There is a problem with Christian Rock. It’s the problem that makes your modern post-Christian – that is to say, your average American – laugh when it comes on the radio, and then switch the dial. It’s the problem that makes so many Christians, particularly those of the liturgical denominations, laugh as loud, if not harder. It’s the problem that makes music-lovers annoyed at the sound of it, saintly friends vaguely offended by it, the problem that causes musicians to grimace when it is turned up, and – most importantly – the problem that devalues Christianity in the eyes of the world. It’s also, by way of example, the problem with Jeremy Camp.
To begin my 99 Theses, most Christian rock is imitation. ‘Jesus Saves’ – and just about every song you hear on Christian radio – follows to the last, sickly sweet, catchy detail the Pop-music template. It’s essentially a bad Pop song with lyrics about Jesus, complete with the Verse/Pre-Chorus/Chorus/Verse/Pre-Chorus/Second Chorus/Bridge/Quiet Chorus, sshhhh/OK WE’RE BACK AT THE LAST CHORUS OMG standard, the 4-chord refrain, the kick drum hammering out every beat during the chorus (just like Lady Gaga!); everything. This imitation is nothing new, in fact it could be well argued that Christian Rock was founded on a culture of imitation. One of first recognized Christian Rock albums is entitled “Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?”, which rather neatly sums up the first part of the problem; Why Are Christians Still Imitating the World? Think on this: If worship is our response to God’s grace, why are we satisfied with so banal a response? Now, this is not to say that you might not have liked the song above. Sure, why not? But this I guarantee: You like it as a Pop song. You probably like it in the same way you liked The Fray’s Cable Car, great, fun to come back to, but after a couple listening’s on the radio, well we’re done, give me something new. Why is it that when we turn our eyes to God we end up writing the same structure and sound as when Katy Perry lifts her eyes to…well, whatever she’s lifting her eyes to? Scratch that, Perry is more original.
The problem is exacerbated by Christian radio, who takes it upon itself to choose the weakest, broadest, most watered-down, mass-appealing songs, just like – wait for it – Pop Music Stations. Pop Music Stations? If we’re going to imitate the culture, why must imitate the worst parts of it? Pop Music Stations are owned, by and large, by the massive, monopolist media company ‘Clear Channel’, practically solely responsible for the 15 song rotating playlist, “profit” artists like Ke$ha, the general tasty awfulness of modern music, and should be damned and hanged. If there is still The Man left in the world, Clear Channel is him, and Christian radio has sold out to the Man. How else do you explain the otherwise excellent Matt Maher’s new song, if not as an attempt to sell? How else do you explain that no one has heard of Future of Forestry? (click on that link, you’ll thank me forever.)
Secondly, Christian Rock artists seem to think that singing about Jesus compensates for bad songwriting.
What we rarely get:
How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
What we get all the time:
Ooh, ooh, you know it’s gonna be alright
Ooh, ooh, you know it’s gonna be alright
There’s a love much stronger than everything that holds you down right now
Sayin’, ooh, ooh, you know it’s gonna be alright
I’m not joking, that’s MercyMe. Not that they’ve never written a better song, but still. If you’re a songwriter, you have a duty to write brilliantly. If it is your craft, do not settle for mediocrity. If you are writing about God, don’t settle for less than the very deepest poetry of your soul.
Imagine, for an instant, that you’re writing a song for a girl you love, a girl you want to marry (or a guy, as the case may be). Would it be fine and dandy to write all your songs with an “I love you so much, your love feels so good, I’m really grateful that you love me, it’s so amazing that you love me” approach? Would you rhyme “the way she walks” with “the way she talks” all the time? Alright, that wouldn’t be completely miserable, but it’s the most macroscopic view you could take of the subject. You’re not singing about your girl, about what she – as a person, as your lover – speaks to your heart, about your insecurities, your doubts, your fears, your hopes, no. You’re singing about General Girl and General Love. Eventually, you’re gonna have to mention that you love her blue eyes, her pretty, short blonde hair, and her incredible sense of humor, or else she’ll leave you for a man who does. But somehow, when we’re singing about the Lover of Lovers, the Prince of Peace and the Lord of Lords, we think we can get away with singing “Jesus Saves”, “Our God Reigns” and rhyming “grace” with “face” all the time. Now God won’t leave you, but any human who appreciates the poetry of music will. And that’s a lot of people.
Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, the problem with Christian Rock is its lack of authenticity. I truly believe that if we are responding to God’s grace by way of art, that art will be fantastic. Christian rock – or Christian rock that gets played – is not fantastic. It’s interesting to note where the authentic music is. It’s with Mumford and Sons.
It’s with bands who aren’t even defined as being Christian. And why should they be? This cuts to the root of it all, what does it mean to be Christian? To bear Christ. So what should Christian music sound like? Anything. Anything incredible. Anything beautiful, that glorifies God, whether it sings ‘Jesus Saves’ during the chorus or not, whether it’s a cello concerto or an a capella choir or Switchfoot screaming their guts out on stage and getting accused of being on drugs for acting so wild. Beauty glorifies God, and while the world will immediately shut down upon hearing “Jesus died for your sins” sung to some hokey 4 chords, the world will never stop responding to beauty. Wouldn’t it be incredible if Catholics could lead a Renaissance into beauty? Wouldn’t it be a beautiful thing if it was the Church that saved Christian Rock, gave it depth and poetry, authenticity and beauty? Oh wait…we are.
This is the kind of topic that needs a blog, not a blog post, but I don’t mind coming back to it. I wrote about it from a more positive angle here. Part Two of this discussion can be found right here.
97 thoughts on “The Problem With Christian Rock”
This is one of the reasons why I like Relient K. Yeah, they’re punk-pop, but they’re Christian without always seeming it. Their songs have some pretty poetic stuff, and although some of their music is standard pop, they do have some more brilliant music, even when it’s specifically about Jesus. They come from a protestant background, so in that way, their “theology” isn’t always spot on, but they sing with passion as well as fun, beauty and poetry.
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You’re writing about the lowest common denominator in Christian music…much like the media might when trying to disparage a whole genre. There are dozens of Christian rock/hard rock/rap-rock/punk/heavy medal etc. bands and other artists that deserve a far better critique than the broad brush you just painted.
The fact is that what you just wrote could be applied to all popular (read: marketed for sales by big business) music and musical genres. Christian rock, as you’ve described it, is just another victim of the business’ inability to market a good product, not the lack of good artists. The key music purchasing demographic has doubled in size in the last decade, but sales have actually halved. Christian rock may have become a victim of this marketing failure prior to other genres simply due to lack of many Christians in the business’ mainstream. I don’t know, but again, there are tons of great Christian rock artists out there, and this type of critique simply perpetuates the myth that there aren’t.
