Song Combat
Song Combat: Christmas Edition
[Song Combat]
Pocket Full Of Rocks - “Angels We Have Heard On High”
vs.
Josh Wilson - “Angels We Have Heard On High”
For the first time ever, I’m going to do a Song Combat with two different version of the same song. I’m going to pit Pocket Full of Rocks version of “Angels We Have Heard On High” against Josh Wilson’s version of the same some, let you vote on which artist’d rather see featured on The Free Christian Music Blog.
Josh Wilson is a contemporary Christian artist who had a strong debut this year. I would compare him stylistically to Matthew West and Steven Curtis Chapman. Also, his debut album, Trying to Fit the Ocean In A Cup, was awarded pop album of the year by Gospel Music Channel. There’s a good selection of his songs you can listen to on his MySpace.
On the other hand, Pocket Full of Rocks have been around for 13 years, the last three of which they spent on Word/Myrrh Records. They’re definitely a praise & worship band, similar to Casting Crowns, or Philips, Craig, and Dean. For a sample of their music, check out this YouTube video.
Oh, and in case your wondering “what on earth is this Song Combat thing?”, here’s a slightly modify description of it I borrowed from the very first one:
“In this battle-royal, you decide the winner. At the end of 72 hours, which ever song get the most votes in the poll on the right, wins. The winning song will receive the honor of being featured as a download here. The loser, alas, will be buried deep in my bookmarks, until I decide to let it see light of day once more. (*Cue scary music*)”
Any questions? I’ll answer ‘em. Voting starts right now! Go, go, GO!
A Letter from Matt
Hey everyone,
This is Matt. Right now, this looks like my only chance to be online this week, so I’m going to make it count. First, I want to officially appologize to everyone who’s been wondering where I’ve been. I really expected to have internet access here at the conference I’m attending, so I was pretty disappointed when I found out that I wouldn’t have it. That is the reason that I still haven’t posted the Song Combat results, or posted at all, for that matter. I hope you can give me grace this week till I get back home to my own connection.
Second, I would really appreciate any prayers this week. I’m learning a lot, and meeting a lot of amazing people, but I’m feeling somewhat overwhelmed by all of it. So if you could remember me, that would be great.
And third, I’ve got a load of great music that needs posting ASAP. So, without further ado:
Song Combat! The results are in, and Kiros managed a fairly big win. But, since I’m feeling generous, I’m actually going to give you the links to Last Tuesday too, just because. 
* -Kiros on MySpace- *
Also with new free music out this week is David Crowder Band. You can get their new song “…neverending…” for free on both the band’s website and iTickets. So pick your site, and download away. It’s a amazingly catchy song, and a great example of David Crowder and crew’s talent. Oh, and both are only available for a limited time, so be sure you move fast.
-David Crowder Band’s Official Site-
(Click the little button in the upper right hand corner)
Hopefully I can get a full, normal, post written sometime soon. See you them!
-Matt
Song Combat: Last Tuesday Vs. Kiros
[Song Combat]
Last Tuesday - “Have You Seen Me?”
vs.
Kiros - “Of Wolves and Angels”
That’s right, sports fans, it’s time for another Song Combat. This time, I’m pitting Christian rock band Last Tuesday again another rock band, Kiros. It’s going to be intense, so buckle your seatbelts get ready for the first Song Combat since TFCMB moved to Wordpress!
Last Tuesday isn’t a newcomer to the Christian rock scene. On the contrary, they broke up a couple of years ago and left the world with several CDs. Their sound is something like The Even Anthem meets The Wedding, yet nothing at all like those two bands. Really, you should just check them out on MySpace. (And grab the two free songs!)
Kiros is a new Canadian band who recently played Cornerstone festival. Since they are new, I don’t have quite as much info on them as I would like, but, nevertheless, they are solid band to watch for.
Now, here’s how this works. I will post a poll, you vote for your favorite, and the winner gets featured. And the loser, I’m sorry to say, gets moved deep into my bookmarks folder, never to see light of day again. That is not good. So you do not want your song to lose. It’s a simple as that. So, what are you waiting for?
-Go Vote!-
Song Combat Results: Family Force 5
And the winner is…. Family Force 5!
Though it was a close fight, the boys from the dirty south managed to grab the win. “Never Let Me Go” is one of three new songs from Business Up Front, Party In The Back: Diamond Edition, the special extended version of the groups debut. “Never Let Me Go” is a crunk rock song about how God will “never ever never let me go”. Also, “death can’t shake me from You’re hand”.
