What I’ve Heard: June 2022 Edition

It’s time for the monthly post detailing what albums and artist I’ve been listening to called What I’ve Heard June 2022 Edition.

After listening to his other three albums in prep for the June 3rd release of the fourth (and final) I Am Origami installment, it’s no surprise that My Top Album of the month was John Van Deusen’s Marathon Daze. I reviewed it here and I also had a chance to co-interview him for the JFH Podcast here. It was such a great conversation and definitely worth a listen if you like the album.
You’ll see Mat Kearney littering the collage as my kids have taken a liking to his catalogue. I love when we share favorite artists and it doesn’t jack up my last.fm account. 😀
Switchfoot’s Legend of Chin turned 25 this month so I gave it several spins. I think it holds up. It’s featured on a blog I wrote earlier this year covering what I think are 25 great albums from a terrific year in Christian music…Aka 1997.
My music listening club is responsible for artists Nirvana, Deas Vail, and Mars iLL as we listened through each of their catalogues. I decided I like Nirvana’s Nevermind album and about 10-12 of their songs. And that they were an influential band but perhaps overrated. 😬 I discovered I really like the Deas Vail albums and will be seeking out a used copy of All The Houses Look the Same for my cd collection. Mars iLL is good but aside from Pro*Pain isn’t my thing.
In case you missed it I am currently on a 60 Day Summer challenge to tackle a chunk of Bob Dylan’s catalogue. I wrote more about it here. (P.S. I don’t know if I’ll make it the full 60 days and might need to shorten it to 30. 😬)
Clearly I’ve been obsessed with the Kirk Franklin & Maverick City collab “Bless Me.” It’s been my early morning wake up tune. On another note, my kids now hate early mornings for two reasons. Haha. I can’t help it but it makes me wanna dance! (P.S. I am NOT a dancer)
Y’all. Half-Handed Cloud. What. Is. It. I tried amusingly to write a second opinion review of his newest album Flutterama here.
A few top-notch albums from years past pop up in Benjamin Daniel’s Shelterheart, (JFH Staffers #1 album of 2021) Jon Guerra’s Keeper of Days, (JFH Staffers #1 album of 2020), Chris Renzema’s Let the Ground Rest, and Mark Lee Townsend’s concept album 1919: The Ballad of Rexford. All great singer songwriters. They are all excellent lyricists and I count them among some of the best albums of the last few years. See our staff picks for Jesusfreakhideout here.
A few random albums of note are…The Microphone’s album Glow Pt. 2 which came recommended by John Van Deusen from the podcast. Colorvault’s album Faint appears for a second month in a row and is tracking toward Top 10 of 2022 status. Judah & the Lion’s Revival was a surprise like that I’ll probably go back to. An intriguing indie band The Prism Sound has my ear with Cause for Panic, and I’ll definitely be giving it more time.
Here’s my running 2022 favorite song playlist which gets new adds regularly.
Lastly, I received an anonymous copy of Coldplay’s A Rush Of Blood to the Head on vinyl for my birthday! What a nice surprise, and thank you to whomever blessed my ear holes with another great one for the collection. That A side is…(chef’s kiss)