The More The Merrier Christmas compilation

It's Christmas! While remembering that Jesus is the focus, there are some things that make the Christmas atmosphere so memorable; decorations that incorporate prickly flora, complete lies about a fat man in a red suit and flying reindeer with luminescent genetic abnormalities, houses with enough lights to warrant the construction of a new coal plant, the Western world's biggest cycle of decadent gift-purchasing, warm, calorie-rich food and drink, totally gnarly sweaters, mildly amusing or drunken Christmas parties (your choice), and the same six carols over and over again.

I tease because I love.

So, the good news is that Indie label The Record Machine has compiled a really terrific Christmas carol album played by the various independent musicians on their label. Amongst those featured are Half-Handed Cloud, Joshu, and Sam Billen. TRM says that Sam Billen (of The Winston Jazz Routine) hand-picked the compilation's artists.
I personally would have loved to see an appearance by Perhapsy and Every Gentle Air, but I'll be okay with his calls.

You can download the album by clicking here. You will enter your e-mail address and the mp3s will be sent to you in a zipped file. If, like me, you are currently without winzip, I strongly recommend the free program IZarc.

You can follow The Record Machine blog via an RSS feed, on twitter, and so on.

Fractured Alphabet Mixtape: ABC

Comprised solely of artists beginning with A's, B's, and C's:

1. The Appleseed Cast - As The Little Things Go
2. Alicia Keys - As I Am [Intro]
3. Arcade Fire - Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)
4. Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone
5. Andrew Bird - See The Enemy
6. Andrew Marcus - Home Of My Soul
7. Capybara - The Wimp
8. Carbon Dating Service - The Flood
9. Andrew Bird - Sectionate City
10. Apples In Stereo - Energy
11. Boards Of Canada - Dayvan Cowboy
12. Bob Dylan - Subterranean Homesick Blues
13. Beirut - Nantes
14. Bon Iver - Blood Bank
15. The Acorn - Flood, Pt. 1
    

Fractured Alphabet Mixtape (Introduction)

The wonderful thing about driving into Vancouver from B.C.'s Fraser Valley region is that one experiences a lovely mix of city and country, speeding (or crawling) down Highway 1. For such an eclectic drive, a similarly slanted mixtape is a welcome accessory. But what to put on such a tape? It's hard to pick so few songs. This necessitates multiple mixtapes. And since there's something magic about the alphabet, I'm going to break the alphabet up like it is on a phone keypad (no, not a full keyboard phone), and create eight fractured alphabet mixtapes. ABC DEF GHI JKL MNO PQRS TUV WXYZ.

What Is Worship?

originally published in Options Magazine, Winter 2009

“In the company of Jesus, there are no experts; only beginners”, Jason Upton sings on a live recording of ‘Between the Graveyard and the Garden’ from his new album On The Rim Of The Visible World. This attitude is one of a humble heart – a soft heart that admits that God is God, and that I do not have everything together. It is a posture of worship. 

In contrast, the church finds itself pressured into ‘professionalism’ in ministry and in worship. Professionalism is not a bad trait, but in the church setting, it can spring from roots of what the Bible calls the ‘fear of man’. “In a nutshell, the fear of man can either be a fear of what others think of us or will do to us, or a craving for approval and a fear of rejection”, writes Carolyn McCulley in her article Whom Do You Fear?

Worship is not quite understood in some common contemporary interpretations. When a congregation is rehearsed into standing to face a particular spot in their building, they can be tempted to devote their attention to practiced musicians onstage and a bright PowerPoint overhead. To an alien, might it look as though the congregation was worshipping their own church?

I had a dream recently that I was in a church and the pastor stood up and announced that it was time to worship. At that moment, the ushers flung the doors open and the congregation poured out into the streets to minister to the homeless in downtown Vancouver. That would be beautiful worship to the Lord.

What is worship? Is it even best represented by music? (I say this as a worshipping musician.) If I allow myself to cling too tightly to a closed definition of what worship is or what it is not, I run the risk of making myself an ‘expert’ on a matter that belongs to God. In fact, arguments and judgments over what ‘styles of worship’ are suitable or unsuitable can divide a church. Might I suggest that there is no particular style of worship at all? Instead, a worshipper exhibits an authentic lifestyle that seeks to please God.

