More Than Sound - Click To Link

Music holds great value in its ability as a medium to connect with diverse people and inspire emotions. Facedown Records is working to expand that sphere of influence to engage the members of its community to assist in meeting real needs worldwide. More Than Sound is the venture and Jason Dunn of Facedown Records shares his convictions:

There’s more to life than ourselves; more than our own worries and fears or our joys and triumphs. There’s more to life then an economic crisis or a surplus in a budget. Every day, people die from lack of clean water, malaria or other treatable diseases. Every day, families are destroyed leaving children alone, abused or neglected. Every day, human beings are surrounded by war and devastation that tears their lives, homes and communities apart.

Facedown Record’s More Than Sound will bring a different organization, or as they call it Samaritan, to the forefront each month. In addition to informing the public about these organizations, Facedown Records will donate a portion of their online sales to each organization as well as partner with their army of bands to sponsor events that marriage music with the purpose.

More Than Sound is one small way that we can make a difference in the lives of the needy in the name of Jesus. To do our best to live out the good news of Christianity (James 1:27) to those that need it most. To use the resources we have as a community to make a global impact and to stop living our lives as those being served and start being servants like Jesus commanded us to be. (Matt. 20:26-28)

Facedown Records and their family of bands isn’t wasting anytime getting involved, with one event already under their belt that raised $1500 for Rapha House (Click More Than Sound Image at top for link to more info) and A Plea For Purging committing their CD Release Show, March 14 in Nashville, to the same cause.

They have teamed up with Rcktwn in Nashville to host a community event that will feature bands, speaking (Chad Johnson) and worship by The Glorious Unseen. All of this on top of a BBQ cookout with the bands. The cost is only $1 to help with the cost of the food, but no other admission will be charged.

Check with the Facedown Records site to find out more about the cause and to keep updated on events and opportunities to get involved.

I was in the car yesterday and in the middle of a time consuming detour, “Reject” by Living Sacrifice came up on my iPod. For those of you that are unaware of this Christian Hardcore/Metal milestone, Living Sacrifice was one of the bands that I believe was pivotal in ushering in a new era of clarity in message being expressed through a quality and relevant medium (ie Hardcore music). For those of you that have experienced this tasty treat, recall for a moment where you were at when Reject assaulted your eardrums and you were awakened to a reality where Christian music could challenge you as well as rock your face off.

As my long journey on roads never traveled, this detour through Memoriam (ha ha – Living Sacrifice’s last album) afforded me additional time to consider other milestone songs. I tried to compile the “best of” with these factors: 1) Song must have a clear message; 2) Song must inspire passion; 3) Song must be crisply executed (quality); 4) Must still be relevant today (still sounds good)

Hardcore: Reject by Living Sacrifice

Alternative: Jesus Freak by DC Talk

Contemporary: Shine by Newsboys or Big House by Audio Adrenaline – “Secret Ambition” by Michael W. Smith deserves a nod and possibly should top the list, who was edgier than MWS in his initial era?

*I recognize there is a host of songs that church going folk will have been inundated with via Christian radio and even the “special music” from church – perhaps some of those belong on this list or maybe a separate category. Some of them may be jaded by their redundancy but a few that come to mind are “Mary Did You Know” by Michael English; “Thank You” by Ray Boltz

Rap: “What Do You See” by Cross Movement

*I will admit that this is not a genre that I have extensive knowledge of, but I think most that enjoy this arena will have to recognize the impact that Cross Movement has had.

Ska: “Unite” by Supertones

Punk: “Never Die” by Dogwood (“Control” is also another great offering by Dogwood but slightly more mellow) “JCHC” by Officer Negative also came to mind

*I recognize that MxPx owns the most widespread audience as a Christian Punk Band but in the early days of their music where the message was clearest the quality wasn’t but perhaps “Teenage Politics” deserves a nod.

Hair Metal: “To Hell With The Devil” by Stryper

*Is there really any argument here? What was better at the time than yellow spandex and weapons that only the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had access to.

Before some of you music buffs go crazy and start rioting at my house, please note that this was mainly written on the fly with only my memories to serve me. This list is certainly up for discussion and I’d love to hear back from you all. Keep in the mind the (4) distinctives that I tried to use to guide this list.