Delirious?

The Oxford Carling Academy in Oxford is a fairly new addition to the Cowley Road area. It used to be a littly night club called the Zodiac which was a great place to see small bands in but not the kind of place you really want to go for a night out. I’ve been to an Academy venue before and loved it, and was very pleased with the way they have updated the Zodiac to keep it’s feel while adding the Academy class – quality.

Tree 63

Tree 63 opened who, admittedly I only listened to after hearing they were supporting, but absolutely rocked the place. I had read in some reviews of the previous tour dates that they were playing a song called Joy which I had listened to and LOVED (It’s actually my new ringtone!) and it was being really well received so I was gutted when it didn’t show in last nights set. Sunday! did make an appearance which was awesomeness!

Setting the Stage

I have always loved the whole concert environment, growing up mainly watching pop concerts and the amazing shows that can accompany the artist. One of the reasons I have always been so impressed with Delrious? live is that they are able to make a great, if not fantastic, visual experience without the whole theatrical production. Here you have five guys on a stage playing instruments, no mainstream record label, minimal funding and amazing staging. I had read that there were no video graphics for this tour, which was a disappointment, but when you see all the lighting effects used, they really didn’t need anything more. Hutch does a fantastic job!

Light Boxes

Along with the lights you have all the white props; the men in white coats (in this case roadies not doctors) use the time between bands to unviel the light boxes, put the bizare white bird cage with a manikin head behind Tim’s keys and, for the first song, a white floor lamp.

Kingdom of Comfort

Jesus Blood

D? fans will know the story of the Kingdom of Comfort album and the boys travels around the world seeing extreme poverty. Martin took a moment out during the set and reached for his trusty copy of The Message and turned it to Isaiah 58:6-9

This is the kind of fast day I’m after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts.
What I’m interested in seeing you do is:
sharing your food with the hungry,
inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’

He then went on to describe how our calling as Christian’s should be to use our voices to give a voice to those who don’t have a voice. Really isn’t that what most of us are striving for – to make a difference in this world, to help a minority group, to help people who are unable to help themselves. It doesn’t matter if these people are from a wealthy nation, family, supposedly lucky circumstances, or from a third world country were they have to rely on help from others – we all want to make a difference to someone in need.

I constantly pleed with God to show me my purpose for this life but through the plees I know it has to have something to do with helping people and I know I must continuously push myself to do this. It is all too easy to slip into the comfort zone of every day life and not dare to leave but if I let myself do that I wouldn’t have been at the gig on Friday.

I have to constantly push myself to make the most of this life for myself and for those around me. If we do have that voice and we do have that passion we owe it to those who need us to use it.

Final Goodbyes

Stare the Monster Down
DELIRIOUS?

Producer(s): Martin Smith, Stuart Garrard, Sam Gibson
Writer(s): Martin Smith, Stuart Garrard, Jon Thatcher
Label: Sparrow

Over the years, comparisons between Delirious? and Irish rock band U2 have flooded reviews, slowly giving the illusion that the band is capable of more than crafting worship anthems. With the dawning of Kingdom of Comfort, that lie has become truth by more than mere repetition. UK radio has picked up the thrilling “Stare the Monster Down” to become 2008’s summer rocker, and I don’t blame them – I’ll be the first to admit that I am heavily biased towards songs about people’s troubles, e.g. heartbreak, absentee fathers, and of course, cancer, the inspiration for “Stare.” Yet there’s more to this song – perhaps its poignant melody, the healthily electrifying rift, or throwback to 80’s joyfulness – that keeps me listening beyond the subject matter. I cannot help but smile at the marketability of all this; are they trying to cater to the U2 comparison? …if doing so translates to more tunes like this one, then sign me up.