DJ|AMDG
you’re right, it is part of a large musical crapification going on, namely the artist-for-profit mentality that moves good music out of the mainstream. But how is that in the secular music world great bands can make it mainstream, and even break on the radio, if only for a little while (see M&S, Paul Simon, Adele, Foster The People etc.) but in the Christian music scene, you only ever here the bad stuff and have to search for the good stuff. I don’t believe there’s no good Christian rock, hence my link to Future of Forestry and Audrey Assad. I do believe that a large percentage of Christian rock is formulaic and that’s all that gets played on the radio, and thus is all that’s ever associated with Christian music.
Here’s an idea: screw Christian music, let’s have more Christians making music. Seems to be what Mumford and Sons did, and look what happened.
Oh, amen! I would add what my husband’s criticism of Christian rock always is. Rock is fundamentally, at it’s deepest level, an expression of rebellion. Christianity is not rebellion; it is acceptance, submission, obedience. The very idea of “Christian rock” is absurd precisely because it tries to force together to antithetical spirits. I think that’s why it so often sucks so badly. And I have never heard any Christian rock artists who even deserve the name “artist.” Certainly none in existence can hold the slightest of candles to Mumford and Sons. Fantastic post as usual, Marc.
“Rock is fundamentally, at it’s deepest level, an expression of rebellion.” Really? Do you know the history of rock ‘n’ roll? I’m not talking trash like The Rolling Stones or KISS. The innovators of rock ‘n’ roll came from a country music background, a genre I’d hardly call rebellious. Bill Haley was a country yodeler at one point. The music of Hank Williams was a huge influence on rock music. I would hardly call Hank Williams rebellious nor would I call Jimmie Rodgers rebellious, another country artist who influenced the genre.
I would hardly call KISS innovators. The Stones played Blues covers, not country.
Are you high? Playing black music, which became rock and roll, was hella rebellion.
I think, if you really look at Christianity at a fundamental level, it is also rebellion against social norms and human masters, ne? I agree it gets very very covered up in our churches and that’s something we need to fix. But to me it seems that the submission to God enables one to truly rebel against human hierarchies and structures. The problem comes when we start believing that the way to God is primarily through these human hierarchies.
Also wanted to leave an anecdote about Madeleine L’Engle here, it seems applicable to music also; “Not long ago a college senior asked if she could talk to me about being a Christian writer. If she wanted to write Christian fiction, how was she to go about it? I told her that if she is truly and deeply a Christian, what she writes is going to be Christian, whether she mentions Jesus or not. And if she is not, in the most profound sense, Christian, then what she writes is not going to be Christian, no matter how many times she invokes the name of the Lord.”
Ahem. Two, not to. Jeez.
We like Army of Me and Mike Mangione. I’m looking forward to checking out the other artists mentioned in your post.
Try this: http://joshgarrels.bandcamp.com/
The whole album can be downloaded free as well!
The problem with Christian rock is that, as a genre, it just stinks. Plain and simple. I have yet to hear a “Christian” pop or rock song that wasn’t embarrassingly trite from beginning to end, nothing more than “a bad Pop song with lyrics about Jesus”. And bad lyrics at that.That includes the, ahem, “excellent” Matt Maher. I am waiting to be proven wrong.
Waterdeep defies this thankfully. That is all.
Geo, you should check out Future of Forestry, they’re amazing!
I agree with you, Marc. I don’t care if it’s music, movies, TV shows or youth ministry – you can’t compete with MTV on their turf because they INVENTED that type of cool. We need to use what we have that mainstream music (etc.) doesn’t – tradition, beauty, wisdom, creativity, virtue. We can’t win at their game; it’s time to start our own.
my son can play, likes hard non-Christian rock. i love almost all but dirty hip hop. Liturgical music…been thru and now back to oldies pre-Vatican 2 altar boy days. most muse-ic is in-Spired. kreeft knows there’s heaven by hearing “Palestrina,” Pope Benedict points out “symphonia” is the greek when Jesus says “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” Matt 18,20.
what the greeks called muse is the Spirit native americans and all creature cultures recognize. discernment of good and evil is neccessary, but we don’t have to be Pharisees or Puritans.
secular music can be unwittingly expressing in-Spiration Hoobastank – The Reason http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZADpco6Zn9I
Christian rock is indeed an imitation. If I want Oasis, I am not going to want to hear an Oasis sound alike band throwing in the name of Jesus and sappy lyrics. That being said, there are many regular rock bands out there who do much better Christian songs without trying to fall in the Christian Rock genre. U2, the Alarm, Simple Minds, Big Country, Belle & Sebastian, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Byrds (their Sweetheart of the Rodeo album), Dion, Bob Dylan, Oasis, Echo & the Bunnymen, Nick Cave, etc. Even the Sex Pistols have written an anti-abortion song (Bodies) that is hard to match – it is ugly and gritty, like abortion. The lyrics of these performers are much more poetic and not stuck with those bumper sticker slogans for chorus’. Face it, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For and Knockin on Heavens Door are difficult to match. Now I am not saying that these performers are consistently good Christians (though some of them are) or practicing Christians at all. However, they have many beautiful pearls to offer. Pieces of Truth can be found in the most unlikely places – not the complete picture of Truth, but pieces of it.
I agree that worship music, especially music played on the radio station KLOVE is so cookie-cutter. I was just talking about this today with a friend (who appreciates good music). I just get so bored with the music they play. There are a few gems that are played, but most of it is so terrible in quality. Also, I’ve been saying this about Mumford & Sons for SOOOO long. Their music is so beautiful and it often makes me think of the beauty of life, love, and God. Fantastic music.
I don’t know if I completely agree with this article. I mean, almost every form of music has some kind of “template” that it follows- even chant! Because of the predictable nature of the structure to the music, it makes it easy to sing along too. And get stuck in your head. And then the words get stuck in your head, which means scripture gets stuck in your head, and God can speak to your heart.
I know that “Christian Rock” isn’t Mozart, or even lives up to artistry you may hear on secular radio. I used to cringe every time I listened to it. But one thing I did notice when I listened to it is that I had more peacefulness in my mind and soul that I can’t get from listening to the radio otherwise. I think this is because even if it isn’t the greatest, it’s still sung with heart, and still a positive, prayerful message. So I forced myself only to listen to Christian radio stations, and you know what? It grew on me!
On another note, I think our culture a whole needs to be “cultured” again. I think as a whole we’ve forgotten what true beauty looks like/sounds like, and with our attention spans of a fly these days, can’t even sit down to listen to beautiful music! So if the Church starts a movement to bring that back, that would be awesome! But I don’t think we should just chuck the Christian rock, because I do think it does good.
