Bethany Dillon - Stop & Listen
Artist: Bethany Dillon
Album: Stop & Listen
Year: 2009
Label: Sparrow Records/EMI CMG
Website: http://www.myspace.com/bethanydillonmusic
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - Official Store
The fifth album from Bethany Dillon reflects the musical growth, and her faith, love and passion. ‘Stop & Listen’ is a compilation of the heart through sweet melodies and songs of worship that recorded a spiritual development. Colored by delicate acoustic guitars and slightly dragged by a slow rhythm that gives a message full of experiences and lessons. Produced by Marshall Altman (Brooke Fraser, Warren Barfield, Matt Wertz), it carry the work of this woman to a new level, both lyrically and musically.
“Get Up And Walk” introduces Bethany in the same category of Sarah McLachlan by warm vocals, an addictive rhythm that weaves a powerful spiritual message about the life-giving work of Christ. It’s a song inspired by stories of healing of the New Testament, and reminds us that God is still restoring the broken, while encouraging you to overcome our weaknesses and walk into the light: “You break through my deafness / Swing open the curtain and I find the courage to get up and walk / I forget my weakness / For you’ve answered my loneliness / And through the mud on my eyes / I can see my hope has come”. Then, we find “Everyone To Know”, the first single from the album written with Ed Cash, and it has a powerful feeling that encourages our silenced hearts to recognize that the love of God is the only salvation and we must take our testimony as a command that will bring life to our world: “To all of those who are searching / Come find what you seek / It is the Truth that we all / Truth that we all need”. Based on the story of Hosea and the challenge of being faithful in difficult circumstances, with one of the best vocal performances, emotional, interspersed with some maturity that resembles Colbie Caillat and whispers: “You have called me out of shadows / Out of darkness into light / Hemmed in by the hands of mercy / I’m completely satisfied”. Co-written with Ben Glover and Joy Williams, the song “Stop & Listen” refers to Martha and Mary of the Bible. While Martha was busy for chores, Mary would rather be at the feet of Jesus and listening; often rewards come in moments of meditation and devotion. Must exist in us the need to stop and take a time in our troubled schedule. Stop and listen to the sublime voice of God: “But I’d be a fool to forfeit / The chance to take a moment / For you to rise like the dawn / Over my cold, tired heart / What I thought I had lost / Finds me when I stop / Stop and listen”. The struggle we have to balance in our lifes between God and our marriage is shown in “Say Your Name”. No matter how much our lifestyles change, God is the same and yet we can know him: “Still I reach for you / When I am afraid / And this breath that comes from you helps me say your name”. Continuing the theme of taking time to be closer to God, “So Close” unifies a wonderful, simple instrumentation that recalls the early work of Bethany. Attempts to resolve the distance between the pilgrims of our pride and God are embodied in the following lines: “Still, I’m so close to being so far away from you / Though I know no one on their own makes it through / My soul clings to the dust / So in your life, let it be enough”. The image of a woman, who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was healed by faith, is told in “Reach Out” which ends with: “I feel like something has changed”. Confessions of insecurity, pride and lack of love are summarized in a prayer called “Deliver Me” with phrases such sincere and profound: “Deliver me from my hateful thoughts / I’m Committing murder in the Presence of God / Break my heart just like David’s was / With a weeping, pregnant widow in my house / How can I despise my brother / When I killed your only begotten son?”. Fogging of with acoustic guitars, “The Way I Come To You” talks about how Jesus took our sin and set us free by the wonderful gift of forgiveness and the eternal freedom we now have through him: “You drank the cup that was all filled up / With my punishment and shame / From the garden to the empty tomb / The way I come to You forever changed “. Almost finishing the album and inspired by Isaiah 55, “In The Beginning” is a poem full of depth where we can appreciate the wonderful work of Bethany in the composition. Finally, the acoustic version of “Everyone To Know” gives the final touch to the album, with the help of Shane Barnard (Bethany’s husband), playing perfect harmonies and culminating this unforgettable spiritual serenade.