The Lord says this of some: “These people come near to me with their mouths and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men” (Isaiah 29:13, NIV). What of those rules can we recognize in our own life or in our own community? The judgments we make about our worship, or worse, the worship of others, are a dangerous pitfall. That judgment could stem from different roots, but God’s response is the same: “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?” (Romans 14:4, NIV).

Seemingly, God created worship with an “outside the box” approach in mind. Besides singing, dancing, or playing music to God, how else is worship expressed? Surely I worship God when I sit back and recognize his power. He longs for us to “be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) When I humble myself before God and recognize what little I have without him, I honour his wisdom, supremacy, provision, and power!

Worship, too, is trusting God. By trusting his word, I declare that I know him and I know who I am in his kingdom. After learning that his sons, daughters, livestock, and servants have all been brutally killed, the Old Testament prophet Job tore his robe and shaved his head, then fell to the ground in worship. After this, he declared, “naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:20, NIV).

Worship is closely related to our attitude, perspective, and actions. God declares that he detests hypocritical praise, saying, “Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me! When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you. Wash your hands and stop doing wrong. Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow” (Isaiah 1:13-17, NIV). 

Worship is in the practice of reconciliation; 2 Corinthians 5 expresses that we have been given a “ministry of reconciliation”. God loves reconciliation more than the offerings of our mouths.

Worship is a posture we assume before God. “Worship is the only possible response that we can have when we see Jesus for what he truly is,” muses Mark Watt, worship co-ordinator at Tenth Avenue Church in Kitsilano, Vancouver. “After we`ve realised the sheer vastness of everything God has done for us, and how he views us, our only response can be utter awe. After Jesus` resurrection, when he appeared in the room to visit his disciples, I`ll bet that some would have started weeping uncontrollably, and some laughing incredulously. Some were probably whimpering in utter amazement. When you are overwhelmed by Jesus, there`s just a gut response. We know they fell and clasped his feet in worship”.

Deep reflection and prayer for self-awareness may be required to overcome the “rules” we and those around us have constructed around worship. However, once we have realize that worship has little to do with form and everything to do with content (the heart), we`ll become more open to it not always looking as tidy as we once wanted and we`ll worship God the way he wants.

Have You Heard? [Winter 2009]

Jason Upton and The Goodland Band

On The Rim Of The Visible World [2009]

Key of David Ministries

www.ontherimofthevisibleworld.com
 

From its opening notes, On The Rim Of The Visible World is warm, folksy, and rich with heartfelt expression. Including 10 songs recorded at home and 6 recorded live, the album speaks profusely. It develops with more of Upton’s memorable tender and reflective language towards God and others.

In recent interviews, Upton has declared that he was sick of going to studios and just wanted to record his music as a family. This album exudes everything good about the home life and is certainly very hospitable to the ears. For an album recorded at home with kids, it possesses a charmingly ironic serenity, and is replete with love.

On The Rim Of The Visible World is driven by piano, vocals, and jazzy folk rhythms built around the snare drum. Whoops and wails calling out to Christ in celebration intersperse the live performances in similar character to many of Upton’s older albums.

On the album’s website, it gets described as “a musical documentation of songs, friendship and following Jesus. What could be a better environment for such an endeavor than the living room of Jason's house?” Accompanying the tracks of the album are two short essays by Brad Jersak and Alfred Sergel, witnesses to the creative and spirit-filled process behind the album.

With each album and each tour, Jason Upton and the band are becoming increasingly well respected and loved not as “rockstars”, as some have phrased it, but as worship ministers. Their candid worship jam sessions have provided a place of solace and renewal for other musicians. Throwing in quotes from the likes of Søren Kierkegaard alongside heartfelt messages on worship and the power of God, Jason portrays a unique, raw, and balanced view of God with plenty of food for thought for his listeners. 

 
United Pursuit Band

Radiance [2009]

United Pursuit

www.unitedpursuit.com

Producing music out of their home studio on Bank Street in Knoxville, TN, the United Pursuit Band was birthed out of a common desire to seek God and enjoy expressing worship to him through music. More of a collective than a band with a set lineup of musicians, the United Pursuit Band has a large number of members whose involvement is fluid.

