Extra Wednesday Update!

Okay...So there I was checking my Facebook page when all of the sudden a friend tracked down Relient K's upcoming album "Forget and Not Slow Down" available as a stream at AbsolutePunk.net

That said...If you're interested to hear what the upcoming album sounds like, HIT THIS LINK!

You can't download any of it, but you can at least listen through the album free. Oh...Only catch, you do need a free account. I signed up...Took a listen. Fun stuff. Not bad. Need more time with it, since even at the end of this post I haven't made it through the first song all the way through!

GO! Listen...Enjoy!

~j
themusictest@gmail.com

Ahh...Testing Results! Yippie!

I like Wednesday's. It's the middle of the week, which means we ride down the proverbial "Thursday/Friday" hill, right on into the weekend, AND, once in a while, I have Music Test results to mull over...Today's Wednesday is one of those days!

Here are the Top 5's from the most recent test:

(Filtered)

1. Skillet - "Hero"
2. FM Static - "Take Me As I Am"
3. The Afters - "Ocean Wide"
4. Fireflight - "Unbreakable"
5. NeedtoBreathe - "Lay 'em Down"

(Non-Filtered)

1. Fireflight - "Unbreakable"
2. NeedtoBreathe - "Lay 'em Down"
3. FM Static - "Take Me As I Am"
4. The Afters - "Ocean Wide"
5. Skillet - "Hero"

What I found interesting is that they're the same 5 songs, just in a different order. However...There was one consistency...The lowest testing song. Yes, this lowest testing song, has actually been the lowest testing song for a couple of weeks now, so...That means it's time to shelve it for a while. Which one is it?

Group1Crew - "Movin'"

Sorry guys...Would love to keep your high energy around, but I need to 'rest' you for a while so people don't get completely burned on you.

Now...That opens up a slot in my Total Axxess/CHR song category...Who is the lucky winner to fill that slot?

Sanctus Real - "Forgiven"

Solid song...I think you'll really enjoy it. It'll make it's debut during Total Axxess on Friday. Listen for it...Get to know it, because soon, it'll show up in a Music Test and I'll need to know what you think!

Also...Yesterday I set aside some time with the latest Shane & Shane song, "My Hope is Built". It's okay. I'm not in love with it yet, nor am I convinced that you'd love it on Total Axxess either. So...We'll see. I'll spend more time with it and see where it goes!

As I wrap things up for today...I showed up this morning with a note on my desk about an upcoming concert that you might be interested in:

Matthew West
The Motions Tour wsg. Josh Wilson
Sunday, November 1st @ 6:30p
(Doors open @ 5:30p)
Olivet Evangelical Free Church - Muskegon, Mi
Tickets available through iTickets.com
VIP Meet 'n Greet Ticket packages also available.
More details at: UnityChristianEvents.com

*Note: Little known fact about Matthew West. My wife, Annie, went to school with him. She calls him "Matt" West. Fun!

Well...That's it for today. Have a good one!

~j
themusictest@gmail.com

New Releases!

Ha...Once again it's Tuesday, which means new music. HOWEVER...today's another dud. Nothing really notable to pass along...BUT...NEXT WEEK is going to bring a whole bunch of new music. To get you ready, let's talk about some of it!

Here's the 'trimmed down' list:

• WOW HITS 2010 CD/DVD
• Relient K - "Forget and Not Slow Down"
• Chris Tomlin - "Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship"
• Todd Agnew - "Need"
• Fee - "Hope Rising"
• Downhere - "How Many Kings: Songs for Christmas"

That's just the biggies!

Now..Because he recently visited the station, and last week he gave away the first single from his new album as a Free Download, I thought I'd highlight Todd Agnew's - "Need" album that releases next week.

NewReleaseTuesday.com will have Todd's entire album available for previewing all this week for free*. Here's the link!

*Must be a NRTeam Member...which is free as well.

As I look to the Music Test's inbox, I received notification that Shane & Shane have a new song coming out for radio called, "My Hope Is Built". They want me to listen to it, so I'll give it a spin and let you know my thoughts.

In the meantime, might I suggest that you track down your all time favorite album, listen to it, and suggest one song from it to me. Send me your suggestion at: themusictest@gmail.com! Do it...Please?! I'm always interested in new music!

~j
themusictest@gmail.com

Results and more 'Behind the Scenes'!

Okay...So middle of the week last week, I put together a little "Battle of the Songs". The two songs up for the fight were, Kutless - "What Faith Can Do" and Phil Stacey - "You're Not Shaken". The result...Kutless came out swinging as the winner with 80% of the votes. Sorry Phil.

We'll try that whole "Battle of the Songs" thing again...I think it's fun!

Anyway...Also recently...Someone suggested I take a listen to VOTA's - "Honestly". I've spent more time with it and it gets better each and every time I listen to it! I posted a YouTube video with the song, but today, I'd like to post a YouTube video to give you a "Behind the Song" outlook. Here you go!

While were at it...Building 429, who is currently on tour with Todd Agnew, has a new radio hit out there called, "Overcome". I've been listening to it, and it's growing on me. Here's Jason from Building 429, giving a little insight into the song.

