This Week’s Good Music

Here’s my playlist for the week, check it out:

1. “More of You” by The Altar Boys

With 80’s punk rock sound, The Altar Boys echo John the Baptist’s sentiment: Jesus must increase and I must decrease (John 3:30). No video for this song could be found, but look it up on Spotify or Apple Music, it’s a great track from the band’s second album When You’re a Rebel (1985). Overall this album was not as good as their first, but I enjoy this track.

2. “Great Redeemer” by Lucy Grimble

This song was recently performed during one of our corporate worship services at Cornerstone. It has stuck with me since and I finally went looking for it. I’ve never heard of Lucy Grimble, but this song is inspiring.

3. “I am Only Yours” by The Caleb Hickerson Band

I adore this whole album, You & I, but I am biased. The album was put together by the worship leader at a previous church I helped to pastor and my wife sings on this particularly track. Nonetheless it is a powerful worship song and Caleb’s vocals are great!

4. “Mixtapes and Memories” by The Lyndsay Diaries

Scott Windsor latched onto the Chris Carrabba formula of confessional acoustic. The Tops of Trees is a moody, emotional, and compelling sound. It does not have as great range of sound as Dashboard Confessional, and it lacks the fire of Carrabba but still it’s a decent sound. “Mixtapes and Memories” is a sappy but compelling song about holding on to hope in the face of regrets.

5. “When I Learn to Sing” by Starflyer 59

Starflyer 59 is one of the coolest and most unique bands ever on the Christian music scene. Jason Martin has been the frontman and only consistent member since its founding. The band’s sound has evolved over the years, resembling shoegaze, dream pop, and alternative rock at various times. Leave Here a Stranger, the sixth studio album, and the one from which this song derives, is considered the best of all Starflyer’s work. Through the metaphor of music, Jason Martin, sings about “changing the key of everything.” This is a truly atmospheric song, indeed the whole album feels that way, with fascinating lyrics and a terrific melody.