Land of the Living

Jason Gray
Michael Dalton
Gray, Jason - Land of the Living
On Land of the Living Jason Gray makes honest self-disclosures characterized by wit and whimsy. Gray’s vulnerable lyrics remind me of people like Rich Mullins, Andrew Peterson and Carolyn Arends. For those not familiar with him, this is a fine introduction to an artist who continues to refine his craft. Even so, I don’t think one can make mistake by choosing anything in his catalog. He stood out right from the start.

Steadfast Love

Grace Worship
Michael Dalton
Grace Worship - Steadfast Love
Five of six songs on Steadfast Love by Grace Worship feature a male lead and the style of the vocalists coupled with the sound of the band remind me a little of Josh Groban or Steve Green. It does get more adventuresome in places as I hear Celtic rock in the hook on “Hallelujah! Who Shall Part” and strong lead guitar work under-girding the opening title track.

Pilgrim Year

Steve Bell
Michael Dalton
Page, Nick - Pilgrim Year
Canadian Steve Bell brings the same sensibilities found in his music to his writing: truth, wisdom, beauty, maturity, creativity, empathy, compassion and challenge. He writes like a skillful poet (Psalm 45:1). Speaking of poetry, readers will find more than a little here. In addition to Bell’s song lyrics, his friend Malcolm Guite’s poems and thoughts frequently add to the reflections.

Ed Palermo Big Band

with Napoleon Murphy Brock
Bert Saraco
The people at The Iridium were not there for a dance contest – they were there for the music, and as Frank used to say, 'music is the best.' ...and – as more and more people were entering the already-packed venue – it was obvious that the music was enough.

The Badly Behaved Bible

Nick Page
Derek Walker
Page, Nick - The Badly Behaved Bible
I wish Nick Page taught me history at school. The self-described “unlicensed historian, applied ranter and general information-monger” is like a mate who nudges you in the ribs and asks mischievously, “Hey, did you know...?”

Napoleon

Marie Asner
Napoleon
Director Ridley Scott has quite a background in films with battle scenes and heroes who dominate the screen. Favorites of mine are “Gladiator,” “Blackhawk Down,” “Blade Runner,” “Alien,” “Black Rain” and” Someone To Watch Over Me.” The list goes back quite a way. This year. Scott shows the audience a view of the French past with “Napoleon” and Joaquin Phoenix as the Emperor. Phoenix was also one of the stars of “Gladiator.” The script by David Scarpa focuses on Napoleon going up the French military ladder to become Emperor, with his marriage to Josephine (Vanessa Kirby) included, plus the exiles.

Arise

Glass Hammer
Bert Saraco
Arise - Glass Hammer
Expect the unexpected from Glass Hammer’s latest project. Even though I think a review of much of their recent work could start out with that same sentence, the brand’s new musical journey, Arise, might actually be the album to finally shatter the mold. The word ‘brand’ was not a typo since Glass Hammer has now become more of a concept than what we might think of as a conventional rock or prog band, with the prolific Steve Babb now becoming the hub around which all things Glass Hammer swirl and function. Up until now it could be said that Babb and fellow musician Fred Schendel formed the creative nucleus of virtually all Glass Hammer projects, but on Arise Schendel is credited as a contributor rather than co-creator, and that only on one song (“Rift at WASP-12”). The result is a hard rocking prog epic with a science/fantasy theme and spiritual overtones – a technical quest for truth and purpose that in many ways creates a flip-side to Babb’s barbarous and mystical quest in his Skallagrim tale.

The Cycle Undone

The Twenty Committee
Bert Saraco
The Cycle Undone
Some ten years after their fine debut album (A Lifeblood Psalm), The Twenty Committee returns with The Cycle Undone, an impressive and totally immersive musical experience that comes as an unexpected Christmas present for progressive rock fans everywhere. The music manages to sound big and symphonic without sounding pretentious. The playing is impeccable and elegant but manages to keep one foot planted quite viscerally on the ground. The solo vocals are passionate and the back-up and harmonies are intricate and precise without losing the human touch. Lyrically, the songs evoke mystery but inspire at the same time, poetically weaving phrases that imply deeper meanings worth seeking out.

The Beekeeper

Marie Asner
The Beekeeper
Actor Jason Statham (“Meg 2: The Trench”) is an action hero in the group such as Liam Neeson and Bruce Willis. Though, unfortunately, because of health reason, Willis is no longer acting. These men took on the bad guys and disposed of them in various ways, to the delight of audiences who, sometimes, would want to do the same thing. Their action films come out at a regular basis and so we have “The Beekeeper,” that centers on revenge. This time is it something that happens to a friend of Statham’s, whose name in the film is Clay. Director David Ayer (The Tax Collector”) knows how to stage a good fight and away we go. “The Beekeeper” debuted in Europe first and was a hit at the box-office there. Now, it is in the U.S.
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