The Meltdown 2.40

New music from Anberlin, Propaganda, Number One Gun, True Liberty, and Rhema.

Propaganda - Crimson Cord

It's no secret that I think Humble Beast is the top of the Christian hip-hop food chain. Each release stabilizes and cements the labels place to go for real, quality hip-hop. Propaganda's Crimson Cord is another gem in a stacked discography.

I was in love with Prop's collaboration album with Odd Thomas (Art Ambidextrous) and I was so excited for Excellent... But Excellent was underwhelming. I liked a lot of things about the album, but it just didn't hit me as this great piece of work the same way Art Ambidextrous did. Yet I was still excited for Crimson Cord. Something felt different in it's release. There was an air of expectancy surrounding it, and that translated to me being excited for the album.

There was a passion and an intensity about Art Ambidextrous that just seemed lacking on Excellent. But it's back on Crimson Cord. From the start, the album's spoken word opener, You Mock Me, is vicious and painful, powerful and honest. There's an overcoming that's been birthed in pain that shines through the track. Which carries right into the album's title track. The beat isn't complicated and almost hidden in the background as Prop spits vicious verse after vicious verse. There's a subtle change in tone as the hook hits. It's not catchy like a pop song, but the theme and repetitive nature of the hook will stick in your ears.

Daywalkers is a bouncy upbeat song that features Lecrae. And when I say upbeat, I mean in tone and for the record. Because there's a bitterness on all of the tracks on Crimson Cord. Musically the song is upbeat and redemptive. Make has a 90's vibe that's extremely compelling and draws you in to what Prop is saying on the track. Bored Of Education is one of those angry, political, change needs to happen songs that I loved so much about Art Ambidextrous.

The hope in the pain within songs like I Ain't Gave Up On You Yet, Framed Stretch Marks, and Three Cord Bond make you trap for the lyrics to see what Prop is trying to convey. You can hear raw honest pain. Not always a pain in that life has gone wrong for him, but a pain that people don't always see there beauty. Songs like those, plus the honest questioning in tracks like How Did We Get Here are what make Crimson Cord such an interesting a compelling listen.

Tell Me Yours closes out the record. It's Prop's story. Everything from his salvation to his love for hip-hop and dealing with racism. It's his thank you to all the people who shaped him into who he is today. It's a beautiful way to close the record.

Crimson Cord is a powerful record. Lyrically heavy, but it;s beautiful and the honesty in Propaganda's lyrics are compelling to the listener. Musically interesting, at time old school, and overall Crimson Cord is a masterpiece.

You can download Crimson Cord at http://www.humblebeast.com/downloads/propaganda-crimson-cord/

Flesh and Bone to Release Sky Flying By's "Can You Say It With One Word?"

New label, Flesh and Bone Records, have announced that their first release will be Boston's Sky Flying By's ep Can You Say It With One Word? The ep was originally released independently last year but the re-release will include a new track called Detour. The album will be available on black and silver swirl cassette tape (50 only) in June, but you can stream and download a digital version of the album now at the label's bandcamp page (http://fleshandbone.bandcamp.com). 

RIYL - Sigur Ros, Olafur Arnalds, Mono, Caspian

The Meltdown 2.39

Music from Fine China, mewithoutYou, Mortification, Doug Burr, Tiffany Thompson, and much more!

True Liberty releases new album "Give Me True Liberty or Give Me Death"

True Liberty announces the release of their fifth album “Give Me True Liberty or Give Me Death!”   The new album includes three new original studio recordings plus 16 greatest hits recorded live.  Firmly committed to living their beliefs, this album documents the band in all of its spiritual passion and fury.  The live portion of the album was recorded at Destination Central, on February 10, 2013, in Colonial Heights, Virginia, several months prior to Aaron Liberty’s departure with his family for full-time missionary service to the people of central Costa Rica.  An awe-inspiring, resolute call for unity and service to others for God’s glory.  

The track listing is:

1. Loud and Proud

2. Unite

3. Standing Tall

4. God's Gonna Cut You Down (Live)

5. Revolution (Live)

6. Here to Stay (Live)

7. Suicide King (Live)

8. Fist Fight In the Dirt (Live)

9. Put It to Death (Live)

10. Broken Dreams (Live)

11. Johnny B. Goode (Live)

12. Ball and Chain (Live)

13. To the Front (Live)

14. Take It Back (Live)

15. Lost (Live)

16. Unite (Live)

17. Just a Sinner (Live)

18. Amazing Grace (Live)

19. Summary (Live)

Purchase copies of the CD from the TPR webstore:  http://thumperpunkrecords.storenvy.com/collections/35134-all-products/products/7093949-true-liberty-give-me-true-liberty-or-give-me-death

Rhema Joins OnTheAttack Records

OnTheAttack Records is pleased to announce that Rochester, New York, based Rhema is the latest to join the OTA family of bands.  Stylistically, Rhema is a hybrid of sorts, layering elements of often dark, emotional hardcore over early metallic hardcore.  At times fast… at times emotive and angst- ridden.  Always powerful.  Lyrically, Rhema deals with difficult issues and raw personal struggles of band members with an unfiltered and sometimes painful honesty.

Formed in August 2013, Rhema features Jonathan Barefoot (guitars), David McPherson (vocals), Caleb Barefoot (drums) and Adam Kramer (bass).  Rhema has plans to enter the studio in the coming months for a full scale release later this year.

Rhema
https://www.facebook.com/Rhemasfhc

Download a free copy of the band’s debut 5 song demo EP at:
http://rhemasfhc.bandcamp.com/album/2014-demo

The Meltdown 2.38

New music from New Empire, Artifex Pero, and more. Plus tracks from Mxpx, Dogwood, and Alert.