sitting by a lonely kid at the lunch table at school, or giving someone an open ear. It’s often those little things that let people around us know how much they’re really loved”, shares Seth Mosley. Me In Motion is now ready to receive the success that this debut awaits them, through splendid and unforgettable songs and a powerful ability to succeed on the radio, but mostly penetrate the hearts of his listeners with the love of God.

Centricity Music está experimentando una revolución musical con un par de nuevos ingresos a su lista. El primero es Sixteen Cities, de quién más adelante reseñaremos, y en segundo lugar, pero no de menos importancia, Me In Motion. Conformado por Seth Mosley (vocalista, guitarras), Tim Wilson (bajo, voces) y Brian Dexter (batería, voces) nos presentan su álbum debut autotitulado Me In Motion, que a través de su pop rock toca diversos ángulos de la vida con un gran mensaje de salvación. Seth Mosley es un todo un prodigio, ya que además de haber producido su propio álbum junto a Ian Eskelin, está participando en la producción y composición del nuevo álbum de Newsboys. Con múltiples influencias de Oasis, Foo Fighters, Weezer, JET, The Killers, The Bravery, The Beatles, Jimmy Eat World, Switchfoot, y más. En otras palabras lo que podemos esperar de este álbum, es simplemente algo extraordinario.

“Losers” abre el disco con potentes guitarras, agresivas melodías en un himno dedicado a todos aquellos que alguna vez se sintieron rechazados; inspirado en Marcos 25:35-36. Muchas veces la gente nos verá como extraños por el hecho de seguir a Cristo, y este track nos anima a mirar a través de los ojos de misericordia y compasión, amar a aquellos que sufren rechazo tal y como Jesús lo hizo: “Someone has to be the victim / Someone’s got to eat alone / And maybe, that’s a four-eyed Jesus coming from a broken home / Go on and throw your stones”. Con fuertes influencias de Delirious? y Newsboys, “The God I Know” nos anima a romper el temor y la conformidad para mostrar nuestra fe: “There is one thing i know for sure / I can’t let fear hide my faith anymore / That’s not the God I know”. Con una introducción basada en furiosas guitarras que luego se vuelven optimistas, “Gotta Be Something” pretende no caer en la cultura de hoy, se niega a estar satisfecho con lo que esta vida nos da. Suena como algo entre Superchick y Children 18:3. El álbum se desacelera con “Seek Justice Love Mercy”, que melódicamente se asemeja a Hawk Nelson o Stellar Kart. Nos anima a abrir nuestros ojos y ver el sufrimiento del mundo tomando acciones para regalarles gracia y compasión: “Who’s gonna set the captives free / Who’s gonna love the refugee? / Our God is calling us to seek justice and mercy / Seek justice, love mercy”. La contagiosa e inesperada “Leaving Here Someday” se apresura con rock’n’roll que se asimila a Run Kid Run. Nos comparte el mensaje de valorar las cosas que realmente importan en la vida: “I’ll be gone before you know it, Darling / This don’t feel like home but I’ll be leaving here someday / Nothing but love is worth the trouble / Nothing else will last / I gotta give it all away / ‘Cause I’ll be leaving here someday”. Seguidamente nos encontramos a “You Never Fail Me”, en una fusión entre Nirvana y Audio Adrenaline, con delirantes y crujientes riffs de guitarras, melodías impulsadoras que nos recuerdan la importancia de confiar en Dios, porque Él nunca nos va a fallar. La cautivadora “Back To You” se pinta con rasgos de Coldplay y Seventh Day Slumber, en una balada que nos grafica la historia del hijo pródigo: “I’m coming home to / Arms open wide / I’ve seen the light / And I wanna get back to you / Running back to you”. La arrasadora “Welcome To Your Life” nos fascina con interesantes arreglos, y semejanzas a The Elms y Hawk Nelson, reflejando la lucha entre aceptar el poder de Cristo y decir adiós a las sendas del mundo: “Say goodbye to the lies in the shadows / Let it go and say hello to the / New you stepping out for the very first time / Welcome to your life”. Con influencias de Stellar Kart, la rollercoaster “Here In The Middle” habla sobre la realidad de la vida con Dios mientras estamos aquí en la tierra, agregando dinámicos pianos y órganos que incrementan el potencial de la canción. “You Move Me” cierra el álbum de manera eficaz, y podemos oír a Mosley brillando vocalmente a través de las guitarras acústicas, mientras que la letra habla de la inspiración que Dios nos da.

