In 1993 Aladdin was just another Disney story of a prince and a princess. Sure it was set in the Theocractic Iran, the main characters were part of a Muslim aristocracy, and justice was measured out with the sword. But that didn’t seem to matter back then. Post 9-11 Disney would likely think twice before releasing a blockbuster with all Muslim characters. 

It’s rare to attend a concert where the opening act is so compelling that you wish it were the main event. As James Vincent McMorrow — the opening act — walked off the concert stage, those of us in attendance watched jaws hit the floor in a state of reverent awe. His latest album leaves us just as spellbound.

On Tuesday, we joined forces with SelflessTee for a contest, sponsored by GOOD Magazine and Pepsi Refresh Everything, called One Selfless Act. Many thanks to all who participated. Over the weekend GOOD Magazine will be tabulating the final results. They should be ready to announce an official winner sometime early next week. Stay tuned!

At first hearing, it’s difficult to pinpoint what The Avett Brothers are referring to in their hit song, Head Full of Doubt, Road Full of Promise, when they sing, “There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light.” Their incredibly creative and stunningly beautiful music video may offer some clues.

You can help Recovering Evangelical help Teach for America address the needs of under-served students in Washington D.C. (and help us undo negative perceptions of Christianity in the process). Here’s how: 1) Watch the video, 2) Vote “Recovering Evangelical”, 3) Spread the word!

Sufjan Steven’s Age of Adz presents a schizophrenic vision of life and love. For the past decade his fans have witnessed intimate portraits of his life in the idyllic Midwest; the Age of Adz catapults them from temporal to the cosmic plane on an existential rocket ship.

Studies show that the first kiss is more powerful than the first sexual encounter. According to a post at ABC NEWS.com today: Psychologists report that most people can remember up to 90 percent of the details of their first romantic kiss, a memory that is even more powerful than their first sexual encounter.

It takes a certain madness to attempt to put a literary masterpiece by John Steinbeck into a song. It takes brilliance to capture that story and share it in a compelling poem, put that poem to music, and let it move deeply within the hearts of listeners. Mumford & Sons does it twice in their debut album, Sigh No More.

Earlier this month Randall Wallace delivered the keynote speech at the 59th National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. He is the Oscar-nominated creative force behind the epic storytelling of such critical and box-office hits as BRAVEHEART, WE WERE SOLDIERS and PEARL HARBOR, and this past Fall he brought to life the inspirational excitement of SECRETARIAT.

In honor of her two Grammy nominations — and epic trio performance tonight with Bruno Mars and B.o.B. — we’ll explore the role of death in Monae’s music. The incomparable exuberance and excellence of Monae’s performances are widely acknowledged. Less noticed is that when she her signature black and white tuxedo, she enacts a lament for “all the people that were dying.”