dnews 007
does it rock? yea baby, yea!

**** QUOTE ****
- deliriouSmilies?
> =:-D <--- Martin
> ;-)= <--- Stu
> ~O-| <--- Jon (i.e. often seen in BIG goggles, has hair)
> 8-) <--- Tim (usually very animated but bald)
> *38$)% <--- Stew (mad frenzy, can't get a still picture).
-ok, so it's not a quote, but I found it amusing : )

**** Contents ****
UK dates
WOW 2000
See The Star US Radio
Delirious? at Number One!
US Tour Dates
Mezzamorphis: CD Now's Review
Better Late Than Never
deliRINGous votes - parts 2 and 3
White Ribbon Day
Spot On!
Mublawen Wins
Favourite Lyric
Blatant Plug
d:end?

**** UK dates ****
So, the US is bathed in summer-autumn gigs while the UK is left to play
their 12-track Mezzamorphis CD, pine over what could have been with
'Gravity' and watch England performing dreadfully in the Euro 2000
qualifiers. But, although Tony Potato has a cultured left foot, the band's
manager will not be able to help Sweden beat Poland so instead sets about
addressing the lack of delirious? in the UK by thrillingly exciting us with
the tantalising news that, "There will be some UK dates but we are putting
them together now."

> top

**** WOW 2000 ****
Spurious?, scouring the net in our usual diligent fashion, has discovered
that delirious? will be contributing their postponed prospective
chart-topper 'Gravity' to the new WOW project, imaginatively titled 'WOW
2000'.

'WOW 2000' will be found in record stores in the US on the 26th October, and
will probably be in the UK in November, although Alliance Music have yet to
confirm this. As with the WOW 1999 release, there will be a video to go with
the CD, Spurious? will brave the treacherous terrain of the internet to try
and find out if the Gravity video (perhaps the greatest delirious? video to
date) will be on it.

> top

**** See The Star US Radio ****
Mezzamorphis' weakest track, See The Star, was released to the US Radio
market within the last fortnight. Mixed reports indicate that it isn't doing
as well as 'Gravity', but that isn't all that suprising considering 'Bliss'
is a much better song.

> top

**** Delirious? at Number One! ****
That happy-poppy, mind-spinningly, earth-twistingly corker of a track
'Gravity' has been voted the #1 single on Christian Pirate Radio
(http://mycpr.com/index2.asp). Well, it's a Number One.

> top

**** US Tour Dates ****
Remember people, these are the dates for OCTOBER : )

Saturday 16th
Copps Colisium - Hamilton, ONT, Canada
Info: 877.335.4333 www.2000acts.com

Sunday 17th
Michigan Theatre, 603 East Liberty Ann Arbor MI 48104
Info: 313-668-8397

Monday 18th
Capital University, 2199 East Main Street Columbus OH 43215
Info: 614-236-6907

Thursday 21st
Bogarts, 2621 Vine St Cincinnati OH 45219
Info: 513-281-8414

Friday 22nd
Fieldhouse Arena, Grand Valley State University Grand Rapids MI

Saturday 23rd
Rialto Square Theatre, 15 East Van Buren St Joilet IL 60432
Info: 815-726-7171

Sunday 24th
Concordia College, 275 N. Syndicate St. Paul MN 55104
Info: 612-641-8207

> top

**** Mezzamorphis: CD Now's Review ****
The title of Delirious?'s new album, Mezzamorphis, is drawn from two tracks,
which imply transformation. While "Metamorphis" speaks of increasing in
godly character, "The Mezzanine Floor" represents a middle ground --
somewhere between floors. The concept of change captures the essence of this
project and reflects growth in Delirious?'s artistry.

But because of that, this record is not as worship-centered as Delirious?'s
earlier work. Those who are looking for songs that can be used in worship
service may be disappointed -- there aren't any specifically for that venue.
However, Delirious? has not abandoned the concept of worship. Thematically,
the songs range from prayers to less overt statements of faith. Cuts like
"Jesus Blood" and Heaven" should indicate that the group is singing to the
Lord.

Sonically, Mezzamorphis is complex. A U2 influence -- specifically that band
's recent use of club sounds -- is obvious but not unnecessarily dominant.
Jack Joseph Puig's mixing creates a lush stage, replete with plenty of low
end, and that's topped by numerous vocal hooks, and strong lead and rhythm
guitars. The package is aptly balanced from the downbeat and moody
"Blindfold" to the borderline techno chorus of "Bliss," as distinct pace
changes within many of the tracks add to the engaging nature of this
enjoyable album.

~ by J. Warner Soditus

~ Spurious? would like to thank Adam Webb for this.

> top

**** Better Late Than Never ****
The following review of Mezzamorphis appeared in the latest 'Church of
England newspaper' - unlike the CD Now review (which was written at the time
but Spurious? just missed it) this has only just been published. Well,
better late than never.

"Some might doubt whether music as dense as Delirious?'s eagerly awaited
Mezzzamorphis could cout as worship. This release is themed around the
metaphor of living on the Mezzanine floor, 'Where gravity's pulling me, but
heaven is pulling me.'

Musicallly, it is a marriage of U2 (Achtung Baby guitar chops) and
Radioheads OK Computer (chords, vocal style and production). The
craftmanship is clear, there are no assumptions about the backing for one
verse having to be the same for the next. Each line, each phrase, have been
painted in different colours, and maybe there's the rub - they seemed to
have worked so hard on this that they sound a little tense and weary,
loosing some of that earlier show of passion.

