I just can't wait until Monday to let you know about The Avett Brothers' video where they cover Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's "Glory Days." It's a great cover...
Avett Brothers: "Glory Days"
in Music
Music Monday 2.23.09
in Music
There's a lot of good new music out there lately, and my two most recent purchases are wonderful.
Beirut's new double EP (download) lives up to my high expectations. The first EP, March of the Zapotec, is the kind of music you expect from Beirut, with lots of horns and emotion.
Holland, the second EP, is mostly the work of Beirut creator, Zach Condon, working under the alias "Realpeople." It's electronic music that seems far from his Beiroots. Truth is, Condon's electronic music is very much at the root of Condon's musical background and a big part of his teenage years. Pitchfork loves the EPs and has a helpful review.
Dark Was The Night (download) is a compliation for the Red Hot Organization that funds the fight against AIDS. Compilations often look better than they sound and are too often only worth a few individual downloads. The artist list for this 2 disc album made me believe it would be better than most, and it is. There are a few *meh* songs as expected, but as a whole it's a great collection of songs by some of the best bands and songwriters around. I highly recommend it. Check out this review, and the Dark Was The Night website for more.
If you haven't heard Bruce Springsteen's great song from The Wrestler (download) you are missing out on something special. Here's a new video for it (via)...
This isn't the best performance I've seen from The White Stripes, and there's a Marty McFly humm, but it's neat ending to Conan O'Brien's show finale (via)...
March '09 sub•text Forum: Ed Stetzer
Great news! New sub•text forum coming on March 12th at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with Ed Stetzer. Ed is gonna talk, in three sessions, about the missional nature of the
church and what that looks like in the suburban context in practice. It will also include a Q&A session at the end.
Cost is only $25 and includes lunch! So if you are anywhere near the area this is a great opportunity. Hope to see you there, and if you have the chance please pass the word on to your friends in the Chicagoland area.
Lots-o-Links 2.19.09
Brief Molly Update: She is doing really well. Scheduling a neuro/psych test for the late summer and a sleep test in the near future. Otherwise, all is relatively well.
Are you going to The Gospel Coalition 2009 Conference? C'mon! I'm one of the speakers at Band of Bloggers.My topic is "What is the place for art and culture in Christian blogging?" As you know if you've read Reformissionary for long that I'm very fond of music, photography and poetry. Should be a good time.
A summer Chicago Tea Party? Interesting CNBC video...
I'm hooked on the eyeballing game.
Marvin Olasky: Prodigal Sons: Part of the evangelical problem is knowing which brother we are
Everybody talkin' Calvinism. Scot McKnight. Alvin Reid.
Planning a Mars Hill sermon series.
Have you seen The Legend of Speedo Guy? Good stuff. Yes, Joe Thorn actually found something in sports that I hadn't heard of.
Music Monday 2.16.09
in Music
Quick Hits: Indie labels win 50% of this year's Grammys. BOOM! Don't miss the $1.99 Gillian Welch album, Revival. This is a GREAT album, and at well worth trying out for that price. Also check out these deals: Daft Punk's Musique Vol 1 for $1.99 is fun; Portishead's Dummy is tremendous, and only $5; and classic U2 is still only $5.99 an album.
Speaking of Daft Punk, this is always worth revisiting...
I've recently picked up Los Campesinos! Hold On Now, Youngster, and it's a playful and enjoyable album. Watch "Death to Los Campesinos"...
One more. After the backlash against Beirut last week, which I can only attribute to too much American Idol-atry, I have something from Beirut that sounds very little like the Beirut we know. Zach Condon has returned to some of his electronic roots on some tracks from March of the Zapotec (releasing tomorrow). Try out this one...
Music Monday 2.9.09 Addendum
in Music
STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING. Trust me, I'm about to make your Monday MUCH better. Watch this video of Beirut on Letterman singing "A Sunday Smile" from their second album, The Flying Club Cup. Beirut's March of the Zapotec EP is coming out on February 17th. Woohoo!
If you don't own any Beirut, you need to. Download Beirut's albums immediately...
Music Monday 2.9.09
in Music
I know why you are here. You watched The Grammys and need some real music now. I'm here for you. But first, a diamond in the rough. Radiohead and the USC marching band was awesome...
