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Here it is then…his first effort in more than three years. His sixteenth (!) studio album in total. After winning five Grammy’s and fifty-one Dove Awards, he is bound to win some more with “This Moment”, I can assure you.
He is my alltime favourite artist and on this new one he has truly outdone himself.
This man is very talented and is capable of writing catchy songs and meaningful lyrics.
“This Moment”, produced by Matt Bronleewe(Jars of Clay, Michael W. Smith, Leeland, etc.) and co-produced by Steven Curtis himself is filled with some of his best songs ever.
Listen to the anthem “Miracle of the moment” and the mark is set for the rest of the album. The Songs have thought-provoking lyrics about family, global mindedness and worship. The studiomusicians have worked with artist like Sting, Paul McCartney and Sheryl Crow so they lay a solid foundation for the excellent vocals of Steven Curtis.
He vocally masters every terrain from beautiful ballads like “Cinderella” (about a father dancing with his daughter from childhood into adulthood) and “One heartbeat at a time”( an ode to his wife and mothers all around the world) to anthemic worshipful rockers like “Yours” (listen to that chorus!), the uptempo “Children of God”, “You are being loved” and the amazing “With one voice” that was co-written by Matt Redman.
Do yourself a huge favour and pre-order this gem right now before it hits the market on the 23rd of October. This one could very well be on top of my list at the end of this year. Essential. |
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| “Beauty will rise” is probably the most personal and emotional album i have ever heard. This album is about the most horrible and devastating thing a parent could happen: losing a child. On 21th of May 2008 this tragic event took place on the driveway of the Chapman home. Maria Sue, the adopted daughter of Steven Curtis and Mary Beth lost her life that day. After this tragedy Steven Curtis didn’t know if he would ever write songs or if he would ever sing again. But then he asked God what good had to come out of all of this that happened to them and what God wanted him to do with it. Shortly after that, songs slowly came pouring out to help him process what he was thinking and feeling and what he and his family were going through. Songs like “Just have to wait” and “Questions” are examples of this process of praying and wrestling with God about what he had to do with all of this. The actual decision to share these songs came after his wife bought him a journal with a picture of Maria on the little button that closes the journal. In it she had written that she knew that Steven had so many things to say and write and that he should fill the journal with his thoughts and their songs and that she knew that he was going to share it and that God was going to use it to minister and heal and comfort hurting people. That was the turning-point. There came some peace knowing that his songs would help heal others. And if you are in a similar situation in your life struggling with the loss of a dear one, you might find hope in these songs, because that is one thing that shines through these songs. Steven refers to the songs as his personals psalms. Songs of lament, pain but also of hope. This time around no big studio production with slick arrangements but an acoustic, raw approach. Normally during the process of making an album Steven would ask for feedback from serveral people, but this time he wanted the songs to be just as they came out. More than half of the songs were recorded on the road during “The United Tour” with Michael W. Smith in places like dressingrooms with just a guitar or a piano. I must say that I shed a few tears after listening to this album, having kids myself. Steven Curtis has always been one of my favourite artists and this album is unique. As said before he has questions how God could let this tragedy happen, but in the end he knows that God is his only refuge and that we can’t see the big picture like He does. So again, if you are in a position like Steven Curtis or if life is a struggle for you then you might find recognition, comfort and hope in this collection of songs. If you are a lover of quality singer/songwriter music then this cd is also for you. One of the best this year. |
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| We really can trust the Danes when it comes to great modern pop music. They have given us great records like Momb and Kick the kangaroo a couple of years ago. Last year another very nice album was delivered from the country "over the bridge" from a new artist for me. Tim Christensen has probably done other things before cause he feels experienced and has done a quality record from the start to the end. He plays rock with a flirt of both power pop and more normal pop. Its elegant, but has at the same edge with nice guitar play through the whole album, which makes this album interesting for many kind of pop-rockers. I found my record on a second hand store here in Sweden, but its probably harder to find for those outside Scandinavia. I you have the chance to buy, do it, cause you will not be disappointed. |
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I remembered the first time I heard Tim Christensen in his band Dizzy Mizz Lizzy back in 94, the song was "Waterline" and it blew me away totally with some fantastic riffs all mixed up with sweet melodies, I knew right away that I?ve found a new favorite band and 2 years later the masterpiece "Rotator" by DML shook my world completely.
It was the only thing I listened to for weeks and its still one of the best riffpop albums ever made - a kinda *Beatles on a riff
party*, Tim formed Dizzy back in 88 and 10 years later the band broke up but it was mainly Tim who was DML so it wasnt quite a big step he took when he did his first solo album "Secrets on parade"(2001).
