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12 Mar 2010

Nick J Drake - All For Christ

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Artist: Nick J Drake
Album: All For Christ
Year: 2010
Label: Survivor Records/Kingsway
Website: http://www.nickjdrake.com/
Twitter: @nickjdrake
Buy: Kingsway (Pre-Order) - Cross Rhythms
Sounds Like: Delirious?, Ben Cantelon, Kevin Prosch, Stoneleigh, Coldplay, Keane, Jamie Cullum, Athlete, Simon Brading, The Kry
Rating: 3/5 ♥♥♥

Survivor Records has introduced a new member in his family. This is Nick J Drake, a pastor and an extravagant worshiper. His new album is titled “All For Christ”, produced by Matt and Dan Weeks, which shows the talent that Nick has to attract people, creating a space that allows you to enter into communion with God. Influences of Delirious?, Kevin Prosch and Stoneleigh.

The album opens with the titletrack “All For Christ” and the call for total devotion to Christ: “All for Jesus / All that I have is now all for Christ”. The song was co-written with Nick Herbert, and has features of jazz piano and Jamie Cullum. The pianos and melodies in “His Name Shall Be Honored” sounds like Keane or Simon Brading, with an inspirational lyric that encourages us to confess Jesus name worldwide, through a bold voice to a chorus that proclaims the congregation: “That you are King / And you reign forever / The whole world is yours”. Inspired by Psalm 51, “Have Mercy On Me” becomes very personal, comparing our lives as a jar of clay in the hands of God, waiting to be molded, restored. The splendid and wonderful, “Spirit Of God” becomes an intimate melody with piano, touches of jazz and sweet statement of the fullness of being in the presence of God. It reminds me of Coldplay and The Kry, blending melancholy and sublime. “Your Voice” continues with the atmosphere of worship, confessing that we’d be lost without hearing the voice of God, ‘cause he gives us the direction to dream. “Worthy” was written with Becky (Nick’s wife) and Ben Cantelon, growing in a flow of truths about who Jesus is. The music perfectly matches the spirit of the song, pianos, harmonies and guitars. The epic “You Shall Be Praised” sounds like Athlete, with an atmosphere that leaves you breathless, reminding us that we should praise God even in the midst of pain. The renovated and adapted version of “Come Thou Fount” is amazing. Anglican roots, and a hunger and desire for spiritual things.

This brief but comfortable tracklist, immersed us in a brilliant introduction of a clearly emerging talent called Nick J Drake. “All For Christ” is a profound experience and a brilliant match between organs, pianos, drums, trumpets, violins and simplicity of extravagant worship.

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Survivor Records ha introducido a un nuevo miembro en su familia. Se trata de Nick J Drake, un adorador extravagante y un pastor. Su nuevo álbum se titula “All For Christ”, producido por Matt y Dan Weeks, que nos muestra el talento que Nick posee al atraer gente, creando un espacio que te permite entrar en comunión con Dios. Influencias de Delirious?, Kevin Prosch y Stoneleigh.

El álbum se apertura con el titletrack “All For Christ”, y el llamado a la total devoción a Cristo: “All for Jesus / All that I have is now all for Christ”. La canción fue co-escrita con Nick Herbert, y posee rasgos de piano jazz y Jamie Cullum. Los pianos y melodías en “His Name Shall Be Honoured” se asemejan a Keane o Simon Brading, con una inspiradora lírica que nos anima a confesar el nombre de Jesús en todo el mundo, a través de un atrevido coro que a una voz proclama la congregación: “That you are King / And you reign forever / The whole world is yours”. Inspirada en el Salmo 51, “Have Mercy On Me” se torna muy personal, comparando nuestras vidas como una vasija de barro en las manos de Dios, esperando ser moldeados, restaurados. La espléndida y maravillosa, “Spirit Of God” se convierte en una íntima melodía, con pianos, pinceladas de jazz y la dulce declaración de la plenitud de estar en la presencia de Dios. Me recuerda a Coldplay y The Kry, en una fusión melancólica y sublime. “Your Voice” continúa con esa atmósfera de adoración, confesando que estaríamos perdidos sin oír la voz de Dios, el nos da la dirección para soñar. “Worthy” fue escrita junto a Becky (esposa de Nick) y Ben Cantelon, creciendo en un flujo de verdades acerca de quién es Jesús. La música se adapta perfectamente al espíritu de la canción, los pianos, las armonías y las guitarras. La épica “You Shall Be Praised” suena como Athlete, con un ambiente que te deja sin respirar, recordándonos que tenemos que alabar a Dios aún en medio del dolor. La versión renovada y adaptada de “Come Thou Fount” es arrasadora. Con raíces anglicanas, y un hambre y deseo por las cosas del espíritu.

