Just a Few Notes
Just a Few Notes

Here's where I talk about music I like, music I don't like and why. Im currently making a list of my favorite bands separated by genre. The list below is far from complete and I'm still working on it.

My Fave Bands

This is a tough decision. Here goes:

Ska - The first time I heard ska music (it was Eric's dubbed copy of the Supertones, thank you Fisak) I fell in love with it. If that makes me a sucker for a trend, then so be it.
Five Iron Frenzy I just discovered them recently and every new song I hear makes me like them more. They sound great, they have meaningful lyrics, they're wonderful.
The O. C. Supertones They were the first 3rd wave Christian ska band (that is a lot of adjectives for one noun.) Though they aren't quite as deep as FIF, and occasionally flirt with plagiarism, I still love this band.
The Insyderz They can be a little more hardcore than I usually go for, but these guys are great. My favorite song of theirs has to be "Sacrifice."
thee Spivies Technically, these guys don't do ska. It does bear a strong resemblance to hornless ska, but it is not. I don't know where else to put them though. They are extremely silly and very fun. Gotta love it.
Acoustic/light - While I am generally into louder stuff, I also enjoy relaxing with some calm, quiet stuff every once in a while.
rainchildren Unfortunately, these guys are no longer together. While they were, they made great music. If you can get their CD, do so.
I Sed I've only heard one song of theirs on a compilation, and I don't even know if they're a band anymore, but that one song is wonderful. The first two or three times I heard it, I cried.
Jars Of Clay Yes, they are one of my favorite bands. I don't follow trends, I just know what I like. "Love Song to a Saviour" is the first song by a major band that I could worship to.
Pop - Yes, I do enjoy some good pop music every now and then. I'm not completely sure of the boundaries of pop, so some of the bands in this catagory may overlap with alternative rock, but that's okay.
Newsboys I liked them way back when they did something resembling rap. Their newest album is on the lighter side of my collection. I like the sense of fun they often have, something sometimes lacking in a lot of heavier alternative bands.
dc Talk Again, I liked these guys way back when they did rap (of course, I was also about 12 or 13 at the time (no insult intended to any 12 or 13 year olds visiting my page).) I actually haven't heard Supernatural as a whole yet, but what I've heard so far seems okay.
Punk - I do like some punk (mostly the melodic variety) every once in a while, although it no longer makes the main of my collection.
MxPx For those of you who don't know, that stands for Magnified Plaid. (What that means I have no idea.) Punk Rawk Show was the tune that first hooked me. I haven't kept up with their newer stuff and I do have a problem with their anti-American lyrics. I must say On the Cover is one of my favorite albums.
Ghoti Hook Technically, these guys don't classify themselves as punk anymore, but that is their origins, so I'll stick 'em here. These guys are just plain whacked out and silly. If you have no sense of humor, don't bother checking them out.
Alternative - Yup, I like alternative too. Although I'm not really sure of the boundaries (are there boundaries?) Here's what I like.
Skillet I love this band. When I first heard them, they didn't strike me as anything too great, but then I didn't hear them for a while. So, I call into the radio station during the CCM show (only 2 hours a week! What a gyp!) and ask to hear "Safe With You." I was in the shower listening to this. By the end I was singing along and crying. I hope to see a lot more from these guys.
Steve Taylor This guy is the best.  Steve Taylor is one of the most insightful and clear-minded people I can think of in Christian music.  His lyrics are both funny and thought-provoking.  He targets his satire at the world and, when necessary, at the church too (which, being made up of human beings, is subject to failings).  If you've never heard him, check him out.
Rock - This is going to be the catch-all section of this list. Everything that I don't want to or can't classify gets stuck here. Deal with it.
The Electrics These guys flat out rock! I absolutely love the Celtic tinge to their music and they do some interesting things lyrically too.
This Train A great sense of humor, a cool sound, and even sometimes deep, introspective lyrics. Makes a great package, check 'em out.
Images Of. . . I absolutely love this band. I first heard them about 2 years ago. They are incredible. The level of talent here is amazingly high. Unfortunately, they are still unsigned and don't have a demo out yet. These guys recently broke up, unfortunately.  But, the lead singer Josh formed a new band Love Syndicate.  I'm going to hear them for the first time tonight (2-5-99).  I'll let you know what they're like.
Record CompaniesIn no particular order

