Contemporary Christian punk-rock band Philmont is something else. After the band left Forefront Records/EMI in 2010 after one album – Attention was released in August 2009 to moderate fanfare – it decided to record its next outing on its own, but realized it didn’t have enough funds to see the project to completion. Using Kickstarter, the band set a goal of US$4,000 towards which Philmonsters – I love that name for fans, take that, Lady Gaga – could donate in exchange for rewards from the band. Ultimately, the band met the goal, and The Transition EP was released in October 2010. Philmont’s inclinations towards independent distribution and production is once again spotlighted in the video for Closer; the rawness of the video, according to the producers on YouTube, was made even more interesting with homemade camera mounts, PVC pipe, and other materials.
Philmont’s Closer is, in itself, a pretty good song. Its catchy melody, driving guitars (Joshua Prince and Justin Sams sound great), and introspective lyrics are brought to creative fruition by the strong vocals of lead vocalist Scott Taube, and held together by the steady bassline of Josh Guion and the drumwork of Jeremi Hough. Altogether, Closer is a terrific effort made even more impressive by the fact that it was done sans major label backing. Philmont’s Closer is now picking up at Christian Rock and Christian CHR stations across the USA; All Access has identified the track as “Cool New Music” for this week in their weekly newsletter.
CLOSER Lyrics
Philmont
They have calculated outcomes we just pray the numbers lied
it’s all calm here on the surface but a war rages inside
and she lays still tonight
pull me closer while I count the days
until I see your face
until I look into your eyes
when I’m tired you can carry me
until I see your face
until I look into your eyes
we can fire back
another plan of attack
something to tip the scales in our favor again
if we’re expecting less
we just allow the glass to drain empty through the cracks in the bottom
and wash away
don’t wash away tonight
this is life
and I am passing through
but this world has been caught lying about what it is I’m here to do
this is life
it’s mine to waste or use
but it’s time that I decided
it’s time for me to choose
cause who am I
that you would die to prove
that the worthless are all worth it
the curse has been removed
so this is life
and though I’m passing through
I wanna live as if I’m dying
dying to get close to you