The concept behind Radiance is creative and unusual; different members of the band take turns leading and directing particular songs, so the album is highly textured. Each track is stylistically distinct whilst they share commonalities in terms of theme, tone, and instrumentation.

The opening track `Even Now` begins hushed and almost forlorn, before a surreptitious swell, metamorphosing into a truly rocking chorus filled with anthemic lyrics of passionate surrender inspired by God`s goodness.

The message of this album is what unites it. The title says it all: pursuit. Rather, it is a double pursuit; God pursuing us and us pursuing God. Joy and honesty characterize this album. Whether it is in the delicately plucked strings of `Waterfall` or the driving rhythms of `Fill Me Up`, the fact that these kids believe what they`re crying out is tangible.

 

Ohbijou

Ohbijou released a stunningly arranged album entitled "Beacons" this year. Ohbijou showcases the builds, orchestration, and undulating dynamism of art rock greats like Arcade Fire's "Funeral". Singer Casey Mecija, who founded the music project years ago, possesses a silky voice comparable to that of Leigh Nash of Sixpence None The Richer. It is powerfully intriguing even in its most delicate near-whispers on songs like "Make It Gold". The album is very upbeat throughout and yet exhibits hushed strings, keyboards, and percussion, as well as some mellow breaks.

In 2008 Ohbijou released a split 12" record with fellow Canadian indie band The Acorn, on which each band delightfully submitted an original composition as well as a cover of a song by the other band. In 2006, Ohbijou released their debut LP, "Swift Feet For Troubling times".

www.ohbijou.com
Ohbijou on Myspace Music

Mumford And Sons

Mumford & Sons
Sigh No More

Breathtaking folk album from West London. For lovers of folk, as well as those willing to fall in love with a new genre. This album is incredible.

Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons on Myspace Music
Mumford & Sons on Last.fm

Music The Mirror

Originally published in Mars' Hill Newspaper Vol 14 Issue 2

Let us be lovers we’ll marry our fortunes together
I’ve got some real estate here in my bag
So we bought a pack of cigarettes and Mrs. Wagner pies
And we walked off to look for America

These lyrics to Simon and Garfunkel’s immortalised ballad tell of an outlook that would only continue to surge in popularity; to deviate from society’s strictures and find your own way, your own life, your own world.

Whenever the times are a-changin’, music is there to document that change. The incessant mainstream tells its story loudly, hammering images home through noisy repetition. The fringe speaks its own motley commentary; producing some truly beautiful and insightful art recognized by those careful enough to look, while also producing many disastrous gimmicks.

And it shouldn’t surprise you if I were to suggest that music has profound impacts in both the physical and spiritual realms. Music alters moods. Its pulse can calm or agitate our brainwaves. Its lyrics speak words over us that we can believe or refuse. In the Spirit, things are at work here, and the good news is that we have the authority to take it all captive.

Rummaging through an old bookshelf last summer, I chanced upon an intriguing Salem Kirban title: The Devil’s Music. This book made the case that rock ‘n’ roll was unsuitable for any worship music because it was devoid of anything worshipful. It had some good points, but I was not convinced by its poor argument. Satan cannot own a genre because he cannot create. That is one reason why he is spiteful towards us. God is the creator and humans are co-creators as we bear his image. By default, all music belongs to God unless humans allow Satan to twist it. Now, of course that has happened. Listen. Watch. Regard broken and ugly things like anger, jealousy, disrespect, violence and addiction glorified in music media. Music Television may be the biggest testament of a world in need of a saviour.

Yet, God never said to sit back and watch the world go to hell. After all, he didn’t give us a spirit of power for nothing. He set before us a mission which is daunting, but “not greater than we can bear” with Christ. That mission is to “bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1). Let me suggest that before we run off on any mission to save the world, the mission begins with worship.

Worship is what humankind was created to do. However we live our life, we esteem something. We worship a sports team or the cutie down the street. We worship what we dedicate our time to; we worship our own comfort. Or we worship God and allow him to change us through and through. This does not mean stocking my iPod with “Christian” music – though I have found some really great stuff out there – instead it means repenting of giving credit to a world that has forsaken the One it needs most. Worship means honouring him with my time, my words, and my actions. It means consulting him about the little things. It means choosing to be defined by what He says about me and not what I am led to believe by any other source. When I have the faith to take God at his word, only then will I wait with expectation and see God perform the change in my external circumstance. Only then will I witness the changed world that I long for music to document.

