TobyMac - Tonight
Artist: TobyMac
Album: Tonight
Year: 2010
Label: Forefront Records/EMI CMG
Website: http://www.myspace.com/tobymac
Buy: iTunes - Amazon
‘Tonight’ continues TobyMac’s legend, through the fourth album with a wonderful blend of rock, pop, urban and hip hop sounds and styles that have placed the first single “City On Our Kness” as #1 on Billboard . The album was produced by the same TobyMac along with help from Chris Stevens (Portable Sounds), Jamie Moore (Ayiesha Wood, Stephanie Smith) and Dave Wyatt (aka “D-dub) and the result of over two years of musical composition and lyric is delusional.
We start with the titletrack album “Tonight”, featuring John Cooper of Skillet. A fierce guitar breaks into the home, with a dance beat that recalls Michael Sembello and his frenetic “Maniac”, all joined in a hymn of hearts revolutionaries who seek their promised land: “We wanna rise / We wanna touch the other side / We wanna soar / We wanna reach right out for more”. It could not miss the classic CHR sound which flirts with pop and rap, as in “Get Back Up” which reminds us that it is never too late to start over, and that the love of Jesus has always been calling us back: “This is love callin’, love callin’ / Out to the broken this is love callin’ / I am so broken / This is love callin’, love callin’”. Then we have the sparkling “Funky Jesus Music” with the appearance of Beckah Shae and Siti Monroe. The infectious rhythm is adorned with trumpets and vocal effects fusing with a roaring electro/pop that identifies the freak side of the project. “City On Our Knees” is really about a moment. A moment that we all come together to a place where there’s no judgment, but really love. And we choose to recognize one God together. And it’s really a reminder that that moment could be right now, tonight. And in that moment judgment falls by the wayside, we choose to step across the line, whatever side we’re on. Love fills in the cracks and makes up the difference. The song has been nominated for a Grammy award as the best gospel song, and the reasons are obvious: “Tonight’s the night / For the sinners and the saints / Two worlds collide in a beautiful display / It’s all love tonight / When we step across the line / We can sail across the sea to a city with one King / A city on our knees”. Furthermore, “Showstopper” reminds us the beginnings of Toby as a soloist, with powerful guitars, a creative and fun rap that combines perfectly with a strong progressive rock. This song must be brutal on live, savage. The transparent “Changed Forever” reflects the desire to see the face of God and be changed forever, said melodiously by Nirva Ready at the R&B with traces of spicy Soul/Pop chorus: “Then I saw your face / Just a glimpse of Your face, and my whole world changed / I was changed forever / it’s a whole new game”. Positive and push it lyric of “Hold On” is surprisingly, dedicated to a girl in a weary world of confusion: “Wake up to the rising sun / Thank the Lord for the things He’s done / Lift your eyes to the hope that’s ever true / Wanna see you smiling girl / You’re a light in this jaded world / Wipe away those tears / This one’s for you”, culminating with fascinating synth fading giving way to another inevitable performance. “Loud n Clear (TruDog 10)” is a hilarious intermediate by the Toby’s 10 years son. Very creative and funny. “Hey Devil” is captivating. With scraps of Family Force 5 and Neon Horse, shows us a versatile and amazing vocal evolution of Toby. While each sentence pulls away all the junk that the devil has tried to put in our hearts: “You’re a beauty and A beast / You’re the pressure never cease / You’re the straight other side / And they say you never sleep”. Caricature pianos are at “Wonderin’” with the participation of Matt Thiessen vocalist of Relient K, which gives the relaxing touch that requires this kind of songs. Simple and superb lyric: “We didn’t know what to do / But you were lookin’ at me, and I was lookin’ at you / And we were thinkin’ it odd, but we were thankin’ our God / For the hope that He put down deep in our hearts”. Proclaiming dependence on God, “Captured” with phrases that seem pulled from a passionate psalm of the Bible, a thousand voices screaming to be closer to God, to be captured by his love, that flows His grace in our veins. A paragraph that has me perplexed: “If I should die before I wake / I pray the Lord my soul to take / And if I should get a peaceful sleep / I wanna wake at my Father’s feet”. The album gets personal with “Start Somewhere”, which demonstrates the hectic life of a young man who now realizes his actions, and apologizes to God and all those who hurt one day: “But here I am, and there you are / The space between us is not so far / I’m reaching out my hand in love / Before the fading sun, forgive me for what I’ve done”. Trumpets, scratched vinyl, an unforgettable rhythm. Suddenly, Israel Houghton appears on stage with “Break Open The Sky”, giving the reggae feeling that the project lacked: “Break open the sky / Won’t You turn off gravity so we can fly? / We wanna see Your face / So tear the roof off this place / Jesus, break open the sky”, heralding the second coming of Christ and his church revival.
