In Praise of the Megasong

Nobody writes long songs anymore, at least not from my experience. Oh sure, there are pockets out there, but it usually is just the Modern Worship or Gospel Genres. At least they write songs that clock in over 5 minutes. That doesn't have to be the case. Since I go to churches that are big on the Modern Worship/Hillsong style, I have found it amazing that Churches have not capitalized on their ability to distort the time-space continuum. Seriously, how is it possible that you can take a four line chorus and make it last for a half hour while at the same time making it seem like twelve hours. It's the sanctified version of the song that does not end. (The sanctified Song That Does Not End would have to be Psalm 119. At 176 Verses long, a comfortable paced read takes approximately 30 minutes. Singing it as intended, even with modern music, probably longer.

That's not the type of song I'm talking about. The songs I'm talking about are over six minutes long, some are twice that, but the experience is such that you would think it's only two or three minutes in length. The six minute bar is intentional, for it surpasses the 5:55 run time of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. Of course, nothing against Queen, but I prefer my Bohemian Rhapsody to come from high class sources. Bohemian Rhapsody is the bar. My first list of songs not only exceed that bar, they smash it. In reverse order of length.

• #10 - Sudden Death, Servant, World of Sand, 1981 (8:18) - Doing a top ten list, this one winds up the shortest. It stands as a megasong on its own, though it is also part of a two song "rock opera"
• #9 - Trilogy, Iona, Iona, 1991 (8:34) - This is where it all begins. This Progressive Rock/Celtic band from the UK almost can't make a song under 5 minutes. This is from their eponymous debut, though not their longest or best.
• #8 - Songs of Ascent Pt. 2, Iona, Open Sky, 2000 (9:06)
• #7 - Bird of Heaven, Iona, Beyond These Shores, 1993 (9:09)
• #6 - Castlerigg, Iona, Open Sky, 2000 (9:25)
• #5 - Woven Cord, Iona, Open Sky, 2000 (9:28)
• #4 - Boomerang feat Tracy Truells, Cloud 2 Ground, The Gate, 2000 (11:18) - Wow, a song not by Iona made the list. This Trance/Techno band by Chad Petree and Jeremy Dawson is great.
• #3 - Encircling, Iona, Journey Into the Morn, 1995 (11:38)

• #2 - Matthew-The Man, Iona, The Book of Kells, 1992 (11:54)
• #1 - Sodom, Jerusalem, Warrior, 1981 (12:33)

I have praised Sodom many many times before, so I wont say anything this time. If you take away the Iona songs, not only is the list only three songs long, but two of the songs are written in 1981. See what I mean, nobody does it anymore.

I'm going to do a cheat here. In the era of mp3 files, there are certain songs that would be megasongs if they were not split into two. The songs may have been intentionally recorded as two songs, but they either, because of theme or the fact that they have barely a millisecond of space between them. Here are three two part megasongs.

• #3 - Destroy/Savior, Worth Dying For, Love Riot (6:31)
• #2 - Tourniquet/Imaginary, Evanescence, Fallen (8:55)
• #1 - Sudden Death/Come Jesus Come, Servant, World of Sand (11:55) Sudden Death and its companion song Come Jesus Come were billed as a two song "rock opera". It was written in honor of a death by auto accident of members of the Servant Community.

This has been a special edition of Flashback Friday. If you know of a mega song that you love, please share it with me by commenting. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

2012 Wishlist: Dance

Taking a look ahead to 2012 in a genre most in the industry fear to tread. The most feared word in the Christian Dictionary (Actually, I think it has been deleted from most editions). The word is D-A-N-C-E. Yes Dance. As in Dance Music. Techno and Electronica included. I went to a Christian College in the Northeast. The top two sins were Dancing and going to the Movies. "Christian Dance" involves moving up and down and somewhat side to side without your feet actually coming unglued from the floor. Don't get me started on Christian Interpretive Dance. I think that's an Olympic sport. It's called Rhythmic Gymnastics-Ribbons.

I expect some new blood to show up in this category in 2012, mostly because some of the entrants have been on such a tear. It's not that they couldn't. Especially with techno, all you need is a synth and a recording device and you're off to the races.

It has been Two years since Stephen Petree came out with Weakness Makes You Beautiful, which was among the inaugural Dance nominees. While the album was good, it was also somewhat derivative, and it wasn't among my favorites. Besides, I was more of a fan of his Brother Chad Petree, who along with Jeremy Dawson formed Techno Group Cloud2Ground. Now that is on a wish list. But why not, we had reunion summer this year. Anyway, I think a return to the studio by Petree would be appreciated.

Also appreciated, but highly unlikely, would be another release by Beckah Shae. Life came out in 2010 and Destiny (A Perfect 5 Emerald Album) followed this year. It would be tough to think that something as epic as Destiny could be reached so quickly, so my prediction for ms. Shea would be a much deserved year off to recharge the batteries. Besides, she needs the energy to carry all the statuettes she will be hauling off at the Doves (Yeah, Right).

Another Christian "Dance Queen" that I do think will make a return in 2012 is Charmaine. She started out as backup Singer to Rebecca St. James before releasing a debut album "All about Jesus", way back in 2002. Completely reinventing herself for her Sophomore Release, Love Reality, which came out in 2010 along with the Radio Hit "Tokyo". I think most of the Christian Dance Fans are looking for a re-appearance this year.

I know they are looking for Group 1 Crew. The Dance Group (Some call them Hip Hop) took the inaugural PVA in Dance in 2010 and were silent this year. Now they say this band recently dropped a member and is now a duo, with Just Manwell Reyes and Blanca Reyes Callahan making up the Band (Pablo Villatoro being the one who left). They were a part of 2010's For Those Who Wait Tour and while I remember three people in G1C, only Manwell and Blanca did the singing. There was a drummer to provide a beat. But that was in 2010, and they say that Pablo left this year. So you can see why I am slightly confused. Either way, count me in on being one of those who would like to see another G1C release in 2012.

A Few final notes. Though she recently put out an EP, I think Dance/Pop/Rock artist Kerrie Roberts should be putting out a second full length release this year. Just a prediction. Since I am going out on a limb anyway, I think that Press Play will be taking the year off, with World Anthem having to suffice. And of course, though Queens Club made the nominees in 2010, they disbanded this year. They were a promising young band. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The 2010 Platinum Vinyl Awards: Best Dance Album

The awarding of the "Trophy" for the Inaugural Platinum Vinyl Awards Continues with the Album of The Year Awards. We move on to Dance (including Electronica and Techno). For the record (sorry!), this will be the posted award order.

1. Children's Music
2. Folk/Folk Rock
3. Dance (incl. Electronica and Techno) 
4. Gospel/R&B
5. Alternative
6. Modern Worship
7. Pop
8. Hip Hop/Rap
9. Hard Rock
10. Rock

Beginning with the Dance Genre, all of the categories reached the full Seven nominations. In Dance, the entries were:

• Love Reality by Charmaine
• Outta Space Love by Group1Crew
• Favorites at Play by Joy Electric
• Weakness Makes You Beautiful by Petree
• Beautiful History by Plumb
• NY2LA by Press Play
• Life by Beckah Shae

For the winner, stay with me after the jump