Seven Places

Last night, I was driving in my truck alone, trying to decide what to listen to. I tried talk radio first, but discovered that the regular program was pre-empted to cover Penn State basketball. They do that too much.

So I plugged in my ipod and began scanning the selections. Lots of good things to choose from, yet nothing was satisfying my desire to sing loudly and pretend I was playing both guitar and drums while I drove.

At that point, I reverted to my recent favorite album. I bought Seven Places, "Hear Us Say Jesus" back in November and at first, I was disappointed in it because it didn't sound enough like their first album "Lonely for the Last Time." But by the third time I listened to it, I realized I had purchased an album that I would probably listen to for the rest of my life.

If I had to give you one album recommendation, this would be it. The lyrics are spiritually encouraging and thoughtful. The choruses are energetic and fun to sing along. The music makes me want to drive too quickly and drum dents into my steering wheel. All that way around, it is by far one of the best albums I have ever heard. And I'm not making that assertion lightly.

I have decided that I am going to try to contact Seven Places to see if they would grant me a five minute interview that I can post here on "Stump the Pastor." I would really love to talk to them and learn a little more about what goes into the crafting of their songs.

On another note, while I was singing "Even When," song 3 on the album, Matt Macking called my cell phone and interrupted my singing. It took me two songs to get back into the groove again, but the remainder of my one man concert (hosted in the world's best venue, my Toyota Tacoma), proceeded without any further interruption.