TobyMac’s versatility is endless, is renewed in time, is gaining consistency on each album and the result is seen in ‘Tonight’. “I try to write songs that take a snapshot of what I’m living, things that I struggle with whether my relationship with God or with my friends”, confides a veteran. “This is not to put a rainbow in what we feel”. Part of the promotion by offering only the best variety to your audience, ‘Tonight’ will be available this February 9 in physical and digital formats also include bonus remixes and a behind the scenes video. What a good start this year and there’s more to come.
‘Tonight’ continúa la leyenda de TobyMac, a través del cuarto álbum con una maravillosa mezcla de sonidos y estilos rock, pop, urban y hip hop que han ubicado al primer sencillo “City On Our Kness” como la #1 en la revista Billboard. El álbum fue producido por el mismo TobyMac con la ayuda de Chris Stevens (Portable Sounds), Jamie Moore (Ayiesha Smith, Stephanie Woods) y Dave Wyatt (a.k.a. “D-dub) y el resultado de más de dos años de composición musical y lírica es delirante.
Empezamos con el track que le da nombre al álbum “Tonight”, con la participación de John Cooper de Skillet. Una feroz guitarra irrumpe al inicio, con un dance beat que recuerda a Michael Sembello en su frenética “Maniac”, todo sumado en un himno de corazones revolucionarios que buscan su tierra prometida: “We wanna rise / We wanna touch the other side / We wanna soar / We wanna reach right out for more”. No podía faltar el clásico sonido CHR que coquetea con el pop y el rap, como en “Get Back Up” que nos recuerda que nunca es tarde para volver a empezar, ya que el amor de Jesús siempre ha estado llamándonos de regreso: “This is love callin’, love callin’ / Out to the broken this is love callin’ / I am so broken / This is love callin,’ love callin’”. Seguidamente nos encontramos con la chispeante “Funky Jesus Music“ con la aparición de Beckah Shae y Siti Monroe. El contagioso ritmo es adornado con trompetas y efectos vocales que se fusionan con un rugiente electro/pop que identifica el lado freak del proyecto. “City On Our Knees es acerca de un momento”, dice Toby. “Un momento en el que todos nos juntamos en un lugar donde no hay juicio, sino amor real. Y en dónde elegimos juntos reconocer a un solo Dios. Y es realmente un recordatorio de que ese momento podría ser ahora, esta noche. Y en ese momento el juicio cae fuera del camino, optamos dar un paso a través de la línea, desde cualquier lado en que nos encontramos. El amor llena las grietas y hace la diferencia”. La canción ha sido nominada al Grammy por mejor canción góspel, las razones son más que obvias: “Tonight’s the night / For the sinners and the saints / Two worlds collide in a beautiful display / It’s all love tonight / When we step across the line / We can sail across the sea to a city with one King / A city on our knees”. Por otro lado, “Showstopper” nos hace recordar los inicios de Toby como solista, con potente guitarras, un creativo y divertido rap que se combina a la perfección con un enérgico rock progresivo. Esta canción en vivo debe ser bestial, salvaje. La transparente “Changed Forever” refleja el anhelo por ver el rostro de Dios y ser cambiados para siempre, declarado melodiosamente por Nirva Ready en el coro R&B con rasgos de picante Soul/Pop: “Then I saw Your face / Just a glimpse of Your face, and my whole world changed / I was changed forever / it’s a whole new game”. La impulsadora y positiva lírica de “Hold On” es sorprendente, dedicada a una muchacha en un agotado mundo de confusión: “Wake up to the rising sun / Thank the Lord for the things He’s done / Lift your eyes to the hope that’s ever true / Wanna see you smiling girl / You’re a light in this jaded world / Wipe away those