Jesus Culture - Dance With Me

Following the Spirit of God's lead is much like following a dance partner, or dancing to a song. That's what we discovered last night during Week 3 of the Freestyle Series. After all, we are called to keep in step with the Spirit. This beautiful song by Jesus Culture embraces this same truth:

Are you following God's song and lead today? We encourage you to be attentive and submissive to the Spirit. He will guide all of your step, if you simply allow Him to.

Josh Garrels - Freedom

It gets a little frustrating trying to understand the music world sometimes. How can I turn on my radio and hear an endless playlist of talent-less artists day after day, but never come across a mind-blowing musician and lyricist like Josh Garrels? It was too difficult to pick just one his videos to show here, so here's just one of his many incredible performances, taken from his Seven Stards DVD. Enjoy!

Click here for more of Josh Garrel's videos.

Gungor - Beautiful Things (Acoustic)

We realize that we've just mentioned Gungor a few days ago, but oh well, we're doing it again. This acoustic performance of their new title track, Beautiful Things, is too stunning to pass on. Enjoy, and have a wonderful week!

Gungor Explains Gungor

Forget "The Michael Gungor Band". Seriously, they're so over. No, don't worry, we're not talking about their music, just their name. So they're making the switch to...: "Gungor". I like it! Hoping the new name (and their new music) catches on. Check out the promo video for their new album, Beautiful Things, which comes out next week, for a full explanation:

BONUS: Click here to download the beautiful "Song For Haiti", written and performed by Michael and Lisa Gungor

I Am Second

One of the coolest things I was blessed with last Christmas was a copy of the Glo Bible software (thanks bela) we showed you here. And one of the most interesting things it does is link key scriptures and themes to web video and article content. It was through Glo that I first ran into IAmSecond.com, but since then I've had a few more friends send me some of their videos. Here's one of many, featuring former-Korn guitarist Brian Welch:

Honest stories can be so striking, and IAmSecond.com seem to understand that so well. The simplicity of their videos are so refreshing because they remove all of the "distractions" away and strip the whole thing down to a real person and their real life. Their videos and mission are worth checking out, and I honestly believe that they can impact you and others' lives dramatically. Most importantly, I hope it inspires us to be desperately real with God. After all, He is seeking those who worship Him in "Spirit and in Truth". He's not interested in the "flawless" mask we wear to society. Glad to see so many willing to take the mask off.

Kudos!

Mr. J. Medeiros - The Art Of Broken Glass (Free EP)

Free music is good. Good free music is rare. So here it is... Mr. J. Medeiros and OkayPlayer teamed up to hand out free downloads of his last summer's EP, The Art Of Broken Glass. Click on the image below to download:


Mr. J., who is a believer in Christ, is hands down one of the most unique, talented and energetic MCs out there right now. His latest album, Friends Enemies Apples Apples, is currently available for purchase and on iTunes now.

God Of Second Chances

It's no secret that some of the best worship songs have yet to be completed. But is there a more touching way to find that out than on a moment such as the one captured on this video?

Carlos Whittaker is a passionate upcoming recording worship artist who was just trying to shoot some footage for his new song. Danny is a homeless man with a killer freestyle timing for reggae toasting and a humble heart. They met on a windy morning, making music, and worshiping God together. Touching + awesome. Thank you God for giving us all, endless chances.

Lisa Chan - Think Of Me

Great wake-up call video featuring a song by Lisa Chan (author and pastor Francis Chan's wife).

Rockin' Christmas Music Videos

Some of the best Christmas song videos from some rocking bands:

Top 5 Least Favorite Christmas Songs

Relax, we don't hate Christmas songs. Just last week, we posted our Top 10 Most Favorite. But no one can deny, some holidays-times songs are just a little too much to take. Here's five we could do without:

5- The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)

What's wrong with it: Ok, you loved it when you were a kid. But greed + rodents = seriously?

Rendition that almost saved it: Canned Heat
Rendition that helped bury it: Jaci Velasquez

4 - We Wish You a Merry Christmas

What's wrong with it: We got it, thank you. That's enough "Wish"s in one verse. And one holiday at a time, please.

Rendition that almost saved it: Israel Houghton & CeCe Winans
Rendition that helped bury it: the original

3- I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

What's wrong with it: We'll admit, a Hippo for Christmas would be pretty cool. But thanks to this song children everywhere continue to have unrealistic gift expectations every year. Honestly, a Rhino isn't good enough?

Rendition that almost saved it: The Three Stooges
Rendition that helped bury it: Jonas Brothers

2- The Twelve Days of Christmas

What's wrong with it: Stop bragging. You're making all our gifts look bad.

