In the Silence of the Mind - Ultimate Christmas Playlist
In our final (?) In the Silence of the Mind for 2013, I examine the ultimate Christmas Music Playlist. Be sure to chime in with your favorite songs!
Articles
December 19, 2013
December 12, 2013
In the Silence of the Mind - The Most Important Thing You'll Ever Read
As Christmas approaches "In the Silence of the Mind" examines the single most important aspect of life, theology, the universe, and everything.
December 5, 2013
In the Silence of the Mind - Love Songs to God
In this edition of "In the Silence of the Mind" we take a look at some songs that are completely passionate "Love Songs to God."
November 27, 2013
In The Silence of the Mind - Positivity, Passion, Power, and Praise (Part 3/3)
In the Silence of the Mind: November 27, 2013
Positivity, Passion, Power, and Praise (Part 2)
Lee Brown: FaceBook l Website l Twitter l Pick up a copy of Lee’s book: Here’s How: An Introduction to Practical Discipleship
Trek back through the Silence: Anthems to Overcome the Grave; Positivity, Passion, Power, and Praise Part 1 l Part 2 ; Purity in the Media Part 1 l Part 2 l Part 3
Happy Thanksgiving to all. With just one more day until Turkey Day, I wanted to close out our list of the greatest and most inspirational songs of all time.… Continued →
November 20, 2013
In the Silence of the Mind - Positivity, Passion, Power, and Praise (Part 2)
Part two of our investigation into a positively powerful playlist continues with Project 86, Audio Adrenaline, For Today, Blindside, and more.
November 15, 2013
In the Silence of the Mind - Positivity, Passion, Power, and Praise (Part 1)
There are songs that proclaim your death, and there are songs that speak life. In the Silence of the Mind examines some songs that speak life that you need to listen to when you're down or when you just need a little pick me up.
November 11, 2013
In The Silence of the Mind - Anthems to Overcome the Grave
In honor of Living Sacrifice's track "Sudden," In the Silence of the Mind examines the best songs out there for overcoming the fear of death.
November 7, 2013
In the Silence of the Mind - Thinking/Over/Thinking - Part 4
In the Silence of the Mind concludes our Thinking/Over/Thinking series with a powerful challenge.
Fast FWD - What They're Up 2 Now: The Altar Boys
Welcome to another new installment of our new feature, “Fast FWD: What They’re Up 2 Now”. Today’s edition will focus in on legendary Christian punk pioneer and vocalist/guitarist for The Altar Boys, Clash of Symbols, and currently: The Altar Billies.
October 31, 2013
In the Silence of the Mind - Thinking/Over/Thinking - Part 3
In the Silence of the Mind continues our trek though the way we think about ourselves on route to what we think about others.
October 24, 2013
In the Silence of the Mind - Thinking/Over/Thinking - Part 2
In the Silence of the Mind: October 25, 2013
Thinking/Over/Thinking – Part 2 – Thinking about Ourselves
Lee Brown: FaceBook l Website l Twitter l Pick up a copy of Here’s How
Trek back through the Silence: Thinking over Thinking Part 1 l Pastor’s Appreciation Month Part 1 l Part 2 l Purity in the Media Part 1 l Part 2 l Part 3
“I’m trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You’re the one that has to walk through it.”… Continued →
October 18, 2013
In the Silence of the Mind - Thinking/Over/Thinking - Part 1
The In the Silence of the Mind column starts taking us on a journey into... our minds. Don't miss it.
October 10, 2013
In the Silence of the Mind - Here's How to "Double Honor" Your Pastor this Month
Part two of our look at pastor's appreciation month is here. To conclude this series, we look at how to "double honor" your pastor.
October 3, 2013
In the Silence of the Mind - Here's How to Destroy Your Pastor (w/ Book Excerpt)
In honor of Pastor's Appreciation Month, this edition of "In the Silence of the Mind" examines how you can destroy your pastor, their ministry, and their sanity. Fun times had by all.
September 27, 2013
In the Silence of the Mind: Purity in the Media - Part 3
In the Silence of the Mind: September 27th, 2013
Purity in the Media: Part 3.
Lee Brown: FaceBook l Website l Twitter
“Music is God’s gift to man, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to Heaven.”
– Walter Savage Landor
Now, I know my thought for today won’t be a popular one. Anytime a “preacher/teacher” speaks out about questioning our media choices, people feel as though the Spanish Inquisition is happening all over again. For many years Christian leaders have tried to dictate followers’ media choices through coercive means.… Continued →
September 19, 2013
In the Silence of the Mind: Purity in the Media - Part 2
In the Silence of the Mind: September 19th, 2013
Purity in the Media: Part 2.
In part one of In The Silence of the Mind: Purity in the Media I recounted a pivotal moment in my life where my preferred media choices and my devotion to Christ came to a head. Let’s continue our journey together by starting with a great quote from an amazing author.
“Christians aren’t really so different from non-Christians, certainly not on the scale you would expect considering the promises of love, joy, and peace boldly pronounced from thousands of pulpits across the land.… Continued →
September 13, 2013
In the Silence of the Mind: Purity in the Media - Part 1
How does the media effect our purity? Can what you consume, really consume you? Can what you watch and listen to effect your relationship with God?
