Faint Not - Jenny & Tyler (Review)

If you've been reading my tweets, you'll know that one of the artists on heavy rotation at the moment is Jenny & Tyler. Jenny & Tyler are a classic duo (husband & wife) and have been compared to She & Him, The Civil Wars, and The Swell Season. To me these all hold true.  Faint Not is their fourth album. and is currently available via i-tunes or Noisetrade. In summary, the real attractiveness is the sincere, honest, and challenging lyrics.

The highlight of the record for me is Carry Me (which features Third Day singer Mac Powell). Mac Powell in this song, acts as the voice of God:

"when I first met you I drew you in close to me , your weaknesses covered with strength and security, I've never left you, nor will I ever leave, child believe, child believe",

As Jenny sings of her need for God to carry her. The song's structure heighten its impact.

I also really like the honesty of these lines, the first in Faint Not,  a song speaking of the poverty some experience in our world - "we quit because it's not an easy fix and then forget that they are even there // we forget to care".

and, Through your Eyes, where she sings of her longing to herself  through your (God's) eyes, which I find very easy to relate to.

Song for you, seems to be a love song from God to us:

"I have done for you everything my love, hear My song for you, I will not hold my tongue, open your heart, open your heart, for I have loved you, open your heart, open your heart, for I have loved you from the start.

Holding on to hope, is about the hope we hold onto as we walk through the storms of life. In Dreaming of Peace, she sings of her reflections as she drives past a protest.

It is fitting the albums ends reminding that we are anchored in the love of God. He will sustain and protect us. no matter what storms life throws at us. Such a beautiful promise.

Jenny & Tyler's new album Open Your Doors will be released this coming week. You can have a listen to a preview here. If you are looking for an album with a great sound, refreshingly honest and challenging lyrics, then both these albums are totally for you.

As an aside, Jenny & Tyler have also recorded a beautiful version of Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sound Of Silence", and it seems this money from the sale of this song is going to the work of one global organisation seeking to secure rescue for victims of slavery & other violent forms of oppression. That's a double win there.

Evolving in Monkey Town - Review

I was pleasantly surprised recently, when I got an email from the local library, telling me I had a book waiting for me. The book was Rachel Held Evan's Evolving in Monkey Town: How a Girl Who Knew All the Answers Learned to Ask the Questions. I was surprised as I only recently asked the library to think about buying it. Not only did they buy it, but they also placed a hold on it, for me.

The book is the story of Rachel's faith journey, from certainty through doubt to faith, and in that sense, the book is exactly what I expected. At the same time though, there are confronting truths in there. I have always valued certainty, knowing what I believe, knowing why I believe it, and knowing how to talk to others about it. The book reminded me that it is not that simple. It reminded me & challenged me, that we need to find a place in our churches for questions, for growth, and not see the person who does not know, or who has questions as having a crisis.  Another interesting point is that doubt (leading to thoughtful questions) is the mechanism by which faith grows.

I can promise you, that while you may not agree with some of the answers to the questions Rachel has, there are lessons you can take from her journey, approach, and attitude. The book ends which a great account of why kids ask questions - it is not because they want _the answer_ its because they want the relationship - (Alan Greene).

Held Evan's book is well worth reading and pondering (I know I'm going to read it again before I return it).

+++

As an aside, I have to admit, I have really enjoyed reading her blog (I'm not sure I agree with everything there, but the posts always give me food for thought.

Born not to get bullied

I read the latest Nick Kristof column today it was centered around a discussion he had with Lady Gaga at the launch of her Foundation. Say what you like about her music. She's on the money with bullying, with the experience to back it up.  In the interview she highlighted how you can be a squillionaire, but you bruise and scare like the rest.

Here's the two points which struck me:
Bullying and teenage cruelty are human rights abuses that need to be higher on our agenda.
Two key studies about bullying, show how when the school has a climate of bullying, the entire school suffers academically, it is an impediment to learning.

Which highlights that we need to do something more, to empower the students to get more out of school, and deal with bullying. Read the full article here.

By the way of an aside, I am totally for celebrities pointing a spotlight in issues which diminish us as a society.

Note: Lady Gaga has set up the Born This Way Foundation, which is not solely about bullying, but also about empowering kids and nurturing a more congenial environment in and out of schools.