Delirious release new album "Kingdom of Comfort" this April (it is currently getting a lot of airplay on Branch FM) and here is the definitive song by song report of what its all about from the band members themselves.
KINGDOM OF COMFORT
This is more than a song it’s where we’re at as a band and individuals. We don’t
profess to have answers to the bigquestions of living with the poor, the
oppressed and the marginalised on our global doorstep but we are wrestling
withthese questions… and our comfortable kingdoms.It started in Brazil in 2006,
while on tour once again faced with communities that have extreme wealth and
extremepoverty, I was listening to Rob Bell from Mars Hill in Grand Rapids talk
about Solomon amassing great wealth andwisdom and how he was “to do justice and
righteousness”, but how he became the oppressor, forgot to tell the story
ofrescue and freedom, and in the end the nation ended up in exile.What is our
kingdom of comfort? It’s when we are comfortable and safe in our isolated
environments, our religion, our“castles”. When we become indifferent to the
struggles of others when we are fearful of being inclusive and diverse!It’s a
new sound for us…I love this song! [Stu G]
GOD IS SMILING
This phrase came as a spontaneous song during the drop down section in the song
‘History Maker’. I was talking aboutthe things that make God smile and also the
things that don’t make Him smile. Injustice and poverty are two of thosethings
and need to be addressed if we are to be called ‘Christians’ We joined hands,
God always smiles when peoplestep outside themselves and become part of
something bigger, we felt the electricity as we sang ‘ God is smiling over
ustonight’ This then became the song it is today. [Martin Smith]
GIVE WHAT YOU GOT
This started life as a slow and moody vibe but ended up rocking out on us!
Martin imagined sitting down with one ofhis sons giving advice on living life.
Whatever you do give it what you got! My favourite line is “I made some
mistakesbut the grace was so good”, we can all say that I guess! I loved working
on the guitar tones with our great friend LynnNichols we pushed that 70’s
Marshall Hard! [Stu G]
LOVE WILL FIND A WAY
A song of paradox. One minute we’re feeding kids on a slum the next we’re in a 5
star hotel because that’s the onlysensible place to stay. This song reflects the
inner monologue of someone asking all the questions and how they canengage in
making a difference from the comfort of our own lives. My favourite set of
lyrics in the middle 8. [MartinSmith]
EAGLE RIDER
Inspired by watching the low budget film from New Zealand ‘the whale rider’ A
great image of something or someonetaking you further, going deeper. A strange
phrase really but Eagle Rider stuck and became a story of flying up throughthe
winds and soaring so high you can almost see into heaven. A song about change,
shift, repositioning and freedom. Asong about rediscovery, of risk and of
adventure. A great groove, something new for us. [Martin Smith]
WE GIVE YOU PRAISE
A friend of ours, Marty Sampson from Sydney, sent me an idea with the first line
of the chorus in. Theverses didn’t grab me but the chorus idea did. We shaped it
into this powerful ballad about walking on the road of life and not giving up.
Also we blame the devil for a lot of our troubles but most of my trouble comes
from me, my flesh, the old man. We have been saved from ourselves that’s the
most amazing thing. Left to my own devices I would perish. [Martin Smith]
HOW SWEET THE NAME
Almost hymn like, a simple love song, the sound, the name they woo me everyday.
The musical ending is the perfect juxtaposition to the serenity. Life is simple
but also complicated and we didn’t want this song to be an easy ride for people!
‘So many songs I’ve sung, but there’s none more beautiful than you’ that’s it
right there! [Martin Smith]
WONDER
Whilst visiting one of the red light districts in Mumbai/India I came across
this little girl who stood out from the crowd. We couldn’t take our eyes off of
each other and I knew something was happening tome. I returned to the hotel but
couldn’t shake off what I felt, I just kept thinking about her. I returned to
England and my wife and I talked about the possibilities of adopting her. We
definitely opened the door and went on a journey with it but during the process
the mother of the child decided to keep her. Of course this was the right thing
and the mum is now out of the trade and working a normal job. My heart had been
changed and in some crazy way I feel like I’m her dad and we are now involved in
helping with that project. It’s a simple love song, an unlikely love song but
very pure. This song is for Fahreen [Martin Smith]
BREAK THE SILENCE
Wow we really had to work hard on this song! I think we got to seven chorus
re-writes before we finally called Iain Archer for some writing help, but
definitely worth the trouble. The guitar riff actually was a Martin keyboard
riff but I nicked that good and proper! Once again the lyric urges us to realise
that it’s in our hands to make a difference. We met Rabbi Joseph Edelheidt in
India and in conversation he was encouraging us to write songs that cross
divides. It’s much better if we find what unites us rather than concentrate on
what divides us. We have to work together to get the job done![Stu G]
STARE THE MONSTER DOWN
This is angry! What is the monster? For Lucifer it was pride, for Daniel it was
lions, for my dad it was cancer, for my daughter it’s being afraid of the dark,
for 1 billion people in the world today it’s trying to live on less than $1 a
day! It’s what ever stands in our way and wants to take us down. [Stu G]
ALL GODS CHILDREN
We were playing a gig in Mumbai and during the day we visited a project in one
of the red light districts which was looking after 70 kids, giving them food and
education. We fell in love with them and asked if they would come out to the
concert and dance with us on stage. The moment came to bring them on and it was
amazing, more amazing was the fact that they had brought some of their mothers.
It was the first time that they were allowed to be mothers and not just labelled
for what they do. Whether you’re a lawyer, rock star, politician, street kid or
prostitute, we are ALL Gods children and we are ALL looking for salvation.
[Martin Smith]
MY SOUL SINGS
The basis of this song came on the first day of writing in 2006 in the warehouse
of Furious? Records. The resulting “demo guitars” are the ones you hear on the
recording now…(with Sam Gibson’s help anyway!) We wanted to try and convey the
feeling you get when you realise that you are a part of something much bigger
than yourself…you know like a great sunset or standing by Loch Tay in Scotland
or at the birth of a baby etc… The response doesn’t just come from your head or
heart or your vocal chords, but from your very soul; and that’s it really, we’re
pulled towards the gravity of something far bigger and greater than us…the love
at the centre of this incredible Universe. [Stu G]