tears / This one’s for you”, culminando con fascinantes sintetizadores que se desvanecen dando paso a otra infaltable performance. “Loud n Clear (TruDog 10)” es ese hilarante intermedio a cargo del hijo mayor de Toby. Muy creativo y gracioso. “Hey Devil” es cautivante. Con retazos de Family Force 5 y Neon Horse, nos muestra una versátil y sorprendente evolución vocal de parte de Toby. Mientras que cada frase desecha toda la basura que el diablo ha intentado meter en nuestros corazones: “You’re a beauty and A beast / You’re the pressure never cease / You’re the straight other side / And they say you never sleep”. Pianos de caricatura encontramos en ”Wonderin’” con la participación de Matt Thiessen vocalista de Relient K, que le entrega el toque relajante que exige este tipo de canciones. Simple y magnífica lírica: “We didn’t know what to do / But you were lookin’ at me, and I was lookin’ at you / And we were thinkin’ it odd, but we were thankin’ our God / For the hope that He put down deep in our hearts”. Pregonando dependencia a Dios, “Captured” con frases que parecen sacados de un apasionado salmo de la biblia, que grita a mil voces estar más cerca de Dios, ser capturados por su amor, que de nuestras venas fluya su gracia. Un párrafo que me ha dejado perplejo: “If I should die before I wake / I pray the Lord my soul to take / And if I should get a peaceful sleep / I wanna wake at my Father’s feet”. El álbum se torna personal con “Start Somewhere”, que demuestra la vida agitada de un joven que hoy toma conciencia de sus acciones, y le pide perdón a Dios y a todas aquellas personas que un día dañó: “But here I am, and there you are / The space between us is not so far / I’m reaching out my hand in love / Before the fading sun, forgive me for what I’ve done”. Trompetas, vinilos rayados, un ritmo inolvidable. De pronto, Israel Houghton aparece en el escenario con “Break Open The Sky” dándole el sentimiento reggae que le faltaba al proyecto: “Break open the sky / Won’t You turn off gravity so we can fly? / We wanna see Your face / So tear the roof off this place / Jesus, break open the sky”, que anuncia la segunda venida de Cristo y el avivamiento de su iglesia.
La versatilidad de TobyMac es inagotable, se renueva con el tiempo, va adquiriendo consistencia en cada álbum y el resultado lo vemos en ‘Tonight’. “Intento escribir canciones que tomen una foto instantánea de lo que estoy viviendo, las cosas con la que lucho, ya sea mi relación con Dios o con mis amigos”, nos confiesa el veterano. “No se trata de poner un arco iris en lo que sentimos”. Parte de la promoción al ofrecer sólo la mejor variedad a su audiencia, “Tonight” estará disponible este 9 de febrero en formatos físico y digital, además de incluir bonus remixes y un video detrás de cámara. Que buen comienzo de año, y aún hay más.
Israel Risco
Rating-Calificación: 5/5 ♥♥♥♥
17 Feb 2010Comments
1 note
Gungor - Beautiful Things
Artist: Gungor
Album: Beautiful Things
Year: 2010
Label: Brash Music
Website: http://www.gungormusic.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/michaelgungor
Twitter: @gungormusic @michaelgungor
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - Official Store
“Beautiful Things”, the conventional worship sound of the church is transformed into innovative and passionate songs. Gungor is the new name adopted by The Michael Gungor Band, which signed with Brash Music (Aaron Shust, Chris Sligh) for the launch of this new project. Produced by the same Michael Gungor, along with Lisa Gungor (piano, vocals), Brad Waller (guitar) and Josh Harvey (bass). “This album is an expression of hope that God will do beautiful things of the dust in our lives. Somehow He will use us, use our obedience and love, our human efforts and build his kingdom”.