The only purpose in ‘Stop & Listen’ is to show the heart of a passionate woman of God. Sticky pop that uses guitars and soft voices whispering beside a simple and penetrating lyrical. If you like the work of Meredith Andrews, Ginny Owens, Nichole Nordeman and above Colbie Caillat, no doubt that Bethany Dillon has enough features to be your next partner on an autumn afternoon.
El quinto álbum de Bethany Dillon refleja el crecimiento musical, así cómo su fe, amor y pasión. ‘Stop & Listen’ es una recopilación del corazón a través de dulces melodías y canciones de adoración que registran un desarrollo espiritual. Coloreados por delicadas guitarras acústicas y ligeramente arrastrado por un ritmo pausado que proporciona un mensaje lleno de experiencias y lecciones. Producido por Marshall Altman (Brooke Fraser, Warren Barfield, Matt Wertz), transportan el trabajo de esta mujer hacia un nuevo nivel, tanto lírica como musicalmente.
“Get Up And Walk” introduce a Bethany en la misma categoría de Sarah McLachlan mediante voces cálidas, un ritmo adictivo que se entrelaza con un poderoso mensaje espiritual sobre la obra vivificante de Cristo. Es una canción inspirada en historias de sanidad del nuevo testamento, y nos recuerda que Dios aún sigue restaurando al quebrado, mientras nos anima a superar nuestras debilidades y caminar en la luz: “You break through my deafness / Swing open the curtain and I find the courage to get up and walk / I forget my weakness / For you’ve answered my loneliness / And through the mud on my eyes / I can see my hope has come”. Seguidamente encontramos a “Everyone To Know”, primer sencillo del álbum escrito con la ayuda de Ed Cash y que posee un sentimiento impactante que anima a nuestros silenciados corazones a reconocer que el amor de Dios es la única salvación y que hay que tomar nuestro testimonio como un mandamiento que traerá vida a nuestro mundo: “To all of those who are searching / Come find what you seek / It is the Truth that we all need”. Basada en la historia de Oseas y el desafío de ser fiel en las circunstancias adversas, junto a uno de las mejores performances vocales; emotiva, entrecortada y con cierta madurez que se asemeja a Colbie Caillat y que susurra: “You have called me out of shadows / Out of darkness into light / Hemmed in by the hands of mercy / I’m completely satisfied”. Coescrita con Joy Williams y Ben Glover, la canción “Stop & Listen” hace referencia a Marta y María de la biblia. Mientras que Martha se afanaba por los quehaceres, María prefería estar a los pies de Jesús y escuchar; y es que muchas veces las recompensas vienen por los momentos de meditación y devoción. En nosotros debe existir la necesidad de frenar y tomar un tiempo en nuestro turbado horario. Detenernos y escuchar la sublime voz de Dios: “But I’d be a fool to forfeit / The chance to take a moment / For you to rise like the dawn / Over my cold, tired heart / What I thought I had lost / Finds me when I stop / Stop and listen”. La lucha que tenemos al equilibrar nuestras vidas entre Dios y nuestro matrimonio se ve mostrada en “Say Your Name”. No importa cuánto cambien nuestros estilos de vida, Dios es el mismo y todavía podemos conocerle: “Still I reach for you / When I am afraid / And this breath that comes from you helps me say your name”. Continuando con la temática de tomar tiempo para estar más cerca de Dios, “So Close” unifica una instrumentación simple y maravillosa que recuerda los primeros trabajos de Bethany. Los intentos por resolver la distancia entre los peregrinos de nuestro orgullo y Dios se plasman en las siguientes líneas: “Still, I’m so close to being so far away from you / Though I know no one on their own makes it through / My soul clings to the dust / So in your life, let it be enough”. La imagen de la mujer que tocó el borde del manto de Jesús y fue sanada por fe, es relatada en “Reach Out” que culmina con: ”I feel like something has changed”. Confesiones sobre inseguridad, orgullo y falta de amor se resumen en una oración llamada “Deliver Me” con frases tan sinceras como profundas: “Deliver me from my hateful thoughts / I’m committing murder in the presence of God / Break my heart just like David’s was / With a weeping, pregnant widow in my house / How can I despise my brother / When I killed your only begotten son?”. Empañado de guitarras acústicas, “The Way I Come To You” habla de cómo Jesús tomó nuestros pecados y nos hizo libres con el maravilloso regalo del perdón, y ahora tenemos libertad eterna a través de él: “You drank the cup that was all filled up / With my punishment and shame / From the garden to the empty tomb / The way I come to You forever changed”. Casi terminando el álbum e inspirada en Isaías 55, “In The Beginning” es un poema lleno de profundidad en donde podemos apreciar el maravilloso trabajo de Bethany en cuanto a la composición. Por último, la versión acústica de “Everyone To Know” le da el toque final al álbum, con la colaboración de Shane Barnard (esposo de Bethany), interpretando armonías perfectas y culminando esta inolvidable serenata espiritual.
