The End – Always Save Something Brilliant

June 22nd, 2014

A guest post by Evamarie.

I’m continually drawn to the electronic version of “O Sacred Head Now Wounded” arranged by Caleb Hugo. I don’t tend to listen to electronic music in general, but I can’t seem to get over this song. What is it that draws me in? Well, for one, this setting of the hymn is a totally new composition. Don’t get me wrong, I like the original hymn tune, but this new setting seems to have been carefully crafted to highlight the text of the hymn. In addition, it employs beautiful, rich harmonies and a counter melody that increase the interest level beyond just the cool melody. These elements all make me like the song. In fact, I think all of these factors would lead me to say it’s a good song that I like a lot. But that’s not what keeps me coming back to it.

Do you know how sometimes you hear a song and you can tell where it’s going to end? I always think that will happen with this song, but it never ends where I expect it to. Instead, it keeps going a little bit longer, just until I’m not ready for it to end anymore. Then, when I think “oh, it’s not ending yet,” it does, and leaves “Lord let me never, never, never outlive my love for thee” reverberating symbolically in my ears.

Listen to the End

“Always save something for the end”


Lamb – Listen to New Things

February 20th, 2014

I listened to something today that I hadn’t heard before: Lamb. It is a little strange at times, but I liked it. It’s strangeness is part of why it is good.

Stretch yourself with your listening. Too often I hear people say silly things such as, “I don’t like rap,” or “I don’t like electronic music.” That’s as broad as saying that you don’t like the climate in Africa. If you had any idea how diverse and huge that continent is you would not make such a sweeping claim.

lamb-genre-weather

Africa clearly has some complex weather!

Lamb (upon my first listen) seems to be a blend of electronica, jazz, and some blues. If you don’t like those genres, give this a try anyway. Something might click and give way to your future appreciation of something you previously thought unpalatable. If you don’t like it, you’ll still know something you didn’t know before.

In any case, don’t forget to listen to some great music today (that you haven’t heard before). There’s a ton of it out there.

Send Caleb a message!

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