“Estoy intentando escribir canciones que inspiren a la gente a vivir en una forma que nunca han experimentado, para que se den cuenta de que amar a todos, a pesar de las circunstancias, es de lo que se trata la vida. Hacer cosas simples, como ayudar a tus vecinos, o sentarse a almorzar junto a un solitario niño en la escuela, o prestar atención y escuchar a alguien. A menudo esas pequeñas cosas hacen que la gente sepa cuánto los amamos”, nos comparte Seth Mosley. Ahora Me In Motion está listo para recibir el éxito que este debut les depara, a través de espléndidas e inolvidables canciones de gran alcance y capacidad para triunfar en las radios, pero sobre todo penetrar en los corazones de sus oyentes con el amor de Dios.

19 Dec 2009

Matt Papa - Your Kingdom Come

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/4356/yourkingdomcome.jpg

Artist: Matt Papa
Album: Your Kingdom Come
Year: 2009
Label: Centricity Music
Website: http://www.myspace.com/mattpapa
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - Store

This year, Centricity Music added Matt Papa to its artist roster, a subject with a clear mission to spread the word of God through his music. With a new and improved version of “Your Kingdom Come”, distinguished in his lyrics and in his creative musical style with Kevin Max, Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher, U2, Coldplay’ sparks and everything related to classic rock, folk of the 60’s and of course, The Beatles.

A sudden piano starts in “Hallelujah, Our God Reigns”, followed by a pop/rock hit by powerful guitar riffs, synthesized by one of the wildest performances of Matt (vocally speaking) and with memories of David Crowder Band and Delirious?. Inspired by Revelation 19, proclaims: “Hallelujah, Our God Reigns / All glory and honor be unto Lamb / Forever and ever and ever Amen”. An unexpected and surprising interlude offers us “So Come Reign…” giving an indescribable magic to the disc. The song “Your Kingdom Come” speaks about redemption and revival in the streets, using a familiar beat for the gospel scene in the direction of Matt Redman, Desperation Band, etc. The first official single from the album is “Open Hands” with an infectious piano and a challenging lyric about living renouncing our ambition to serve God. “We must live before God with open hands. We have our plans and ideas, but at any time, Christians, unlike the world, we must be willing to give up everything and do another if God calls us” said Papa about this song. With “Here I Am, Send Me” we see the heart of the project, referring to the defiant words of the prophet Isaiah spoke out after seeing the Lord, high and exalted. The world must hear the gospel, must hear the name of Jesus and we, as his church, must give all we have and go tell them. Another one of those sublime offers intermediate “Seek Ye First”, with a piano instrumental that opens the way for “To The Least Of These” roared with euro-pop with feelings and memories of The Fray, telling us of the importance of serving the needy and lifestyle. “God of Grace”, scattering guitars, violins, strings and sings about the grace of God for humanity, while “Trinity” magnifies praising God in three persons each of its attributes. With an upbeat pop/punk, fast guitars, activated drums and the festive voice of Matt, make “You Can Do Anything” highlights the power of God and the fact that with Him, nothing is impossible. “Hymn In C” is a kind of contemporary anthem, which speaks about the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and resurrection, and “Alive” continues with this great story. On the other hand “Every Knee Will Bow”, is inspired by Philippians 2:5-11 and Revelation 5, when it says: “Every knew will bow / Every tongue will shout / That Jesus is the Lord / Every tribe and tongue, every nation will worship at your throne”. Written as an open letter to the church, “Where Is The Difference?” exhorts believers to become more like Christ in our love for others and it could even be too bold to say, “Body of Christ, more like a whore / You love this world and you call me Lord / I shed my blod for your sins / Ones you’re living in / When are you gonna repent? / Where is your heart? / You say that you’re Set Apart / if you really love, where is the difference?”. Similarly, “Woe to You” despise superficial religion with the same boldness of the new testament, addressed to religious act like Christians on the outside, while inside his hard heart not follow the true teaching of Jesus: “You call him Lord / But he’s just your genie. The defiant “We Will Shine” is a hymn that calls us to action, running with the sounds that remind us that we are the army of God. “No One Else” enhances the voice of Papa in its entire splendor. His energy, emotional delivery fits perfectly into this wonderful theme, using a few phrases of the psalms of king David: “God, You are my God / I seek your face with all my heart, soul n mind strength”. Finally, with a hilarious musical and melody, “117” (the length of the track) ends the recording.

Although “Your Kingdom Come” has sounds heard before, has a variety of different styles and instruments, consolidated with a message that all Christians should do our daily bread. It’s about being in a deep and strong heart beat for the service to others, with faith and proclaiming Jesus Christ. Matt Papa shows his talent as a musician and composer, and shares us the passion that burns in his heart to share the message of salvation to everyone.

