Ahh, Christian music. Brings me back. I used to love dcTalk, they truly paved the way for their genre. "Jesus Freak" is a great album of course, but I prefer "Supernatural." Different kind of music, in fact each song is very different. Cannonball, I love that you posted "Entertaining Angels" by the Newsboys. That is still one of my favorite songs. I honestly don't like much else from the Newsboys. I saw them in concert in 2003 and the Breakfast song was pretty entertaining to see performed live. I don't listen to much "contemporary Christian," because like many other people have alluded to, it seems corny and contrived. The one artist I LOVE is Derek Webb, who to me seems like everything that is RIGHT with spiritual music. There are two outspoken "Christian" bands that encompass 2 of my top 3 favorite artists: Becoming the Archetype and mewithoutYou are amazing, BTA mostly because they are very intense musically, and mewithoutYou because well, everything from the music to the lyrics is amazing. I've seen mwY several times and have met the band, they are some incredible people, do so much for AIDS awareness, hunger funds, and working with the homeless. They pour their heart into their shows and it shows. I would recommend them to anyone, everyone I've recommended them to didn't like them at first because of the vocal style, but quickly fell in love with them after reading the lyrics and understanding the passion in their music. One of the more distinctly original bands out there. Lots of metaphorical lyrics that sound like they belong in a poetry slam. They won an MTVU (college rock/indie) award a couple years ago for "most original band" even though they weren't exactly "new," I thought they deserved to be recognized somehow though. "Nice and Blue, Part 2" <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jnILGJn7y9Q&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jnILGJn7y9Q&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> "January 1979" <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IcQ4TnyCyE0&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IcQ4TnyCyE0&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE, "Endure" <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ou0y503LVSA&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ou0y503LVSA&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
Christian rock is an oxymoron. That's why it doesn't work. It is the brother of Light Rock. Rock is based on the blues. Historically, blues lyrics is about pain and suffering. Rock is rebellion music. It is countercultural, aggressive, sensual and sexual. Why do you the churches hated it for so long? Christianity is about hope and everything being dandy and serene. That's why angels play harps and not Flying V's plugged into a stack of Marshalls.
My favorite band is signed to a Christian label and there are definite spiritual themes in their music. The majority of their lyrics focus on the lead singer's struggle with suicidal thoughts, regret, depression, and his negative feelings toward the church. Christianity is NOT about everything being dandy and serene. Someone can write a song about their real thoughts and the hope they have in God without it being candy-coated.
most music we call christian music isn't put together to be anything more than music played in a worship service. there are different labels and groups out there, however, that don't play to that element.
Wait, your pastor has a blog? Isn't that one of the seven signs of the apocalypse??? This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions. What I mean is Old Testament, real wrath of God type stuff. Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes! Pastors having blogs! The dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... MASS HYSTERIA!!
I like Christian rock. It's very positive. It's not like those real musicians who think they're so cool and hip. They also have complicated shoes.
Newsboys very Savage Gardenesque: <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9m96MtNlMz8&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9m96MtNlMz8&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> Here is one of their all time best songs... "He Reigns" if this song doesn't get you moving inside, nothing will: <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AMT_kAD6cOg&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AMT_kAD6cOg&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
I have no idea. Especially when it's my favorite episode ever and I can pretty much quote the entire episode.
Yes, most Christian rock bands suck. Vapid lyrics, generic music, etc. They are catering to the ultraconservative Christian church/youth. It was shoved down my throat when I went to a baptist church growing up. It's deception, though. Christianity is anything but pretty and serene. None of those bands deal with struggles with faith, depression, anger, adultery. There are great rock bands out there with ultimately spiritual lyrics that receive respect because they don't sugarcoat stuff. Sufjan Stevens is an example of an artist. Worship music is a whole other genre. Pretty positive, but most worship lyrics are taken out of Psalms or have very basic lyrics. Those types of bands that try to branch out and achieve fame as rockers are lame. *cough*DavidCrowder*cough*. It doesn't work. I agree with Meowgi then, I suppose.
I rest my case. It is what it is. Yall can like it all you want be lets just keep it real. Spoiler <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/N9i2fqxSjTI&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/N9i2fqxSjTI&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/22eubaCUNJU&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/22eubaCUNJU&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
each thread starter should have the option of locking their own thread..... I have a feeling this one is about to get derailed like my SunDrop thread