Esta breve pero confortable lista de canciones, nos sumergen en una brillante introducción al talento claramente emergente de Nick J Drake. “All For Christ” es una profunda experiencia y un brillante encuentro entre órganos, pianos, tambores, trompetas, violines y la simpleza de la adoración extravagante.

11 Jan 2010

The Gentleman - A Candid History Of Faith, Hope, Love

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Artist: The Gentleman
Album: A Candid History Of Faith, Hope, Love
Year: 2008
Label: The Stereo Tree
Website: http://www.myspace.com/gentlemusic
Buy: iTunes - Amazon - Townsend Records - Cross Rythms Store

Now with the signing with The Stereo Tree, the band The Gentleman formed by Nicholas Noble (vocals, piano, guitar), Joel Cana (drums, percussion), Sean Walsh (lead guitar, vocals) and Josh Cana (bass, vocals) are intended for good forecasts. Their influences include bands like Ben Folds, Incubus, Dave Matthews Band, Jeff Buckley cooperating to cement a rock and indie pop with an inventive breakbeat. Through a deafening silence and lyrics that drive you crazy, these guys offer nutritious guitar riffs that carry you with insatiable rhythm shown on their debut album ‘A Candid History Of Faith, Hope And Love’.

The sticky “Push Back” opens the album catching your attention immediately with a loud bass speeds with fast drums and a roaring chorus: “I wanna go wanna go wanna go don’t wanna be push back. Currently this song is the latest single from the album, having added to BBC Radio with great reception. “Unique” is constructed with guitars, falsetto and a clammy funky that asks God to fix us, see his beauty and make the long wait worthwhile. My favorite song is “I’m Not Leaving”. It has an indescribable charm while roaring down his energy in the chorus: “Don’t know if you want me, but I’ll be here anyway / I’ve got a smile to give you, and I’m not leaving till you smile back at me” with a romantic melody and a resounding performance. Creative work on guitar and a defiant lyrical rebels against the values of this era, we find in “Protest Music” which sings: “I wanna know a loving nation / I wanna see a people free / I wanna be a new creation / I wanna hear a symphony / I don’t want pornography all over MTV / And I don’t need a magazine to tell me who to be”. Undoubtedly the most popular song of the band is “Sending Cards”, from the dynamic introduction to the memorable chorus shows the ability of the band through a powerful pop that screams, “I want to tell the truth and hear the truth from you / I want to wait for you but you don’t want me to”. Spectacular. “Fairy Tales” is a metaphor between God and his church, comparing it as a princess who has been overshadowed by his regret and looks for redemption one day. With a hybrid lyrical, “Ecoutez Moi!” seduces with that tireless guitar and an insatiable melody that cries: ”Pour more oil on my fire! / And draw forth! I’ve changed my desire!”. Pianos and violins opens “For Better Or For Worse”, which tells us about the consequences of falling in love with someone, and that can often bring positive results as negative. “Come And Make Me Feel Right” is turned around 360 degrees to the album. Completely naked, Nicholas ‘a cappella’ voice sounds intimate and cozy, proving once and for all, the versatility of his voice: “When I see your shining light / And breathe your freshing air / I know my heart is right / and in your arms I’m home”. On the other hand, “Something You Can’t Regret” breaks the silence with an aggressive guitar riff, and lyrically just homogenous as a poem of disappointment and pain. It is worth noting the excellent instrumental led by a savage guitar and classical piano to deliver more complexity to the song. Finally, with a beat similar to “Unique”, we ran into “Done Me Wrong” which begins with the voice of a girl and talks about mistakes, shame and bitterness.

