Here's the ROCK PICK for this month: U2's latest CD. Although these
guys are not all professing Christians, they have sold thousands of
CDs and offer music that makes the listener think about their faith.
Plus, it is amazing that these guys are still rockin' after over 20
years of music! And, we've got some great new releases and more
upcoming music on cMusicWeb.com.

ALL THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE BEHIND - U2 (2000)
by Jason Ewert
Author's Note: Because of the importance of the lyrical "story", and
also because of time and space constraints, I have not spent a lot of
time on the musical aspect of this CD. It is something that I had
wanted to do, but I am unable to fulfill my wishes. I beg your
forgiveness for not dealing with that issue, but I hope and pray that
you find the review helpful nonetheless.

A CD is very much like a book. It has a story to tell and a message
to communicate. This is true of all CDs and books, even if the
author/musician makes no such claims. Music has one feature that
literature lacks, however, and that is the ability to cause the
artist's pictures and melodies to be fixed in one's mind. Once a song
is memorized, the listener will begin to contemplate its meaning,
struggling over metaphors and agreeing with anthemic and inspiring
statements. At this point the purpose of the artist has been
accomplished: the artist's words, thoughts, and beliefs are being
examined and applied by the listener. The listener may not agree with
the artist, but he is saying that the artist's thoughts are worthy of
thought.

All That You Can't Leave Behind, the latest release from U2, is a
masterful example of how to achieve that purpose. Hearkening back to
The Joshua Tree days, producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois are
brought back to orchestrate an enjoyable pop/rock mix. The two
producers consistently create a near-flawless background for Bono's
passionate vocals and lyrics, and from the opening track, "Beautiful
Day", to the closer "Grace", there is never a moment where the music
ceases to flow in a pleasing manner.

The CD begins with "Beautiful Day", although the opening lines
describe what most of us would consider an ugly day:

"The heart is a bloom, shoots up through the stony ground
But there's no room, no space to rent in this town
You're out of luck and the reason that you had to care,
The traffic is stuck and you're not moving anywhere.
You thought you'd found a friend to take you out of this place
Someone you could lend a hand in return for grace."

Thus begins the story told in All That You Can't Leave Behind: the
story of a pilgrim searching for peace. After the depressing nature
of the opening lyrics, the chorus explodes, proclaiming that life is
beautiful, though it may not be pleasing. The second track, "Stuck in
a Moment You Can't Get Out Of", returns to the depressing nature of
life, and comes to the conclusion that there are times when it is
necessary to collect yourself to continue down life's bumpy road. As
the journey progresses, this pilgrim of sorts cries out
for "Elevation" from his earthly troubles; that elevation, however,
does not come. Instead he is reminded in "Walk On" to keep on walking
because what he is and what he believes cannot be destroyed by his
earthly enemies. "Kite" ends the series of songs on travelling with
musings on the future ("Who's to say where the wind will take you /
Who's to say what it is will break you?"), concluding with a
confidence that life is not yet gone ("I know that this is not
goodbye").

A short interlude from life's troubles, "In a Little While" and "Wild
Honey" bring proclamations of love that is untainted by fleshly lusts
and troubles. Both songs reminisce their youthful love and then
contemplate where their love has arrived now. The peace that these
songs bring is only a memory, however, and the questions forcefully
return in "Peace on Earth". Rending the heart of the listener with
their cries, both Bono and the pilgrim plead for true peace to
vanquish the man-made pretensions. Asking Jesus to "take the time to
throw a drowning man a line", the pilgrim seems to have the answer in
his grasp. He continues the search, however, looking for assurance as
he cries out in frustration in "When You Look at the World",
wondering why he can't see the light that his (presumably) Christian
friends see. "New York" brings him one step closer to assurance, but
the hustle and bustle of city life disrupt his personal life and
hints of familial troubles indicate that he is closer still to giving
up. Finally, in "Grace", he remembers that "Grace makes beauty out of
ugly things", and though the path is sure to be rocky ahead, grace
will carry him through.

And so ends the story of U2's pilgrim; at least, thus far. They may
not have intended to write their songs this way, but they have still
proclaimed a Christian message, or at least a message which points to
Christianity. However, only time will tell if U2 and this pilgrim
rely on the grace they're speaking of. While we wait to learn more,
we can enjoy a beautifully crafted rock album that speaks of the
struggles that many of us go through, and in the end directs you to
the one place where you can find rest.

Find out more about U2 at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/u2


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, MAY 29 (on cMusicWeb.com or at your local store)

EVENING OF VINEYARD WORSHIP 2 - VINEYARD MUSIC
This live recording of Vineyard Worship falls into the category of
typical Vineyard albums, which are mostly quiet worship songs done in
a quality live recording.

LEAVE HERE A STRANGER - STARFLYER 59
Christian alternatve music pioneers put out more music than any other
band, and this new release features more of their amazing work.

LIVE - BIG TENT REVIVAL
Instead of the regular greatest hits album that the fans get when the
band disbands, we get a live recording with bunches of #1 hits such
as "Two Sets of Joneses" and "Choose Life".

NEVER LOOKING BACK - THE BURN SERVICE BAND
This follow-up to The Burn Service brings more raw, passionate
worship from Ryan Delmore and Jessie Lane. This is the PICK OF THE
WEEK.

RAW MATERIAL - MARS ILL
This duo brings some new stuff to Hip-hop. This release was formerly
available independently, but now is available nationwide via Uprok
Records. Check out their amazing track, "Sphere of Hip Hop (Part 2)"
on mp3.com!


AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER (on cMusicWeb.com)

ROCK: http://cMusicWeb.com/rock
Live - P.O.D. [6/26]
Empty - Tait [7/03]

ALTERNATIVE: http://cMusicWeb.com/alternative
Paige (self-titled) [6/19]

POP: http://cMusicWeb.com/pop
Rhythms of Rememberance - apt.core [6/19]

WORSHIP: http://cMusicWeb.com/worship
Open The Eyes of My Heart - Vertical Music (Various) [6/19]

Click on the album titles on the genre page to order them and recieve
them on the release date.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
• No Napping for Jennifer Knapp
• Big Tent Revival Releases Final Album
• FFH Gets Big Fan Response
• All This Way without Oxygen
• And much more!

View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


cMUSICWEB UPDATES
• New Review - All That You Can't Leave Behind - U2
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/u2/reviews.shtml
• New Review - All Around the World - Redman, Hughes, Oakley, Wilson
http://cMusicWeb.com/worship/allaroundtheworld


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is leaving the site, and we are going to miss his constant news
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