Philmont began in 2005 when singer Scott Taube and guitarist Josiah Prince connected after the breakup of their former local outfits. From the start, this new union was marked by equal parts fun and serious commitment to the task at hand.There were long drives home from college every weekend to rehearse, self-booked summer tours to support an ambitious independent release, and then, soon after bassist Justin Sams joined in 2007, a hard-earned gig at alternative Christian music’s ultimate event, the Cornerstone Festival. Taube recalls, “The challenge at Cornerstone is to stand out—bands are everywhere—so we plastered all the Port-O-Johns with 11 x 17 Philmont flyers and got up early every day to make sure they hadn’t been covered up. Then we walked around with a CD player and earphone splitters, giving free bracelets to kids if they’d listen to one of our songs and inviting them to the show.”
That same concert caught the attention of EMI/ForeFront Records (tobyMac), who eagerly signed a deal with Philmont a few months later. With one more tweak to the permanent lineup —drummer Todd Davis joined this past December—it was time to track Oh Snap. Produced by Rob Hawkins (Fireflight, Jackson Waters), the EP set sounds absolutely huge. It’s an intentional move inspired by the members’ expansive mix of influences from Relient K and classical music to bubblegum melodies and ‘90s rock anthems.
“I Can’t Stand to Fall,” the excitable opener and first single, is finely polished chunka-chunka punk accentuated by a bold introduction, layered vocals, and a soft acoustic bridge. The lyrical hook of tear down these walls that separate us now well represents Philmont’s overriding goal to always stay on the same page as God in every facet of life. “It’s really a song to God, asking Him to remove the barriers we put up in this world that distract us from understanding His ways,” Taube says. “We’re proud that the record label picked this as the first song for radio since we completely wrote it ourselves, and it speaks to the core of who we are as a band.”
Philmont’s songwriting angles are often remarkable, even poetic, as on Oh Snap’s clever “My Hippocratic Oath” and “Photosynthetic.” The former parallels a doctor’s promise to always work in the patient’s best interest to God’s offer of salvation. Accompanied by a rapidly pulsating rhythm and escalating melody, the medical motif never lets up, driving the point home: I can save your heart even though it’s destined to fail . . . I guarantee you’ll never make it out alive without me. “The song begins with someone who is very sick, but the good news is they can be easily and completely healed,” explains Taube. “Who wouldn’t say yes to that option? That’s how it is with Jesus. He offers to save us. We just have to enter into that relationship.”
Equally compelling and easy to rock out with is the fist-pumping jam of “Photosynthetic,” a timely and cautionary courtroom tale for Philmont’s student audience wherein a personal MySpace page becomes evidence of what is really inside someone’s heart: Just point and shoot. That’s all you do to help yourself feel free; murder by photography. “You’re always judged for what you put online,” Taube says. “A Christian can kill his credibility with compromising
pictures, swear words used in a blog, and so on. It’s hard to make that stuff go away.”
For all of Philmont’s wordsmithing, guitarist Josiah Prince makes sure the music complements its message and is just as creative with unexpected chord changes, tinkling pianos on “I Can’t Stand to Fall,” a faux horn section on “My Hippocratic Oath,” and intentionally heavy-handed synthesizers on “Photosynthetic.”
“We like to do something unique on every song,” he says. “We have a lot of fun, but we always want the music to be smart and have depths that a listener can uncover over time.” Oh Snap is rounded out by the worshipful “Another Name” (co-written by Justin York and new artist Chris Taylor) and pop-perfect “The Difference” (a co-write with Ben Glover). The latter began with an idea from bassist Justin Sams and takes shape thanks to danceable drumming from Todd Davis. Its theme of anti-complacent Christianity recaps what Philmont feels most passionate about: There’s gotta be a difference. It’s gotta be significant. If You’re really inside
changing my life, You would shine. You would be evident if there’s a difference. “We have a desire to motivate kids in the same way we needed motivating when we were teenagers,” concludes Taube. “People tend to go through the motions instead of going deeper. We want to connect and take them in that direction through an ongoing dialog. That’s what our music and our live shows are all about: audience participation.”
Philmont is now snapping people out of their spiritual complacency on tour across the United States. Just look for the bumper sticker-laden van with a North Carolina tag that says in no uncertain terms “RAWK.” Following the summer 2008 release of its EP, the band will issue a full-length album in early 2009.
www.MySpace.com/PhilmontRock
The Difference
Philmont Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But still I don't know where You're taking me tonight
And I've tried so hard to mix the old life with the new
But there's not in between if I'm gonna follow You
There's gotta be a difference
It's gotta be significant
If You're really inside changing my life
If there's a difference
There's a difference
Here I am, I've got this baggage by my side
But I am ready now to leave it all behind
So I'm taking this moment to tell You I'm open
I'm taking this moment to give You everything
We're not meant to be another face in the crowd
There's gotta be a difference
It's gotta be significant
'Cause You're really inside changing my life
And it's so evident that there's a difference
There's a difference
The lyrics of Philmont's song "The Difference" speak about the importance of change and taking a step towards leaving behind your old life and following a new path. The song talks about the confusion and uncertainty that exists when one tries to merge their old and new lives, but acknowledges that true change can only happen if there is a significant difference. The singer talks about being ready to leave behind their baggage and open themselves up to following God's plan, indicating a spiritual theme throughout the song.