I kind of agree that some of the music put out by artists who write about Jesus just isn’t that good. But if someone who likes rock, rock of the pop sort, also is a follower of Jesus, why can’t they write about Jesus in their rock pop songs if they want to? I don’t really think it’s anybody’s business to tell musicians of any genre whatsoever that it’s a bad idea to write about Jesus in their particular genre that they like,
About the ‘Turn Around’ song. I don’t like his country sounding stuff so much, but country music is a respectable genre, so i really don’t see any reason to criticize Matt’s recent song, just because of the sound. The lyrics really aren’t bad, and the sound is a bit country pop sounding, but what’s wrong with country pop. If you are accusing him of sounding like pop, then you aren’t’ accusing him of anything he wouldn’t accept- he would consider himself a pop artist (but so do a lot of other amazing artists, so who cares, really). And, not sure how this relates to internet blogging, but I really don’t see why you need to bring up particular artists and songs and criticize them, a pretty uncharitable thing for a Christian to be doing. I’m not sure how that builds up anybody or helps anyone, really.
If your point is merely that some of the people who talk about Jesus in their lyrics just aren’t making music that is really beautiful, then I agree. But, if you’re criticizing talking about Jesus when writing music in a particular genre (punk pop emo, for example), then I think you’re wrong.
Anyway, this is why there are certain musical styles that are set apart for the sacred, like chant and hymns and such.
I’m a Catholic, and don’t believe that hymns or contemporary worship (as much as I love them) even belong in the Mass because they don’t fit the timelessness and set apart-ness (at least in musical style) of the Holy Sacrifice. They bring in elements that are not exclusively religious, as good and beautiful as those elements may be. Also, the new GIRM adaptations (the fourth option of GIRM 48 in particular), basically says that hymns and other contemporary praise and worship hymns are no longer permitted in Mass (or rather, by omission, they leave out permission for such songs).
Cheers,
Mark
I think that this might be the elephant in the room throughout this whole post:
http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/2011/09/orbis-factor-kyrie-with-feeling.html
Great post. I found myself thinking the entire time, “but what about Audrey Assad!” — and then you go and throw that link in at the end. Beautiful!
I see the trouble as a performance mentality.
A concert is different from praying at Mass. A choir with a performance attitude at Mass might be musically proficient, but it is not the same as singing from the heart. Does your heart break open? A good concert might be composed of really good music or lousy music that’s been well promoted by Clear Channel. A good Mass might have lousy music or no music at all, but the Holy Spirit comes — it is the Holy Spirit that pours out the grace at Mass.
To me, that is how you get this lousy music. I visit protestant congregations frequently, and many of them actually approve and promote a performance attitude. My wife likes one place where they have a “praise team” up on the stage that sings well but you cannot really tell because the sound system is overdriven, distorting the speaker performance to the point that a dog would start howling but you’d have to hold onto that dog with a stout leash because its first instinct would be to run away. You cannot hear yourself sing, only the guy with the microphone, and his output is distorted. But it would be a good concert, I guess.
I’m pretty sure bad Christian rock is only the latest example of Christians trying to imitate/incorporate the world’s musical style into its worship. Where would we be without Orthodox chant, based on the music of the Byzantine imperial courts, or Lutheran hymnody, put to the melodies of bawdy bar music? As Christians we celebrate Incarnation– because God took on a messy, and sometimes very awkward human form, we believe that our faith, too, can/does inhabit our cultural styles and forms. This process isn’t always a perfect one; we don’t always get Handel’s oratorios, or Bach’s requiems, but we do get a very human,and I believe God-glorifying, attempt to bring faith to bear on the realities of life. God somehow becomes a transformative part of the commonplace, and even trite, things in life, renewing them by the power of the Gospel and giving them a meaning beyond this world. Yes, our attempts to be a part of this process sometimes sound dumb, and artificial, and stale, but the Christian urge to incorporate Gospel values into worldly forms is as old as our faith itself. Thankfully, the forms don’t always stick around, but the faith remains true in whatever incarnational form it takes on.
Thank you for this! 🙂 🙂
(And bawdy bar music? Really? Wouldn’t’ve thought it of the Lutherans :P)
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While I agree that not all Christian rock is musically brilliant, this statement is just plain silly (not to mention a trifle snobbish):
“Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, the problem with Christian Rock is its lack of authenticity. I truly believe that if we are responding to God’s grace by way of art, that art will be fantastic.”
If this were true, the new Mass translation would sound more like poetry and less like a legal document masquerading as poetry.
I can dislike the new Mass translation from an artistic point of view but still acknowledge the good and pure intentions of its creators. The same can be said for even the lamest Christian rock songs. Who are you to judge the authenticity of any musician’s faith or intentions? Only God knows what is in their hearts.
Great post. In an episode of South Park a few years ago, Cartman fronted a band called Faith + 1, a Christian rock band that simply replaced cheesy love songs that contained the word “baby” with “Jesus.” For example, a song with a line like “Oh, baby, you know I’ll never stop loving you, baby, baby, baby” became “Oh, Jesus, you know I’ll never stop loving you, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”
If there is still The Man left in the world, Clear Channel is him, and Christian radio has sold out to the Man.
“If there is still The Man left in the world, Clear Channel is him, and Christian radio has sold out to the Man.”
That may be one of the best lines ever in an article. AWESOME! Someone should write a song about it.
I have always thought exactly the same way you’ve portrayed succinctly in this article. Most Christian music is really lame. What the Church needs is a Bob Dylan or a Neil Young, true song writer/poets. But don’t forget Johnny Cash wrote some very Christian songs as does U2.
Thanks for the great article.
Amazing article, if people really disagree with you it is only because their own standard has been brought down over the years through desensitization within the music industry. Everyone these days is a critic and by golly there critiquing skill have become so poor. Of course many people enjoy “Christian Rock”, but only because they have not been exposed to what music was certainly intended to be. Call it “snobbish” but I should be entering deeper into the mystery of Christ when I listen to this music, not just hear his name repeated. It is like a fine glass of wine, with time a taste for the better is acquired, and for all those who think Christian Rock is “where’s it’s at” that’s okay, you just need to simply acquire the taste for finer things, after all He is God, he deserves the finest.
Amazing article, if people really disagree with you it is only because their own standard has been brought down over the years through desensitization within the music industry. Everyone these days is a critic and by golly there critiquing skill have become so poor. Of course many people enjoy “Christian Rock”, but only because they have not been exposed to what music was certainly intended to be. Call it “snobbish” but I should be entering deeper into the mystery of Christ when I listen to this music, not just hear his name repeated. It is like a fine glass of wine, with time a taste for the better is acquired, and for all those who think Christian Rock is “where’s it’s at” that’s okay, you just need to simply acquire the taste for finer things, after all He is God, he deserves the finest…
Why Are Christians Still Imitating the World?
