New music and books for the season...

A few new CDs have been on heavy rotation recently.  I recently heard an Irish band the Halves. From the first few listens, they definitely bring to mind both Sigur Ros, and Radiohead. Definitely worth a listen.

This week also saw the release of Sleeping at Last's second EP in the Atlas series, Light. It doesn't disappoint. I'm looking forward to the next release in this series. My favourite line is this one below.

"...with every heartbeat that I have left, I'll defend your every breath" (Light) 

If you haven't heard Sleeping at Last, you're definitely missing out.

Finally the other album which I've been listening to quite a bit is The Heart of Nowhere by the British folk rook band Noah & the Whale.

I've also being doing a bit more reading recently. I really enjoyed Tara Moss' book Assassin, which was just a great read..  beautifully paced, and quite liked how real the characters and action appeared. (I am hopeful to see them turned into a movie soon). Next up are a couple of books on Australian politics by Maxine McKew, James Button and Lindsay Tanner. 

Back on the Voice...  seems to be really tough this year.. with a couple of the favourites eliminated - Catarina Torres, Michael Paynter, and a few of my favourites (Jac Stone, Nicholas Roy, and Tim Morrison).  One thing is for sure though, we will hear more from a lot of these singers. What seems clear now, is that its taste not talent which is driving the choices & popular vote.

The Voice Season Two

My love of music has been recently pushed in another direction, and I have to admit, that a guilty pleasure of mine is The Voice. The format is what made me give the show a chance, the idea of the 'blind auditions'; that is the singers sing to the backs of four chairs with the aim of turning (at least) one of them. Stage two was the battle rounds where two singers from the same team sing the same song with one going through. (In a twist for Season Two, the singer who loses the battle can be saved by another coach).

For me, the battle rounds was one of the highlights of the show - this year, everyone is talking about the Steve Clisby battle with Mitchell Anderson (singing - Walking in Memphis), and last year it was (for me) the battle between Kelsie Rimmer & Brittany Cairns (singing - Turning Tables). What I loved about both of those, is that the really sounded more like duets and two singers competing.

Season Two is also going be remember for Abby Dobson (lead singer of Leonardo's Bride & a member of Baby et Lulu). You can read her take on the experience her facebook page. It's worth reading. As is Harry Connick Jnr's take on American Idol contestants singing the 'Great American Songbook'

My other favourites so far, not surprisingly a number of them sang songs I love, Tim Morrison (Sunday Bloody Sunday U2, which I reckon would be a risk, because its a big song, by a popular artist); Nicholas Roy (Falling Slowly, Glen Hansard), Imogen Brough (Never Let Me Go, Florence & the Machine) and  Jac Stone (Watch over Me, Bernard Fanning).

A few others to watch: Emma Pask, Luke Kennedy, Harrison Craig. (Was also sad to see Sophie Phillis go..

Anyway, the hope I have, is that many of these artists who are eliminated, will keep making music, and follow their dreams.

Review: Live - All Sons & Daughters

All Sons & Daughters are now one of my favourite bands. I guess what the bring to their music is the impression that they are making music with their souls, and I think that's something which is hard to find. The album is well put together, beginning with the plea for our brokenness to be made beautiful, and ending with lines from 'Nothing but the blood of Jesus'.  

The album includes songs from their three EPs, and a few new ones. The i-tunes version comes with a number of videos and also some of the chord charts, which definitely adds value.

In sum, its an album which will make your soul sing, beautifully expressing the wonder of the Gospel.