Positive Entertainment Reviews

Year Of Release: 2000.
Music Style: Jazz/funk/R&B/Soul.

This review is for Christians who are going to be either making or producing music in the future depending on their musical tastes and what music they want to create.

I am going to review a compilation which i have never reviewed before and i will review this album from the heart. The Style Council: Greatest Hits is jam packed with some of the most vibey music you will ever hear. If you have been listening to The Style Council for a very long time, then you will know most of the songs that are on this compilation disc. I was brought up on The Style Council when i was a very tiny infant and i was at nursery at the time.
I will do the very best i can to review this CD and i pray that God will take care of the rest.

As you know, Paul Weller formed The Style Council after he split up The Jam and he started to move well away from the Rock and Roll/ Punk direction. As a result, Paul Weller started to experiment different musical styles and he was well interested in underground funk and American Northern Soul/R&B.
The reason Paul Weller decided to leave The Jam was because he wasn't interested in fame and he didn't want to be idolised in the first place. I am hoping to review a couple of albums by The Jam in the future to get the message across that Paul Weller didn't want to re hash his previous albums and do the same thing over and over again. In fact, he always wanted to do something different with every new album he record. This interest in American Soul and underground funk was reflected on The Jams final record ''The Gift'' and one of the well known singles on ''The Gift'' is ''Town Called Malice'', a Tamla Motown influenced song which borrows a bass line element from ''You Can't Hurry Love'' by Diana Ross and The Supremes.

The Style Council have written some songs that deeply addressed some social and political issues at the time and it was the era when Margaret Thatcher came to power and that is dating back to the 80's. You can buy this CD that i am reviewing and you can read the CD booklet to know a lot more about the message that The Style Council is conveying concerning political and social issues.
There is also quite a lot of racism going on in this globe and i totally hate it so much. I have made up my mind to be culturally diverse in the music i listen to because i don't want to represent the culture i live in. I want to stand out from the crowd even if it leads me towards listening to artists that are in the underground music scene. The only culture i like to represent is the heavenly culture and i am pleased to be a diverse citizen, end of story.

In the past, i reviewed ''Welcome To Diverse City'' by Tobymac and it is a musically diverse and exciting record. I quite like Tobymac and he is such a multi talented legend and a full on inspiration.
Check out Tobymac and the Diverse City Band, and you will be glad you did. Tobymac's music is a blend of Pop/Rock/Funk/Soul/Reggae/R&B/Urban/Hip Hop and Techno. A highly recommended artist who is in the CCM scene.

If you are sick and tired of racial and cultural division, I recommend ''Walls Come Tumbin Down'', one of the most awesome songs that is on this Style Council compilation and it is also on the album ''Our Favorite Shop''. I will hopefully review that particular album someday in the future.
''Life At A Top Peoples Health Farm'' and ''How She Threw It All Away'' are proof positive that Paul Weller didn't want to mimic and represent the Pop Culture at the time. These 2 songs are on the album called ''Confessions Of A Pop Group. Other Well known songs include ''You're The Best Thing'', ''Long Hot Summer'', ''My Ever Changing Moods'' and ''Shout To The Top''.

''Solid Bond In Your Heart'' will get you dancing in no time since it is one of the songs i really like alongside some of the others that are on this CD. ''Big Boss Groove'', is a very funky song that is deeply influenced by the underground funk scene. ''Speak Like A Child'', is a very distinctive song with a jazzy vibe and it is another song that i quite like. I quite like the sound effects on that particular track. 
This Greatest Hits compilation finishes with a very positive and upbeat track ''Promised Land''.

If you are a Christian reading this review and you are either making music or you are going to make music in the future, i need to let you know on this blog that you cannot shy away from topics that deal with issues that are going on in the culture that we live in. We need to address the core part of why the world is as it is because this culture is in a very serious condition.
With that being said, I pray this CD will inspire you to create music that is original and out of the box
and write lyrics that deal with social issues of the times we are living in from God's point of view.
May God Bless You.

Year Of Release: 20th June 1988.
Music Style: Jazz/Pop/R&B/Soul/Classical.

This album is dedicated to The Style Council fans who thought Confessions Of A Pop Group was a real gem. Confessions Of A Pop Group is a musically diverse record and it is divided into 2 parts,
The Piano Paintings and Confessions Of A Pop Group.