Verdict: 5/5

- Clem

Few bands have the lasting appeal of Martin Smith’s brit-rock quintet, particularly in the fickle Christian mainstream. Moreover, few bands associated with Christianity have managed to adapt their sound for a more demanding secular market with as much success. Delirious? have done both with relatively few failures (provided one ignores Audio Lessonover?, an album that tried to be Radiohead, but with half the brains). This year their seventh effort, Kingdom of Comfort, drops with the news that long-time drummer Stew Smith would be leaving to pursue other projects.

Delirious? seem comfortably aware of their talents, using them to occasionally push the limits of their trademark sound (or, rather, of U2’s trademark sound) on tracks like “Give It What You’ve Got,” a fist-pumping, guitar-led rocker somewhat reminiscent of The Killers, and “Eagle Rider,” a simple but effective Native American-tinged ballad. Most predictably, however, they maintain their particular brand of accessible brit-worship in “We Give You Praise” and “All God’s Children.”

Taking that into account, the designated “praise and worship” songs on this album are by far the weakest, if only because the band keeps a straight-ahead approach to moments of reverence. Time is the best teacher, and Delirious? have become veteran performers in their 15 years on stages all around the world. This improvised unpredictability is sometimes lost in the studio, and when synthesizers are lazily mistaken for ambience, reverb distracts from a weak vocal performance and lyrics are repeated ad infinitum (backed up with choir, no less) to serve as worship, what escapes me is why musical experimentation and genuine praise never intermingle. Sure, it might make it hard for an experimental composition to be incorporated into a worship service; still, David Crowder’s admirers seemed to have found ways of adapting his music for public consumption.

All things considered, the album works best when it ditches its plodding, stadium-sized aspirations for tight song writing and strong melodies. “Love Will Find A Way” (regardless of its quaint, off-putting title) displays an unbelievably talented group of grown men making whole-hearted anthems for a younger, more cynical generation, and doing an incredible job of it. The album’s best track (and one of the strongest of their career as well), “Stare the Monster Down” is an iambic rocker that rivals U2’s “Vertigo” in terms of its infectious hook.

Make no mistake, there’s a lot of comfort to be found throughout the course of this album. And while U2 have gotten stuck, it seems, peddling a revamped iteration of their earliest material, complete with shallow, unperceptive lyrics about politics and world peace, Delirious? don’t seem to be taking that route, leaving more room for doubt and soul searching than on previous efforts, and giving the great issues of our day (namely, the problem of third-world poverty and social division) a soundtrack steeped in hope—provided their anthems manage to be as persuasive as they’d like them to be, getting listeners on their feet and making the changes they’re so anxious to sing about.

There’s definitely room for growth in the future. After all they’ve done for the Christian music industry, it’d be a shame for them to take little more than a place as a derivative footnote in the story of Bono Vox and his wide-eyed punk quartet. Still, this purchase is far from a wasted one—if nothing else, leaving their audience ready for that spark of great potential to one day ignite: the day a great band finally become history-makers.

4/5

John Wofford

When I think of Delirious?, I think of modern Christian worhip music. They have released many worship albums, and have several well known worship songs including: “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever”, “Deeper”, and “Lord, You Have My Heart”. Delirious? began as a worship band for a youth outreach event called “Cutting Edge”. This event was created by Arun Community Church in Littlehampton, West Sussex, England. They have been a favorite in our household since purchasing and listening to their “Glo” album in 2000. I have loved their mix or worship centered lyrics and modern rock music. The band Delirious? features Martin Smith on vocals and guitar, Stuart Garrard (also known as Stu G) on guitar and backing vocals, Jon Thatcher on bass guitar, Tim Jupp on keys and piano, and Paul Evans on drums and percussion.

Their new album is called “Kingdom of Comfort“. It was released in the U. S. on April 1st, 2008, April Fool’s Day. I wonder if there was an intention to it’s release on that particular day? They did have an album titled “King of Fools” released in 1997. “Kingdom of Comfort” was inspired by the band’s recent missions trip to Cambodia and Mumbai, India. The band’s guitarist Stu G is quoted as saying:

Seeing children looking for scraps on the rubbish dump they call homes in Cambodia and the education and feeding projects in the slums of Mumbai India really had an impact on us. It wasn’t possible to simply proceed with business as usual. We had to ask ourselves, what am I building? A kingdom of comfort? Or a kingdom of heaven?