Antony and the Johnsons new album, The Crying Light, is stunning. Antony sounds different than most anyone you've ever heard. But it engulfs you. It's a rare beauty. You must check it out. (Download is $8.99, CD is $10.99). Here's a video that really is just the song with the title. But I want you to hear this song.
Hiding from danger, Scared to be alone
One dove, To bring me some peace
In starlight you came from the other side, To offer me mercy
I've recently been introduced to the music of The Deep Dark Woods. Their album, Winter Hours, comes out in 8 days. Sample them on MySpace. And watch this video, if you don't mind seeing men in long underwear...
The last video is not about the music for me. But the video is very cool. Don't skip it!
Docent Researchers Needed
in Church
A great opportunity! From Glenn Lucke...
Current seminarians and PhD students (who have earned their seminary degrees):
Also, recent seminary grads:
I've got 7 open spots to fill, all start immediately.
Thework is providing research assistance to busy, large church pastors. We
don't write sermons. We don't do all or even most of the research. We
do some of the research at the pastor's specific instructions.
We
will discuss compensation by phone. Our pay is superior to seminary pay
and competitive with marketplace jobs that students get. But, working
for Docent is completely flexible-- when and where you want. Plus, this
provides an opportunity to work closely with some talented pastors.
Go here to find out more about specific jobs.
Molly Update 2.4.09
in Family, Molly & Chiari
Just returned from Madison, Wisconsin where Molly met with pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ishkandar for a "second opinion" on her Chiari I Malformation and 2 brain surgeries (catch up here). Ishkandar is a friend and respected colleague of Molly's neurosurgeon, Dr. Frim. And they somewhat regularly refer patients to each other when they may benefit from "fresh" eyes.
Dr. Ishkandar works at the American Family Children's Hospital in Madison. He has been out of the country until recently, so Molly was finally able to meet with him. He reviewed all of Molly's MRI's, Dr. Frim's operating room notes, and took down everything about her story from first symptoms to today. Lots of info, lots of questions.
He has basically asked for 2 tests. First is a sleep test (overnight) in order to determine if there is something about her sleep that is making it less productive: apnea, brain activity, etc. Second is a neuro-psych test (3-4 hours) that is a comprehensive test of her IQ, mental abilities, comprehension, and tons of stuff. That is probably the most important test right now to determine where her deficiencies are and try to find ways to help.
Ishkandar thinks that Molly's post-surgery neurological issues (thinking, problem solving, finishing thoughts, etc) can be helped. Her neurologist thinks the same, but this test is another big step in that direction.
The tone of the meeting was positive. He sees her as improving, even if plateued a bit. He really believes it may take up to a year to see the full benefit of the surgery. He sees no need for further surgery. All MRI's look as they should.
Generally we are very pleased with the meeting. It confirms where we think we are right now, that things are getting better and that nothing can be done anatomically to improve things. Another surgery would, in fact, probably make things worse at this point.
Thanks for your prayers and notes today. It may take a couple of months (at least) to get in for the tests. We'll let you know if/when something gets on the calendar.
Keller: Parable of the Two Sons
in Gospel, Tim Keller
Tim Keller recently spoke at Christ Presbyterian in Nashville on the Parable of the Two Sons. It's probably similar to his other talks on the subject, but always helpful to hear it. (Audio source. Thanks to Casey, old seminary friend, who passed on the link.)
Music Monday 2.2.09
in Music
Since we have 6 more weeks of winter on the way, we need something to do to keep warm and shake the winter blues. To that end I submit this post.
I guess I should start with an apology. I don't think I mentioned on the blog that Bon Iver's new EP is out, Blood Bank. I think I mentioned it on Twitter and Facebook. My bad. It's a wonderful follow-up to For Emma, Forever Ago. Only $3.89 for Amazon download. What? That's not enough to merit your love? Ok, how about 7 free live tracks of Bon Iver at the Rock & Roll Hotel in D.C. There. Now we can be friends again.
High quality Avett Brothers video for "Go To Sleep"...
The Avett Brothers - Go to Sleep, Live at Memorial Hall from Leon Godwin on Vimeo.
Here's some M83 with their wonderful retro 80's sound on Conan...
The Gaslight Anthem rocks, as usual, on Letterman. Love this song...
And Andrew Bird on Letterman is spectacular as usual...
How about we finish with a super-cheap download from Amazon. It's MGMT's 2005 Time to Pretend EP for $0.99.