Very well written.
We are called to be the salt of the earth, to be in the world, not of it.
Nice work. We all know it’s true. Thanks for the leads to new music and mentions of bands like Future of Forestry and Mumford and Sons. What we need is a good blog, portal or internet radio station for beautiful, edgy, effective, Christian music.
I can’t listen to Christian rock becuase it’s such a poor imitation of the real thing and the artists frankly couldn’t make it talent wise in the real rock scene.
What human need was rock developed to fulfill? What aspects of human nature does it respond to? Does it elevate the soul, or descend to the pelvic? Does it make the human transcendent, or reduce him to his animality?
I would appreciate some kind of online forum/radio station/something that shares some great Christian artists. Because they’re out there. They really are. Unfortunately not played on the mainstream radio. Thoughts?
You (the blogger) seem to be writing about what we here call CHR (Christian Hit Radio), which is often aimed at the female, Evangelical mom. Perhaps you have missed the authentic rock that calls itself Christian Rock.
I am an Anglican priest in transition to the Ordinariate and am also the program director of a real Christian Rock radio station. I have listened to Rock ‘N’ Roll since 1955 (I am old). Many hit songs from then until now were produced to sell records and lack authenticity (now they sell downloads). A yearning for authenticity reminds me of the people who made Bob Zimmerman a star, as he sounded authentic and became the iconic star of the 1970s (incidentally, he was and is not authentic).
Aim your browser at Radio U or at my station, RenegadeRadio.org and hear some real stuff, especially at night.
We say it’s the music they like with the message they need.
1. “Nothing human is hurt by the Gospel: every authentic value, in whatever culture it appears, is accepted and raised up by Christ.” (Bl. John Paul II) With this in mind, why not pull an Areopagus and elevate a cultural expression to its proper end – namely “to praise, reverence and serve God Our Lord.” (First Principle of the Spiritual Exercises) Christans have been doing it from the beginning. It’s less a question of imitation and more of elevation. Is this not what it means to be leaven for the world? (Matthew 13:33)
2. Instead of highlighting the worst of praise and worship (and some are pretty bad), why not focus on its best? The type of Christian Rock that can articulate deep theological truths (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v-nEc2JEiY), eloquently speak the language of Sacred Scripture in a way that makes it practical (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hzmeYiAoDI) or express mystical spirituality in a way accessible/relevant to a young person (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLBAQhlqwLk)?
Let’s not be too quick to throw the baby with the bathwater. Every cultural expression in every age has its best and its worst. Instead, “let us generously open our hearts and make room for everything that the faith itself allows.” (Pope Benedict XVI)
Clicked the link. Am thankful. Thanks!
Mumford and Sons is so Christian it’s not even funny. They preach the Gospel in so many of their songs, using religious and literary imagery. Going to their concert was a more religious experience for me than when I saw Third Day.
One of my favorite of Mumford’s songs, “Sigh No More” is pretty much just spreading truth:
“Love will not betray you, dismay or enslave you, it will set you free, to be more like the man you were made to be.”
I mean, that’s God. God is Love.
Simple and true.
There are some good Christian sings out there, especially others by Jeremy Camp and Mercy Me. To focus on songs that you don’t like and are not of the same caliber as some of their other more powerful songs is like focusing on Hey Bulldog or Yellow Submarine instead of Hey Jude and Yesterday. Every artist has songs that are powerful and resonate wiht the listener and for every classic song there are a number of failures by the same artists. In any event, authenticity is about yourself and your relationship to God. Having listened to classic roak for over 30 years, and I made the arguments that many of the lyrics were “spiritual” and had great messages, I also know that many of those lyrics also stripped away my defenses and helped lead me into a life of moral confusion. Since I started listening to Christian music, I noticed that even with corny lyrics (and listen to most classic rock, there is a surfeit of corny lyrics) and simple cords, it is the message that comes through and stays with you. I would much rather have Jeremy Camp’s lyrics, Jesus saves, in my head than Led Zeppelin’s sqeezing a lemon so that the juice runs down your legs, or any of ZZ Top’s double entrendre titles. Is Christian rock/pop perfect? no. But to put down artists who have a love for the Lord and want to make simple music to bring that message to others doesn’t help the Christian music industry. Let’s face it, secular artists, even those that sound religious, like U2, can make a ton of money, but these simple artists with corny lyrics and banal music are singing to the Lord without the added benefit of making much money. Having said that, as a Catholic priest, the only music I find worthy of Mass is chant and polyphony, music that leads your soul to the heavenly heights, adn all rock/pop is sentimental and banal or, emotionally driven and sensual to the basest desires of the human body.
Wow, I am taken aback by the judgmental nature of this article. I personally find Christian an music edifying and uplifting option for myself and my family. Not every person may be at the same spiritual level as you, and you make quite a jarring generalization that anyone who listens to this type of music is a “sell out.” I wholly disagree. When I first came back to The Church, I felt the music met me where I was, and were like musical Psalms to me. Furthermore, it seems you are also judging the Christian musicians and their level of faith. I am not sure if you are aware, but Jeremy Camp lost his wife to ovarian cancer and often talks, and writes about the Lord leading him in the song “Walk by Faith” which is based on 2 Corinthians 1:7 which IS based on imitation of course, although not of the Lady Gaga variety you suggest, instead of our Holy Scripture. And anyone that “imitates” or “copies” Gospel, I am all for. Granted, many of these artists may not have the fullness of truth as practicing Catholics, but I do believe many of the songwriters have merit and genuine faith, and offer a legitimate music based often on sacred scripture itself, even if it’s wrapped up in a melody you happen to dislike.
We are in a spiritual battle with the culture of death, and Christian music is a beacon of light in our secular-saturated society. Even if it’s not at the depth you prefer, I find it offensive to suggest its “laughable,” knowing that people are not all at the same level in their spiritual life, and the Lord can use all things…even “pop sounding music” for good. If it’s music that is being made and listened to outside of church walls, but still singing the praises of Jesus, I think we should applaud and celebrate that.
I agree with a couple of earlier comments. The “problem with Christian Rock” is that the spirit that gives rock music its energy is a materialistic, humanistic and essentially anti-Christian spirit. So when you simply change the lyrics and make them Christian what you end up with is two conflicting messages that clash and do not resonate. It’s not surprising that this is the type of Christian music that is commercialized.
I have been making my own attempt at creating authentic Christian music. Here is an example called “No more sorrows”. The quality is admittedly amateurish. I think of these recordings as demos. I would love for someone with a better voice to re-record some of these songs in a professional way. Any takers?
http://www.youtube.com/user/PublicVigil#p/u/7/Dh-Fe8XbdlQ
The only Christian band I can stomach is Iona. They play all of their own instruments very well, and when their lyrics aren’t secular (but reverent), they are very poetic and meaningful. Check em out, seriously.