The album begins with the title track “Kingdom of Comfort”. The song is a quieter acoustic song which is strangely different than most of their other songs. Their singing and questioning comfortable homes and a lust for material things. The next track is “God Is Smiling”. The music begins with a driving bass guitar riff and drum beat. The rhythm guitar is very simple but it works well in the song. There is a guitar solo reminiscent of The Edge from U2 fame. The next song “Give It What You Got” begins with a bass guitar again that has a fuzz effect. If this song had some slide guitar I would almost swear that Foghat was playing it. The vocals, the song form, and rhythm are all reminiscent of that classic English blues rock band. The following track called “Love Will Find A Way” is about “love” overcoming the poor and social injustice in the world. The song has the staple Delirious? sound, and blends well with the anthemic vocal arrangement.

Album highlights include “Give It What You’ve Got”, the worship-themed “We Give You Praise”, “How Sweet The Name” a Jesus naming, and Jesus glorifying song that begins with a simple vocal / piano accompaniment and brings in a lone cello. A beautifully composed song that sings:

Jesus how sweet the name
The name that saves
Jesus how sweet the sound
The sound of grace
The sound of praise
The sound that saves

“Break The Silence” is another U2 influenced song with much smoother vocals. I love the guitar riff and rhythms in this one. “Stare The Monster Down” is about dealing with cancer in the writer’s father and a very touching song, “All God’s Children” sing hallelujah is going to be another bonified Delirious? worship song hit as it contains a great chorus hook.

The album as a whole is very good and contains some soon to be favorite worship songs. I like how the music to most of the songs flow from gentle acoustic to all out electric rock. The vocals are excellent and the lyric are not very far off theologically speaking. I want to point out a couple of things here and then I will tell you how to win your very own brand new Delirious? “Kingdom of Comfort” CD.

I still take issue with the use of the word “love” in place of God like in “Love Will Find A Way”. What does that mean anymore? The only disappointing thing about this album was something written by a Shane Clairborne inside the in the CD linear notes. I believe it is a snippet of his writing “Irresistible Revolution”. In it he states “this thing we call the Kingdom of God… God’s dream for the world.” mind you not God’s plan or God’s will for the world, but His dream. One other thing that stuck out is his man centered view of the gospel. “This whole Christian thing is not just about going to heaven when we die, but it is about bringing God’s Kingdom to earth. THIS IS THE GOSPEL”. I say … Huh?

The biblical view of the gospel is basically: Man is sinful and in rebellion toward God. God provided the means to reconcile man to Himself by coming to earth as the God-man Jesus Christ and living a sinless life. Being crucified and dying a death to satisfy the debt owed by man for his sin. He was raised again on the third day and has ascended into heaven waiting for the Father’s word to go and gather His own.

I give “Kingdom of Comfort” by Delirious? four stars out of five.

Now for the give away. If you are the first person to comment on this blog with the answer to the following question, you will receive the new Delirious? CD “Kingdom of Comfort” still sealed from the record company EMI/CMG. I have provided a link in this posting where you will find the answer. It’s as simple as that. Here is the question:

The band name Delirious? has a question mark as part of their official name. What was originally in the position of the “s” prior to the question mark, and why was it there?

Note: This giveaway excludes immediate family members.

Please check out my favorite music video from Delirious?, “Everything”.

4.1.08 Release

By Amy Sondova What began in 1992 as a trio of guys working together to play at a local event for youth has translated into the worldwide success of Delirious?. The U.K. worship band comprised of Martin Smith (guitars/vocals), Tim Jupp (keys), Stew Smith (drums), Stu G (guitar), and Jon Thatcher (bass) has played for millions worldwide, released celebrated anthems sung in churches today (“I Could Sing of Your Love Forever”, “History Maker”, and “Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?”), and achieved success that is, well, history making.