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Este año, Centricity Music añadió a su lista de artistas a Matt Papa, un sujeto con una misión evidente de llevar la palabra de Dios a través de su música. Con una nueva y mejorada versión de “Your Kingdom Come”, se distingue tanto en sus letras como en su creativo estilo musical, con chispas de Kevin Max, Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher, U2, Coldplay, y todo lo referente a classic rock, folk de los 60’s y por supuesto, The Beatles.

Un repentino piano arranca en “Hallelujah, Our God Reigns”, seguido de un pop/rock embestido por poderosos riffs de guitarras, sintetizado por una de las más salvajes performances de Matt (vocalmente hablando) y con remembranzas de David Crowder Band y Delirious?. Inspirada en Apocalipsis 19, nos pregona: “Hallelujah, Our God Reigns / All glory and honor be unto Lamb / Forever and ever and ever Amen”. Un inesperado y sorprendente interludio nos ofrece “So Come Reign…”, dándole una indescifrable magia al disco. La canción “Your Kingdome Come” habla de redención y de avivamiento en las calles, utilizando un beat ya conocido por la escena góspel con dirección a Matt Redman, Desperation Band, etc. El primer sencillo oficial del álbum es “Open Hands”, con un piano contagioso y una letra desafiante sobre vivir renunciando a nuestras ambiciones para servir a Dios. “Hay que vivir delante de Dios con las manos abiertas. Podemos tener nuestros planes e ideas, pero en cualquier momento, los cristianos, a diferencia del mundo, tenemos que estar dispuestos a abandonar cualquier cosa y hacer otra si Dios nos llama” declara Papa con respecto a esta canción. Con “Here I Am, Send Me” podemos ver el corazón del proyecto, haciendo referencia a las desafiantes palabras que el profeta Isaías pronunció después de ver al Señor, altísimo y exaltado. El mundo debe oír el evangelio, tienen que escuchar el nombre de Jesús y nosotros como iglesia, debemos entregar todo lo que tenemos e ir a decírselos. Otro de aquellos sublimes intermedios nos ofrece “Seek Ye First”, con un instrumental de piano que abre paso a “To The Least Of These”, retumbando con sentimientos euro pop y remembranzas de The Fray, hablándonos de la importancia de servir al necesitado como un estilo de vida. “God Of Grace”, esparciendo guitarras, strings y violines nos canta sobre la gracia de Dios en la humanidad, mientras que “Trinity” magnifica a Dios en tres personas alabando cada uno de sus atributos. Con un optimista pop/punk, una acelerada guitarra, la activada batería y la festiva voz de Matt, convierten a “You Can Do Anything” resalta el poder de Dios y el hecho de que con Él nada es imposible. “Hymn In C” es una especia de himno contemporáneo, que habla sobre el sacrificio de Jesús en la cruz y su resurrección, y “Alive” continúa con esa grandiosa historia. Por otro lado “Every Knee Will Bow”, está inspirada en Filipenses 2:5-11 y Apocalipsis 5; al decir: “Every knew will bow / Every tongue will shout / That Jesus is the Lord / Every tribe and tongue, every nation will worship at yout throne”. Escrito como una carta abierta a la iglesia, “Where Is The Difference?” exhorta a los creyentes a ser mas como Cristo en nuestro amor por los demás y podría resultar hasta demasiado audaz al decir: “Body of Christ, more like a whore / You love this world and you call me Lord / I shed my blod for your sins / Ones you’re living in / When are you gonna repent? / Where is your heart? / You say that you’re set apart / if you really love, where is the difference?”. Del mismo modo, “Woe To You” desprecia la religión superficial con la misma audacia del nuevo testamento, dirigida a los religiosos que actúan como cristianos  en el exterior, mientras que en el interior de su duro corazón no siguen la verdadera enseñanza de Jesús: “You call him Lord / But he’s just your genie”. La retadora “We Will Shine”, es un himno que nos llama a la acción, con aquellos sonidos de marcha que nos recuerdan que somos el ejército de Dios.  “No One Else” realza la voz de Papa en todo sus explendor. Su energía, la entrega emocional encaja perfectamente en este maravilloso tema, empleando algunas frases de los salmos del rey David: “God, You are my God / I seek your face with all my heart, soul mind an strenght”. Finalmente y con una hilarante musicalidad y melodía, “117” (la duración de la canción) culmina la grabación.

Si bien “Your Kingdom Come” tiene sonidos ya antes oídos, posee una variedad de diferentes estilos e instrumentos, consolidados con un mensaje que todos los cristianos deberíamos hacer nuestro pan diario. Se trata de tener en el corazón un profundo y fuerte latido por el servicio a los demás, vivir en fe y proclamar las buenas de Jesucristo. Matt Papa nos demuestra su talento como músico y compositor, y nos comparte la pasión que quema en su corazón por compartir el mensaje de salvación a todo el mundo.

Israel Risco
Rating-Calificación: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