The chorus emphasizes the need for evidence of change, highlighting the importance of not blending in with the crowd and standing out through the difference that has been made in one's life. The lyrics also suggest that the change should not be just for show, but rather a true transformation that can be seen and felt by everyone around the person experiencing it.
Line by Line Meaning
I checked the map to make sure that I got it right
I made sure I understood where I was going before following your lead.
But still I don't know where You're taking me tonight
Even though I'm following you, I'm still unsure of where you're leading me.
And I've tried so hard to mix the old life with the new
I've been trying to reconcile my old ways with the new ones I'm supposed to follow.
But there's not in between if I'm gonna follow You
I can't keep living in between two ways if I'm truly going to follow you.
There's gotta be a difference
I know that following you should result in a clear difference in my life.
It's gotta be significant
The change in my life should be significant if you're really working in me.
If You're really inside changing my life
If you're truly working in me and changing my life.
You would shine, You would be evident
Your presence and work in me would be clearly visible.
Here I am, I've got this baggage by my side
I'm carrying my past mistakes with me, but I'm ready to let them go.
But I am ready now to leave it all behind
I'm ready to move forward and let go of my old ways.
So I'm taking this moment to tell You I'm open
I'm taking this moment to let you know that I'm open to whatever you have for me.
I'm taking this moment to give You everything
I'm giving you my all and surrendering everything to you.
We're not meant to be another face in the crowd
We're not supposed to blend in with everyone else - we should stand out as your followers.
And it's so evident that there's a difference
The change in my life is so clear - there's no mistaking that you're working in me.
There's a difference
I can see the difference you're making in my life.
Contributed by Jayce C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Juliiaan Sanchez
Comprobé el mapa para asegurar que lo tengo
Pero aún no sé dónde me llevas esta noche
Y me he esforzado tanto para mezclar la vieja vida con la nueva
Pero no hay en medio de si voy a seguirte
Tiene que haber una diferencia
Tiene que ser significativa
Si Estás realmente dentro cambiando mi vida
Se podría brillar, Serías evidente
Si hay una diferencia
Hay una diferencia
Aquí estoy, tengo este equipaje a mi lado
Pero estoy listo ahora para dejar todo atrás
Así que me estoy tomando este momento para decirte que estoy abierto
Me estoy tomando este momento para darte todo
No estamos destinados a ser otra cara en la multitud
Tiene que haber una diferencia
Tiene que ser significativa
Porque estás realmente dentro cambiando mi vida
Y es tan evidente que hay una diferencia
Hay una diferencia
h k
I checked the map to make sure that I got it right
But still I don't know where You're taking me tonight
And I've tried so hard to mix the old life with the new
But there's not in between if I'm gonna follow You
There's gotta be a difference
It's gotta be significant
If You're really inside changing my life
You would shine, You would be evident
If there's a difference
There's a difference
Here I am, I've got this baggage by my side
But I am ready now to leave it all behind
So I'm taking this moment to tell You I'm open
I'm taking this moment to give You everything
We're not meant to be another face in the crowd
There's gotta be a difference
It's gotta be significant
'Cause You're really inside changing my life
And it's so evident that there's a difference
There's a difference
Windows Desatendidos
I spend at least 5 years searching for this master piece
Hannah Faith
Tell me about it lol I've just now found this! 😅
Adrian Fernandez
Best album I have ever owned!!!!
Kaitlyn Michelle
I’m so glad you found it
Paxton Berrier
Philmont was the first concert I ever went to. I'm pretty sure I listened to my Attention CD at least 500 times, no joke. I think I still have a signed poster somewhere in my basement...
versnellingspookie
Paxton Berrier thats so cool! i found 'Attention' in a bargain bin somewhere last weekend, im gonna listen to it at least 500 times as well!
Juliiaan Sanchez
Comprobé el mapa para asegurar que lo tengo
Pero aún no sé dónde me llevas esta noche
Y me he esforzado tanto para mezclar la vieja vida con la nueva
Pero no hay en medio de si voy a seguirte
Tiene que haber una diferencia
Tiene que ser significativa
Si Estás realmente dentro cambiando mi vida
Se podría brillar, Serías evidente
Si hay una diferencia
Hay una diferencia
Aquí estoy, tengo este equipaje a mi lado
Pero estoy listo ahora para dejar todo atrás
Así que me estoy tomando este momento para decirte que estoy abierto
Me estoy tomando este momento para darte todo
No estamos destinados a ser otra cara en la multitud
Tiene que haber una diferencia
Tiene que ser significativa
Porque estás realmente dentro cambiando mi vida
Y es tan evidente que hay una diferencia
Hay una diferencia
Tuker Q.
@Juliiaan Sanchez Es la letra de la cancion ¿¿¿ Graciias thank you.
Tinga Chhakchhuak
2020, and still one of the best music video ever
catlover12195
love this song!