Sy: Recollection

About the NEW ALBUM and Sy's Musical Journey...

I suppose it's cliché to say I began singing in the church—harmony parts with a friend who was a professional singer. Eventually, I began writing and singing my own material in services—it was acoustic, folk oriented music—a world away from my current pop sound. While I am more lyricist than performer, I do enjoy seeing my own art brought to life—especially in the creative, collaborative recording process! That began for me after moving to Asia...

While living in Singapore, I had, among other things, become one of the worship leaders in a major church. During this time I was introduced to a commercial producer who, remarkably enough, initiated my first album, an Asian dance-pop cultural critique. Later, that led to my role as one of two lead vocalists in a radical, evangelistic touring rock operetta, “Primordial,” with the European band, ‘No Longer Music’. The storyline featured God’s character ‘on trial’ in a world of suffering and injustice. We performed in hard core and mainstream clubs around the world. It was an amazing experience I must write about one day. My assumptions were challenged to see so many respond to God in those very unlikely environments. Once the tour was over, my family and I settled in New Zealand, where the tour had rehearsed and launched. The tour album begun in Germany was completed in New Zealand. I also signed with the Parachute Music label and recorded two more albums, one of which was produced in Melbourne, Australia, and featured a cool dance-pop remake of ‘Bette Davis Eyes’—the only song I've ever covered.

My material emphasizes social commentary and my own spiritual perspective. I write from my observations and experience, and personal journey too. I've been very grateful for the feedback I've received from those who tell me how my songs have spoken to them. Perhaps the most rewarding part of all has been working with such a cast of amazing people—they have not only made the most of my very limited ability but have demonstrated character greater than their considerable talents.

From acoustic to worship to post punk, retro, and electronica too…in churches and clubs and festivals and performance centers, writing for myself and others, I've been amazed by the wide variety of artistic expression I've been allowed to experience beyond the spoken word messages I'm best known for. I hope the songs—these loopy, dance-pop-rock-ballad-retro-electro tracks chosen on this compilation will indeed speak Light and Love to your soul!

About the Songs

We begin with a spiritual trilogy depicting the universal longing for a Love and an Intelligence greater than human (ALL AROUND THE WORLD—great 12 string nylon guitar featuring Geoff Duncan, with DEEP and ORBIT presenting cosmic worship). Zoom in and explore my fascination with the links between biological-theological-neurological concepts (IN MY HEAD)—are we indeed hard-wired to ‘know God’—I suspect so.

Traveling for more than two decades to a constellation of urban centers around the world, I review the city (METROPOLIS), and the global overlay of modern, franchised lifestyles and values, and our compulsion to worship people (BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE ACTING UGLY, JET SET, and MEDIA SLAVES). From governments and societies right down to the world within, so much is off track (DYSFUNCTIONAL)--though it is big business with a sometimes darker side. It all leaves me wanting: having it all is having nothing if you don't have the right thing (IMAGE).

More personally, I share my own struggles with desire and rejection (HORNY/CAN I GET A WITNESS, and ONE OF THE BOYS). I then refer to the rise of fascism (PARTY LINE), which threatens us all—or have you been so distracted that you haven’t noticed the gathering storm? I ask the question “Who lit the fuse of the big bang, baby?” (IRREDUCIBLE COMPLEXITY)—has science become so arrogant that it cannot tolerate the possibility of intelligent design and Designer? Flying practically every week has also served as a metaphor: better be ready to face your mortality and Maker (JUST IN CASE)—it was great fun using the pre-flight safety drill set to an excellent dance beat—by the way: show some appreciation to your pilots and cabin crew next flight—ground staff, too. In light of the days in which we live, you might consider disaster preparedness, just in case.

Finally, we conclude with another trio of songs themed on God’s character, regardless of the darkness He allows: His ways are indeed beyond my understanding—therefore I hope to stay loyal to Him, as I believe my confidence in God will one day be vindicated. He proves He cares…is involved in my life more than I realize…and calls me into His Presence to comfort and sustain me in the midst of my difficult world (JUDGE OF THE EARTH, FACES, and OASIS).

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Sy's Tracks:

1. Deep Trilogy:
All Around the World
Deep to Deep (5:02)
Orbit (10:30) 16:20
2. In My Head 3:31
3. Metropolis 3:26
4. Beautiful People Acting
Ugly 3:45
5. Jet Set 3:23
6. Media Slaves 2:35
7. Dysfunctional 4:15
8. Image 5:27
9. Horny/Can I Get A Witness
3:18
10. One of the Boys 4:32
11. Party Line 2:33
12. Irreducible Complexity
5:23
13. Just In Case 3:55
14. Judge of the Earth 3:53
15. Faces 5:19
16. Oasis 3:55