Rendition that almost saved it: Relient K
Rendition that helped bury it: Alvin & The Chipmunks

1- Baby It's Cold Outside

What's wrong with it: Dude, NO, means NO. Seriously, let her go home. Or we'll have to call the cops. Creeeeepy.

Rendition that almost saved it: Willie Nelson & Norah Jones
Rendition that helped bury it: Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey

Did we crush your favorite? Leave us a comment and sound off!

Top 10 Timeless Christmas Songs

Maybe it's the snow starting to fall, maybe it's the Christmas plays, maybe it's the McDonald's Eggnog milkshake. Whatever it is, we're starting to feel Christmas coming around the corner. And what better way to celebrate our Savior's birth then with jolly-jolly music? Yup, Christmas songs can be cheesy...but some stand the test of time. Here are some of our favorites:

10- Jingle Bell Rock

Why we love it: Jazzy guitar riffs make any song fun. This one is no exception.

Best rendition: Hall & Oates

9- Feliz Navidad

Why we love it: Latinos know how to warm up the cold weather. Plus, it expanded America's Spanish vocabulary.

Best rendition: this guy?

8- Winter Wonderland

Why we love it: The lyrics help us pretend to like the cold even though our fingertips are frozen and our cars snow-rusty.

Best rendition: Louis Armstrong

7- I'll Be Home For Christmas

Why we love it: Christmas is never the same without family around. This song testifies.

Best rendition: Ohmega Watts's remix

6- Go Tell It on the Mountain

Why we love it: We like a good challenge.

Best rendition: Kirk Franklin

5- O come, O come, Emmanuel

Why we love it: It reminds us of Israel's anxious and hopeful wait for the Messiah, and God's faithfulness.

Best rendition: Sufjan Stevens (all of them)

4- The First Noel

Why we love it: It reminds us that Jesus was no ordinary baby. And yet so ordinary.

Best rendition: Tie - Frank Sinatra & Whitney Houston (duet dream anyone?)

3- O Holy Night

Why we love it: It's just beautiful. And who doesn't like to yell "Noeeelll!!"?

Best rendition: Luciano Pavarotti

2- The Christmas Song

Why we love it: No song captures the modern North American Christmas traditions as well as this one.

Best rendition: Nat King Cole (Luther Vandross is a close second...)

1- Silent Night

Why we love it: No song captures the drama and beauty of Jesus' birth 2000 years ago as well as this one.

Best rendition: Sarah McLachlan

Did we forget your favorite? Leave us a comment and sound off!

Bluetree - God Of This City ... the story

Bluetree's God Of This City was perhaps one of the biggest worship songs of 2008, especially after being covered by Christ Tomlin. But the true story behind the song travels back further then last year. And originally, it has less to do with your city than you might think. The band's frontman, Aaron Boyd explains:

Thanks to Sarah Boor's link on the You Recommend section of our page!

Shad - I'll Never Understand

Shad is taking off right now, and if you aren't going to join him, he might just leave you behind. But behind the London, ON rapper stands a deep history of art, poetry, redemption, and justice. His family who is originally from Rwanda were exposed to one of the most tragic genocides in recent history. And on his first album, When This Is Over, Shad joins his mother, Bernadette Kabango, to tell this story:

Few songs can capture pain and forgiveness so delicately and explicitly. Bernadette's poem is truly beautiful, and the last lines are just enough to take your breath away:

I untied the chains
Painfully
Purposefully
Knowing the one who said to do it
Seventy times seven
Totally understands the depth of my pain …

The reference to Matthew 18:22 is touching. Only those who truly understand Christ's forgiveness for us can forgive such horrific actions. No wonder Shad is so talented and real. He got it from his momma.

Shad's new album, The Old Prince, is out now! Check out this interview for more on the song:

Switchfoot - Mess Of Me

Switchfoot's new album, Hello Hurricane is finally out! So, will it live up to the wait? Check out the video for their new single, Mess of Me, and let us know what you think:

Holding on to the Silence?

After a week of silence...facing the noise of everyday life can be a bit overwhelming. Anybody else notice the same thing? Depending on what you chose to let go of for a week your story might be different, but I know that I have been hesitant to jump back into the things I let go. Maybe that’s a good thing, maybe it’s a little weird…I’m not exactly sure yet. But I know I don’t want to be distracted from His presence, because I’ve enjoyed it more than anything. And oddly enough I think after Sunday night most of us kind of enjoyed the challenge.

This song was sent to me a few weeks ago from a friend and with the transition of giving up music and radio for a week this song has been a blessing to listen to. I’ve heard some comments and have experienced it myself that after giving up the radio and/or music and trying to turn it back on after a week was a bit strange. Meaning that after the week of silence, I just as quickly turned off the radio as soon as I turned it on. But this song “I Will Exalt You” by Hillsong from their newest album “Faith+Hope+Love”, has helped me to continue to worship without the distractions of the noise of this world around me. Check it out, maybe you’ll hear it one day at Rooted...and if you dare, try giving up all music and the radio for a week…you might hear and notice some things you never have before.

