Ch. 66: Be Careful What You Want

66 ¹ Intro: “Burn and Shine” by The Elms ² “Naked and Red” by Colour Revolt. ³ “Real Love” by Rootdown. ⁴ “River of Jordan” by Drakkar Sauna. ⁵ “When Water Comes to Life” by Cloud Cult. ⁶ “Be Careful (What You Want)” by Wild Sweet Orange. ⁷ “Alice” by Moby. ⁸ “Waltz in 3” by Shawn McDonald. ⁹ “Can’t Explain” by Ever Stays Red. ¹⁰ “HLLLYH” by The Mae Shi. ¹¹ “Dress Looks Nice” by Interstates. ¹² “On Jesus’ Program” by Queens of the Stone Age. ¹³ “Ocean” by Dabney Morris. ¹⁴ “Blind Man” by Verra Cruz. ¹⁵ “A Long Time” by Backyard Tire Fire. ¹⁶ “Vote for Jesus” by Bucky Rage. ¹⁷ “Sun Giant” by Fleet Foxes.

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New Statistics on Religion

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has released a series of new statistics on the religious landscape of America:

• Close to half (44 percent) of all Americans have changed religions or denominations at least once in their lifetimes.
• Protestants now make up just 51 percent of the population, though the total Christian population remains as high as 78 percent.
• Some 16 percent of American adults describe themselves as religiously “unaffiliated,” more than twice the percentage who say they had no religious upbringing.
• In addition to contributing to religious diversity, immigration also augments the country’s church rolls, as 46 percent of foreign-born adults claim Catholic identity and 24 percent claim Protestant identity.

Verra Cruz: Innocence (2008)

Innocence punishes those who might take the title in vain and press play without first buckling in.

From the first track, the UK band Verra Cruz unleashes a torrent of blues-infused licks that lets up only long enough for you to pick your chin off the ground. The lead single, Not in the Fire, implores its listeners to “rise up” at the risk of being tread upon by its own charged chorus. Following closely is the beautiful train wreck Blind Man, with its driving percussion and sufficiently-shredded lead.

The album takes a slight detour on Friend to You which simmers and soaks in its own sappy juices. The title track, too, seems a bit out of place with its uncharacteristically predictable melody. Fortunately for the long-laden, the album quickly turns back to the rhythm and soul that has become the band’s trademark.

In all, Innocence has all the trappings of a well-seasoned album that knows where it’s going and exactly how to get there. Verra Cruz is verra good riff-rocking roll. Verra, verra good.

Would put on a mixtape between: Silverchair and Soundgarden

Tracks to sample: “Not in the Fire” (myspace), “Blind Man”, “How Long for This World”