The album went gold in his homeland Denmark and showed a more softer side to his musicianship, gone were the riffs and his adventurous visits in popland became the major part of his songwriting skills.
Ofcourse I miss the rocking Tim Christensen but this "soon to be 30 year old guy next year" has the amazing talent of doing superb melodies in a way that noone sound like.
If there were a few rockers on the last album, theres none on the new "Honeyburst" so maybe
some of his old fans won?t stick with him anylonger but Tim will also recruit new fans for sure with his sense of adorable melodies.
I have to admit that after the first time I heard this new record, I was disappointed......why is he so soft?, where did the rock go?, those questions kept poppin up in my head but the 2nd time I played it-the music felt okay and I started to listen to his melodies instead of being irritated over the lack of riffs.
He hasnt lost his sense of writing magic stuff, ohno....Tim has just cooled down a bit and demand more than 3-4 times to get into this apocalypse of a music journey.
I dont say that I think its as great as "Rotator" or "Secrets on parade" but its pretty far from ordinary and okay, Tim cant be boring and he probably never will!
The 7 minutes long "Dont leave me but leave me alone" makes time stand still and is reason enough to buy this record.
I love this guy even if he has moved on and left behind his euphoria of rock and roll, theres a new road Tims walking on and the best thing is to follow....... |
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I never thought I would end up having 2 Danish releases as the 2 best albums of 2008 but Carpark North and Tim Christensen are just impossible to beat.
3 times Grammy award winning Tim Christensen had a huge hit with "Right next to the right one" from his previous album "Honeyburst", the song was also covered by Celine Dion on her "Taking chances" album.
It´s been 5 long years since his 2003 album "Honeyburst" but the new album with the suitable title "Superior" is without doubt Tim´s best solo album so far.
The title track which also is the new single is the best song of 2008 if you ask me, but I am also pleased to say "Hard to make you mine" and "Tell me what you really want" sounds like new Dizzy Mizz Lizzy tunes that could´ve been featured on the 1996 "Rotator" album.
"Wonder of wonders" is amazing, this fender rhodes based song is breath taking and has potential of becoming the same huge hit as "Right next to the right one".
Ok, so this is a laid back album but the melodies would make both John Lennon and Kevin Gilbert proud.
A masterpiece! |
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| The Danish songsmith Tim Christensen did a short reunion with his former band Dizzy Mizz Lizzy in 2010 and then went back to his solo career to record a new album, this time named together with his backing band The Damn Crystals. The new album is more rocking compared to his previous solo albums but the entire album doesn´t match his genius melodies we´ve been used to hearing from Christensen, sure we get pop brilliance like the 10 minute title track, the single "Surprise me" and the Dizzy Mizz Lizzy-like "Happy ever after" but you can also tell some songs are leftovers from his previous albums. Still, its a great album but The Damn Crystals doesn´t touch his earlier masterpieces. |
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Are surfers just cooler than everyone else? The answer is probably. Well I know that I always kinda wanted to be one. So when basketball stars try to become rappers, everyone laughs and have good reason to, just look at Shaq. Now, when pro surfers or skateboarders release albums, everyone buys them. This is a great thing because we run a melodic rock website.
Here’s a little back story… Three years ago, Timmy Curran was busy perfecting "The Flip" on his surfboard - A full rotation, upside-down flip he became famous for after landing it in two-foot surf at Rocky Point in Hawaii during the winter of 2005. Curran is considered by many a pioneer of surfing´s "Aerial Revolution" of the 1990´s. Fast forwarding to 2008, Curran is still a professional surfer, although he has decided to take some time off from competing. Along with surfing, he´s now doing what he´s always dreamt of doing: becoming a musician...a touring musician who´s hit the road with Foo Fighters, Switchfoot and Eisley over the course of the last year. Three Major label acts, I mean if that’s not jumping into the world of music, I don’t know what is. Timmy Curran´s debut album Word Of Mouth will see a release on July 22nd on Adeline Records.
