I don't know really. It captured my attention a bit more than other more recent Solid State records but overall I probably agree with you. I've been in an odd place in the last few years where most heavier bands I have listened to are bands I listened to during school. In fact, just scrolled through recently added on iTunes and I didn't purchase a heavy record throughout the whole of last 2019! La Dispute and My Epic were the heaviest I got last year in terms of new music (and fit the bill - been listening to both of those bands for years and years). This year I've got the new Emery album which has screaming, The Beautiful Mistake EP and the two new O'Brother singles. So again, not the heaviest year at the moment. All in all, something has got to completely blow me away and provide something interesting if it's a new Facedown or Solid State band as it's just not my go to thing any more. I also think a lot of the newer releases haven't hit me in a spiritual or emotional sense like a band like Hands used to do. So I'd rather just listen to those older albums!
The My Epic EP last year was super good. I used to be pretty into La Dispute, but they've fallen off for me over the years. I know what you mean thou, I'm always down to find new heavy music but I tend to stick with what I know. Weren't you into the new Norma Jean record thou?
That Earth Groans EP is pretty solid. There are a lot of decent heavy albums in the Christian scene, but yeah, not a lot that moves me. Maybe Comrades.
Yeah, I think there's a lot of decent heavy music (perhaps more so than ever), I think it's just my tastes have moved away from it. I probably lean into the nostalgia and the emotion a bit more when it comes to heavy music. I like what @Gooddayz has said - I stick to what I know. I'll always listen to the new T&N & SS bands though... just in case! I think I listened to one or two songs from the Norma Jean record (maybe the whole thing once on YouTube?) but didn't decide to buy it. La Dispute's last album was ok but was excellent when I saw the songs live. My favourite is Rooms of the House which was perfect for where I was at.
Aww it's really good! Better than Polar Similar imo and yes Rooms of the House is La Dispute's best and easiest to consume album :)
All three new Tigerwine tracks are quite good. Their first album didn't do much for me, but it sounds like they stepped it up quite a bit on this one.
Ooooh, I need to check that out. I forgot about it due to O'Brother releasing their album a week early on Bandcamp.
O'Brother is next for me, got it downloaded to my phone and ready. Tigerwine is on 2nd playthrough though haha.
I'm intrigued by this new song by Off Road Minivan. It's a slow-builder, but that ending is worth the wait
Went on a Newsboys kick and my hot takes: - Peter Furler is a legend. Should have never left...I feel like every band member is worse without him. He really held it together, it seems. - LoveLibertyDisco is their best release. - Thrive is super underrated. It has some awesome songs like Live in Stereo and Million Pieces. It Is You is still a classic. - Their early early albums are almost unlistenable.
They were my absolute favorite band when I only listened to Christian music way back in the day. How early are we talking? Surely not Take Me To Your Leader??
Not sure that a pro Peter Furler take is a hot take in most circles, lol. Anyways, I didn't grow up w/ any Newsboys affection like I did for dc Talk (who are still a real Rosetta Stone for my musical tastes), Jars of Clay, & Audio Adrenaline. But, I have since grown an appreciation for the pop voice, both literally & creatively, that Peter Furler & Phil Joel have at their best. When I'm in the mood for that kinda classic CCM, I tend to go for the nostalgia, but I really love me some "Entertaining Angels" & "He Reigns." My hottest take is probably that their United album from last year is the most I've ever dug a Newsboys album. It's the best album to have Michael Tait's wonderful voice since his first solo album, Empty, almost two decades prior. Not sure if it's because the main "Taitboys" team lacks in the songwriting area, or if they've just made bad choices in what direction to go, but bringing Furler & Joel into the mix w/ Tait sounds so good. Hearing Tait share the spotlight w/ a white dude also really scratches my dc Talk itch (though not as much as an actual reunion album would). Maybe Tait just always needs a Furler or a TobyMac to bring out his best side.
I remember as a kid I would put on the veggie tales movie just to listen to Million Pieces! Totally forgot about Breakfast till just now, gosh I used to adore that song. Shine is still a bop too