SQJ Taipei

…That I’ve found so far.

There’s so much good stuff out there and I’d love to spend a lifetime listening to it all.

The other day I was just looking at the Cornerstone 2008 lineup and wishing I could go.

GRRR…. OK… calming down…

But anyway…

I discovered Muxtape a while back. It is a really sweet idea. When I say “sweet” I mean it in the “80s” sense and not in the sense your grandma uses it when you give her flowers. I could have used another 80s term - rad - but didn’t. Yo.

I’ve been compiling a “tape” for the world to listen to. You can listen to SQJTaipei’s muxtape here. I don’t think you have to be a member to join, but why the heck wouldn’t you join and create your own muxtape and link to it in the comments? Yeah… I don’t know either.

About this mix…

I thought this would be easy, but now I’m remembering just how hard it used to be to make the perfect mixtape and that is the principle behind muxtape. Of course you are using mp3s, but you still only get 12 songs! See, I told you it was a great idea!

I’ve currently got 1 slot left… and I’ve moved songs in and out of all the spots over the last few weeks, but I’m pretty happy so far.

I like a lot of music… and want to represent different kinds of Christian Rock, but I’m having trouble finding a metal song worthy of the list… any suggestions? Perhaps POD although that is… what?… metal-core? Rap-core? whatever…

I’ve noticed that my current muxtape is heavy on thoughtful lyrics… and a bit low on “Rock n Roll”… but I’m still tweaking. For example, Charlie Peacock’s Dear Friend is on there now… and it probably shouldn’t be as it isn’t really a “rock” song and Charlie Peacock isn’t necessarily a “rock” artist… but he’s gonna be at Cornerstone too and wouldn’t that be the bee’s knees to see that. wow. Rich Mullins could have rocked… but didn’t… which kinda rocks in itself… so maybe he shouldn’t be there either. I guess I need to make 2 tapes… thanks for letting me talk to you about this.

Here’s SQJTaipei’s muxtape… you can start it playing in another tab and then keep reading as the music plays.

And here’s the list…

Lost Dogs - That’s where Jesus is

In an election year… is there any way to leave this song off?

Lyric sample:

He’s not sittin’ up in the White House/Not subject to your big debate
…
And Jesus won’t be voting/He’s not your party crashin’ dog in this fight
…
He gets invited to church sometimes/And sometimes He don’t go

Larry Norman - I Am the Six O’Clock News

Hard to pick only one Larry Norman song… this came out in 1972 and in light of the media’s agenda against the US Soldier then *and* now it seems like a nice tribute to the MSM.

Lyric sample:

I’m taking pictures of burning houses/Colored movies of misery./I see the flash of guns, how red the mud becomes/I’ve got a close-up view./I’m the six o’clock news - what can I do?/All those kids without shoes - what can I do?/Military coups - what can I do?/I’m just the six o’clock news.

Switchfoot - American Dream

Meant to Live could easily go here. It was nice to see David Cook cover Switchfoot on American Idol.

Lyric sample:

When success is equated with excess/The ambition for excess wrecks us/As top of the mind becomes the bottom line/When success is equated with excess

Jennifer Knapp - Undo Me

Oh Jennifer… I know you stopped recording for your own reasons, but please know that you are welcome to record more music at any time… my cd/mp3 player is waiting with open arms.

Lyric sample:

Sister I know I let you down./I can tell by the fact you’re never comin around./You don’t have to say a thing./I can tell by your eyes exactly what you mean./That it’s time to get down on my knees and pray./Lord undo me/Put away this flesh and bone/Til you own this spirit through me./Lord undo me.

The Violet Burning - Gorgeous

I’m not sure this song will stay here… but something from The Violet Burning will be on any mixtape I make from now on. Beautiful song.

Lyric sample:

Colour me in rags of light/Bury me in a silver shine/I see it all the time/You feel so much/The distance in your eyes/Says so much/You’re very far away/You won’t catch me that way

Daniel Amos - Ribbons and Bows

Captures the fun and satirical and lyrical mastery over meaningful themes that this band is known for. People always want God to fit in their own little package… but God is not like that - and will not ever be like that. We must break down the walls we try to put around God.

Lyric sample:

Does everybody want it nicely/Lined up in little neat rows?/Does anybody know precisely/Just where the wild wind blows?/I can hand it to you brightly/Wrapped up in ribbons and bows

Charlie Peacock - Dear Friend

When Jesus walked the earth, the Jewish people had some marriage traditions - some of which still hold to this day. The groom and his father would visit a young lady’s father and receive approval to marry after which the groom would leave and return to his father’s house and prepare a place for he and his bride to live after the wedding. (Sound like anything Jesus alluded to?) This could take some time and the bride would wait… and wait… and wait… until one day her bridegroom would appear at which time everyone would drop what they were doing and celebrate with a wedding feast. The church… the bride of Christ… a wedding… waiting… watching… hoping… waiting… waiting…

Lyric sample:

Dear friend, people joke, they laugh and they make fun/When you tell ‘em all about the groom who’s gonna come/He’s been gone a long long time, are there any doubts to confess/Do you wonder if you’re ever gonna wear that wedding dress

Rich Mullins - Hard

People like to say that Christianity is “a crutch”. Religion may be… but Christianity certainly is not. It is so hard to be like Jesus… In fact, the more I learn about Jesus… the harder it gets. I miss Rich.

Lyric sample:

Lord it’s hard to turn the other cheek/Hard to bless when others curse you/Oh Lord it’s hard to be a man of peace/Lord it’s hard ~ oh it’s hard/You know it’s hard to be like Jesus/Don’t you know it’s hard ~ oh it’s hard/Oh Lord it’s hard to be like Jesus

Delirious? - It’s OK

This song of redemption is one of my favorites although Delirious? might perhaps could be better represented by a song that isn’t a “rock ballad”. Hmmm… I’m still thinking about this one,too.

Lyric sample:

She’s as pretty as hell and her eyes have no home/The beauty has run from your face/Such beauty that hung from your face/And if you would drink this wine you’ll shine

Bob Dylan - Every Grain of Sand

Dylan has to be on here… and it is impossible to leave this song off. I tried putting Slow Train on here… but… you just can’t leave Every Grain of Sand off… you can’t. This comes after Dylan’s conversion and heavily apocalyptic Christianity. I’m sure it was a crazy time for him… and then he comes out of it all with this… wow.

Lyric sample:

I hear the ancient footsteps like the motion of the sea/Sometimes I turn, there’s someone there, other times it’s only me./I am hanging in the balance of the reality of man/Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand.

The 77s - The Lust, the Flesh, the Eyes, and the Pride of Life

Possibly the best song ever written… too bad more people don’t know of it. Kinda like the band… one of the greatest bands ever… but their best album (at that point) was released on Island Records the same year that labelmates U2 found some success with The Joshua Tree… lol. Tough break for The 77s, but you are in luck because I’m introducing you to this great band right here. Will be on the Mainstage at Cornerstone this year…

Lyric sample:

Well, I feel/Like I have to feel/Something good all of the time/With most of life I cannot deal/But a good feeling I can feel/Even though it may not be real/And if a person, place or thing can deliver/I will quiver with delight/But will it last me for all my life/Or just one more lonely night