Releasing their twelfth album, Kingdom of Comfort (Furious/Sparrow), Delirious? crafts another album chock full of music that makes the soul flutter. The album is a return to rock, steering away from overproduced anthems in favor of the simplicity of piano, guitar, bass, and drums. The theme of the album—reaching out to those who have little hope—came from a Rob Bell sermon and inspired more than just the catchy track “King of Comfort”.

The album’s “title” track is gripping as it begs, “Save me from the kingdom of comfort where I am king/ From my unhealthy lust of material things.” Pulsating through gut-wrenching verses that show the folly of materialism, the song finalizes with this, “Save me from the kingdom of comfort where I am king to this kingdom of comfort where You are King.” “We Give You Praise”, the album’s first radio single, is a gritty reminder of how “we’ve been saved from ourselves” by God, who deserves all praise. Inspired by the movie Whale Rider, “Eagle Rider” shows a different vein in Delirious’ song-writing, using a lot of flying imagery as a metaphor for freedom, faith, risk, discovery, and adventure. Kingdom of Comfort is full of 13 amazing tracks like the guitar-driven “God Is Smiling” or the rocky “Stare the Monster Down” as well as softer tunes like “How Sweet the Name” and “All God’s Children”. Plus, listeners can listen to the whole album online and download two bonus tracks—“Hallelujah” and “Mothers of the Night”—by simply logging on to delirious.co.uk, and heading to the “Living Room”.

Besides encouraging Christians to wander outside their kingdoms to take a real look at the suffering of others, Kingdom of Comfort leads the charge in giving back. A portion of all profits from each album sale will benefit the Prem Kiran a humanitarian project in a red light district of India, which provides provides support for poverty-stricken children, whose mothers are enslaved by the sex industry. The band’s efforts are not only noteworthy, but are also provide the meat in the delectable sandwich that is Kingdom of Comfort. It’s an album that seeks to tear listeners down song-by-song, lyric-by-lyric, and note-by-note so that listeners become contrite enough to tear down their comfortable kingdoms stone-by-stone in order to seek another Kingdom entirely.

Delirious talks about the experiences that inspired their latest album in this video and then embed their widget on your blog.

Print copy of review.

The contest to win a copy of Kingdom of Comfort is over. Congrats to our two winners, Drew and Christopher!

Delirious? have a new album “Kingdom of Comfort” releasing April 1, 2008. (No Foolin’) Here is a short video about the album.

Website:www.delirious.co.uk

Delirious? fans should be getting excited – their new album Kingdom of Comfort is due in stores on April 14th, and it sounds really good.

Talking about the album, their MySpace says:

It’s here. Well, almost. The tenth, the boldest, the most personal and least comfortable Delirious album you’ve ever heard. Kingdom of Comfort is the album that bands like this never really make. By now it should be business as usual – working the formula and churning out the classics. But not for Delirious. Kingdom of Comfort is the result of two years of hard times and challenging experiences; of trips to the homes of those whose entire possessions can be packed into a shoebox; of finding life and hope in the darkest of places; of the morning after the five-star dream; of waking up and knowing that life can never be the same again.

The songs I’ve heard so far are really good, getting back to some of the passion and energy that made the band great back in the day.  They really do seem to be born out of deep soul-searching and challenging experiences.

…In other news, Delirious? fans can get 2 free downloads off the new album – God is Smiling and We Praise You – by signing up for free membership with The Living Room. I’m sure you’ll get spammed a little, but I think it’s worth it.  Delirious? promises to keep putting more free stuff up all the time, too – MP3s, videos, photos, and hopefully small Kenyan monkeys.

Save me save me from the kingdom of comfort where i am king.
From my unhealthy lust of material things

This is how the title track from the new Delirious? album opens up.