The Piano Paintings consists of 5 tracks and it blends in some grand arrangements of Jazz and Classical music, the second track is done in acapella at it is very distinctive.
The other half of the album which is Confessions Of A Pop Group contains elements of innovative Pop, R&B and soul and there are six tracks. This whole album has a total of 11 tracks, some of them go on for a long time. track 5 is a three piece suite and it lasts for 10 minutes. The closing track with is a title track goes on for 9 minutes and it is one of my favorite songs on this record.

I listened to this album when i was very little and it was about the time when i was at nursery so it takes me well back to that time period. My Dad had this album on vinyl record.

The lead vocalist is Paul Weller who also used to be in The Jam and he is one of the best songwriters of all times. he sets an awesome example for artists who are willing to go against the popular music trends and create original music.

This is an original album and i believe this is the best record and most well crafted record by The Style Council and is one of the most misunderstood records in music history. I totally disagree with the negative reviews that this album has received in the time of it's release and i felt the reviews were so demeaning and unfair. Music artists should have the rights to be freely creative since music should be bringing colour to this globe and bring people together.
The music industry has put in a very unfair standard concerning selling a million copies and sticking to the formula that is working and it really should end right now. I believe this album i am reviewing will play a part in expanding your musical horizons if you are willing to go beyond what is popular.
When you listen to The Style Council: Confessions Of A Pop Group, don't just listen to a couple of tracks, play the whole album from start to finish and don't skip anything. you have got to give it chance to grow on you.

The Singles on this record are ''Life At A Top Peoples Health Farm'', and ''How She Threw It All Away''. and they are amazing tracks that will play a part in broadening your musical tastes and will inspire you to move past the plastic fabrication in the Pop music culture.

My favorite song on this album is the title track and it is musically innovative and exciting.
It exposes the popular music culture of the time and it will challenge you to be true to who you are rather than what you are not.

I pray this album will be used in a powerful way to challenge music artists and music listeners to step out of their comfort zones and take a chance on music and art that is more adventurous and risky, and don't fall for music that sounds the same all the time. May God bless you.

You can listen to The Style Council: Confessions Of A Pop Group on www.xbox.com/music.

Release Date: September 4th 2012.
Music Styles: Electronic/Indie Rock/Folk.
Musical Influences:Arcade Fire, Muse, Nirvana, The Beatles, Paul Simon, Mumford and Sons.
Imagine Dragons are based in Las Vegas, USA

This Secular Music review is for Christians who are going to make some incredible music in the future.



Imagine Dragons are one of the most musically creative bands that are not at all content with the status quo and the album ''Night Visions'' is a real example of this. this album is a lot more interesting musically than most of the current music that is in the charts. Imagine Dragons have taken some risks and the 13 songs on this record sound distinct from one another and they don't sound too samey and repetitive. This record is quite adventurous and the high quality is completely amazing from start to finish. The Electronic influences are evident on the popular single ''Radioactive'', and ''the 2nd track ''Tiptoe''.and the most explosive and innovative  closing track ''Working Man''. ''On Top Of The World'' has a very singalong feel and the music is quite jolly and folky. ''Amsterdam'' is a hair tingling rock song with a powerful chorus that is meant for stadiums and arenas.
As a bonus, I would like to recommend Arcade Fire's recent album ''Reflektor''. It is a very creative and uniquely original album. Another resource for future bands and artists.
Imagine Dragons set a great example for bands to follow and this record is a perfect resource for future bands and artists, especially Christians who are going to be making music in the future depending on what music they want to create.

We need to be raising up a lot more bands and artists in Great Britain and they got to be musically trained if they are going to create and Christians are not exempt from this.
We are running low on Christian Bands in Great Britain and this is serious. I will not tolerate uncreativity amongst Christians because the Church of God was meant to be the most creative force on this planet. If the music that Christians are creating are not as excellent and as High Quality as the Non Christian Bands and Artists and they are not pioneering something brand new and innovative, then something is wrong. Christians should give themselves a reality check if they continue to be embedded in their religious bubble. and Christians, if you truly want to make some new music and if you truly want to make an everlasting and eternal different in this modern generation, you need to be musically trained, and you also need a lot of accountability from spiritual mentors that will support you and help you grow spiritually. Make sure you are getting some musical inspirations that will challenge you to step into new musical territories and create something that is out of this world.
If you choose not to go to the next level musically, then you should stop songwriting until you are willing to make new music that doesn't sound the same, and for goodness sake, don't imitate other music makers.