As for the rest of popular Christian music, it makes Christians look bad. If we claim to have the truth and that we’ve received our musical ability through grace, then how good does that make grace appear? Obviously, most modern popular Christian music is written with a spirit of narcissism instead of grace, otherwise it would be attractive.
I’ll just take Mozart or Bach.
Chelly,
It may appear to be judgemental, but objectively it’s true. Modern Christian music is as talented and deep as Barney’s greatest hits. Sorry.
I’m amazed that Jars of Clay has not yet been mentioned in all this. Their musical and lyrical talents are equal to any band out there right now. Maybe that’s why they’ve resisted the label “Christian band.” If not as prolific, they are the Beatles of our time.
I want to echo the comment from “John”. While I agree in principle with most of the original post (and often share my frustrations with most experiences of listening to say K-Love), there are bands out there that do manage to be musically inventive and lyrically beautiful (and even provocative, especially for the industry). Jars of Clay is absolutely one of those bands. They have developed musically and lyrically, and all of their albums are gems. Of course one could also note the general decline in their play frequency on many of the Christian stations compared to some of their older albums, but again, that is reflective of the industry, not the artist(s).
Great article! I have noticed this phenomenon for years…
At those who think that criticizing music is judgmental and bad: I make the observation that, as far as I can recall, there is nothing in the Church’s teaching that says that we should not say that bad art is bad art. We shouldn’t make moral judgments on the artist (which was not being done), but dreck is dreck, and it should be called so. There’s nothing sinful about either enjoying bad art, or about rightly stating that it IS bad art. I enjoy some bad art, as do most of us, but the fact that I enjoy it doesn’t make it good art. As Christians, we should be trying to make the best art we can and not saccharine ripoffs of machine-packaged rubbish. It would be sheer laziness to do otherwise.
It’s not sinful to enjoy junk, but it would be incorrect to claim it’s not junk, if you know better. We should try to elevate with beauty instead of either encouraging mediocrity or dragging the listener down into either moral or aesthetic dirt. As has been said, there is no moral duty to develop good taste, but the fact that one is tasteless means that you shouldn’t try to claim that a diet Dr. Pepper is equal to a fine wine. It isn’t. You may enjoy it more (which is, as I said, a non-moral act, neither sinful nor virtuous), but that doesn’t make it better. I include myself; I personally have *very* little taste in music. That means that I shouldn’t be making aesthetic judgments on music. I leave that to people who know about it.
Excellent article, Marc!
As a quick intro, I am a musician with many years of experience in addition to having extensive education in both classical (ancient Greek) and modern aesthetics. Also, I formerly was a Christian rock musician who played in a band with my Protestant friends way back in High School.
I can say from my education and experience Marc is absolutely correct. Christian Rock, per se, is by definition imitation. If it were not, it would simply be labeled ‘Rock’. Why is it that Switchfoot is always found in the ‘Rock’ section of the music store? It is precisely that Switchfoot is the best example of what ‘Christian Rock’ should be: namely, an authentically good rock band that just so happens to speak the truth in their lyrics. Therefore, the automatically are in conformity with a distinctly Christian (and Catholic I even argued in an essay once) message. Songs such as the beautifully creative and subtle “Daisy” capture the profound truth of redemptive suffering in a cryptic, poetic manner that is also a good rock song that is creative and original.
This relates directly to Marc’s final point on authenticity. For example, I have covered “Daisy” and other Switchfoot songs at varying venues. They have always been received by a distinctly secular crowd (pubs and coffee shops) very well with praise and admiration. I would never dare play a Jeremy Camp song at a pub and expect to be paid or make it out without tomato stains on my shirt. However, what I have done is played authentically truthful songs that carry a distinct Christian message while still entertaining folks with authentically good music. While I used Switchfoot in this example I believe that the logic applies to any band that focuses on making good music with lyrics that reflect truth. Mumford and Sons does this very well, Dave Matthews very often, U2, the list can go on.
Therefore, ‘Christian Rock’ is a pointless pursuit that results in nothing more than mediocrity and popular patterns which barely warrant the title music. However, a band that chooses to focus on truth and beauty as the basis for their art will make authentically good music that can carry a very powerful Christian message.
The author is clearly just expressing his personal taste in music. All music be it very simple four chords in rock or most hymns I hear at Church, essentially come from God. All good things come from God if it doesnt contradict ( or seek to ) him theologically.
I have no problem with Christian folk music, rock music, indie rock, indie folk or just about any genre really. Again let me reiterate my point that the author has not made a good argument. He and the rest of the people on this blog are just agreeing with him because they share the same common taste of music as him.
God is simplicity. Four chords, hey!!! why not just one note and hum that for an hour in chant even? thats even simpler and yet God is simpler still. He is not a complicated God.
Finally am I a musician? Yes do I write Christian music ? no! but I do listen to it and enjoy it in all its genres that compliment it.
Stephen Mc Elligott
http://www.myspace.com/stephenmcelligottmusic
Even chant was new at some point as was the radical composer named Mozart. Just get over different genres and look for any value it may contain. I find no redeming value to tattoos but many great Catholics have them as a way to link up with your kids that you forgot to teach you faith to. Christian rock is much the same. Oh, and since most of our smaller parishes in the world don’t have operatic singers readily available to us, we sing things that we can engage the congregation with. While Christian rock is not holistically liturgically appropriate, in fact very little is, much of it is very appropriate and it can add some newness to those dried up prunes we so often see in the choir that haven’t hit the right notes in decades. It is a means of getting teens involved. So many of the “old” songs are no better in lyrics than the new but they are sung in such a dirg format that no young person would ever sing along. The whole active, concious, participation thing goes out the window when consciousness is hard to maintain. it all has its place. JP2 had a good balance. B16, not so much. People, strike a balance. And realize, it is not really all about only you. Maybe your kids would like to get something from their poorly taught and demonstrated faith somehow.
Interesting stuff. But I’m still a fan of Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill, Mark Heard, ealy John Michael Talbot and the like. But they were always bigger than the narrower Christian pop rock genre. Admittedly some of that is limp!
HOLY CRAP THATS A LOT OF COMMENTS
Yeah, you opened a can of worms, Marc. I almost made a post on this very topic here, but decided against it. Instead: http://holyintheworld.blogspot.com/2011/09/christian-rebellion.html
Mike, I once wrote an essay on music as expression of creation and came to really understand the beauty of music in the greek world as well as all times up to this point.
there’s one easy listening guy – Deacon Chuck Stevens – with listenable meditative stuff – the lyrics are prayerful, not danceable, and he gives God credit and gives it away.
http://www.smalltalentmusic.com
Some musicians and their songs I thought were worth sharing apropos to this topic:
Shannon Stephens: http://asthmatickitty.com/shannon-stephens Four free mp3s. “I’ll Be Glad” most highly recommended.
