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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Psallos

Psallos
Philippians

Street Date: October 21, 2021
Style: Folk / Indie
Official Site: Official Website
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: AmazonMP3



Psallos, a folk band intent on setting all 21 New Testament epistles to music, adds to their lofty goal with Paul's joyful letter from prison, Philippians. Already having Romans, Hebrews, and Jude under their belt, the group's folk/country/indie style doesn't hesitate to expand if the subject matter demands it. In certain passages, the band adds a children's choir ("Rejoice in the Lord"), high-browing hip-hop ("I Am Better Than You"), and even a descending musical ostinato set to a military chant of "Caesar Is Lord" ("Anthem To Rome") to enhance the story, though the above genres are where Psallos is most comfortable. Psallos brings this delightful little letter to life in a way a detailed sermon would, plus all the enhanced emotion that music can bring. You feel the tension as Paul writes from a persecuted situation, to a church that is holding tight to Christ's promises through their own trials, in and out of their gathering. There are many shining moments throughout, but for me, the highlight comes from possibly the most well-known passage of the epistle, known as the Carmen Christi (here as "Hymnos Christou"). Most likely an actual 1st century hymn, the group portrays Christ's humility here with a full choir and classical instrumentation, sung in koine Greek no less! As the hymn progresses, ala classical oratorios such as Handel's Messiah, the hymn changes to a minor key as Christ humbles himself to death, before weaving a victorious spectrum of sound in choral counterpoint as He is glorified. This stunning musical encapsulation ends with the most peaceful cadence as Rome's allegiance to Caesar is crushed under the name of Jesus "to the glory of God the Father." I also loved the light-hearted quips and humor sprinkled throughout, especially the child-like "Rejoice in the Lord," that so perfectly matches Paul's own happiness even in trials ("and if your life's a song, but it's sounding wrong, like a bunch of noise, again I say rejoice!"). Much more could be said, such as the witty portrayal of Paul's credentials in "I Am Better Than You (feat. Shai Linne)", or the heartfelt longing for home in "Of Life and Death (feat. Andrew Peterson)", but I'll leave it to a hearty recommendation for your hearing.

The album is very context dependent, so it may be hard to separate one song from the storyline. Listening in one sitting, preferably with open bible in hand, will certainly enhance the experience. If you need a new sound to chew on, enjoy scripture set to music, or just are curious to hear what songs crafted in the context of an entire book of the Bible would sound like, give this a listen; I highly doubt you'll regret it.

- Review date: 12/29/21, written by Joel Zaloum of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: None
. Album length: 24 tracks: 78 minutes
. Street Date: October 21, 2021
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: AmazonMP3
. Buy It: Official Site

  1. The River (3:13)
  2. O Philippi (1:1-11) (3:59)
  3. Behind Bars, Or, Up the River (1:12-18) (2:56)
  4. Of Life and Death (1:18-26) (6:55)
  5. Noise Feed (0:47)
  6. Anthem of Rome (2:52)
  7. Cityzens, Pts. 1-3 (1:27-30) (3:31)
  8. Complete My Joy (2:1-4) (3:20)
  9. For Lydia (0:58)
  10. Like Jesus (2:5-11) (4:02)
  11. Hymnos Christou (2:5-11) (7:36)
  12. Anthem of Zion (2:5-11) (1:54)
  13. In Light (2:12-18) (3:54)
  14. Honor These Men (2:19-30) (3:39)
  15. Finally... (3:1) (0:16)
  16. I Am Better Than You (3:2-11) (6:17)
  17. Run Like Earth (3:12-16) (2:49)
  18. Cityzens, Pts. 4-5 (3:17-4:1) (2:23)
  19. For Euodia and Syntyche (4:2-3) (2:09)
  20. Rejoice in the Lord (4:4-7) (4:16)
  21. Breaking Noise (0:36)
  22. Think of These Things (4:8-9) (3:56)
  23. Will You Go Down? (4:10-23) (3:40)
  24. The Delta (2:04)

 

 

 

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This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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