September 2, 2013
The Problem with Numerical Scores
William Shakespeare once penned a line for one of his most indelible characters to utter; “What’s in a name?” Shakespeare used the rose, which would smell the same if it were called something other than a rose, as an example of how titles can sometimes mislead. Within the journalistic genre in which I put my pen to the test (when I’m not writing books like this that you should read… I know shameless self promotion!) the problem is often not names. Though we could easily re-apply Shakespeare’s words to those times when bands change members/sounds/styles, as they are so prone to do, the problem for those of us who review albums (and those of us who read reviews) is of a different sort.… Continued →
August 30, 2013
IVM Weekly Social Update: August 30th
Just dropping you all a line to let you know that we are on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and a group page on LastFM. There is also Google+ but does anyone really use that site (I Don’t). Anyway, check us out on those networks and join in the fun.… Continued →
August 28, 2013
A Message to Our Readers: Please Comment
I have decided to come to your our readers for a little feedback on content here at IndieVisionMusic. If you’ve seen our twitter you may have noticed a tweet from myself about scaling back CCM coverage here. Our focus at IVM has always been on independent Christian artists/musicians/bands/songwriters and that fervor hasn’t changed since day one. However, in the past year or so we have been increasing our coverage of more, how do I say this politely, mainstream Christian music. Now there is nothing wrong with covering a mainstream market but does it really fit the focus of “Indie” Vision Music?… Continued →
August 25, 2013
Staff Blog (Brandon Jones): A Remembrance
I wrote this piece for my Grandfather’s funeral that took place on Friday. In case you didn’t know, my grandfather went into the hospital about 3 weeks ago because of a collapsed lung from a biopsy procedure the week before. They went in to remove the cancerous tumor a few days later and discovered that the cancer had already spread throughout his body. The family decided to let him come home with hospice care and live out his final days. His health deteriorated quite quick and he passed away on August 15th at his home.… Continued →
July 4, 2013
Analyzing Iron Sharpens Iron - "Justice"
A while back I had the opportunity to connect with Iron Sharpens Iron and be one of the first to review their Beware the Wolves EP. For a recap, the band had a moving and powerful testimony that helped to feed even more passion into an album that was dominantly leaning towards power metal.
With their recent release of the song “Justice,” see lyric video below, the band begins to expand their range into the metalcore genre. As Brandon noted, rather than a RIYL that would stray towards Blessed by a Broken Heart, now the band is going head to head with the likes of Phinehas and August Burns Red.… Continued →
June 26, 2013
August Burns Red Week - Day 4
In honor of their new album Rescue and Restore, out everywhere now, IVM has teamed up with Solid State Records to give you August Burns Red Week. Each day this week drummer Matt Greiner will answer one “easy” and one “tough” question about the band, life, music, and more.
What Christmas songs are left for ABR to cover?
We still have yet to cover many great Christmas songs, notably ‘It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas.”
20-30 years from now, what do you hope future generations look back on ABR and remember?… Continued →
June 25, 2013
August Burns Red Week - Day 3
August Burns Red Week continues with a question asked in Andrew Schwab's honor.
June 24, 2013
August Burns Red Week - Day 2
In honor of "Rescue and Restore, out in stores today, IVM brings you our exclusive August Burns Red Week.
August Burns Red Week - Day 1
August Burns Red Week kicks off as Matt Greiner shares those who have been most influential in his life.
June 23, 2013
Rethinking "Wait For the Siren"
As a reviewer I admit that I’ve likely given too many “4’s.” A month or two after writing up a review, I’ll look at the score with a little perspective and think “that was really more a 3” (and even an occasional 3 that should have been a 2). Though this is certainly not common, it does happen. However, I have come to pride myself that I save the big one (a perfect 5) for only the best of the best albums around.
To date, I have given two perfect scores.… Continued →
May 13, 2013
The Meaning Behind "Against Such Things"
Josh Booth goes track by track though Take the Name's newest release, "Against Such Things"
March 27, 2013
Staff Blog: Happy 10th, Dismissed
Happy 10 year anniversary to the Dismissed “Taking the Good With the Bad Album”, released in March of 2003 on Indie Vision Music. Not too many people know who this band was but they held a special place in my heart. I once saw them open up for Fall Out Boy to a venue of maybe 100 people max in 2003. It’s funny when you think of where one band went and the direction of the other band. I’ve learned a lot in 10 years but I still look back with fondness on those Dismissed guys and their music.… Continued →
February 18, 2013
Metaphysical Monthday: Martians Matter
Sometimes, as Stephen King said, the most mind-boggling thing is size. Size conquers all. The sheer size of the known universe, for example, crushes the mind when you just consider it.
As I think about the mysteries and wonders in creation, usually my mind turns to the insanely vast reaches of space. Recently, scientists discovered a galaxy that is much, much larger than any galaxy was expected to be capable of. The physical limits on the size of a galaxy that scientists previously held were horribly outdone by this newly discovered galaxy.… Continued →