Cool Hand Luke
The Sleeping House
Lujo
Grade – A

It was 2004 when I first reviewed The Fires of Life and the intensity of the album is still with me today. I still consider “I’m Not Ready” to be one of the top 10 Christian songs in my music collection.  I have a personal top-ten list that has yet to be filled since I started reviewing Christian music in the year 2000, and Cool Hand Luke has made that list twice.

The latest release, The Sleeping House, is no less of a project.  The writing on this album weaves a narrative from start to finish that is scripturally sound and wholly edifying.  The band sets the tone with a piano driven sound that is as equally artistic as the lyrical content.  The music is considered Indi-Rock-Alternative and I would dare to say that it comes close to emo as well.  However, labels are often too simplistic.  The sound of Cool Hand Luke is very distinctive and it is cool that they are using their gifts in such a manner as they are. 

Ken W.

http://www.myspace.com/therealcoolhandluke

Below are a few thoughts on some of the songs

“Cast Your Bread” is based on Ecclesiastes 1:1 and the song explores the symbolic meaning of bread in a Biblical context.  From their web site, “bread is symbolic for our necessities, and our nature is to scramble for those things and cling to them when we get them.”  The song elaborates on how we do not need a lot of resources (or bread maybe) to give back to God and that no matter what we have in life we have to trust in God – easier to do when the basket is full!

“Falling In Love” is about being truthful with people even when it hurts.  This song references Galatians 4:16.  I was thinking about how we worry about being truthful with people and we claim it’s it of love that we hold back from telling the truth, but at what cost do we hold back?  It could have an eternal cost if we’re talking about someone’s salvation. Why hold back the truth when the truth can speak for itself. The Bible says that God’s word is the truth and the truth is good for rebuke and correction.

Taking the concept of “truth” a little further is “Buy the Truth,” which is about giving up what we know is truth in order to be acceptable to worldly standards – to be liked and to be comfortable.  The cost of relinquishing your values, succumbing to the pressures of the world or the pleasures of the world is easier than standing up for truth.

Another interesting track is “Eye of the Storm,” which deals with grief.  The song itself is not written about anyone specifically, but it can speak to those who are dealing with the death of a loved one.  The song is a reminder of God’s sovereignty – “those who are in Christ, death is not final.”

The last song I want to elaborate on is “The Incomprehensible Sleep” based on Matthew 26:36-46.  This is a passage that I have highlighted in many a Bible – a constant reminder to wake up, wake up from my mental slumber, my carless – Christ less attitude.  In this passage, Jesus’ disciples failed Him when he simply asked them to stay awake and pray with Him. This was an emotionally painful time for Jesus and his closets disciples failed Him as we too fail Him.