Pocket Full of Rocks released their long awaited new project, More Than Noise on March 2, 2010. Featuring the rising single, “Alive,” More Than Noise was produced by Dove Award-winning producer Ed Cash. The new album also includes a recording of “Let It Rain,” a worship standard in the contemporary church, written by front man Michael Farren and made popular by Michael W. Smith.

The lead single, “Alive,” instantly engages with its message of living loudly for the One who gives us life. Co-written with Delirious’ Stu G, the song opens with a passionate and intense vocal over the guitar groove of Ryan Riggins. Jody Crump (bass) and David Rollins (drums) provide the driving foundation. While firmly planted in a rock vein, it fits seamlessly within the framework of the record, and provides a stellar first glimpse of what's to come from Pocket Full Of Rocks.

I got the chance to interview Michael Farren about “Alive.” You can listen to our entire interview here.

Please tell me the personal story behind writing this song.

We wrote over 50 songs for the new album and it became pretty apparent that “Alive” was going to be on the album. I wrote the melody of the song while I was on the swing on my front porch. I met up with Stu G and we worked together to finish writing the song. The simple story is that I grew up as a preacher’s kid and was raised in church and Christian school, yet I was 17 years old before I came to know Jesus personally. God isn’t concerned with how religious we are, but how we know Him and say yes to Him. So, my salvation moment and my relationship with the King of Kings is astounding and makes me want to praise Him.

Please tell me about any Bible verses that you used to write the song? Any life verse?

Ephesians 2:4-5: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-—it is by grace you have been saved.

My life verse is Zephaniah 3:17: The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

What do you consider to be the takeaway message for listeners?

In the last year it’s become more evident to me that you can walk into a room, sing the songs on the screen and lift your hands. If you can walk out and not be transformed or not see the world around you transformed, then that wasn’t worship. Real worship comes with change, both in you, and the world around you. If you encounter a real God in a real setting of worship, you can’t leave the same.

Here are the lyrics:

There was a time I was dead inside.
You'd call my name and I'd try to hide.
My heart was dark and so full of shame,
Full of shame.
But like the dawning of a brand new day
Your love has chased my shame away.
How amazing, now to hear You singing over me!
Over me!

Loudly, I sing
Loudly, I live
Giving You all I have to give,
Until the world knows the Love that's made me so alive
I'm alive, I'm alive!

Well, every day I find Your mercy new.
And every moment that I spend with You
I am overwhelmed by Grace I can't keep to myself!
To myself!

Loudly, I sing
Loudly, I live
Giving You all I have to give,
Until the world knows the Love that's made me so alive
I'm alive, I'm alive!

Loudly, I sing
Loudly, I live
Giving You all I have to give,
Until the world knows the Love that's made me so alive
I'm alive, I'm alive!

Out of my sorrow, out of my night,
You called me into Glorious Light.
Where all of the lost, lonely and broken
Find Your Light.
Shine Your Light.

Loudly, I sing
Loudly, I live
Giving You all I have to give,
Until the world knows the Love that's made me so alive
I'm alive

Loudly, I sing
Loudly, I live
Giving You all I have to give,
Until the world knows the Love that's made me so alive
I'm alive, I'm alive! Yeah,
I'm alive, I'm alive, yeah!

He is risen! The lyrics say it all. We were dead in our trespasses and sins, and He makes us alive. The same as Michael Farren, my wife Jennifer’s life verse Zephaniah 3:17 which is very moving. The thought that God rejoices over us with singing is incredible and He is worthy of all of our praise and devotion. We were dead in our sins and by grace we were saved and made alive in Christ! We just celebrated Resurrection Day and this song is also my cry that “Loudly, I sing Loudly, I live, Giving You all I have to give, Until the world knows the Love that's made me so alive, I'm alive!”