El único propósito en ‘Stop & Listen’ es mostrar el corazón de una mujer apasionada por Dios. Emergente pop que utiliza suaves guitarras y susurrantes voces junto a una lírica sencilla y penetrante. Si te gusta el trabajo de Meredith Andrews, Ginny Owens, Nichole Nordeman y la anteriormente mencionada Colbie Caillat, no hay duda que Bethany Dillon posee las suficientes características para ser tu siguiente compañía en una tarde de otoño.
Israel Risco
Rating-Calificación: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥
23 Feb 2010Comments
Skillet - Awake
Artist: Skillet
Album: Awake
Year: 2009
Label: Atlantic Recording/INO Records/Lava
Website: http://www.skillet.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/skilletmusic
Twitter: @skilletmusic
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - Official Store
Sounds Like: Red, Pillar, Daughtry, 3 Doors Down, Staind, Evanescence, Linkin Park, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Finger 11, Kutless, Nickelback
Rating: 4/5 ♥♥♥♥
Skillet already has nearly 14 years in the music scene, with over 9 successful singles in a remarkable career that continues with the release of “Awake”. The hard rock of this band is unmatched, and thanks to the success that “Comatose” caused them, this new album became a phenomenon in 2009 and of course still continues with this effect in the early 2010. “Awake” is the first experience with Howard Benson, producer known for his work with Daughtry, My Chemical Romance, The All American Rejects, POD, Mae, and so on.
Since the opening of the disc, and since the voice introduction of Jen Ledger (drummer/ female vocals) in their songs, the concept of each track is more interesting. “Hero” is the first single from the album, which features a large-scale electric guitar interlaced with the voice of Jon Cooper showing the desperate need of a hero in our world, a hero who fights injustice and the oppression of our days, a hero like Christ: “Who’s gonna fight for what’s right? / Who’s gonna help us survive? / We’re in the fight of our lives / And we’re not ready to die / Who’s gonna fight for the weak? / Who’s gonna make ‘em believe? / I’ve got a hero living in me / I’m gonna fight for what’s right / Today I’m speaking my mind / And if it kills me tonight / I will be ready to die”. The second single “Monster”, compares the monster within us to sin that invades us, showing the dark side we need to get out. With powerful guitars, a brilliant vocal performance, melodies similarities to Linkin Park and an angry growl that distorts man’s internal struggle between good and evil: “I feel it deep within / It’s just beneath the skin / I hate what I’ve become / The nightmare’s just begun / I must confess that I feel like a monster”. The nuances of unrequited love are reflected in “Don’t Wake Me”, an acoustic ballad with 80’s features. These are the people who lost something, who broke up with someone or who lost someone, and those feelings that give you the impression of being in a dream. “These dreams of you keep on growing stronger / It ain’t a lot but it’s all I have / Nothing to do but keep sleeping longer / Don’t wanna stop cause I want you back”. Soon we arrived at “Awake And Alive”, which leans towards bands like Evanescence or Red, using strident violins at the beginning that recalls the sound of “Comatose” and adds a wild guitar instrumental by Ben Kasica. Sometimes we feel that the world around us try to avert our hope by negative influences, but this song encourages you to live what you believe and not be afraid to defend your faith: “I’m awake I’m alive / Now I know what I believe inside / Now it’s my time / I’ll do what I want ‘cause this is my life / Here, right now I’ll stand my ground and never back down / I know what I believe inside / I’m awake and I’m alive”. The inspirational “One Day Too Late” talks about the decisions we should have taken yesterday, with an introspective message that makes you thinking about the meaning of life. This