 I have been listening to music from an early age and i have heard so many different Bands and Artists of different cultures and backgrounds throughout the years. I have a very kaleidoscopic musical taste and i love experimenting different music both old and new. I will continue to hear out lots of different music and i will listen to different bands and artists according to the season i am in.
I refuse to listen to the same music and same artists over and over again and i will never stay in the same place. One of the bands i was listening to recently was The Cure and they have been going for years. The Cure are one of the most unique bands you will ever hear and and they are so amazing.
The lead singer Robert Smith has such an incredible and distinctive singing voice and the music is ever so incredible.

If you have never heard of The Cure before and you would like to hear their music, i recommend
The Cure: Greatest Hits. One of their songs i would like to recommend is ''Love Song'', it is the sort of song you can worship God with in your daily life, there are some good lyrics in that song.
This is another resource for future music makers.
If you are looking for another song you can worship God with, i recommend
Ian Brown: Love Like A Fountain, it is an album called ''Golden Greats'', a late 90's record. Ian Brown used to be the lead singer in the late 80's/early 90's Britpop/Madchester band called The Stone Roses and then he went solo. His solo stuff is incredible and he has experimented a different variety of sounds and styles over the years including, Acid House, Techno, Psychodelic/Indie Rock, Dance, Funk, Hip Hop and some other music styles as well. Ian Brown is an original artist and i have a lot of respect for him. I have listened to Ian Brown in the past and i am listening to him again.
We need a lot more original artists who are not content with what is popular in the charts.

Most important of all, i have a very strong faith in Jesus Christ and my true identity is found in God alone for i am a child of God.
God is the true source of everything that is creative so let us use our God given gifts and talents to bring hope to the communities across the whole globe and bring more people into God's Heavenly Kingdom. Be creative and be willing the clear the whole world of stagnation and apathy.
To God be the highest glory now and forevermore.

Release Date: April 17th 2012.
This album is an independant release.
Music Styles: Hardcore Rap/Rock.

Thousand Foot Krutch are one of the most super talented Rock bands who blend in elements of Hardcore Rap and Heavy Rock and i believe a lot of Nu Metal fan will like this album. In the past, i used to listen to Linkin Park and the albums i used to have were ''Hybrid Theory'', ''Meteora'' and ''Minutes To Midnight''. I don't like Limp Bizkit at all but i prefer Linkin Park. Later on in my life, i started listening to POD and they are a Hardcore Rap/Metal Band who also blend in elements of Reggae and they are an awesome band. I reviewed a POD album ''Satellite'' a while ago and it is still on the blog.

Thousand Foot Krutch are part of the Contemparary Christian Music scene who signed up to Tooth And Nail Records in 2003 and Thousand Foot Krutch have been going since the mid 90's.
They are one of the bands who bravely and courageously took a huge risk in going beyond the religious boundaries and their music has a very strong Mainstream Rock sound. Bands like Thousand Foot Krutch should never be pigeonholed in the Religious Music category since their music is enough to penetrate this modern age. They are a true example of a band who goes beyond the religious four walls and reaches out to this modern generation who are getting sick and tired of religion.

This album ''The End Is Where We Begin'', is one of the much stronger and bolder efforts that i have heard from Thousand Foot Krutch'' and the Lead vocalist Trevor McNevan has a very strong and powerful voice that is enough to blow the whole roof off and set the place alight, metaphorically speaking. This album will encourage you and inspire you to make a positive change for the better and shine God's light into the whole atmosphere.

Here are some other bands that broke the conventional Christian Music boundaries and are making a very positive change in this modern culture for God's glory.

Switchfoot.
House Of Heroes.
POD.
Family Force 5.
Icon For Hire.
August Burns Red.
Skillet.
Anberlin.

Father God, please reward these bands for their faithful service to you in the midst of all the false misunderstandings and criticisms. Please break down the walls of religion and bring our hearts together as one.

This blog is for God to use as he wills, to bring hope to communities across the globe and smash the walls of lifelessness in the Churches. God is not religious at all, he is the true meaning of life and the source of all creativity.

Hello i am back thanks to the help of a friend of mine who helped me out in posting the album cover of the Band i am now going to review. I am going to review this album with the intention of raising up some new and upcoming Bands and Artists in the UK. If you are a Christian, that is a person who has accepted Jesus Christ in his/her life and is following Jesus, and you interested in making some awesome music that people can enjoy listening to, this review is for you. If you prefer to stay in the Christian Music box, this review is not for you. I am going to do things differently on this blog because we are sold short of inspiration and this generation is ever so musically confined and won't broaden their musical horizons. If you are serious in creating music that is awesome and without the religious boundaries, and if you are willing to fully tap into the creative force that is sourced in God, then i would like to encourage you to get some musical inspirations from Non Christian Bands and Artists and please don't get so wrapped up in the Christian Music bubble. Don't get me wrong, i do like listening to Contemporary Christian bands, but some of them, not all of them are too afraid to step outside of their comfort zone and they are repeating the same formula over and over again.