Sufjan Stevens – I cannot say enough about the beauty embodied in this man’s music–often ineffable. It’s hard to narrow his prolific output down, but for now I’ll constrain myself to his more specifically “Christian-themed” works. This of course leaves out “The BQE,” a film+symphonic work that must be seen and heard, but I’ll leave that up to you. 🙂 Also, all I can say is, check out the albums Michigan and Illinois in their entirety. I cannot recommend them highly enough for the depth of humanity and the beauty of the music in those songs.
Chicago: http://music.sufjan.com/track/chicago (A hymn to the Incarnation.)
Holy, Holy, Holy: http://music.sufjan.com/track/holy-holy-holy (Old-school hymn.)
Vito’s Ordination Song: http://music.sufjan.com/track/vitos-ordination-song (Written for his friend, who is a Presbyterian minister.)
Get Real Get Right: http://music.sufjan.com/track/get-real-get-right-2 (“Get real. Get right with the Lord.”)
Year of Our Lord http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O5_4femmcw (with Osso string quartet, arr. Michael Atkinson – this is from an entire album of string quartet arrangements, called Run Rabbit Run, of electronica songs Sufjan originally recorded on the album Enjoy Your Rabbit. Some crazy stuff at times, but also realy, really beautiful music if you can get into it. The songs are all named for the animals of the Chinese Zodiac (Year of the Horse, etc., and each album ends with “Year of Our Lord.”)
Djohariah: http://music.sufjan.com/track/djohariah (Written for his sister, who has been through a lot, to say the least. Marian lyrics abound, after a very long guitar solo.)
You are the Blood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma-l-2izB_s (“You are the Road/ On Which I travel/ That I may see You.”) This one is a little “out there,” but the transformation that occurs around 4 minutes in is astounding, and there’s a classical piano solo in there near the end.
I’ll stop there.
“You Are the Blood” was originally a song by the Castanets. And I misquoted the lyrics on that one.
Marc,
I am ETERNALLY grateful to you for prompting me to visit the Future of Forestry link. They are amazing. Ethereal, soothing, contemplative, my goodness…they had me crying with “Slow Your Breath Down.” Look, you are completely correct in your analysis of Christian Rock. It IS too sappy for the most part and I can’t stand most of it. This group, however, I love although I would not like to have them sing the propers at Mass. Inappropriate for Catholic worship but outside of Mass, bring it on baby! Thanks again.
Oh, and I bought all of their albums. I have not heard one bad song from their website.
Marc. Yes it is a lot of comments. (And please don’t use “holy” in conjunction with things that are not of God — for your own sake, as well as for the sake of your readers.) I was re-reading a post I wrote in which I commented on the music at World Youth Day in Madrid:
One thing that I liked about the World Youth Day events that the Pope participated in, which I watched on television were that they did not make concessions to the secular culture in terms of music. There were no Christian rock bands. There was an orchestra and a choir. And the music they performed was based on classic themes from the history of the Church. We have a rich culture that stretches back thousands of years. We should be nourishing our young people with that — instead of offering them the products of the fast-food culture which encourage immoral behavior.
If we are going to create a new culture of life, then a good place to start is with our music. Rock music is an icon of “freedom”, but it is “freedom” which is misinterpreted to mean “do your own thing”. This is license, not freedom — as Pope Leo XIII explains in such great detail in his 1888 encyclical “Libertas”:
But many there are who follow in the footsteps of Lucifer, and adopt as their own his rebellious cry, “I will not serve”; and consequently substitute for true liberty what is sheer and most foolish license.
License leads to licentiousness. True freedom lies in exercising our free will to follow God’s will and to create the Kingdom of God here “on earth as it is in Heaven.”
I have to agree with Joseph’s comments, the UK based band, Iona, is just about the only Christian rock band that I can listen to extensively. They are serious Christians and talented musicians and the result is fantastic art. In addition to their work as a group, some of the members’ solo albums are also well worth your time. Their lead singer, Joanne Hogg, has a solo album which features the best pro-life song I’ve ever heard, “Life is Precious.” Their guitarist, Dave Fitzgerald, also has an excellent solo album “Veils of Gossamer” structured around the theme of the death of Saint Aidan.
Well worth checking out at their website http://wwww.iona.uk.com.
And who could forget Danielson, whether the Famile, the Sonship, Brother Danielson, or just Danielson. . .
A No No: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypvoDPPm20g (“I love my Lord I love my Lord I love my Lord. . .)
THe Lord’s Rest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxZYRXy3yFM (“His banner over me is Love.”)
Cutest Lil’ Dragon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pohp6_3gMI0 (“That dragon ain’t the Love Sweet Love.”)
I should have said that contemporary Christian, if done well, is ok as long as it is not a part of Mass as Rock music is not appropriate for worship.
Attention all,
Please engage charitably in debate. Discuss and argue the issues, not the person.
In Jesus, Mary, & Joseph,
Tito
Dear Marc – thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s a spiritual truth to say that rock music and hip-hop (both based on sexualized rhythms and the lowest of human feeling) and most pop music (based on stupidity) is NOT COMPATIBLE with the Christian life.
As a professional musician (who once played in a heavy metal band before I wisened-up) I can tell you objectively that Christians are ADDICTED to bad music; it’s one of the stickiest and most addicting evils in our world. Yet increasingly people are realizing that this stuff is just as spiritually bad as it is intellectually bad.
Want good music? Start in places like this: thesacredarts.org
Catholic music should sound… (wait for it) – Catholic. Not poppy, syrupy, simple, assanine, etc. Let go of the bad, let go of the average, and learn to love the great.
To everyone else: Pop/Rock/Hip-Hop music is a music of the world, it cannot coexist with Christian growth. It is also childish music, both intellectually and spiritually. It is time to grow up as spiritual creatures, my friends. In my family, 99.5% of our music consumption is Classical, along with healthy doses of true Sacred music. It can be done, and you’ll be happier (and have less weighing down your spiritual ascent) if you do.