The opening song “Dry Bones” begins with delicate classical guitar with latin features, penetrating into a deep and desperate atmosphere for God with drums, guitars delays and the impressive chorus: “Jesus, You’re the one who saves us / Constantly creates us into something new”. This song triumphantly declares the emergence of life and love in the hope we have in God. “Beautiful Things” is synchronized with a quiet lament that quietly confesses our insecurity as humans, as the guitars and violins lead us to pianos and the sticky voice of Lisa Gungor, concluding in a masterly serenade that declares trust in God: “You make beautiful things / You make beautiful things out of the dust”. The harmonious introduction of “Brighter Day” breaks with powerful guitars that talks about the new start that God promises if we accept him in our hearts: “Love came down and hope was found / Now we’re waking up to a brighter day”. With a very particular intermediate guitar, vocals, sound effects and an up-tempo pop beat. Israel Houghton makes its appearance in “Heaven” with a feeling funky soul/blues and jazz touches that appeal to their lyric. Undoubtedly, the instrumentation plays a major role throughout the song, but no less sublime. The sound of the banjo on “You Have Me” praises God’s faithfulness with gentle voices and pianos: “I’ve wandered in Heaven’s gates / I’ve made my bed in Hell / You were there still”. With a strings and violins thrilling intermediate in which Michael uses the falsettos similar to Sigür Ros. While “Cannot Keep You” sounds like Brandon Heath (vocally speaking), with a simple musicality but beautiful lyrics: “We cannot keep You in a church / We cannot keep You in a Bible / Or it’s just another idol to box You in”. The pizzicato and melodies on the glockenspiel make “The Earth Is Yours” a particular praise to God, crying: “Holy, Holy / Holy, Holy Lord / The earth is yours”. Once again the funky banjo sets the pace in “Call Me Out”, with an innovative chord progression and the following statement: “This world is dying / The old world’s dying now / But a new one’s dawning / And You keep calling us out”. The troubadour feeling of “Please Be My Strength” takes advantage of guitars, pianos and a folk melody similar to Coldplay’s “See You Soon” or Phil Wickham’s “The Light Will Come”, but with a more melancholic effect showing us a tired, thirsty and exhausted figure who seeks God’s strength: “And at my final breath / I hope that I can say / I’ve fought the good fight of Faith / I pray Your glory shines / Through this doubting heart of mine / And all would know that You”. Moreover, “Higher” leans Sufjan Stevens using glockenspiels, horns, violins, banjos and perfumed piano interpretation: “And every morning there are mercies new / Your kindness brings us back to you”. The psalm sung on “Late Haved I Loved You”, shows an honest, deep, personal relationship with God facet: “You called and You shouted / You broke through my deafness / You flashed and you shone / Dispelled all my blindness / You breathed Your fragrance on me”. The beautiful “People Of God” leads us to the necessity of being doers of the Word and not hearers only, we need to be bright lights of God’s love with others. And a defiant prophetic line arises in the bridge: “Tear down the walls that divide us / Let love rebuild and unite us / All we need is love”. The album ends with “We Will Run”, an unusual orchestrated composition with silences, sublime melodies, epic guitars and piano. “We will run to You, we will run to You / Turning from our sin we return to You / Father heal Your world, make all things new”.
Gungor opens the door to a radical revolution in worship, with a particular extravaganza, perfect instrumentation and the same intimacy that David and all the psalmist once had with God. “What we found in this couple Gungor and his wife Lisa) were passionate, creative, humble and authentic disciples of Christ, true worshippers who are willing to do whatever it takes to truly follow Jesus. We are all the better for being exposed to this gift and our hearts are stirred to change. I personally was challenged and refreshed to the core” said award-winning songwriter and Hillsong worship pastor, Darlene Zschech. “Beautiful Things” is the quiet voice of God made into music.
Con “Beautiful Things”, la convencional adoración de iglesia es transformada en innovadoras y apasionadas canciones. Gungor es el nuevo nombre adoptado por The Michael Gungor Band, los cuales firmaron con Brash Music (Aaron Shust, Chris Sligh) para el lanzamiento de este nuevo proyecto. Producido por el mismo Michael Gungor, junto a Lisa Gungor (pianos, voces), Brad Waller (guitarra) y Josh Harvey (bajo). “Este álbum es una expresión de esperanza de que Dios hará cosas hermosas del polvo de nuestras vidas. De alguna manera Él nos va a usar, usar nuestra obediencia y amor, nuestro esfuerzo humano y construirá su reino”.