The Strypes are a Rhythm and Blues band who are based in Cavan, Ireland and they are in their late teens. This album was released in September 9th 2013 and to let you know, this album is absolutely incredible and it will blow your socks of. ''Snapshots'' blends in elements of Rock and Roll and Rhythm and Blues but with a modern contemporary vibe.

I believe they are one of the best guitar bands since The Jam, and The Strypes are similar to the Arctic Monkeys, one of the most popular bands that they toured with.
The first time i have heard of The Strypes was when i was looking up Paul Weller on the internet and found out that he was supporting them.
My close friend who is part of the Rugby Youth For Christ and he is another friend of mine went to see Paul Weller in concert and The Strypes were supporting Paul Weller at the time. If you would like to know about their musical influences, you can go on www.google.com and you can look up The Strypes on go on Wikipedia.
I bought this awesome CD from HMV's in Coventry and i was ever so impressed when i heard this.

One of my favorite songs on this album is ''You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover'', and it is musically and lyrically fantastic and thought provoking. The song kind of reminds me of The Fratellis since it is such a fast paced Rock and Roll song with a very jolly and lively feel. and by the way I quite like The Fratellis, their music puts me in the right mood. Their recent album ''We Need Medicine'' is an incredible album. My favorite tracks on The Fratellis recent album are the title track and ''Until She Saves My Soul''.

Now back to The Strypes: Snapshot.
''Blue Collar Jane'' has a very Modish vibe and the intro remind me of a song by The Jam called London Traffic which is on the album ''This Is The Modern World''.
''Mystery Man'', and ''I Can Tell'', keep up to the Rock and Roll tradition musically but is fresh and contemporary at the same time. The Arctic Monkeys influence is evident on ''What A Shame'', and the closing track ''Rollin and Tumblin'' is a very high energy and amazingly catchy song with blazing and distinctive guitar riffs, fast past drumming and some incredible singing.
This album is awesome, energetic and blasting loud from start to finish and i believe it set a great example for future bands who are looking for some inspiration and are hoping to be creative.
I pray that God will use this album in a powerful way to challenge other bands to step outside of their comfort zones and use our God given talents to our fullest maximum.
The reason why bands and artists create awesome and energetic music is because we are all made in God's image and it is God's image in us that helps us to be creative.

The Band Members From The Strypes.
Ross Farrelly: Lead Vocals/Harmonica.
Josh McClorey: Lead Guitars/Vocals. Lead Vocals on ''She's So Fine'' and ''Perfect Storm''.
Pete O'Hanlon: Bass Guitar/Harmonica.
Evan Walsh: Drums.

The Strypes: Snapshot has 12 tracks.
Album Length: 36:14.
Release Date: September 9th 2013
Music Styles: Rhythm and Blues/Rock and Roll.
Support Acts: Paul Weller, Arctic Monkeys.

Recommended albums for resourcing new bands and artist who wants to make awesome music.
I will spice things up a bit to give you some musical ideas in creating music that is original and innovative.

The Fratellis: We Need Medicine.
Switchfoot: Fading West.
Anberlin: Vital.
The Jam: Greatest Hits.
The Mars Volta: The Bedlam In Goliath.
The Futureheads: The Chaos.
Ocean Colour Scene: Moseley Shoals.
Kings Kaleidoscope: Becoming Who We Are.
The Cure: Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me.
U2: Achtung Baby.
Owl City: Ocean Eyes.
House Of Heroes: Cold Hard Want.
The Who: Quadrophenia.
The Style Council: Greatest Hits.
The Style Council: Confessions Of A Pop Group.
Paul Weller: Stanley Road.
Paul Weller: 22 Dreams:
Paul Weller: Wake Up The Nation.
Paul Weller: Sonik Kicks.
U2: Zooropa.
The Best Of David Bowie 1969/1974.
Muse: 2nd Law.
John Reuben: Word Of Mouth.
Super Furry Animals: Radiator.
Space: Tin Planet.
Imagine Dragons: Night Visions.
David Crowder Band: A Collision.
David Crowder Band: Church Music.
Israel Houghton: The Power Of One.