is to value each second, because tomorrow may be too late: “Your time is running out / You’re never gonna get it back / Make the most of every moment / Stop saving the best for last”. The distorted guitars on “It’s Not Me, It’s You” try to get rid of negative influences in our lives: “Let’s get the story straight / You were a poison / Flooding through my veins / Driving me insane / And now you’re gone away / I’m no longer choking / From the pain you put me through / And now I know that it’s not me it’s you”. We continued with “Should’ve When You Could’ve”, which touches the theme of a breakup from the perspective of a girl. With contagious melodic lines in the chorus, like “Those Nights” and Daughtry songs: “You should’ve when you could’ve / You’re gonna miss my love girl / You should, it would’ve been so good / You should’ve when I would’ve / Now I know I’ve had enough / Better luck next time girl / You should, it would’ve been so good”. Likewise, “Believe” continues the record of a classic rock ballad, with similarities to Incubus, Staind, 3 Doors Down and Seether and sometimes Flyleaf. With an excellent guitar instrumental with 80’s metal features, and an explosive lyrical addressed to each person who had a consistent loving relationship, but in a moment of stupidity, they ruined everything: “If you believed when I said / I’d be better off without you / Then you never really knew me at all / That I wouldn’t be thinking about you / You thought you knew the truth but you’re wrong / You’re all that I need / Just tell me that you still believe”. The song with more Christian context is “Forgiven”, spreading hope, redemption and God ‘s forgiveness through a splendid piano symphony and violins: redención y el perdón de Dios, a través de pianos y una espléndida sinfonía de violines: “Now I’m in our secret place / Alone in your embrace / Where all my wrongs have been erased / All the promises and lies / All the times I compromise / All the times you were denied / You have forgiven”. Next, “Sometimes” brings the darker atmosphere of the album, which is facing dark and sinful areas of our soul, often beating out in this spiritual warfare. Great job on the shrill guitar, showing human nature at its best: “Sometimes I can’t hide the demons that I face / Sometimes don’t deny / I’m sometimes sinner, sometimes saint”. The inspiration behind “Never Surrender” comes from a conversation with a fan of the band about her eating disorder. Many times you do not like who you are, and you wish that someone is crying beside you and encourage you to not surrender, that’s when God appears through a friend or family member: “I don’t wanna feel like this tomorrow / I don’t wanna live like this today / Make me feel better / I wanna feel better / Stay with me here / And never surrender”. The album closes with “Lucy”, a song addressed to a girl named Lucy who passed away, as Cooper demonstrates that both nostalgia moments spent together. A song of regret that you want to turn back the clock and do things differently, but that gives hope to change your life with the help of God, who gives you a second opportunity for you to remember to live and love without regret. The pianos and violins whisper: “Here we are, now you’re in my arms / Here we are for a brand new start / Got to live with the choices I’ve made / And I can’t live with myself today”.
As the first bonus track “Dead Inside”, which talks about a faith full of life and passion, with catchy guitar riffs and a despair lyrical: “I can’t escape this love / I want it the way it was / You remind me of a time / When I felt alive”. The second and more interesting bonus track is “Would It Matter”, which focuses on the thoughts about whether what you do is worthwhile, or if you really care: ““If I live tomorrow / Would anybody care / Stuck in this sorrow / Going nowhere”. These last two tracks plus alternate version of “Monster” (edited by removing the chilling scream in the bridge), make it worth buying the Deluxe Edition.