,You can get it free from C28, a Christian web store. All they ask in return is your name and your email address. If you don’t opt-in for the email updates, you’ll never get a email from them at all. No spam at all.
Quick Announcement
I’ve decided to make a minor change in my posting schedule here at The Free Christian Music Blog. From now on, I’m going to be taking a “day of rest” from posting on Sunday. It will give me a little more free time, which is good, and a little less stress, which is also good.
One last thing: Somehow, Family Force 5 just shot past Disciple in Song Combat. Disciple fans had better rally, because they are behind by 10. At time of writing, anyway.
Song Combat: Disciple Vs. Family Force 5
[Song Combat]
Disciple - “The Wait is Over”
vs.
Family Force 5 - “Never Let Me Go”
This could very well be the most evenly matched Song Combat I’ve done yet. Hard-hitting Christian rock staple Disciple vs. the southern phenomenon Family Force 5. It’s gonna be close…
First, in case you aren’t familiar with Song Combat, let me explain. It’s something I thought of to help get your opinion on the music I feature. You vote for your favorite song in the poll on the TFCMB homepage.
Then, the winner gets featured (meaning you get the song), and the loser doesn’t. In fact, the loser get put in a special folder, deep inside my Firefox bookmarks, where it will stay until I decide to rescue it. Since that’s a bad thing, you’ll want to make sure you vote!
For those not familiar with Disciple, they are a Christian hard rock band. I lost track of how many CDs they’ve released, but it’s a lot. Rather then writing any more of a description, I’m going to send you to Disciple’s Purevolume, where you can listen to a couple songs and grab a free copy of another song, “Scars Remain”.
Family Force 5 is pure energy, with a quirky sense of humor, and a love of dancing. They are also Christians. This song (”Never Let Me Go”) in particular, is an example of how they can write very creative, heart-felt, songs, while still rockin’ like crazy. I’m not sure what else to say.
Song Combat Results: Tie?!?
I’ve got some bad news for you. No one won the Song Combat this time. But, hey, no one lost either! Thus, I’d decided to give you both the link to The Famine as well as the link to Fee. Alas, when I went get the link to The Famine, I discovered that they’d removed the song since last saw the page. You can still listen to the song, but you can’t download it. Major disappointment.
However, I did go ahead and find another hardcore alternative to The Famine. There’s a band called Beloved (you may have heard of them) who has two songs available for free on their Purevolume. The songs, “Aimless Endeavor” and “Death to Traitors” aren’t exactly the same style, but it’s the best I could do short notice.
Song Combat: The Famine Vs. Fee
[Song Combat]vs.
Fee - “Burn For You”
The Famine was formed out of the RIP band Embodyment. They have a new CD coming out in May, and will be touring this summer with Demon Hunter, Living Sacrifice, and Oh, Sleeper, on the Stronger then Hell tour.
Fee is a new worship band on INO Records. Closest musical cousin would be David Crowder*Band. You may have heard “All Because of Jesus” on your local Christian radio station. They are one of my new favorites.
Song Combat Results: Mourning September Conquers!
And the winner is… Mourning September!
Personally, I’m glad they won. I’ve been listening to “Glorietta” a lot lately, and I really like it. As with all Myspace downloads, you need to be signed-in to download the song. If you aren’t on Myspace, I recommend finding someone who is and having them do it for you.
And if you voted Norma Jean, you have my sincere condolences.
Song Combat (Round 3)
[Song Combat]
Mourning September - “Glorietta”
vs.
Norma Jean (Featuring Aaron Weiss of mewithoutYou) - “Memphis Will Be Laid To Waste”
It’s that time again! Song Combat! This time around I’m pitting rock band Mourning September against hardcore staple Norma Jean. I know there was some confusion last round about the bands, so this time I’m going to do a short bio for both artists…
You may remember Mourning September from the song “April Dreams” that I featured a while back. “Glorietta” is a nice alternative rock song about how God will never leave us.
If you haven’t heard of Norma Jean, they are a Christian metal/hardcore band from Atlanta, Georgia. Brutal volume. However, in the song “Memphis Will Be Laid To Waste”, Norma Jean has Aaron Weiss of mewithoutYou do a special guest appearance. He adds a nice touch of melody in the midst of harmonized chaos.
If you’re new the Song Combat arena, let me fill you in. Starting right now, everyone can vote for the song they want to will in the poll to the right. When the time is up, I feature the winner.
Voting starts right now!
