Aaron Thompson's Mystical Radical God is a passionate and searching album that will hold your attention from track to track. My wife actually thought I was listening to the soundtrack from “Jesus Christ Superstar” when she walked into the room. Aaron’s vocals have a similar style to those of Carl Anderson (who played Judas in the movie) in the first song on the CD called, "Salt". This will be a song many will use to help remember World Youth Day 2002. Aaron reminds us of the event’s theme, “You are the light of the world, you are the salt of the earth.” This and many of the other songs on Mystical Radical God use familiar scripture passages as the basis of the lyrics. The title track uses John1:1, “In the beginning was the word and the word was God….”  Aaron sings about a tragedy, much like September 11th, and about the positive side of knowing that our awesome God is waiting in a place made by his own hands. Scripture is used again in the song, “You Are Free,” as he tells us about the woman at the well, the blind man who was healed, and Lazarus being raised from the dead. “Go and sin no more...I have set you free.” “Who I Am” is a soft, smooth song reminding us that we are like so many holy men and women of times past. Like Thomas we have our doubts. Like Moses, our spirit is strong but the flesh is weak. Like Elijah we hear his voice. We should try to be like Mary and let our soul proclaim his greatness. Another holy man that should not be overlooked is St. Francis of Assisi, as Aaron sings in “Flow Through Me.” This song is an almost rocked up version of the saint’s famous prayer “Make me an instrument of your peace.” The guitar solo by accompanying musician Doug Mann should not be missed! Mystical Radical God is a powerful CD that brings alive our struggles with reconciling God's love and mercy with the bittersweet nature of life, compelling us to dance, to sing, to hope, to praise God and cherish His great gifts.

It was at an RCIA class in California where four men desiring to enter the Church first met. This would be the beginning of powerful life changes, the formation of deep friendships and the birth of the Christian Rock Ministry now known as Rise! Now the group has produced it's debut CD called Through The Son. Using guitar driven music, the styling of such popular acts as Tom Petty, Grateful Dead, and Pearl Jam, and powerful lyrics that proclaim God’s love, Through The Son is an astounding introduction to this new band. “Center Of My World” is one of the slower songs on the CD, but it’s a powerful love song to Jesus and could serve as the staple of the CD. “Sing A Song For Jesus” and “Glory, Glory” shine as songs of praise that tell of the life of Our Lord. Also noted is the title track, “Through The Son”, which has peaceful guitar and wonderful harmonies. This tells about the true Revolutionary that God sent to us over 2000 years ago and who gives his live for us. Two tracks that stand out are “Brother In Arms” and “I’ve Got An Angel.” These songs will touch your heart. “Brother In Arms” is the story of the priest who died while helping others on 9/11, Fr. Mychal Judge. “I’ve Got An Angel” is a song about the lost life of a child and turning it over to God. The amazing thing about Rise is that it is a fairly new band, but “Through The Son” shows as much professionalism as groups that have been together for years.

A year or so ago I was invited to attend a concert at a local Catholic high school. I had heard the band’s CD and had even seen them perform on TV. I already liked them. I ran late and got there after the first few songs had been played. As I was walking down the hall, I felt the building shake and music like I had never heard before. The screams of the crowd for the band were deafening at times. This could NOT have been a Catholic concert. I felt like I was at a concert by some top 40 alternative, funk, jazz band. The lyrics were clearly those of Christian praise! The words between songs were there to lift you higher to God. After I left, the entire crowd was on a high. It was not something left over from the smell of narcotics, but one that elevates the spirit. The Holy Spirit was in concert that night. The group playing was Crispin.  When I got home I wanted to listen to the songs I had heard that night, but the difference between studio and live was so astounding. Now Crispin fans take notice! You can relive those live moments with their new, extraordinary double CD. Were You There?- Crispin, Live In Concert! is the bands new release. It captures all of the band's exciting moments and the raw energy that pours forth from each song. Songs like ”When The Saints Go Marching In”, “The Silliest Girl In Lourdes”, “Fishers Of Men” and “John” are all there. Even the signature song for the band “Crispin” is there. Besides this being a double CD, you get an insert with descriptions of each song and write-ups on how they came about by lead singer Daniel deSilva. Were You There?- Crispin, Live In Concert! is a CD to get if you are a fan of Crispin or just want to start off with a "best of" with this band.

Many may not know that Crispin has a semi part-time member in Fr. Stan Fortuna.  Well, Fr. Stan is back with this incredible follow-up to Sacro Song, his successful Catholic rap album. The new Sacro Song II will blow you away with Fr. Stan’s musicianship and unbelievable talent at fitting his raps into intricate and complex rhythms and grooves. This is another perfect album for all those young people immersed in the culture of worldly rap, where the message is complete disrespect for oneself and others. Sacro Song II demonstrates how the power of the Gospel can transform the medium into a message of hope and salvation. The CD opens with "Magnificat," a beautiful original composition of this classic. It sets the tone with strings, nylon string guitars and mystical percussion. One song that shines brightly on the CD is “Everybody's Got 2 Suffer.” This song addresses the fact that suffering is universal - not just restricted to certain classes of people. It really hits home with examples of suffering, from gang slayings to single mothers having to prostitute themselves. One of my favorites is the story of Pope John Paul II as told by Fr. Stan in a song called “Cell 91.” In the Sistine Chapel Cell 91 was the assigned place of the Cardenal Archbishop of Crakow when he was elected Pope.  It is a rapping tribute to JP II.  Fr. Stan makes like Peter Frampton on this number with a talking guitar. Also featured here are the beautiful background vocals of Lisa Florez singing the Pope’s theme of Totus Tuus. I am sure many will look at the title of the song “Say Yes To Sex” and think Fr. Stan has lost it. This song addresses the beauty of sex within the context of MARRIAGE.  If you have a DVD player, you have enjoyed the extra tracks that are added to your favorite film. It may be a deleted scene or the director talking about what is going on during the making of the movie. Fr. Stan does this with what will be the MOST talked about song on this CD. “Unborn Victims of Violence “ starts off with a phone call with an excited Fr. Stan talking about a proposed law. The law states that if a fetus is killed when a pregnant woman is attacked, it is considered MURDER. After the phone call it rips directly into the song. It pulls no punches regarding the politics of this issue. This song has it all, screaming guitars, heavy percussion and deep down bass. This is a take-no-prisoners kind of song with heavy lyrics. “...Ya never know who got their hand on the string, We’ll never find out what happened to Kennedy or King, too many educated lawyers- Could the situation worsen- Is it really true they don’t believe, it ain’t a fetus but a person…” If you loved Fr. Stan’s pro-life song “Never Been Born,” you're going to love this one. There are so many awesome songs on this CD that I will make this claim:  When they talk about best Catholic CDs of 2002, they will have to list Fr. Stan Fortuna’s Saco Song II!