#1: Cool Hand Luke - Of Man
Concept albums are hard to come by these days. And generally that's a good thing: most of the time, concept albums are bloated, self-indulgent albums that fail due to at least two reasons: (1) most of the time, even a double album doesn't give us enough time for us to fall in love with the characters or the plot of a concept album. It's hard enough for a movie to do so - to have only ten songs to develop a concept leaves a lot of holes; and (2) usually at some point of a concept album, the music just isn't dramatic and compelling enough to hold our interest.
Cool Hand Luke has been a favorite band of mine since I first heard their album "The Fires Of Life". And when I heard that they were disbanding for good, I was a little sad because really good music by Christians is hard to come by sometimes. Plus - besides The Juliana Theory, Cool Hand Luke was really the only band in the last decade who was making music that I would like to make if I was in a band.
Of Man tells the story of Jesus' final days: from the Last Supper, through the trials and crucifixion up to when he ascended to heaven. This story is told through the perspective of the people in His life and who witnessed the Passion of His final week. Cool Hand Luke through music and lyrics recreates this well-known story so vividly that I can almost see it happening in my mind as I listen to these songs. Each song is so well-crafted, so haunting, that it has honestly changed me. And that is what the number one album each year should do: change you.
It is a dark retelling which isn't for everyone. Perhaps though because it is the same story we have heard a thousand times, that this version will be compelling for some people because it is different. I will miss Cool Hand Luke but am thankful that their final album is truly their masterpiece: hypnotic, mesmerizing, brutally honest, compelling, life-changing, ambitious, and hopeful.
Standout singles: all of them, but especially Are You Coming, His Eyes, Two Versions
No comments:
Post a Comment