Increasingly, I am more surprised by how talented are the bands in the UK, and the best proof of this is The Gentlemen. Catchy, quirky, inspiring, full of hope, faith and love makes this album an absolute murderer.

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Ahora con la firma junto a The Stereo Tree, la banda The Gentleman conformada por Nicholas Noble (vocalista, piano, segunda guitarra), Joel Cana (batería, percusión), Sean Walsh (primera guitarra, voces) y Josh Cana (bajo, voces) están destinados a buenos pronósticos. Sus influencias incluyen bandas como Ben Folds, Incubus, Dave Matthews Band, Jeff Buckley, entre otras que cooperan para cimentar un indie pop con rock y un creativo breakbeat. A través de un ensordecedor silencio y letras que te desquiciaran, estos muchachos ofrecen nutritivos riffs de guitarras que te transportan con un ritmo insaciable mostrado en su álbum debut ‘A Candid History Of Faith, Hope And Love’.

El pegajoso “Push Back” apertura el álbum captando tu atención inmediatamente, con un ruidoso bajo que se acelera con la veloz batería y un rugiente coro: “I wanna go wanna go wanna go don’t wanna be push back”. Actualmente esta canción es el más reciente sencillo del álbum, habiéndose agregado a la BBC Radio con gran acogida. “Unique” se construye con guitarras, falsetes y un viscoso funky que le pide a Dios que nos repare, ver su belleza y hacer que la larga espera valga la pena. Mi canción preferida es “I’m Not Leaving”. Tiene un encanto indescriptible sin dejar lado su rugiente energía en el coro: “Don’t know if you want me, but I’ll be here anyway / I’ve got a smile to give you, and I’m not leaving till you smile back at me” con una romántica melodía y una resonante performance. El trabajo creativo en la guitarra y una desafiante lírica que se rebela contra los valores de esta época, encontramos en “Protest Music” que nos canta: “I wanna know a loving nation / I wanna see a people free / I wanna be a new creation / I wanna hear a symphony / I don’t want pornography all over MTV / And I don’t need a magazine to tell me who to be”. Sin duda la canción más conocida de la banda es “Sending Cards”, desde la dinámica introducción hasta el memorable coro nos muestra la habilidad de la banda a través de un poderoso pop que grita: “I want to tell the truth and hear the truth from you / I want to wait for you but you don’t want me to”. Espectacular. “Fairy Tales” es una metáfora entre Dios y su iglesia, comparándola como una princesa que se ha visto opacada por su lamento y que busca un día la redención. Con una híbrida lírica, “Ecoutez Moi!” seduce con aquella guitarra incansable y una melodía insaciable que clama: ”Pour more oil on my fire! / And draw forth! I’ve changed my desire!”. Pianos y violines aperturan a “For Better Or For Worse”, que nos cuenta sobre las consecuencias de enamorarse de alguien, y que muchas veces puede traer resultados positivos como negativos. “Come And Make Me Feel Right” da un giro de 360 grados al álbum. Completamente desnuda, la voz ‘a cappella’ de Nicholas suena íntima y acogedora, demostrando de una vez por todas, la versatilidad de su voz: “When I see your shining light / And breathe your freshing air / I know my heart is right / and in your arms I’m home”. Por otro lado, “Something You Can’t Regret” irrumpe el silencio con un agresivo riff de guitarra, y líricamente igual de homogénea que un poema de decepción y dolor. Cabe resaltar el magnífico instrumental dirigido por una salvaje guitarra y clásicos pianos que le entregan más complejidad a la canción. Finalmente, con un beat similar al de “Unique”, nos topamos con “Done Me Wrong” que se inicia con la voz de una niña y nos habla de errores, vergüenza y amargura.

Cada vez más me sorprendo mas por cuan talentosas son las bandas del Reino Unido, y la mejor prueba de ello es The Gentlemen. Pegajosos, extravagantes, inspiradores, llenos de esperanza, fe y amor hacen de este álbum un asesino absoluto.

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