Thanks Jason, we appreciate your time!

Well...Let's see...I guess I'll wrap up for today...take care of yourself (and others), and if you have any music suggestions...Let me know!

~j
themusictest@gmail.com

Headline Makers...

A little short on the news side of things...So...I'll give you a link for another FREE song download!

A Tree vs. Addison Road's Van

Driving back to their managers house earlier this week, Addison Road was coming around a blind curve, when to their surprise, there was a huge tree that had just fallen across the road. There were only two in the van at the time of the crash, no injuries, just a crumpled van. Now Addison Road faces the challenge of finding reliable transportation as they get ready to hit the road with Sanctus Real next week.

###

Top 5 Albums of the Week

1. Skillet - "Awake"
2. Thousand Foot Krutch - "Welcome to the Masquerade"
3. NeedtoBreathe - "The Outsiders"
4. Barlow Girl - "Love & War"
5. Selah - "You Deliver Me"

###

We'll wrap today's post up with another FREE song download. The only catch is that you do need to sign up to be a member of the web site, but it's a good web site to be a part of, and each and every Tuesday, they give out a FREE song download...So that's worth it right?

Anyway...This past Tuesday's FREE song download at NewReleaseTuesday.com is David Crowder* Band - "How He Loves".

Yesterday I shared a 'behind the scenes' video about the song...Now you can download it FREE...HERE!

~j
themusictest@gmail.com

FREE Music again, behind the scenes...and...a little more

FREE music seems to be popular this week! So...Without much delay...Here's another FREE download for you:

Phil Wickham - "Eden"
(Right-Click and Save)

Okay, so...Earlier this week, Tuesday, David Crowder* Band released a new album entitled, "Church Music". On this new album, you can find their upcoming radio hit, "How He Loves"...it's track #10. Anyway...I guess it was originally written by John Mark McMillan. The story behind the song seemed pretty amazing, and it'd be a shame if I didn't share it with you today. So...Here's a kind of 'behind the scenes' of "How He Loves".
UPDATE: YouTube Video has been removed due to copyright issues. Sorry. 9/29/09
Good Stuff huh?

I've got one more thing to share with you, since it kind of fits the mood after watching that YouTube video. Every once in a while...maybe once a week...I get a devotion in my email. It's not a standard, read this and reference the Bible, kind of devotion, it's all based around the a song that I may be listening to. Check out the most recent devo I received:

Song:
"Hero" by Skillet

Lyrics:
"I need a hero, to save my life.
A hero'll save me, Just in Time."

Devo:
Have you ever seen a good superhero movie? What happens? The heroine gets kidnapped or caught in a very dangerous situation with the bad guys, and the superhero swoops in at just the right moment to rescue her. Have you ever felt like the heroine, standing on the edge of a cliff, just waiting for someone to come and save you?

Sometimes it feels like God plays the part of a superhero. Sometimes we walk into dangerous situations, sometimes bad things happen to us, but he allows us to go just so far. He allows us to get to the point where all we can do is rely on him. But we find out that instead of swooping in at the last second, he was really there all the time. When we were standing on the cliff, he had his hand on our back, holding us up until it was the right time for him to fix the situation.

Scripture:
Psalm 138:7-8 - "Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. The Lord will work out his plans for my life - for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon men, for you made me."

~j
themusictest@gmail.com

Which one?

In an effort to be more engaging with those of you actually viewing this blog, I thought I put together a little "Battle of the Songs" for you to choose your favorite. So...Without further delay...Here are the candidates:

Candidate #1: Kutless - "What Faith Can Do"



Candidate #2: Phil Stacey - "You're Not Shaken"



There they are...now...for the voting. After listening to the songs...Just head HERE and "Click to Vote!"

Oh...and I disabled the results, so...That means you won't know which one's winning. That's a secret for the time being. I'll reveal the results soon!

I'll be putting together a new Music Test, so next week we'll have I'll have some results to share, but I thought in the mean time, having two songs duke it out would be fun! Enjoy!

~j
themusictest@gmail.com

New Releases!

It's Tuesday...and that means, New Music is to be found at your favorite music retailer! Here are some to look for!

David Crowder* Band - "Church Music"

Hawk Nelson - "Live Life Loud"

KJ-52 - "Five-Two Television"

Lincoln Brewster - "Today is the Day" CD/DVD

Matt Maher - "Alive Again"

Pillar - "Confessions"

and finally...for those of you looking for Christmas music...

Big Daddy Weave - "Christ is Come"

Moving on...Yesterday I provided a link that gave you some Free music. Let's keep milking this gravy train! Here's a link for 4 FREE songs from B.Reith! What?! You've never heard of him...Well there's no better way to find out more about him than listening to his music. So...Hit up the link for 4 FREE song downloads via Amazon.com. Let's just say if you like tobyMac, KJ-52, or even Jason Mraz, you'll be in good company!

B.Reith - "Now and Forever" EP

Well...I think that about does it for today! Enjoy the FREE music! As always...If you have an Artist/Song suggestion, send 'em my way!

~j
themusictest@gmail.com