El tema de apertura “Dry Bones”, empieza con una delicada guitarra clásica con rasgos latinos, penetrando en una atmósfera profunda y desesperada por Dios con tambores, delays de guitarras y el impresionante coro: “Jesus, You’re the one who saves us / Constantly creates us into something new”. Esta canción declara triunfante el surgimiento de la vida y el amor en la esperanza que tenemos en Dios. “Beautiful Things” se sincroniza con un lamento sosegado, que confiesa en silencio nuestra inseguridad como humanos, mientras que las guitarras y violines nos conducen a los pianos y la voz de Lisa Gungor que concluyen en una magistral serenata que declara confianza en Dios: “You make beautiful things / You make beautiful things out of the dust”. La harmoniosa introducción en “Brighter Day” se desata con potentes guitarras que habla sobre el nuevo comienzo que Dios nos promete si lo aceptamos en nuestros corazones: “Love came down and hope was found / Now we’re waking up to a brighter day”. Con un intermedio muy particular de guitarras, voces, efectos de sonido y un pop up-tempo beat. Israel Houghton hace su aparición en “Heaven”, con un sentimiento funky soul/blues y toques de jazz que seducen a su lírica. Sin duda, la instrumentación juega el papel principal en toda la canción, pero no deja de ser sublime. El sonido del banjo en “You Have Me” alaba la fidelidad de Dios con apacibles voces y pianos: “I’ve wandered in Heaven’s gates / I’ve made my bed in Hell / You were there still”. Con un intermedio de cuerdas y violines estremecedor en el que Michael emplea los falsetes similares a Sigür Ros. Mientras que “Cannot Keep You” suena como Brandon Heath (vocalmente hablando), con una sencillez musical pero hermosa lírica: “We cannot keep You in a church / We cannot keep You in a Bible / Or it’s just another idol to box You in”. Los pizzicatos y melodías en la lira, hacen de “The Earth Is Yours” una particular alabanza a Dios que clama: “Holy, Holy / Holy, Holy Lord / The earth is yours”. Una vez más el banjo marca el ritmo funky en “Call Me Out”, con una innovadora progresión de acordes y la siguiente declaración: “This world is dying / The old world’s dying now / But a new one’s dawning / And You keep calling us out”. El sentimiento trovador de “Please Be My Strength” saca provecho de las guitarras, pianos y una melodía folk similar a la de Coldplay en “See You Soon” o “The Light Will Come” de Phil Wickham, pero con un efecto más melancólica que nos muestra a un cansado y agotado personaje que sediento busca la fortaleza de Dios: “And at my final breath / I hope that I can say / I’ve fought the good fight of Faith / I pray Your glory shines / Through this doubting heart of mine / And all would know that You”. Por otro lado, “Higher” se inclina hacia Sufjan Stevens, utilizando liras, trombones, violines, banjos y la perfumada interpretación del piano: “And every morning there are mercies new / Your kindness brings us back to you”. El salmo cantado en “Late I Haved Loved You”, nos muestra una faceta honesta, profunda, personal de nuestra relación con Dios: “You called and You shouted / You broke through my deafness / You flashed and you shone / Dispelled all my blindness / You breathed Your fragrance on me”. Le hermosa “People Of God” nos conduce la necesidad de ser hacedores de la Palabra y no sólo oyentes, que necesitamos ser luces brillantes del amor de Dios con los demás. Y una profética y desafiante línea surge en el puente: “Tear down the walls that divide us / Let love rebuild and unite us / All we need is love”. El álbum se concluye con “We Will Run”, una inusual composición orquestada con silencios, sublimes melodías, guitarras y épico piano. “We will run to You, we will run to You / Turning from our sin we return to You / Father heal Your world, make all things new”.
Gungor abre las puertas a una revolución radical en la adoración, con una extravagancia particular, una instrumentación perfecta y la misma intimidad que David y todos los salmistas tuvieron alguna vez con Dios. “Lo que encontramos en esta pareja (Michael y su esposa) fue a unos apasionados, creativos, humildes y auténticos discípulos de Cristo, verdaderos adoradores que están dispuestos a hacer lo que sea para seguir a Jesús. Este es un regalo, y nuestros corazones se conmueven al cambio. Personalmente, he sido desafiada y renovada hasta el núcleo” dijo la galardonada compositora y pastora de alabanzas de Hillsong Church, Darlene Zschech. “Beautiful Things” es la susurrante voz de Dios hecha música.
Israel Risco
Rating-Calificación: 5/5 ♥♥♥♥♥