Anthem

An anthem is a musical composition of celebration, usually used as a symbol for a distinct group, particularly the national anthems of countries. Originally, and in music theory and religious contexts, it also refers more particularly to short sacred choral work and still more particularly to a specific form of Anglican church music.

Etymology

Anthem is derived from the Greek ἀντίφωνα (antíphōna) via Old English antefn. Both words originally referred to antiphons, a call-and-response style of singing. The adjectival form is "anthemic".

History

Anthems were originally a form of liturgical music. In the Church of England, the rubric appoints them to follow the third collect at morning and evening prayer. Several anthems are included in the British coronation service. The words are selected from Holy Scripture or in some cases from the Liturgy and the music is generally more elaborate and varied than that of psalm or hymn tunes. Being written for a trained choir rather than the congregation, the Anglican anthem is analogous to the motet of the Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches but represents an essentially English musical form. Anthems may be described as "verse", "full", or "full with verse", depending on whether they are intended for soloists, the full choir, or both.

Anthems (Messengers EP)

Anthems is the first extended play from Messengers. Facedown Records alongside Strike First Records released the EP on November 9, 2010. Messengers worked with Daniel Schmuck, in the production of this album.

Critical reception

Awarding the album two stars from HM Magazine, Matthew Leonard states, "old thrash metal". Christian Cunningham, rating the album a seven out of ten at Cross Rhythms, says, "A fine EP with much to shout about!" Giving the album four stars for Jesus Freak Hideout, Scott Fryberger writes, "Anthems is a well-written EP, and they definitely have potential to improve with time." BMer, awarding the album four stars by Indie Vision Music, describes, "Anthems is going back to the roots of spirit-filled hardcore, potentially filling the void that longtime hardcore fans have been hoping to fill."

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Messengers. 

References

Anthems (Kerry Ellis album)

Anthems is the debut studio album by actress and singer Kerry Ellis which was released on 13 September 2010 by Decca Records. Produced by rock musician Brian May, the album comprises eleven tracks that tap into all the different areas that Ellis had been part of in her professional career between the years 2000 and 2010. Photography for the album's artwork was completed by Paul Rider with design and art direction by Tourist.

The album peaked at number fifteen on the UK Albums Chart and remained on the chart for two weeks. It also produced two singles, "I'm Not that Girl" (with a B-side of "Dangerland") and "Anthem", but both failed to chart on the UK Singles Chart. Despite its limited success on the UK chart, it was received positively by critics and spawned Anthems: The Tour which paired Ellis and May on a tour around Great Britain in the summer of 2011.

Background and development

Rock musician Brian May "talent-spotted" Ellis when she understudied Martine McCutcheon in the musical My Fair Lady. May stated, "From the moment I first heard Kerry sing, I was entranced, and felt the conviction that I would one day make her album. The conviction never left me. The hard thing was to find the right medium to harness that amazing voice – the material and arrangements had to be worthy, and a musical style evolved to capture her unique magic."