by osmosis

By all secular accounts, contemporary religious music is insufferable. Christian rock can pump out raucous instrumentation; however, the impetus to convert listeners leads to preachy, predictable messages force-fed to audiences. So too are the shortcomings of traditional Islamic rhythms and rhymes. It's not the music's fault. Biblical anecdotes and religious mythology are fertile grounds for epic lyrics and persuasive narratives. What then for the listener who digs stories of Abraham, but isn't bros with JC.

Luke Top is '09's answer to this modern dilemma. His debut album Friends mines the Torah for romantic and tragic language, without spinning a cautionary or coercing tale. His careful arrangements are slowly paced and deliberate, coming out of the Los Angeles pop tradition. Top was born is Tel-Aviv, but has been serenading LA for a minute as the lead singer and co-founder of the L.A. based Afro-Hebrew dance band Fool’s Gold. This song by Luke Top, "Plainest Drought" makes it rain with an incredible hook and perfect harmonies.

[www] Luke Top - Plainest Drought