worship

Apparently, today was the day that Brent Thomas of Holiday At The Sea (formerly Colossiansthreesixteen.com) decided to start his blog over (you can read why here). So why does this warrant me writing a post? Well, Brent was the one hosting a free album by the amazing band Anathallo. Upon a quick glance at the new site, I didn’t see him express any intention of reposting those songs. So, I’ll be glad to do it myself. Here they are. Just right click the names and save:

Tracks:

Here is Brent’s old post telling the story of this album:

The Greek word anathallo means “To renew, cause to grow, or bloom again,” which is an appropriate umbrella for the band of that name. The band’s music is hard to categorize but yet familiar, experimental yet accessible and often focuses on the themes of renewal and redemption.

In 2004, the band recorded an EP simply entitled “Hymns,” a surprisingly sparse and traditional take on six hymns. The short release demonstrates the band’s loving attention to detail and the creation of ambiance and emotion, not simply through the lyrics but also the music itself. Incorporating many of the harmonies and odd instrumentations of their other releases the release, for the most part, remains true to the hymns themselves and honoring their content. The presentation is both humble and heartfelt, something missing in many “worship” recordings of late.

This was a limited release with all proceeds going to support a homeless mission. It remains out of print (and from what I understand, will not be reprinted) and therefore remains a mystery to many. I was lucky enough to purchase one of the few available copies several months ago and with the band’s permission, I am making the entire release available for download.

May these draw you nearer to Christ. Be sure to thank the band for their generosity.

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Summer is over. The autumn rains Have descended like tears from an invisible god. I lie on this rock, the ringing of the isle’s name drips off my ear along with the stampede of water rushing rushing through the silence Clothed with beauty, I began to understand, The source of Jupiter-Zeus And begin to form my own mythology Within the realm of reality I see the personality of the wind The fright of the trees the whispers of the water The art of the sky the song of nature My altar erected I now understand The quiver of twigs the movement of fingers through the hair of some autumn goddess Golden; beloved and adored above all the others. Birds in silent homage, while sabbatical flowers fall. I smell the smell of my sacrifice burning at the altar of my gods and goddesses as I long to merge. Be made a tree, the breeze the ground. To know and experience all that I love As lovers in one embrace One flesh of flesh Dust of dust. My heart in one accord, in that which I was made for Worship of somethings someone anything never nothing In hopes of finding joy. But, As I lie in the midst of beauty’s nature’s beauty I grow sad because: For although they knew him, they did not honor him as such or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Because they exchanged the truth about him for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator. And I am no different.