Music Minute: Deluxe Birthday Edition!

Jen here, with another Music Minute! (Today is my birthday and I'm trying to get some mileage out of it. Wish me a happy birthday!)

Special thanks to Mandy for pinch-hitting for me last time. I've been buried up to my neck redesigning ec, but it's finished now and we think you're going to love it! You'll find an all-new magazine starting with the October 2008 issue. 

What's brand new: It's a big week in Christian music! There's a new album from Kutless, one from Superchick, a new EP from rock worship group Fee, Canadian rapper Manafest, new wave duo Bon Voyage, indie rockers Seabird, and a 20th-anniversary disc from Amy Grant.



What we like: 

• Confession time here at ec: I loves me some Superchick. Not only do they consistently produce catchy records full of awesome messages, they are some seriously great people. (A few years ago I got to spend the day with them out in L.A. for an ec photo shoot and y'all - they are super cool and fun in real life.) Rock What You Got is their first album in three years. You'll find plenty to like on this album; our favorite is "Hey Hey," a sonic, guitar-filled power-pop tune with a funky beat. Check it out! 



• If you're a fan of Coldplay and U2, you're going to dig the new album from Kutless, To Know That You're Alive. We like "Complete," which features strings recorded at the historic Abbey Road Studios in London. And according to a recent press release, "After a summer of key music festivals, Kutless will headline the first ever Creation Tour, which will be a rock replica on wheels of the 30-year-old summer festival." Fun!



• Now for something a little different. Growing up, my family went camping every summer in Canada, and honestly, "Canada" and "hip-hop" are not two things I'd naturally put together. But Canadian hip-hop artist Manafest has totally proven me wrong with his new album, Citizens Activ, which is about people taking action in their own lives. If you're into TobyMac, you should definitely check this out. We like "Steppin Out,"  a totally awesome song featuring ska guitar thrown into an irresistible dance track.



• Fans of new wave music will love Lies, the new release from Bon Voyage. It's mellow, happy pop with ever-so-slightly mechanical singing and beats in the spirit of the best 80s new wave music - but it's not campy, just good fun! (For example, "Monster" talks about wanting to be a monster under the stairs.) Anyway, check out "Wake Up Make Up" and you'll see what I mean - this stuff is seriously catchy, and I'm not just saying that because I grew up in the 80s!



What we're looking forward to: the new Nicole C. Mullen album releasing July 22. If you want great, uplifting R&B-style tunes, look no further!

What we don't like: Getting a farmer's sunburn (worse than a farmer's tan!), perfume addicts who leave a little trail everywhere they go, and getting a flat tire.