Have You Heard? [Fall 2009]

Musicians proclaim God’s kingdom with urgency

Originally published in Options Magazine

Fresh I.E.: Out Tha Oven, Red Sea Records
‘Fresh In Eternity’ (aka Rob Wilson) has an inspirational story: a turnaround from a life of drugs and violence on the street, to learning how to love and serve. Fresh I.E. shares a vision of freedom for others who have chosen – or who have become trapped in – a cycle of vicious negativity.
Out Tha Oven contains a clear biblical message of liberation. The music honestly revisits Fresh’s own criminal history – and his departure from it, with God’s help. Some tracks may leave seasoned hip-hop listeners unsatisfied, but it is largely excellent material.
Fresh’s creativity and confidence as an emcee continues to rise; definite progress has been made since his first release. Repetition is rare, and each track is a new sonic experience. Fresh I.E. brings in an eclectic variety of styles and samples, and completes the sound with a range of guest vocalists.
freshmusic.ca

Amanda Falk: Beautiful, Avante Records
Nominated in 2008 for a Juno Award for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year, Beautiful is another big step forward in Amanda Falk`s vision of a generation of young women.
She promotes the concept that their beauty is found in their inner spirit and derived from their identity in God – rather than outward appearance, or in material things.
Normalizing experiences of hurt, grief and confusion for her listeners with songs like ‘Fragile’ and ‘We All Cry,’ Falk guides her listeners through messages of comfort and healing in ‘Love Like You’ and ‘Beautiful.’
This is an upbeat album that displays Amanda`s growth as a songwriter – and a person with purpose.
amandafalk.com

Misty Edwards: Relentless, Forerunner Music
Relentless stems from an awareness of God’s majesty and a continual marvelling at it. The album is a testament to the discovery of God’s presence and glory, his pursuit of the lost, and his unrelenting love for his followers.
Musically atmospheric, the CD surrounds the listener with a careful arrangement of reverberating guitars. The vocals are as unrelenting as the CD title suggests.
Opening track ‘Finally I Surrender’ is Edwards’ invitation to her listeners to join her right from the outset ­– to lay down their lives, to recognize their creator and re-creator.
Halving the album is ‘People Get Ready,’ a metamorphosing 11-minute ballad emulating biblical prophecies of Jesus’ second coming ­– and presenting them afresh for a modern audience in a post-Christian milieu.
With its genuine, powerful and spirit-filled worship, Relentless is nothing less than an inspiring album – fit for meditation, as well as fervent praise and worship.
mistyedwards.com

John Mark McMillan: The Medicine
Like its predecessor, The Song Inside the Sounds of Breaking Down, this CD offers a fresh take on Christian music. Mainstream music can learn a lesson from the nuanced lyrics on The Medicine – whose honesty and authenticity make their power seem effortless.
McMillan has written about the pressure on burgeoning artists who have spent years honing their first album – only to release a premature sophomore record, and sell themselves short.
His awareness has borne fruit: The Medicine continues to draw on the power of simple and true messages, like songs on his first CD; but this album is a step up on multiple levels. It is filled with stunners like ‘Death In His Grave’ which talks of Jesus’ reversal of sin and death; ‘Skeleton Bones,’ a call to worship; and ‘Dress Us Up,’ which is a celebration of transformation.
Like the first CD, The Medicine showcases both wailing blues-rock and gentler folk. Poetic and inspirational, the music demonstrates awe toward the divine.
thejohnmark.com