Marc, I don’t know you and I trust your pesonal devotion to Christ and love for the body of Christ goes way beyond the shallowness of this article. Because what devalues christianity in the eyes of the world today is blogs like yours, that are judgemental of fellow christians who are also musicians and song writers like you, I assume? The problem isn’t with christian rock, because there is no such thing! There is rock or any other genre of music and christians choose one of these as the “vehicle” to communicate a message, like Jeremy Camp (and just to be factually correct, Camp covered this song written originally by Tim Hughes & Nick Herbert from the UK, so you pcked on the wrong guy). And what is next? Are you going to write a blog about the problem with Jesus’ or Paul’ or Peter’ message of salvation, hope, forgiveness and the Father’s deep love for us and this world for which Christ died? Because these are the truths clearly communicated through the word of God and the song and picking a fight with the simplicity of the gospel is to pick a fight with the Author himself (which any of us will always end up losing….) Now my question to you is: Do you know any of the artists you used as “mediocre examples for song writing” personally? Because if you don’t, then how do you know their hearts, or if they back up their artistry with righteous living because of their love and passion for the Lord? Because I thought this is what God looks at and is pleased with and I’m certain He enjoys rock like any other style used to make Him famous, since He’s the Author of music as well……
To conclude my response, I do agree wholeheartedly with you, that we as musicians should never stop to strive for excellence in speaking for God through music and should encourage one another in this quest to grow and become more skilled and expressive, but let it be with a mutual appreciation of our God given gifts and talents and efforts. After all, by the love we have for one another the world will see that we are His disciples and not by tearing one another down because of the genre choices we make. Plus, there is nothing new under the sun and I promise you, to think we found a new and better way or style will turn out to be a copy of someone’s music…… :-))! So let’s be God’s musicians in humility and meekness, always being aware who the Source is!
wow, music is important, like psalms. caught limbaugh/prager saying how they hate/never liked poetry. it’s culture. I sit in back and saw a boy and girl, 15-ish, take hymnal when prompted and start singing in Mass. not necessarily devout, but open to the Spirit. love poetry “It Couldnt Be Done (Edward Guest)” – Harvey Keitel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQfcDO47Jac&feature=related
Fredy,
Be careful in your criticism. Argue the point, don’t denigrate the author.
I am more with Fr. John on this. I am glad you are pointing out some new more original artists for me to listen to. Mumford and Sons in particular gets mentioned more in Catholic Blogs than any other band I think. I had never heard of them before I entered the blogosphere. I am a KLOVE listener and I was introduced to Christian music by evangelical at Notre Dame (probably trying to convert me) 22 years ago. It was introduced then as “this sounds like U2”, “this sounds like Bruce Springsteen” and it didn’t. The quality of the production is much better now, and there are more and more good songs now. I still need to have a CD in there for the ones that I cannot stomach, though.
Have you listened to more than just Jesus Saves from Jeremy Camp? How about Overcome — it isn’t possibly spiritual, possibly glorifying Jesus, it is blatantly so. When it comes on in my car, my mind and spirit are directed to Him.
Seated above, enthroned in the Father’s Love
Destined to die, poured out for all mankind
God’s only Son, perfect and spotless one
He never sinned, but suffered as if he did
Tenth Avenue North I saw in person and oh my gosh, they have a song that whether they know it or not is Divine Mercy to song in “Love is Here”:
Love is here.
Love is now.
Love is pouring from
His hands, from His brows.
Love is near, it satisfies.
Streams of mercy flowing from His side.
Cuz love is here.
And to the bruised and fallen,
Captives, bound, and broken hearted.
He is the Lord,
He is the Lord,
Yeah
By His stripes He’s paid our ransom
From His wounds we drink salvation
He is the Lord,
He is the Lord.
I love Matt Maher, but I do not like this first single either. It seemed like he was trying to duplicate the feel and success of “Hold Us Together” as performance and speaking to those impacted by recession was similar. As soon as I hear the line about a single mother working a ninety hour week, I can’t take it. There isn’t a good mom who works 90 hours outside the home. I’ve only worked 90 hours when i was newly married and it wasn’t good for the new marriage, can’t imagine the effects on a child.
I did click the link to Future of Forestry, and if I listened to it a few dozen times, I would learn the lyrics other than the title and the end and it would be very moving. The Christian Music on Klove maybe formulaic for pop music, or mothers in mini-vans, but it does what it is intended. The lyrics are understandable and easily song along. I imagine some musicians do not consider that a priority, but if you like to sing your praise then it is wonderful. It exercises my mind and spirit in the mundane daily commute. My faith is not segregated to Sunday, or prayer time, or my imagination if I want to become desensitized to the majority of the music on the other stations to hear one that has some residue of the restless heart for God contained in one of the verses.
The two songs I cited above moved me from the first listen, and do every time I hear them. I cannot take lyrics from Third Day, especially “That’s alright. That’s OK” (an actual lyric). That is when I hit play on the CD.
I think the issue lies in the fact that so many Christians think Christian-Rock is worship and praise music. To begin with, we have to differentiate worship from praise – these are TWO DIFFERENT THINGS; when we worship God, we do it at church and when we praise him, we do it daily, whenever and where ever. And, A LOT of Christian-Rock attempts to do both with the unfortunate side effect of (usually) missing the mark.
I say, leave what’s on the radio outside the church and what has always been used in the church IN THE CHURCH. Surely with 2000 years of history we can come up (or find) music more worthy of worship than praise, no?
Go FREDY and JIMMY!
These artist who sing these songs are doing the “Will of God” for there lives and obeying God’s Word in Mark 16:15; “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation”. Yeah, they may sound like their imitating music; however, what is the message they are actually saying beyond the music? Spreading the Good News to “EVERY CREATURE” that means people who won’t listen to anything but ROCK N ROLL music, or whatever is catchy to them. So, please open your spiritual eyes don’t be soo shallow! God was the one anyway who invented music to begin with not MTV! So, why not give Him the glory?
Freddy, Jimmy and co.
Great points, I hope my next post clears those issues up for you. http://virtuouspla.net/2011/09/06/the-problem-with-christian-rock-2/
People can say what they want about christian music. I have found alot of the music to be inspiring me to a deeper desire of faith, acceptance, and love for God. Without it my life wouldn’t lead my thoughts to God so often throughout the day.
Oh my gosh, Marc! I just skimmed these comments and my eyes started crossing. What can I say except, WAY TO GO BROTHER! You’re so completely rocking these days. I’m clicking over to your new article now. I sincerely hope that you refute my comment, cause you’re just a star at making distinctions and qualifications.
Let’s see…agree and disagree to various parts of this article. Interesting to read, especially with the onslaught of comments. There is the good and bad of every music genre, WHETHER IT’S CHRISTIAN OR NOT.
Not all music released will be pearls of genius. This does not mean that the artist did not put effort, heart and soul into their creation. I enjoy listening to a variety of music, as fitting to my mood or the circumstance. Worshiping the Lord to the timelessness of a beautiful hymn, to cranking out some rock or hip-hop with friends. Amen to M&S breathing such beauty and some faith-based concepts into their brilliant music!
