Tag: song of the day

We all find that special album, the initial attraction which binds the listener to a band from the get go. For me, that first album “Homecoming” by Craig’s Brother was just that, an alluring piece of work that had me fascinated from day one. Tooth & Nail released this album in 1998, nearly 21 years ago. It wasn’t exactly a “huge” hit but sure did knock us all in the chest with powerful guitar heavy punk rock and harmonies you can’t get out of your head.… Continued →

If you’ve been following hardcore at all in the last 5 years, you probably already know about this Chicago “positive hardcore” band. Reflecting a PMA approach to lyrics, which includes things like unity in diversity, straight edge, veganism, and faith, the band churn out revivalist true school hardcore punk classics with great fecundity. This short track’s opening riff reminds me of the glory days of Descendents, and yet vocalist Wiley Willis seems to be drawing inspiration from H.R. of Bad Brains. Check it out and let me know what you think.… Continued →

“Life on Earth” is one of my favorite singles of 2019. And as of this weekend it’s no longer just a single anymore as it found its way on to an EP. High Hopes is RELIC’s second EP and is comprised of three songs perfect for fans of NEEDTOBREATE, Kings of Leon, and The Rocketboys. RELIC is Jake Baker (vocals, guitar), Nathan Slonaker (drums), and Elias Lopez (bass). The rock n’ roll outfit is based out of Dallas, Texas. Give “Life of Earth” a listen on YouTube below.… Continued →

Here’s a song from Canada’s own, Lucerin Blue, who released Tales of the Knife in 2003 on Tooth & Nail Records. While the album is stacked with great alternative rock songs, “Chorus of the Birds” resonates. One of these reasons, I think, is that it was also featured on The Nail, Vol. 1, a classic T&N compilation. As a bonus, a video of Lucerin Blue performing live at Cornerstone 2003 has been added to the bottom of the post.… Continued →

I woke up this morning with this song in my head, so it clearly has the be the Song of the Day. Classic metal. You either love it, or just don’t really get the appeal. It’s 1986, and the only Christian metal that most people are aware of is Stryper. But hairspray and over-the-top production was not all that Christian metal had to offer in ’86. The same year the glam kings released To Hell with the Devil, Saint was dishing out their best album, Time’s End (in fact, it’s in the top 5 Christian metal albums of all time, IMO).… Continued →

Did you know that the repercussions of IVM shutting down in the summer of 2015 were so far reaching that it caused the music industry to move release day from Tuesday to Friday? Okay, so that’s not actually true. But is true that the week after Indie Vision Music closed its doors the music industry instituted a Global Release Day to standardize album and single releases around the world. So when the idea of starting a Song of the Day feature was floated to the IVM staff I volunteered to take Tuesdays because of their historical association (in North America) with new music.… Continued →

For whatever reason, The Moon is Down (2001) is rather inaccessible these days. It’s not on Spotify, or iTunes (R.I.P.), or Apple Music (edit: I’m from Canada). Yet, the quality of the album remains intact after 18 years. It took me all too long to hear “Monachetti,” given I own their compilation Hope This Finds You Well which excludes the track. The song shows an angsty side of Further Seems Forever that I hadn’t heard before, and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.… Continued →

Who remembers Sal Paradise? Obscure 90s indie rock band from Sydney, Australia (formerly known as The Crux–unrelated to the punk band). Those who do remember them are probably most familiar with their one and only album on Tooth and Nail Records, entitled “Further.” However, they had also released a few independent releases in their native country. This song, “Travels” made it to a Velvet Blue Music compilation in the form of an acoustic version. The electric version was darker, but just as moody. It was originally released on the Scatter release pictured here, but has popped in various other releases, including “For You and Before You” still available from the Velvet Blue Music shop here: https://velvetbluemusic.com/shop/sal-paradise-for-you-and-before-you/… Continued →

No one would blame you if you were suffering from a Christmas music hangover and missed the introduction of Census on IVM last year. But now you’ve got a second chance to discover the hard rock band from Little Rock, Arkansas! The band dropped their latest single “Curse of the Black Pearl” this past weekend along with a new music video which you can watch below. The new song features the return of Ben Carey on vocals and the continued shift away from their metalcore roots.… Continued →

Sometimes the songs that sound least like a band as a whole are their best songs. Mortal’s Nu-En-Jin (2002) is not a particularly calming album. They like to use a lot of distortion, and with the postmodern lyrics and spooky samples, this can make for a claustrophobic listen. However, “Mujo (Uncertainty Mix)” is about as chill as electronica can get, and reminds me of the perfect autumn day. Take a listen and see if the leaves don’t start changing colors.… Continued →

You might be familiar with a couple of Andy Hunter’s songs. “Go” and “The Wonders of You” have been featured in video games and movies like SSX 3, Need for Speed Underground, and The Italian Job. However, 2002s Exodus is far from a one-hit wonder; every song on the album is brilliant. Today I’d like to share a personal favourite, “Radiate”. While the song clocks in at over eight minutes, it does not drag on at all. Ultimately, it’s an encouraging meditation on Christ’s life which lives in us and through us.… Continued →

Cincinnati indie rock band Okay Lindon have released another single in advance of their next album.  The album will be a departure from their quirky brand of alternative rock, this time heading into reggae territory.  While an unconventional move, for sure, the seasoned band have the ability to pull it off.  Plus, the reggae sounds fit the new material well.  Founder Dustin Smith claims, “In this song I’m calling out aspects of my evangelical upbringing as ‘escapist theology’ which focused so heavily on an afterlife, that the joys of experiencing union with Christ in the physical world, ourselves, and others is lost.… Continued →

“A Song for Amy” is a sobering song which focuses on issues of sexual assault and the problem of evil. “Why do bad things have to happen to good people?” is the oft-repeated question. Bobby Bishop, who is not only a musician but also a social worker, included this incredible song on his 2003 album The Hip-Hop Alternative (Community’s Call).… Continued →

  Amazingly, this song is now 23 years old, and I still feel the same way about it as I did back then.  It’s a fantastic song, and one of the highlights of the Christian alternative rock scene!  Plankeye’s first album (“Spill”) was raw and unrefined, showing hints of Orange County punk.  While their second album “The Spark” had that same raw energy, the songwriting and musical chops had improved, along with just the right amount of production–not too raw, not too slick.  “Open House” is the standout track and has a great message of God’s love and grace even in times of difficulty. … Continued →

Last week Brandon started a new song of the day feature that focuses on beautiful, important, and defining songs from a band’s career. This week I’d like use the new feature to introduce you to a new artist from Sherman, Texas. WORDS is the latest addition to Honey Gold Records and the new project from Least of These vocalist Jonny Gore. Watch the lyric video for “Wake,” the second single off the upcoming album Trees below.   For more new music check out the Weekly New Release Sampler playlist on Spotify.… Continued →

Emo is not limited to rock; it can be hip-hop, too. Here is a song from an album that has remained far under the radar – even for underground hip-hop – since its release in 2006. Smoke is a member of Oldominion, a Northwest collective with over 20 members. While Oldominion are outside the margins of Christian music, Smoke’s solo release Bleed is more Christocentric in its lyrics. “Saylavee” focuses around those difficult thoughts and feelings that are inevitable in human life; the lyrics are dense and the sound is wistful.… Continued →