BEC Recordings - The high-profile section of Tooth & Nail.  Includes the Supertones, Fold Zandura, Joy Electric, Plankeye and the Dingeees.
5 Minute Walk - A lot of fun, thoughtful bands.  Artists include Five Iron Frenzy, the Electrics and the W's.
Forefront Records - A little too mainstream for me in general, but they do have some good bands.  Roster includes dc Talk, Skillet and Code of Ethics.
Organic Records - A wide selection of bands and styles.  Most of the bands have a pretty good sense of humor.  Artists include This Train, Say So and the Channelsurfers.
Rustproof Records - A relatively young label, with a couple of good bands.  The website design is also very nice.  Bands include Plaid, Polarboy and Send the Beggar.
Essential Records - Several excellent bands, a big time label with good taste.  Bands include Jars of Clay, Plumb and All Star United.
I decided to add a listing of my CD collection.  I've seen these on other pages, and I usually find them interesting, so I thought I'd do my own.  In addition to the bare facts about what I own, I also added an evaluation of each CD.  The numbers go from 1-10.
Band Album Year Rating Comments
Audio Adrenaline Audio Adrenaline 19926 It's okay.  There are only two or three songs that really give me any reason to own this --- namely "My God," "DC-10" and "Life."
The Channelsurfers Tunnel Vision 19977.2 A pretty fun album.  These guys have a very nice funk groove going.  My favorite song is probably "Lonely Guy."
Chasing Furies With Abandon 19998.7 This band makes beautiful music.  It sounds great, it's wonderful poetry, and a occassionally worshipful.  Favorite songs: "Thicker" and "Wait Forever."
Code of Ethics Arms Around the World 19957 Their self-titled is far better.  But this album is a pretty decent offering of straight-ahead rock.  Favorite songs: "Hurricane" and "Nothing Really Changes."
dc Talk Jesus Freak 19958.3 A very nice disc.  Overall, I think these guys do very good music.  This album has a nice range from quiet and contemplative to hard-rocking fun.  Favorite songs: "Jesus Freak" (of course) and "What Have We Become."
Dear Ephesus The Absent Sounds of Me 19987.5 A pretty good CD.  I would recommend these guys' live show.  The jumps from calm and quiet to fast and loud work well.  Favorite songs: "On West B." and "Simpleton Walks."
the Electrics the Electrics 19978.5 A very fun band.  Upbeat, rollicking celtic rock.  They have a couple of nice quieter songs, too.  The secret track on this CD is hilarious!  Favorite songs: "Irish Rover" and "Get to Heaven."
the Electrics Livin' It Up When I Die 19988.4 On the whole, a little bit calmer than the self-titled.  Still very fun though.  There's a little style variation on this one, too.  Favorite songs: "Face" and "Yer Man McCann Can."
Five Iron Frenzy Upbeats and Beatdowns 19968.2 A whole lot of fun ska-punk.  The words are kind of unclear at times.  Lyrically these guys take on some tough issues.  Favorite songs: "Third World Think Tank" and "A Flowery Song."
Five Iron Frenzy Our Newest Album Ever 19978.6 Again very fun.  This band has a wonderful sense of humor.  Again they refuse to back away from serious issues.  Favorite songs: "Every New Day" and "Suckerpunch."
Five Iron Frenzy Quantity Is Job 1 19988.6 Most of this album is not straight ska.  All of this album is very good.  Includes a cool swing tune, a cover of an E. L. O. song and a song that got Reese in trouble at 5 Minute Walk.  Favorite songs: "Get Your Riot Gear" and "Dandelions."
Images Of . . . untitled 19988.5 Less than ten people have a copy of this, and I'm one of them!  This band broke up before this, their first demo was released; I got it from my friend who financed their studio work.  Beautiful acoustic jazz/funk.  Favorite songs: "My Angel" and "Desert Flower."
the Insyderz Motor City Ska 19978.3 Although the grating vocals could occassionally get annoying, this is a pretty good album.  Pretty much straight third wave ska.  Favorite songs: "Sacrifice" and "Weebles."
the Insyderz Skalleluia 19987 Not bad musically, but I really don't listen to it much.  I don't really prefer this style for worship (or at least not these songs.)  Favorite songs: "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" and "Ancient of Days."
Mancy A'lan Kane paper moon 19987.1 Pretty good pop/contemporary.  A little too quiet and/or calm for me.  Mancy has a very nice voice.  Favorite songs: "I'll Be the One" and "Daisy."
Mutual Admiration Society Mutual Admiration Society 1996?7.1 Pretty straight ahead rock spiced up with a little bit of funk.  These guys are a pretty good local band.  On the whole, not bad at all.  Favorite songs: "Get Real" and "Closure."
newsboys step up to the microphone 19988.3 A very fun album.  Their musical style can be a little hard to pin down, but it is excellent.  Mostly of the songs are pretty fun, but it ends with a couple of serious ones.  Favorite songs: "Truth Be Known - Everybody Gets a Shot" and "Deep End."
Nouveaux . . . and this is how I feel 19967.2 Pretty cool CCM.  Musically on the quieter side of my collection.  The opening love song is awesome.  Favorite songs: "Maybe Tommorrow" and "Listen."
Petra Beyond Belief 19908.4 Eighties baby, eighties!  No collection of Christian rock would be quite complete without these guys.  You gotta love these guys.  Favorite songs: "Seen and Not Heard" and "Creed."
Plaid Understanding God 19988 A solid disc of grungy alternative rock.  Catchy hooks and grinding guitars.  The last song kind of resembles emo.  Favorite songs: "Cry" and "Pick Your Poison.
Note: This list is far from complete.  I'll be adding the rest of my collection as I have time; so keep checking back.
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