It’s been a little while since I’ve posted about music here. And that’s weird because it’s supposed to be a focus point for this blog. I love talking about and sharing music and this is the my venue to do it as often as I want without wearing people out. So here we go:
I listened to Strahan‘s album “Posters” for three solid hours, yesterday. (I think that means I have to talk about it, here.) I haven’t done that with an album since 2012 when I read an entire trilogy of books in three days while listening to The Walkmen’s “Heaven” on repeat. Yesterday I spent four hours editing a book. It was the perfect backdrop for the quiet Taylor’s Falls coffee shop I was planted in. Noise-canceling stereo headphones are truly a godsend.
Who’s Strahan? I know. I have no idea. Somehow, at some point last week, I saved this album as a playlist in Spotify. I have no recollection of how I came across it or when I saved it. I think this means God meant for me to just LISTEN TO IT. I’ve searched the interwebs and all that I can surmise is that he’s from New Zealand and “Posters” is his first LP. I have been swept away by this album. I mean, I feel like I fell in love this weekend. My heart is full. There are a few high points of “Posters” that I’d love to share.
1. The easy-perfect harmony in the opening song, “You’re the Dawn.” Set against the stark silence of the room and the gentle acoustic guitar plucking– it’s perfection.
2. The melody in, “Hey, New Wine”. Again. Perfection. What he does with his voice over a melody is pure and beautiful.
3. He’s singing about Jesus. In a way most contemporary-Christian radio artists don’t. And he’s relevant. His writing is poetic, real and relatable. On point. I love it.
4. The lyrics of “Home”. As I was editing, suddenly a lyric exploded through my ears: “Poetry kissed reality the moment I met you.” Whoa. Is he singing about God? Or a person-person he’s in love with? I looked up the lyrics and yep- It’s about Jesus. And really, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. I’m not being dramatic just to get you to listen to it, (Ok maybe I am just a little bit), but seriously. This song is something special. Powerful. Beautiful. The melody over the lyric, “And my heart still breaks but the river’s running wilder every day” slays me. Beautiful. There really aren’t words. Here- you just need to experience it:
Home
I have held your hand for so long I don’t remember anymore
I have searched 10 miles wide and far more than that deep
And I’m so glad a decade on your fire still burns in meLet them speak of man who lives to die
And in my bones beat the pleasure of your fire
My heart still breaks but the rivers running wilder every day
That’s how I know
I am home
I used to think my energy would carry me on through
But poetry kissed reality the moment I met you
All my years and all my friends never told me what you do
But now I know it’s so obvious that through that I grew
Let them speak of man who lives to die
And in my bones beat the pleasure of your fire
My heart still breaks but the rivers running wilder every day
That’s how I know
I am home
My Own Frequency 