Dot Dot Dot

Dot Dot Dot
I
www.dotdotdotonline.com

It’s funny to think I first got turned onto this band via a television show (one that I only initially watched because Johnny from The Goo Goo Dolls was a judge). As sad as that may be, may God bless the show’s producers for giving this band a shot at getting into the mainstream consciousness! Dot Dot Dot are part of new wave of New Wave that is superb. Their music is filled with atmospheric guitars, a mix of gentle male and female vocals, and tons of synth work. If Berlin were starting in 2010, they’d likely sound very similar.

I is the first of three EPs from the band and it features five songs. Ever heard the saying “all killer, no filler?” Well, it certainly applies to I. “Don’t Move” kicks out the album with a dance heavy beat that is backed by some epic synth work that makes it very hard to not think of Duran Duran (although Prince and Philip Bailey come to mind in a roundabout way as well). “Edge of the World” is much the same, while “Let It Go” and about half of “Home” offer some clearer guitar base. It’s “How Long” though that takes this band completely over the top, it has that unspeakable spark that makes great songs…well…great. The band does a brilliant job of holding back the verses just enough that it explodes during the chorus in a way that grips you tightly as if it were an old friend that you have missed dearly for decades gone by.

I admit it. I am totally in love with the boys and girls in triple Dot. If I is any indication of what they have up their sleeve for II and III then some giant label needs to give them a lot of money and plaster their albums everywhere. Dot Dot Dot fills a huge void in modern music. If you enjoy The Sounds, Shiny Toy Guns, Client, or any of the “classic” New Wave bands then this is a must own for you.

Reviewed by Mark Fisher

5 out 5 Pops!

Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture Nowhere Boy

Various Artists
Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture Nowhere Boy
Sony Music
www.nowhereboy.co.uk

Nowhere Boy is the latest film to focus on the enigma that was John Lennon. This particular film focuses on his early years and the influences of both his mother and his aunt on what would become the most revolutionary music made to date. The soundtrack spans two discs and features nearly thirty songs, without a clunker among them. As a matter of fact, listening to this collection is a lot like listening to those really good Time-Life Music collections of early Rock and Roll music.

Disc one plays host to eighteen songs that are actually found in the film. Six of them are performed by the “house band,” The Nowhere Boys. Realistically, if you aren’t paying attention, you’ll find no noticeable disruption between The Nowhere Boys songs and the likes of Dickie Valentine, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Big Mama Thornton. The highlights here though are the haunting wails of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ Voodoo-laden version of “I Put a Spell on You” and the disc’s closing moment, “Mother,” performed by Lennon himself. While the rest of this disc is excellent, it’s interesting to hear Lennon’s voice come on at the end – it was commanding and different then and it is just as commanding and different now.

Disc two is chock full of oldies but goodies that were inspired by (or perhaps also inspired the film and its makers). Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, and Elvis Presley are all present and accounted for but for my money, the powerhouse on this disc is Fats Domino. When he sings “Ain’t That a Shame” you can’t help but feel it in your bones. The Bobby Fuller Four’s “I Fought the Law” is an excellent moment as well. This disc reminds me a lot of the La Bamba film soundtrack from years ago- and that’s always a good thing.

Overall, if you are looking for a great collection of timeless music, this soundtrack is your man. I haven’t seen the film but there’s no way it could go wrong with these classics playing the background. If you love early Rock and Roll then you need to own this album.


Review by Mark Fisher

Worshiping With the Church Fathers

Worshiping With the Church Fathers
Christopher A. Hall
IVP Academic

"Worshiping With The Church Fathers" is probably not a book the average everyday Christian is going to read but there is no reason they shouldn't. It will, however, appeal to the curious thinker and Ancient Church history buff like myself.  Author Christopher Hall is the Chancellor of Eastern University near Philadelphia, PA and has written a very well documented and informed book that looks at the ancient practices of worship among the early church fathers.  To the average reader this may sound like a dry and boring read but Hall doesn't just spew out facts and information, he challenges the reader to look at early worship practices and see how they can be applied in modern day living of the Christian today. 

This book is divided into three topical sections which include the Sacraments, Prayer and Discipline.  Within these topics there are sub categories which include baptism, the Lord's supper, The Lord's Prayer, roadblocks to prayer and many others.  What has been insightful to me in the section on baptism is his section on infant baptism and the early churches view of this practice.  This has been one area in which I struggle and it was interesting to see how the early father's viewed it.  The second part of the book which is on prayer is probably the most applicable part to the book.  It looks at various aspects to prayer like praying the Psalms, distractions in prayer, unanswered prayer, fixed times for prayer and the four key elements of prayer (supplication, intercession, thanksgiving and confession). The closing section on discipline gives the reader a glimpse of Athanasius's biography of Anthony and some of the ideas and practices that came out of the monastic communities.  The idea behind this section is to show the reader the importance of slowing down and seeing how the "desert life"can be applicable to busy pastors, preists and Christians in general.

Is this an easy read?  By no means.  As I mentioned earlier it is a great read for individuals who are interested in the spiritual practices and beliefs of the early Church Fathers.  As a pastor myself I found this book to be insightful and practical.  "Worshiping With the Church Fathers" would not make for a good daily devotional but it would be a great resource for individuals to have to better understand why and how the early church functioned and worshiped.  Don't let the title scare you away, check this book out... You may find your faith encouraged and challenged as you do.

Rating:  3 out of 5 pops!

Paul Baloche

Paul Baloche
Glorious
Integrity Music

Praise and worship and Paul Baloche have become synonymous to one another.  He has become one of the premiere Christian writers and performers of today's top Christian praise and worship CDs.  Most known for writing some of the greatest and most memorable praise songs such as "Above All", "Open The Eyes of My Heart" and "All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises".  Baloche has returned with 11 new songs performed live at his "home church" Community Christian Fellowship in Lyndale, TX for his latest CD "Glorious". 

"Glorious" opens with the title track which was co-written with Benton Brown and is a song intended to "point people beyond the cross, pushing them to look further into the mystery of the gospel."  My personal favorite is "Wonderful God" that Paul wrote with his wife Rita which is a straight forward praise song that reminds the listener of how wonderful God is.  The CD closes with the Dove Award winning song "A New Hallalujah" and is guaranteed to become a Sunday morning favorite for praise and worship leaders around the globe.

There is nothing ground breaking about "Glorious" (which is not a slam or anything) as it fits nicely into the Paul Baloche discography.  His latest CD will continue to push him to the forefront of modern praise and worship leaders and certainly be a great soundtrack to draw one into the presence of God.  Basically if you are a fan of Paul Baloche or even a lover of modern praise and worship then I would HIGHLY recommend "Glorious".

Rating:  3 out of 5 Pops!