Some say that “Awake” has failed to overtake its predecessor “Comatose”. At first taste, I also shared the same opinion, however after a dawn listening, I’ve been addicted to this progression and mixed of feelings, sounds and energy captured in a wonderful album. This is how Cooper’s phenomenal vocal maturity coupled with powerful rock ecstatic with a powerful message that is injected into your veins and cause a material change, the old school classic rock is back with “Awake” with monstrous and daring songs who become immortal hymns of this new decade.
Skillet ya tiene casi 14 años en la escena musical, con más de 9 exitosos sencillos en una admirable carrera que continúa con el lanzamiento de “Awake”. El hard rock de esta banda es incomparable, y gracias al éxito que “Comatose” les provocó, este nuevo álbum se convierte en todo un fenómeno para el 2009 y por supuesto aún sigue haciendo efecto en este 2010. “Awake” es la primera experiencia con Howard Benson, productor reconocido por su trabajo con Daughtry, My Chemical Romance, The All American Rejects, P.O.D., Mae, etc.
Desde la apertura del disco, y desde que se introdujo la voz de Jen Ledger (baterista/voz femenina) en sus canciones, el concepto de cada track es mucho más interesante. “Hero” es el primer sencillo del álbum, que cuenta con una guitarra eléctrica de gran magnitud entrelazada con la voz de Jon Cooper al mostrar la desesperada necesidad de un héroe en nuestro mundo, un héroe que luche con la injusticia y la opresión de nuestros días, un héroe como Cristo: “Who’s gonna fight for what’s right? / Who’s gonna help us survive? / We’re in the fight of our lives / And we’re not ready to die / Who’s gonna fight for the weak? / Who’s gonna make ‘em believe? / I’ve got a hero living in me / I’m gonna fight for what’s right / Today I’m speaking my mind / And if it kills me tonight / I will be ready to die”. El segundo sencillo “Monster”, compara al monstruo dentro de nosotros con el pecado que nos invade, mostrando el lado oscuro del que necesitamos salir. Con potentes guitarras, una brillante performance vocal, semejanzas melódicas a Linkin Park y aquel iracundo gruñido en el intermedio que distorsiona la lucha interna del hombre entre el bien y el mal: “I feel it deep within / It’s just beneath the skin / I hate what I’ve become / The nightmare’s just begun / I must confess that I feel like a monster”. Los matices de un amor no correspondido se ven reflejados en “Don’t Wake Me”, una balada acústica con rasgos ochenteros. Se trata de aquella persona que perdiste, que rompió contigo o que murió, y de aquellos sentimientos que te dan la impresión de estar en un sueño. “These dreams of you keep on growing stronger / It ain’t a lot but it’s all I have / Nothing to do but keep sleeping longer / Don’t wanna stop cause I want you back”. Rápidamente llegamos hasta “Awake And Alive”, que se inclina hacia bandas como Red o Evanescence, empleando estridentes violines al inicio que recuerda el sonido de “Comatose”, y le agrega un salvaje instrumental de guitarra a cargo de Ben Kasica. A veces sentimos que el mundo que nos rodea intenta alejar nuestra esperanza, mediante influencias negativas, sin embargo esta canción te anima a vivir lo que crees y no tener miedo a defender tu fe: “I’m awake I’m alive / Now I know what I believe inside / Now it’s my time / I’ll do what I want ‘cause this is my life / Here, right now I’ll stand my ground and never back down / I know what I believe inside / I’m awake and I’m alive”. La inspiradora “One Day Too Late” habla sobre las decisiones que debimos haber tomado ayer, con un mensaje introspectivo que te hace pensar sobre el significado de la vida. Se trata de valorar cada segundo, porque mañana podría ser demasiado tarde: “Your time is running out / You’re never gonna get it back / Make the most of every moment / Stop saving the best for last”. Las distorsionadas guitarras en “It’s Not Me, It’s You” intentan deshacerse de las influencias negativas en nuestras vidas: “Let’s get the story straight / You were a poison / Flooding through my veins / Driving me insane / And now you’re gone away / I’m no longer choking / From the pain you put me through / And now I know that it’s not me it’s