I thought I would post this song for you to listen to and think about until I can get to a full review of the album.

Kingdom of Comfort

Today we are blessed by some insane music being released! It makes me want to have a accent SO BAD! We have Hillsong United releasing part 1 of The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts as One and we have Kingdom of Comfort, the brand new release from Delirious! Top of the mornin’ to ya laddies!! Where to begin? Oh where to begin?

Delirious: Kingdom of Comfort – I think there are probably two types of people in the Christian community:
1) Those who love and adore Delirious and named their first born either Martin or Stu G
2) Those who respected what Delirious did for praise and worship and Christian music in general but ya know, it’s just not my bag baby.

Well, before the Live at Willow Creek release I had always been found under group #2. It shifted something for me and with the release of Kingdom of Comfort I’m now firmly under group #1. Hey Rae, how about naming our kiddo Stu
I don’t have a wealth of knowledge from previous releases (except the live one already mentioned) but Kingdom of Comfort slays me! Right off the bat, the lyrics of the opening and title track have me sold as it is! The disc is fluid and vastly creative. Having a copy of their live sound I can firmly imagine the glory these tracks would create live!

Hillsong United: With Hearts as One (I Heart Revolution) – CRIKEY on iTunes you can grab this 30 track live recording behemoth for $13.99! I don’t care if you like United or not that is a STEAL! It’s like a United Best of! The simple concept of The I Heart Revolution has me stoked about what’s to come! There’s no review needed here. 30 United tracks all found in one place, yeah you already have them live but not like this! Do you have Fire Fall Down in Spanish? Fuego de Dios?! This is just nuts! Go get it.

My grandmother is dying, even though both of my grandparents have been on their death beds before, this is the real deal. She’s just slipping away and spends a lot of time sleeping. Please pray for quick passage. It’s literally killing my grandfather to see her suffer and he weeps frequently. Please pray for him as well…one of the hardest parts is seeing him cry because he never really showed emotion…

How am I doing? I’ve been really focused on making crafts for my craft show tomorrow and trying not to think about it. Sometimes it overwhelms me and I cry a lot or I cry when I talk to my mom or Sarah. I think I’m handling it pretty okay.

Yesterday, I went to see my grandmother by myself, I guess to say goodbye. I just sat there and cried and cried for the first 15 minutes. She would open and close her eyes and tell me not to cry. But I think she could tell how much I loved her (especially because I kept saying it every 30 seconds!) I told her that I would miss her so much. She told me that I was the joy of her life. We shared memories and it was a good time, but a weird conversation. She would talk for a minute or two, close her eyes for 4 minutes and then say something. She told my mom last night that we had a good time. We even laughed once or twice….

One thing I would like to do for her is let her see Cassie (the dog) one last time. Unfortunately, the hospital only allows animals in the lobby. So, I think I might want to take her over on Sunday, so I might beg the nurses to let me take Cassie in for 5 minutes. If they don’t let me, I’m gonna see how the ground is outside her room and have Cassie “wave” at her through the window. I think she’d much rather pet the dog…but at least it’s something. It’s such a little thing and I feel stupid for asking, but pray that we can do this little thing for my grandma…if she’s still alive on Sunday. It sounds horrible to say it that way…but it’s reality.

Everyt time the phone rings, I don’t want to answer it because I’m afraid it’s going to be someone telling me that she’s passed. As much as I know she’s suffering, I don’t want to lose my grandma. But we have been assured of her hope in Christ and I told her that when she leaves this life she’ll be ushered into Jesus’ arms, and she smiled serenely. She seems to be at peace with death and knows we’ll be together again. It’s goodbye for a little while, but it’s still hard.

Here are lyrics to a Chris Rice song called “Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)” that’s offering me a lot of hope right now, especially the last stanza.

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden’s lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don’t be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall…so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can’t contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory’s side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!