Lyricks & Manifest: 09.25.09
New Life Fellowship
I've been following Rick (Lyricks) and Peter (Manifest) for a while now, ever since my brother showed me their youtube clips, so it was a treat to see them at my church friday night. Most people were like "who are they?" and I was running around like a total weirdo all amped about it. For the most part, I think 'christian' is a better noun than an adjective, and tend to be wary of christian rappers, not to mention korean-american christian rappers (sorry, my korean chingus).
But what I appreciated about Rick and Peter is that their faith doesn't seem to overpower their style or get distilled out of it either. They didn't start out as "christian rappers" per say or even really build their craft on top of it; you can tell that their faith was blended into their rhymes as it grew. I'm almost sure that they didn't plan it that way, it gives an organic, textured feel to their rapping, one that avoids two pitfalls at the same time: they don't revolve around money and fame, unlike those of so many modern rappers, and they also avoid a cliched christian feel that tends to crowd individual styles. They definitely carry their own sounds, which you can check out in the link below:
The Gift Remix (generated a lot of buzz for them a few years back):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzNL0A6sWLc
On a very brief side note, since we're talking about it, my favorite rappers are essentially Nas and Mos Def. I have to think hard about their lyrics sometimes, and that makes me happy.
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Snow Patrol: 10.05.09
Warehouse Live
Snow Patrol @ Warehouse Live.
For those of you who missed this concert . . . you definitely missed out. As some of you may know, snow patrol is pretty much my favorite band ever, and I really wanted to catch them this time they came through Houston. I missed them the last time (3 years ago!) and promised myself I wouldn't again. And even though I heard all kinds of things about how they are horrible live and give the crowd an arrogant feeling, I was not disappointed. Don't be a hater; Gary has a soothing, affable stage presence.
Gary Lightbody.
A little history: D actually turned me on to this concert through her internet search; without her I probably would have missed this one, found out about it post facto, and then summarily cried myself to sleep. Instead, we got to enjoy a great show - although Plain White T's opened, and that part was pretty suspect - packed into a small venue. We were probably only 20-some feet from the stage, so that was pretty dope.
the blokes behind us, taking in the tunes.
some highlights from the night (besides the company):
* hearing "lightning strike" live, which was glorious. I mean, really. expansive, strong, and glorious
* singing "shut your eyes" with Gary and the rest of the crowd until I lost my voice (see facebook video for more)
* having Gary mistake us for "Austin, TX" and then hearing him apologize profusely by singing "Houston" into some of his lyrics (did not expect that when I bought the ticket)
* getting snow patrol's set list (!!!) and pick, courtesy of D =)
* nabbing plain white T's picks, even though no one really cared about them
If it's possible, I left liking snow patrol even more than I did before. Which is saying a lot, since I once looped "chasing cars" for 3 weeks straight. no joke.
I ❄ snow patrol.
PS - I am framing the set list and pick, in case you were wondering. Come visit and check it out! but don't touch =)
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