Brock Human: Let Me In
Returning to the U.S. from a trip with Iris Ministries in Mozambique, and intending to record an album, Brock Human experienced a puzzling fall into depression, and a complete creative block for several weeks.
He desperately prayed for God to be real, to be more than an idea. God gave him the reassurance he needed in a dream, telling him to proceed with his blessing.
Brock writes: “In six days, he showed me greater love than I could have imagined.” Within a week after the dream, six songs were completed – and the album was finished.
The first two songs, ‘Come Away’ and ‘Let Me In,’ are composed of simple, profound statements of faith and truth, set against the backdrop of sweeping guitars, rich piano, and pulsing African drumbeats. The middle tracks are an affirmation of God’s good plans for each life, and a commitment to wait on the Lord. The album closes with a sung Apostles’ Creed, and an instrumental progression.
Let Me In is a flowing album, filled with the real inspiration of a real God.
brockhuman.com

Jeremy Enigk OK Bear CD Release Party

Nuemo's, Seattle, WA
14th May, 2009

Late of Camera
Mind Idea
April Storm
River to Sea
Same Side Imaginary
Canons
Carnival
Shade and the Black Hat
Lewis Hollow
Abegail Anne
Guitar and Video Games
Explain

Have You Heard? [Summer 2009]

originally published in Options Magazine

Breaking The Fourth Wall (myspace.com/btfw)Experimental/Punk from Montreal, QC
Breaking the Fourth Wall experiences success in infusing a message of liberation into an emblematically relentless sound. Recently adopted by several musical instrument lines, they toured for most of March – and are preparing to put out a new EP. Personable and fan-oriented, they make time for hangouts in their touring schedule. Garnering press and gathering crowds, Breaking The Fourth Wall is moving on to new heights – with their fans alongside them.

Shad (shadk.com) Hip-Hop from London, ON
Shadrach Kabango burst onto the hip-hop scene when he won a radio competition – allowing him to record his 2005 debut, When This is Over. His second release, The Old Prince, has garnered rave reviews across Canada. Shad has been hailed as Canada’s best rapper. What stands out is his lyrical authenticity and versatile musicality; Shad plays piano and bass, and his guitar-accompanied freestyles have become a staple at concerts. His live performances are as genuine and affable as his lyrics.

mewithoutYou (mewithoutyou.com)Post-Hardcore from Philadelphia, PA
With a new album in the works for the summer, mewithoutYou exhibits a creative musical style involving powerful rhythms, overdriven guitars, chiming harps, woodwinds and an unconventional mixture of sung, spoken and wailed vocals. They stand at the crossroads of independence and mainstream acceptance. Signed to Tooth & Nail, their rise to popularity in the indie circuit comes with a grain of controversy as they attract a diversity of fans. It is impossible to overlook the rich spiritual imagery in their music – and yet, their musical integrity alone is enough to attract any music fan, regardless of their beliefs.

Jacob Moon (jacobmoon.com)Folk-Rock from Hamilton, ON
His good looks, breathtaking tenor, and masterful guitar technique cause the listener to wonder why Jacob Moon is not more critically acclaimed. But he has always preferred the grassroots approach – although he is no stranger to folk music awards. A steadfast supporter of social justice initiatives, Jacob regularly puts his talents to work at benefit concerts for the likes of International Justice Mission and Compassion Canada.

Maclean (myspace.com/macleanband)Alternative Rock from Vancouver, BC
Maclean play an ambient, melodious alternative rock with a progressive edge. They achieved local acclaim with their album Hang This on Your Wall. With this year’s release, Talker – and its promotional tour – they demonstrate heightened sophistication and harmonious live performances, accompanied by some clear fan favourites.

Kassie Tyers (myspace.com/kassietyers)Acoustic/Folk from Sudbury, ON
Kassie sees her music as ministry to the hurts of feminine youth. Her folk-inspired, contemporary laments are true to biblical form, ending not with despair but with hope – a beautiful reflection of healing and restoration in Christ.

Life Support (lifesupportmusic.com) Rock/Worship Arts from Antigonish, NS
With echoes of Switchfoot, Delirious? and Hillsong United, Life Support’s history has been an ongoing mission of inspired worship arts. Beginning with a group of friends at St. Francis Xavier University, who were seeking to transform the atmosphere at their school through worship, we fast forward to 2009 – with a JUNO and an ECMA nomination. Life Support’s summer this year will include festivals and a cross-Canada tour.

