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!

Steven Curtis Chapman

Steven Curtis Chapman

Beauty Will Rise
Sparrow Records

The new CD from Steven Curtis Chapman is a collection of 12 new songs that deeply reflect on the theme of redemption and praise to God.  Nearly 15 months after tragedy struck the Chapman family as their daughter Maria went home to be with her father in heaven Chapman has given fans this collection of heartfelt feeling, emotion and praise.  It is no surprise that the songs focus on the the themes of hope and redemption with this tragedy.  I can almost hear the sadness is his voice as he sings but there is also a surprising amount of hope and anticipation as he sings about the day he and his daughter will be reunited.  As a father I cannot imagine the grief, anger, and despair one would go through at the loss of a child but I do find hope as I listen to Steven Curtis Chapman continually sing about trusting in God, holding on to His promises and praising Him because He is good.  These songs are truly "Chapman's personal Psalms".

The CD was written while on tour in the fall of 2009 and as Chapman writes, "We are in the middle part of the beauty that God is bringing from the pain and ashes of last year..."  This is reflected in the title track "Beauty Will Rise" which is about good things coming out of painful experiences.  The first single, "Heaven is the Face" is a song about the reality of heaven and his personal longing to be present with the father and to see his little girl once again.  One of the most moving songs is entitled "February 20th" which is about the day his daughter accepted Jesus into her heart and Chapman praises God that he and his wife were able to share with her the beauty of heaven and the life one can have through Jesus Christ.

"Beauty Will Rise" is Steven's most personal CD and is one that is hard to listen to without tearing up and reflecting on the blessing of life.  You will not hear any up tempo songs like Chapman's early hit "The Great Adventure" but you will hear songs that inspire and bring comfort to anyone who has tragically lost a child.  Whether you are a Christian, a non-Christian or a skeptic this CD will move you and challenge you to think about life and the wonderful gift of grace God has given us all through Jesus Christ.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Pops!

Katharine McPhee

Katharine McPhee

Unbroken

Verve Music Group

www.KatherineMcPhee.com

The multi-talented Katharine McPhee (originally known as a contestant on American Idol), returns with her sophomore album, Unbroken. The album is her first for The Verve Music Group, and she makes a big statement with the platinum blonde look that graces the album cover. This is not yesterday’s Katharine McPhee. The album is full of surprisingly superb songs co-written by the likes of Ingrid Michaelson, Paula Cole, and Rachel Yamagata, among others.

There are very few albums that I would honestly say that I can “feel” where they took place but this is definitely one of them. Written and recorded in Nashville, Los Angeles, and Boston, Unbroken is chock full of songs those areas are well known for but maintains a cohesiveness that few artists manage when they spread themselves far and wide. While the album attempts to kick into high gear from the opener, “It’s Not Right,” it’s not really until track three, “Keep Drivin’” that it really starts to soar. The midnight, rainy-drive lonesomeness and subtle bitterness McPhee captures here is pretty awesome. It’s got a slight Pop Country tinge that I’m usually not keen on but McPhee’s voice makes you a believer sooner rather than later. The piano-led “Say Goodbye” is another highlight and is somewhat reminiscent of her time on “that show.” It’s a song that fans that have been there since the beginning will easily connect with, as are “Surrender,” the subtly orchestrated, semi-epic title track, and maybe “How” as well.

I admit that I’m a bit surprised at how musically rich this album is but a spade is a spade. McPhee and company branch out in a lot of different directions and succeed at nearly every turn. Fans of Pop Country, Singer/Songwriter, and Pop that’s got a little bit o’soul will find a lot to enjoy about Katharine McPhee’s Unbroken.

By Mark Fisher

Orla Fallon

Orla Fallon

Distant Shore

Green Hill

www.OrlaFallon.com

Orla Fallon is best known for her work as vocalist and harpist for the wildly successful Celtic Woman franchise. You also may have seen her features alongside Jim Brickman this holiday season on the PBS Special, “Beautiful World.” Whether you are a potential fan or an already rabid one though, Distant Shore makes it easy to recognize Orla Fallon as a major star in the pantheon of World Music. The album was produced by multi-platinum producer Dan Shea (Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, etc.) and Eoghan O’Neill (of Irish folk rockers Moving Hearts).

On Distant Shore, Fallon continues in an expected vein, while developing a poppier sensibility without “crossing over.” This album is all about gorgeous melodies, no matter what accompanies them. From the traditional sounds of the “Eleanor Plunkett” duo of songs to the smooth and soaring album opener “Who Knows?...” to the country pop tinge of “Voices on the Wind,” this album is built quite wonderfully around Fallon’s incredible voice. “Simple Love” is another gorgeous moment that will put you in a meditative mood from the first few notes. Fallon’s voice on both this song and the title track is more instrument than voice as a matter of fact. I dare say that she could be singing the phone book and I’d still enjoy it every bit as much.

There are few truly unique voices left in the modern music world, but Orla Fallon is certainly one of them. Distant Shore is absolutely stunning. It dares to move a little left of center here and there but provides more than enough material for longtime Celtic Woman fans to connect with, just in case they dislike the “daring” moments. This is a wonderful album from start to finish that anyone looking for some quieter, peace seeking moments should seek out.

By Mark Fisher