you”. Continuamos con “Should’ve When You Could’ve”, que toca el tema de una ruptura amorosa desde la perspectiva de una chica. Con contagiosas líneas melódicas en el coro, similares a “Those Nights” y a Daughtry: “You should’ve when you could’ve / You’re gonna miss my love girl / You should, it would’ve been so good / You should’ve when I would’ve / Now I know I’ve had enough / Better luck next time girl / You should, it would’ve been so good”. Del mismo modo “Believe” prosigue con el registro clásico de una balada rock, con semejanzas a Incubus, Staind, 3 Doors Down y por momentos a Seether y Flyleaf. Con un excelente instrumental de guitarra con rasgos de metal ochentero, y una lírica explosiva dirigida a cada persona que tuvo una relación amoroso consistente, pero que en un momento de estupidez echó todo a perder: “If you believed when I said / I’d be better off without you / Then you never really knew me at all / That I wouldn’t be thinking about you / You thought you knew the truth but you’re wrong / You’re all that I need / Just tell me that you still believe”. La canción con mayor contexto cristiano es “Forgiven”, esparciendo esperanza, redención y el perdón de Dios, a través de pianos y una espléndida sinfonía de violines: “Now I’m in our secret place / Alone in your embrace / Where all my wrongs have been erased / All the promises and lies / All the times I compromise / All the times you were denied / You have forgiven”. Seguidamente, “Sometimes” nos trae la atmósfera más oscura del álbum, que se enfrenta a las áreas oscuras y pecaminosas de nuestra alma, que muchas veces salen venciendo en esta guerra espiritual. Excelente trabajo en la chillante guitarra, que muestra nuestra naturaleza humana en todo su esplendor: “Sometimes I can’t hide the demons that I face / Sometimes don’t deny / I’m sometimes sinner, sometimes saint”. La inspiración detrás de “Never Surrender” viene de la conversación con un admirador de la banda acerca de su desorden alimenticio. Muchas veces no te gusta quién eres, y lloras deseando que alguien esté a tu lado y te anime a no rendirte; es ahí cuando aparece Dios mediante un amigo o un familiar: “I don’t wanna feel like this tomorrow / I don’t wanna live like this today / Make me feel better / I wanna feel better / Stay with me here / And never surrender”. El álbum se cierra con “Lucy”, una canción dirigida a una chica llamada Lucy que falleció, y como Cooper demuestra con nostalgia momentos que ambos pasaron juntos. Una canción de arrepentimiento que desea retroceder el tiempo y hacer las cosas diferentes, pero que entrega la esperanza de cambiar tu vida con la ayuda de Dios, aquel que te entrega una segunda oportunidad para que recuerdes vivir y amar sin arrepentimientos. Los pianos y violines susurran: “Here we are, now you’re in my arms / Here we are for a brand new start / Got to live with the choices I’ve made / And I can’t live with myself today”.
Como primer bonus track tenemos a “Dead Inside”, que habla sobre una fe llena de vida y pasión, con riffs de guitarras pegajosos y una lírica desesperada: “I can’t escape this love / I want it the way it was / You remind me of a time / When I felt alive”. Y el segundo y más interesante bonus track es “Would It Matter”, que trata sobre los pensamientos acerca de saber si lo que haces vale la pena, o si realmente te importa: “If I live tomorrow / Would anybody care / Stuck in this sorrow / Going nowhere”. Estos dos últimos tracks más la versión alterna de “Monster” (editado quitando el estremecedor grito en el puente), hacen que valga la pena la compra del Deluxe Edition.
Algunos dicen que “Awake” no ha logrado superar a su antecesor “Comatose”. En un principio también compartía la misma opinión, sin embargo luego de una amanecida escuchándolo, me he quedado adicto a esta progresión y mezcla de sentimientos, sonidos y energía plasmados en un maravilloso álbum. Es así como la fenomenal madurez vocal de Cooper enganchado con el poderoso rock extasiado de un poderoso mensaje que se inyecta en tus venas y causa un cambio relevante, la escuela vieja del rock clásico regresa de la mano de “Awake” con monstruosas y atrevidas canciones que se convierten en himnos inmortales de esta nueva década.