I finally remembered one of my favorite singer/songwriters released a new album last Tuesday.  Bebo Norman’s self-titled album is well crafted and smartly written. While it seems a bit too “pop rock-ish” for his folky style, there are many tracks that deserve a listen for the words alone.

In my first run though the album, the words to “Britney” immediately stood out.  While I’m not a “fan” of the person it’s about, the message of the song is clear.  Bebo’s sincere apology for scoffing at her as a celebrity who has fallen in the glare of the media’s flashbulbs and video cameras, hit me like a ton of bricks.  I found myself convicted for doing the same.  Laughing at her difficulty and desperate cries for help (figuratively and literally).

Many say who cares? They have it all. Do they really?  No matter what they all seem to have, we are all fallen and in desperate need of God’s grace and mercy.  For some reason we seem to think it’s not real when celebrities fall into tough situations and despair.  Perhaps in a few cases is a pre-planned act to get publicity, but many times it’s more serious than we realize.  Either way it’s fodder for the gossip magazines and entertainment news media.  We as a society eat it up.  Sad but true.  My hope and prayer is we can see all people through God’s eyes, including celebrities.

Bebo talks about the song here.

Below are the lyrics:

Britney
By: Norman/Ingram

“Britney I’m sorry for the lies we told
We took you into our arms then left you cold
Britney, I’m sorry for this cruel, cruel world
We sell the beauty but destroy the girl

Britney, I’m sorry for your broken heart
We stood aside and watched you fall apart
I’m sorry we told you fame would fill you up
And money moves the man so drink the cup

I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back, you never see it coming back
And I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back, but I can see it coming back for you

Britney I’m sorry for the stones we throw
We tear you down just so we can watch the show
Britney I’m sorry for the words we say
We point the finger as you fall from grace

I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back, you never see it coming back
And I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back, but I can see it coming back for you

It’s coming back for you
Yeah, it’s coming back for you

Britney I do believe that love has come
Here for the broken, here for the ones like us

I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back, you never see it coming back
And I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back, but I can see it coming back for you

It’s coming back for you
Yeah, it’s coming back for you”

Jeremy Casella is an independent musician I highly recommend giving a listen. “Recovery” is his latest project due for release May 22, 2007, however if you pre-order the CD on his website, you get access to download the entire record now!

[Full disclosure - I know Jeremy from back in my college days and his post-Purdue days when he would play gigs back at Purdue. Some of you already know that but for those that don't... ya know.]

He has blogged about the process of creating the record, including the incredible people that contributed to it from the musicians to the legendary mixer/engineer that mastered the final version.

By the way, Jeremy is a true singer/songwriter, composing all of the music and writing all of the lyrics which is becoming a little more rare these days. His wife Kiersten wrote a nice short description of part of the creative process he goes through on her blog.

Of course I’m biased, but I rarely recommend a record on my blog unless it’s really good and this is no exception. “Recovery” is such a finely crafted work its hard for me do it justice describing it in my limited music vocabulary. Do yourself a favor and check this album out. He has an awesome video showing on the home page of his site on the making of the record that’s well worth your time. He also has links to his MySpace, Facebook, and Virb pages that have a few the tracks posted in a music player. Make your ears happy and have a listen! Go to Jeremy’s site here or just click on the badge below to go to his site:

UPDATE (11/29/2007): Not only did Jeremy’s album get a rare FIVE STARS from Christianity Today, it also was ranked #4 on their Best Christian Albums of 2007! Congrats Jeremy! Well done and most certainly deserved!

As a fan of the rock band U2, I have read books and accounts that some of the band members, more specifically the lead singer Bono are Christians. From many of their early and some current albums, the themes and focus of the songs (”40″, “Where the Streets Have No Name”, etc.) have a focus on God.

However many, including myself, have questioned whether Bono is really a Christian. So many times his actions and language have called that in to question in my mind. But then again no one is perfect and it is possible that despite these things he is a Christian and walks with God on daily basis.

All this led to an article I read a couple weeks ago in World Magazine. It’s a weekly news magazine that offers hard news from a Christian perspective. The only magazine of its type that I know of and very well written.

Gene Edward Veith, the cultural editor for World, wrote this article that directly addresses Bono\’d5s faith. Specifically he quotes a recent book “Bono in Conversation” by Michka Assayas, which is essentially one long interview. In it, Bono clearly makes an explicit confession of his faith and being saved by grace. He goes on to boldly witness to the interviewer clearly, concisely and most importantly he speaks the Truth. I was blown away to read how accurately and clearly he explains what it is to be saved by grace through Jesus Christ. In addition, the interviewer seems to have never heard of it explained this way and is amazed to learn what faith in Jesus really is.

Think what you will about Bono and the things he says and does, but this article and interview has given me a new respect for him and hope that what he says is genuine.