The first single Blue Eyes displays Curran’s warm vocal display over soft acoustic rock. This 11-track full-length album, Word of Mouth, was initially released as a free download and promoted within the surfing community. According to Curran, songs on Word of Mouth generally revolve around "the ups and downs of life and the roller coaster we´re all on, the good times, and the bad.” This album will finally get its overdue exposure through the re-release via Adeline Records. If your in the mood for delightful pop rock, laid back rhythms and swaying hooks, then Timmy Curran is the man for you and Word of Mouth will be a delight to your ears. Produced by Ian Nickus and recorded in Malibu as well as in the Hollywood Hills where Nickus lives, Word of Mouth was financed by Curran himself. Curran´s debut album Citsuca is currently available for free legal download on http://www.myspace.com/timmycurran |
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| In 1995 I had “Ragged Ass Road” with this Canadian hero as ALBUM OF THE YEAR. And Tom has been a favourite of mine since his days in Red Rider which was a fine band even if their albums were like rollercoaster’s in quality. 11 years and 3 albums later he is back with “No Stranger”. And the recipe is the same. Solid masculine rock in the same style as Mellencamp, Petty, Springsteen and Bob Seger. All spiced with his unique and raspy voice and his very talented song-writing. This album is not his best album to date though. It’s not bad, but there aren’t any killers like “Wildest Dreams” and “I Wish You Well” from Ragged Ass Road or “Life Is A Highway” or “Sinking Like A Sunset” from his biggest album “Mad Mad World” from 1992. Best songs on the new one? “Glide” and “Out Of My Head” are two really nice ones. |
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| This is a nice record that puts the balance right to all heavy guitaroriented albums I listen to nowadays. Vanessa is a very gifted young pianoplayer who has done quite a good debutalbum in the same vein as Tori Amos mixed with Bruce Hornsby. Many of you have already heard the hitsingle "A thousand miles" with that adorable pianomelody. She also does her own version of the Rolling Stones tune "Paint it black",one of their best songs in my opinion and Vanessa shows she?s just as good but that?s not one of the favorites I have on "Be not nobody",ohno....that is "Ordinary day" which also has hitpotential and sounds like Mozart would do a Waltz with Fleetwood Mac. She went to Ballet school to make a carrere as a young kid but having this pianoskills she?s got a break with the A&M records and I?m glad she chose the music way. She really can be something big. Some songs on the album doesn?t hold the same high class but still it?s worth checking out. |
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The prettiest piano player in the world - Vanessa Carlton returns with a new hit parade on Nov.9,this time she has worked with Third Eye Blind frontman Stephan Jenkins and the result is a brilliant show of timeless pianobased pop songs that follows the same fine tradition from the first album.
Many of you may wonder if Vanessa can write more lovely songs like "A thousand miles" and "Ordinary day" from the debut?!,"Harmonium" is the answer and a bloody clear one too - to me,this is living proof of that Vanessa isn?t a one hit wonder,an overnight sensation that will go away - ohno.......she will be around for one decade or two at least!
The new single "White houses" is soooo charming I almost blush,the romantic song "Annie" can melt any glacier to a tropic sea,the superb "San Fransisco" and "Private radio" will both be hits or my name is Donald Duck and her version of U2?s "Where the streets have no name" takes the song into a new dimension.
I loved the first album but I love the new one even more. |
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Pianodonna Vanessa Carlton is used to both sides of the music business, both the success of the million selling debut "Be not nobody" (2002) and the commercial failure of "Harmonium" (2004) that led to a split with her record label.
She just couldn´t follow up with another smash single like the no.1 hit "A thousand miles" but is now trying her wings again on the new label The Inc with the 3rd album "Heroes and thieves".
The new album kicks off with the first single "Nolita fairytale" which is a typical Carlton song, charming piano pop co-written with her boyfriend Stephan Jenkins (Third Eye Blind).
Jenkins has helped out with 5 tracks on "Heroes and thieves" where "Hands on me" is the strongest one after the single, Vanessa also collaborated with Linda Perry on "Spring street" and "This time" where the nah-nah-nah chorus of "Spring street" might have a chance of being a hit.
I know Vanessa has been influenced by Fleetwood Mac so it´s nice to see the guest performance from Stevie Nicks on "The one", a real beautiful song and also my personal fave.
The title track is a carbon copy of "A thousand miles" but as far as I know, only Chad Kroeger can write the same hit twice.
Soundwise, this album sounds a whole lot like the first 2 albums but without that smashing hit she needs so much to sell records. |
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| Wes Charltons music is quite easy to explain actually... Take a spoon of Ryan Adams, spice it with some raspy Matthew Ryan and Tom Waits, add some beautiful Sparklehorse vibes, and put some tabasco-Springsteen on the cake and you know where we have parked the car. And Wes is doing his stuff good. I have enjoyed this sort of americana music for many many years and have tons of albums, where the stories are a huge part to the music. And Wes lyrics are very nice and the songwriting is solid. His voice is mighty fine and the third one out "Red Eyes Blue Lights" is lovely, the last one out "Change Will Come" could have been a Shawn Mullins-track and the almost eight minute long "The Wait" could have been a track on the "Nebraska"-album with Springsteen. High class stuff. |
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Did you know that?
The longest song to reach number one on the Billboard charts on LP was "I´d Do Anything For Love (But I Won´t Do That)" by Meatloaf, the shortest: "Stay" by Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs.
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