Leeland "Follow You"

This video gives some background on the new Leeland song, "Follow You", off of their new album, "Love is on the Way".

Just an awesome expression of Christ's heart for the broken, poor, needy, and the "least of these"; furthermore, it is a reminder of OUR calling to follow Christ's footsteps of love, mercy, grace, generosity, and giving ALL of ourselves. Reminds me of Christ's example: He came into the world, into the corners of the Earth to find us, the lost sheep, and we in turn need to do the same for the lost. Go out into the world, and meet people wherever they're at.

"... When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." Luke 12:48 NLT

Prayer vs. Praise

Sounds like everyone is talking about prayer nowadays. The New York Times article, The Right Way To Pray?, which is both inconveniently long and surprisingly interesting, exposes the several different views on prayer by different religions and leaders. But what really caught my eye was this side note from Rabbi Richard A. Block from The Temple-Tifereth Israel in Beachwood, Ohio:

"Personal, private prayer thrives on solitude, but the spiritual engine of communal prayer is music. Whether it be the praise band of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, the “old-time music” of Berkeley Springs’ love church, the antiphonal call and response of the Roman Catholic Mass, austere Gregorian chants, our Reform synagogue’s packed services or the powerful gospels of the African-American Baptist church that makes its home in our auditorium, music lifts the spirit, stirs the soul and enables us to experience transcendence in ways that even the most well-written liturgy cannot. Those who seek to learn how to pray should look for a congregation where the music is inspiring and worshipers sing their hearts out."

Rooted Recommends: Music You Might Love/Hate - Pt 4

Tal & Acacia: Aha, here it is! Catchy, fun, pop-ish, and girlie. It's the ultimate love/hate combo. Tal & Acacia are just starting to make noise in the scene, but don't worry, they're not as cliche as they look. Somehow, they've also manage to incorporate a few smart lyrics, creative melodies and a touch of indie flavor to the old girl-pop recipe and the result is a brand new sound you can go ahead and get excited about. You go sisters! (Yes, they really are sisters). Now, which one is which?

Jason Upton: Unashamed humbling worship! So little of it left... It's still mind blowing to me the amount of people that don't know who Upton is. Well, blame the radio. He refuses to record songs that fit the radio's length standards because he refuses to put Worship in a box. His music has no boundaries, so at times it might go so far one way as to seem a bit distant, but other times it will go so far the other way that it will penetrate your spirit deeper than any other tune. And come on now, you can't hate Worship music... can you?

Joy Electric: Why does it seem like the Electronic music genre has been abandoned by Christian believers? Are we really that scared of the dance floor? Well, thank God for envelope-pushers. Joy Electric has been around for a bit, but now that they are basically a one-man group their sound has been shifting to a new direction. Whether or not that direction is the right way is up to you. Give it a try, you might just love it!... or not.



Click here for past Love/Hate posts.

Singalong With Phil Wickham

Phil Wickham fan? Free music fan? Both? It's your luck day friend... While Wickham's new CD, Heaven And Earth doesn't come out until November 17th, you can already get some new music from him, for free. Well, the music might not be new, but the recording is. The project is called Singalong and the concept is great: Phil Wickham + accoustic guitar + 3000 backup singers. What a cool way to remove all the bells and whistles from studio recordings and present worship in a true intimate way.

Download the full album right off of his website, here.

Albertine

The lyrics “I will tell them, Albertine” play over and over in my head after hearing Brooke Fraser’s song – Albertine, from her fairly recent album entitled “Albertine”. But what went through my head was, what/who is Albertine, and why would she tell the world? Well after watching Brooke’s music video of Albertine the lyrics began to compose a story. A story depicted as a representation of children and people across the world that are crying out for help. I would like to believe that we all have the same heart beat…one that beats to help people. Even though each of us have a different story of how they get there. Some who may travel to many nations and see deception and poverty, others who live in cities where rape and violence is surrounding them, some who are just broken for people but can’t explain how or why, and some who have been told from people like Brooke Fraser and need to help.

I think the one of most impactful lyrics in this song is … “Now that I have seen, I am responsible…Faith without deeds is dead” … and even more so awakening. Many of us have earning desires and much compassion to reach the homeless, sick, lonely, hungry, poor, and needy, but what are we doing? I think it’s a vital time to finally just get up and do something about it, especially at our young adult age. And even more so, maybe if we just start telling the world about children like Albertine we will realize that we all bleed red and just maybe we won’t look at each other’s color, race, religion or status and start to reach out and void the needs that are just creeping through our world, nation and even our hometown.