Thoughtful, heartfelt, melodic pop/folk/rock reflections on life, love and God.

10 MP3 Songs
POP: Folky Pop, GOSPEL: Contemporary Gospel



Details:
EVERYBODY & THEIR BROTHER is the first solo record by the popular Minneapolis singer/songwriter Tom Hipps. His previous recording, a group effort released exclusively by Target Corporation, was a holiday offering entitled "Praise & Worship Christmas". (Unfortunately, despite racking up sales of over 32,000 units, that CD was a âspecialâ item to be sold that holiday season only and is out of print). But a connection was made: the producer of the project, Michael Nelson and Tom enjoyed working together so much that when he was ready to record his own collection of songs, Tom picked up the phone and called on Michael; less than a year later, they were together in the studio arranging, performing and producing the 10 tracks that would become EVERYBODY & THEIR BROTHER.

The record opens with an upbeat ditty, âTears in a Bottleâ. While the vibe is sunny, the subject matter is actually addressing the sadness in the world--the effect is not unlike a sweet & salty snack--but in the end, as in much of his music, hope wins out in the end. âForeverâ is a love song for a savior, opening quietly, not unlike an intimate conversation, and building to a lush, heartfelt climax in which the admirer canât seem to pack enough praise into the lines (âYou are the Way the Truth the Life the Light the Lamp the Key / And when I look into your face I see eternityâ) Fear of stepping out of comfort zones is addressed in âAfraid to Let Goâ. The two main sections within--the slow, pensive intro and the bouncy, rolling chorus--bring Paul McCartneyâs âBand on the Runâ to mind. A Dylanesque harmonica, an acoustic guitar, and an emotionally charged vocal are all that are needed to get the point across in âCleanâ. If you want someone to remember your birthday, write a song with your birth date as the title. Thatâs what Tom did with â11th Day of Mayâ, a power-pop nugget with a driving drum loop groove that almost hides the fact that the author is feeling âJust one step this side of deadâ and wondering âWho is God / Why does he live so far away / Every time I get too close he moves awayâ. (Although this is Christian music, it is refreshingly honest--no glossing over oneâs true feelings here). The albumâs centerpiece, âEvelynâ, is an achingly beautiful piece Tom composed for and about his grandmother, who left this world behind and is now âin a warm and shiny placeâ. The hope of heaven seems to be a thread that winds through much of this songwriterâs material, and perhaps binds his (fragile?) faith together. âNo Responsibilityâ, with a vocal trade-off between Tom and co-writer Gordon Overing (they sang together in a band for many years, have known each other all their lives and are much like brothers⦠just try to tell their voices apart) is their own âGive Peace a Chanceâ. (Also listen for the clever John Lennon/ Beatles reference). The haunting ballad âAll This Troubleâ features a duet with the lovely and talented vocalist Karis Esnough. Producer Michael Nelson penned âMr. Gâ several years ago; Tom liked the song so much he decided to include it on his own record. The lyric originally involved a potential suitor asking a father about his daughter (âHey Mr. G / Does your daughter bite?â). For the song to fit within the framework of EVERYBODY & THEIR BROTHER, Tom re-wrote the lyric; the nervous kid asking a father about his daughter becomes a skeptical seeker questioning God (âHey Mr. G / Is your Son alive?â). The collection closes with âThinking of Youâ, a Norah Jones-ish slow-simmering account of a Christian who wants to tell the people in his life about the Lord, but is never sure how to go about it and/or chickens out (âWhy is it so hard to tell our friends about the only thing thatâs real? / Bringing in the harvest matters more than being coolâ) and sometimes completely blows it, or at least he feels that way (âThe well-meaning lifeguardâs at the bottom of the poolâ).

Raw, honest, emotionally presented, this is a fine first effort by a unique talent. Step inside⦠Everybody and Their Brother is here.

-Harold Heckuba

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Singer/songwriter Tom Hipps has an extensive background in the music industry as a performer, writer, and session vocalist. He has toured the U.S. and Canada with his duo Costello & Hipps, with the bands RITZ and UNSUNG HEROES, and as a solo artist. His songs were featured in the film Staring at Headlights and he has written music for Chicagoâs Second City Theater. Tom was a lead vocalist on the 2002 Target Corporation CD Praise & Worship Christmas and is the recipient of a Billboard Musical Achievement Award.

He released his first solo album, Everybody & Their Brother, in 2002; his follow-up set, the edgy, cool
Then Went the Demons, was released in early 2006.

He is a music worship leader at his home church, The Rock, located in Minneapolis, and continues to perform live shows in the Minneapolis area and beyond. Check www.tomhipps.com for concert dates and more information.


What people are saying:

âTom Hipps has released a great album... a real gem.â
-Peter Waggoner, Patriot II Radio

âI really enjoyed Everybody & Their Brother. A unique sound... it made me keep listening! The songs are solid.â
-Jamie Statema, Go Fish

âTom Hipps has been blessed with both songwriting skills and a voice of undeniable compassion and substance.â
-Loni Overing, ClearChannel Communications

âHis message shines through not only in his smile and personality, but through his music. We always look forward to his next performance.â
-Tara Roeckers, Northwestern Bookstores