Lyrically, it manages to be blatant, whilst still deep, fresh and clever.
Always real, it balances hope with dogged determination. Worship? Hear
'Beautiful Sun'. Simply in a different league from most Christian new
releases."

~ Spurious? offer thanks and cookies to James Hicks for braving to read the
latest 'Church of England' newspaper.

> top

**** deliRINGous votes - parts 2 and 3 ****
The deliRINGous marathon continues. I'm still dragging it out for no general
reason, but because it's been so long between mailings I'm including parts
two and three. Although this caused some anguish for Dan Ficker, deliRINGous
guy, we soon sorted him out with several quick slaps. Dan later agreed,
saying, "They blackmailed me and said that if I did not give them the
results, they would force me to listen to "bliss" 24/7 instead of my
favorite, "company car" by switchfoot.". But enough in-jokes. Surely you're
getting tired of them? On with the results......

Most Original Delirious? Website:
1 ~ Spurious?
2 ~ dheaven
3 ~ Dave Wood's Delirious? Website

Close runners include Mezzamorphine and d:zone, missing out by one vote
each.

Best-designed Delirious? Website:
1 ~ dheaven
2 ~ Spurious?
3 ~ d:zone

Close runners include d:light and Mezzamorphine.

Next isssue's category: Most Updated Website (how thrilling).

> top

**** White Ribbon Day ****
I'm curious what the band is referring to by the phrase "White Ribbon Day"
off the King Of Fools CD. Opinions are welcome, but I'd obviously prefer
what the band's point of view is. Thanks. I look forward to your response.
John

"Unusually for the band, the song had political roots: it was inspired by a
news report from Northern Ireland that Martin had seen on in early 1996. The
news story informed of new casualties in the area, but rounded off with news
that a group of people had begun to talk of a day when peace would be
lasting. Following in the footsteps of those who remembered their loved-ones
at war by displaying yellow ribbons, these people adopted the white ribbon
as a symbol of their hope. 'And as the violence increases,' went the report,
'the people pray for white ribbon day.'

Like a man who had not eaten for weeks, Martin consumed the words, It was
exactly what he had been looking for - a way of expressing the beliefs and
frustrations within that didn't rely on more traditional images. The song
took a few days to write. He played it to the rest of the band. As with
Obsession before, their reaction was strong.

'White Ribbon Day' got its first public performance at a gig at The King's
Arms, Bedford, on March 6th, 1996. The atmosphere immediately changed.
Almost supernaturally, something opened up within people and many began to
weep. As the song finished, silence followed.....Something had happened."

~Spurious? quoting from "Purepop? - the delirious? journey so far" written
by Craig Borlase and available from http://www.delirious.co.uk

> top

**** Spot On! ****
Hey! I was hoping to be able to e-mail Delirious?, but I guess that is not
very likely to happen. I just wanted to encourage them in their ministry and
let them know that I have truly been blessed by their music and the way that
God is working through them! You are truly an annointed group of men. Don't
let go of that! God is working through you in a very beautiful way! Continue
to abide in the Vine!
God bless you!
Kate Horning
Churchtown, Pennsylvania, USA

> top

**** Mublawen wins ****
After a slight rebellion on the delirious? listserv (where the name 'nud:'
threatened to eclipse 'Mublawen' as the Official Unofficial Working Title of
the Third Studio Album from Delirious?), the album will now be referred to
as Mublawen.

The first-ever Spurious? prize goes to Caralyn Mews who responded after only
38 minutes to say that 'Mublawen' is 'New Album' backwards.
Congratulations - Caralyn's prize is my momentary admiration for working it
out before several Americans did on the listserv! (let's not mention
Canadians...)

> top

**** Favourite Lyric ****
"Sweet the sin
But bitter the taste in my mouth
I see seven towers
But I only see one way out
You got to cry without weeping
Talk without speaking
Scream without raising your voice, you know
I took the poison, from the poison stream,
Then I floated out of here."
~ from 'Running to Stand Still' on U2's 'Joshua Tree' album
~ not strictly a Christian album, but who can deny the power in those words?
~ contributed by Jon Piper
~ want to get your favourite lyrics here instead of mine? Mail me at
adam@spurious.org!

> top

**** Blatant Plugs ****
Have I plugged the Christian Herald recently? No. There we go then. Get it
if you can - see http://www.christianherald.org.uk.

Something I know I haven't plugged yet is the Britlinks. As I'm sure most of
you are aware, delirious? are just the tip of the CCM-related iceberg and
there are many other bands striving to strut their stuff. However
(continuing the iceberg theme) prejudice and closed-mindedness sink many
bands like icebergs sink Titanics. One invaluable resource for Christian
bands starting out is the Britlinks which is encouraging bands to move into
the mainstream. What is the point of preaching to the converted with the CCM
'charts'? Bands need to see the bigger picture. And there are some big
pictures up on Britlinks. Visit http://www.britlinks.co.uk to see for
yourself (although the big pictures is just me going off on a mezzaphoric
tangent - really they're small enough to help with a reasonable download
speed).

> top

**** d:end? ****
It's another dnews. Ending. This letter, however, contains only 25 colons
and 38 question marks. I'll see if I can improve upon that next issue.

God Bless from all at Spurious? (even the chap who makes the tea and cleans
the office).

Adam, Adrian, Mike, Scooby

< previous issue | next issue >