It’s (not) hip to be yourself

Independence and assimilation in modern music
originally published in Mars' Hill Volume 13 Issue 7 Arts & Culture

History seems to be a series of revolutions and counter-revolutions; the ship of vibrant human culture rocking back and forth from one extreme to the next. Running around on deck: the artists, the writers and the activists. Mid-ship, in its cabin, lies the mainstream, comfy-cozy in its bunk, slightly moved by the to and fro but never completely confronted as it greedily assimilates bits and pieces of comparatively radical art and thought to construct the glamorous eclectic.

The age-old question of the chicken and the egg can be put into different terms: does art reflect culture, or does culture follow art? Through careful exegesis, many Trinity Western University scholars argue that the chicken did indeed come first, but to the enlightened radical, the answer is simply “yes.”

In music, in the West, originality is fundamental, and that requires a measure of independence. As the 20th century progressed and music labels began to exert more and more power over the lyrical and musical content of their signed bands, serious musicians began to realize what was happening: art and commerce were a deceptively attractive alliance with crippling ramifications for artistic liberty. Some bands like Radiohead and Weezer got on the popularity wagon before it began to steamroll creativity and bold speech, and these bands began to sabotage it from the inside with facetious satire (do you hear the sarcasm in Weezer’s “Pork and Beans”?)

The prevalence of commerce in today’s art creates a plethora of mediocrity. Bob Dylan is emulated but not surpassed. Why? Not because musicians lack creativity or boldness but because these qualities are stifled by an industry that applies formulas and parameters to art – the very thing that is able to critique the formulaic and the systematic. Tupac is subsumed by Timbaland and Soulja Boy who speak about the things he once lambasted. Artists leave the mainstream in search of independence. Successful ones like Dave Matthews start their own label. Indie is born, but not under that title or any title. Just as we give names like “Eskimo” or “Indian” to people who do not call themselves that, the title “indie” likely arrived once the executives (“the suits”) found out that the richest, most integral art was being produced in the underground, and that this brilliant art could be capitalized upon. The fact that being 'indie' was hip was because it was a political statement. What you call yourself isn't just about what you are, it's about what you're not.

But independence is again assimilated, and we’re back at square one.

'Indie' is not a particular sound, unless it is a liberty bell sounding out artistic freedom. The modern music business with its overabundance of half-baked artists relying on advertising and auto-tune to keep them in the public eye saturates people in a haze of messages and hinders them from distinguishing more profound content. The mainstream, as it currently functions, will not allow another Bob Dylan or another Tupac – certainly not a person who embodies a message like they did. As a musician seeking inspiration, my experience advises you to look elsewhere.

(Fun fact: Portland, Oregon, is known as the indie capitol of the world. The Pacific Northwest seems to encourage artistic vibrancy outside of conventions.)

Music A to Z's

Inspired by Paste Magazine's official Indie Rock Alphabet Book, here is an A-Z:

A is for Apple, Fiona's her name,
B is for Beirut, rambling drunk through Spain.
C means Cat Power; Bob Dylan fans like her too,
D's the The Dandy Warhols, Bohemian just like you.
E stands for Extol, a Norwegian Christian metal band,
F is for the Flaming Lips, bizarrest in the land.
G could be Godspeed You! but it might just be Guess Who?
H is not for Hanson, because they're terrible. That one won't even rhyme.
I is for Iain Cook, the local Hawaiian/South African kind,
J's for Jeremy Enigk, who penned my favourite line.
K means Kaki King, who writes with sweet harmonics,
L stands for Ladytron, who use sweet electronics.
M is for Maclean, who play the Langley Vineyard soon,
N are the National; Jordan Hughes gave me their tunes.
O will be of Montreal, with all their sexy glam,
P stands for Phoenix, another of which Jordan's a fan.
Q will always be Q and not U,
R will always begin "adiohead" for me.
S gets you Sufjan, who's so creative I don't even know where to begin,
T is for Thrice, or maybe Tegan (and Sara) Quinn.
U will stand for Underoath, though scene kids make me cry,
V will be the Velvet Teen, they're hard to classify.
W stands for the Weakerthans on the Reconstruction site,
X is for Xavier Rudd, Xiu Xiu, and XTC, right.
Y could be for Yeasayer but I really like Yael Naim, and
Z ends us off with Zero 7, I hope you've liked what you've seen.