In the spirit of Christian love and principle, let’s acknowledge differing opinions. “Agree to disagree.” Enjoy the Lord’s great gift of music….Christian or otherwise, in every way, shape or form that it stirs your soul, brings you joy and lifts your spirit (and for Christian music, whatever speaks the truth and brings glory and honor to our Father).
Rock on fellow music lovers….. 😉
I agree with a good bit of what you’ve had to say, but…I think you are leaving out the power of God’s word. So many “Christian” songs are filled with scripture. I don’t think it would matter what the music was, the song would move some people just because God’s word is being sung to it.
Dear Mark:
I have agreed to disagree in my previous statement, but I would like to better understand your thoughts behind the comment in your post, as copied below.
“It’s a spiritual truth to say that rock music and hip-hop (both based on sexualized rhythms and the lowest of human feeling) and most pop music (based on stupidity) is NOT COMPATIBLE with the Christian life.”
You are my brother-in-Christ regardless of differing opinions, but I strive to be a better ambassador for Christ by fostering understanding and communication.
I feel like the statement above is of a personal opinion of what is spiritual truth, for you individually. There are ultimate truths, and then there are those that are truths to a person as an individual.
A lot of rock and pop music does have sexualized rhythms and glorifies carnal desires and rebellious spirits. Just the same, a lot of pop music is simple and silly, and may at times sound “stupid.” That being said…I have enjoyed rock, hip-hop and pop music that is simply fun, enjoyable, tap your foot, jump up and down, have a good time music!
We are not placed in this world to enjoy life, that it not our purpose, but I believe that the Lord smiles upon the healthy joys of His children. Music brings great joy, and for many people that includes hip-hip, pop and rock. I do not feel that these genres are innately “bad” or restricted to “sexualized rhythms,” the “lowest of human feeling” or “stupidity.” Furthermore, I also do not feel that they are incompatible to the Christian life. The Christian life is our every living moment in this world (sitting in church, doing the laundry, driving to work…) so that statement of opinion makes it sound like Christians cannot or should not enjoy those genres.
I would truly appreciate a response. Saying this non-sarcastically, please “enlighten” me on your thoughts.
Love in Christ,
Stacy
Corybantic, I worship God in all I do (hopefully), and I’m certainly not at church all the time. I’m also very grateful that the church I attend has awesome praise and worship music. (and by the way, praising God IS worshiping Him)
Thank you to everyone for naming some groups I have never heard of, to have some new music to listen to!
Such “Good Christian Rock Music” does exist-Follow the link to YouTube…and yes that IS Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater on Drums…
As a conservatory-educated classical musician I find this statement really funny:
“I know that “Christian Rock” isn’t Mozart…”
Mozart composed over 600 works in his 30 years of active composing. Some of them, we know from his letters, were dashed off in no time at all and given no great care. They couldn’t all have been masterpieces! There are duds in there (many are called “divertimento”) that are little more than a backdrop to the aristocrats’ digestion — nothing too serious or intellectual. The only reason his early works merit much consideration in the grand scheme of things is because they were created by a five-year-old, and thus are a curiosity. The gloss of his overall genius coats everything, but…seriously, the man had to eat and pay rent just like us.
Marc, good call with Future of Forestry. It’s refreshing and beautiful.
God bless!
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Wow!
“If you’re a songwriter, you have a duty to write brilliantly. If it is your craft, do not settle for mediocrity. If you are writing about God, don’t settle for less than the very deepest poetry of your soul.”
Wow and Wow again!
Gad bless ya! Sorry God bless you! 🙂
Your article is well-thought out, however, there are a few things to consider.
1. The Pop music market as a whole is x number of dollars.
2. The Christian “pop” music market is 1/32 (or even smaller) of x.
3. Christian labels are businesses. Yes, it is to sell the “good news” of the gospel, etc. however, it is first and foremost a business before it is a ministry.
4. Bands are a “brand” such as Starbucks coffee.
5. Pop music appeal has a stylistic ebb and flow to it, such as grunge, disco, bluesy rock, etc. Bands / Acts all have a “genre” that they fit into in broad terms. Think of it as a type of coffee.
6. Pop music has a tendency to fall into the whelms of the “fashion” industry with style. (how many bands even secular ones wrote songs with the Coldplay “beat”) The beat existed even before Coldplay, but yet, like fashion, people wrote tunes with that type of flavor.
7. Because of the public’s appetite and devouring of specific genres and styles, music labels (including Christian ones) mold / make the sound of their rosters to mimic what is “hot”
Who’s fault is it? The public? The label? It can be somewhat circular here. I do think the label’s are “more” guilty in this regard, as they could release material that is more original but they don’t.
The Christian labels put out music that the public will buy. Who cares if it is good (an accountant’s view) Will it sell? (point number 3) If it won’t sell, they won’t be putting it out.
The greatest artistic band might be the Future of Forestry it might be Waterdeep, it might be ______.
Unless it sells, the record labels won’t be putting it out. They are the gatekeepers of the music industry. The internet has helped tremendously in helping independent artists, however, unless it is appealing to the masses, it won’t get on the nationwide tour.
I agree with the idealism in that Christians should be striving to set the standard. I am also a realist.
Dictatorship governments fall victim to corruption. And so democracies. Representatives from the US House have been guilty of corruption (accepting money etc.) but yet will still get re-elected. Bad music will still be produced by Christians because it sells. Change the culture’s appreciation of music and you can change what is considered “bad”.
I wish it weren’t so, and like your challenge to the Christian industry. I don’t work in the industry, but have played drums for many Christian bands. (non-signed, of course.)
Modern Christian rock sounds like pop music for the same reason that your blog is written in the stereotypical, smart-aleck, barely articulate…wait for it…hipster culture. The reason is that you’re trying to communicate with people who can barely read without 50% cliches in their prose. Likewise, Christian pop is about communicating with people whose relationship competence is barely up to “oooh it’s gonna be all right” but who are still beloved by God and if that’s all they can absorb, at least someone is speaking on that admittedly banal level, just as your blog post, which will never be immortalized as bracing theological prose, conveys its very appropriate message to people who can’t sustain much more than about 500 words, assuming a median syllable count of 3 per word.
All communication is matching a message to an audience. Pop music and your post both do it.
I think you did it better though!
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Problem with christian music: Effeminate and poor quality song writing.
So much of Christian music in my opinion sounds the same. It sounds like 90% of Christian music is produced by just one person who has the same voice and makes the same unnecessary, annoying and bland vocalisations (think ‘oooh, oooh, yoohoo’) at some point in the song.
Moreover, most of it sounds absolutely awful and whiny (whether you like the lyrics and message or not). And I’m saying this as a believer in Jesus Christ not an atheist.
Some exceptions in my opinion to this are Kirk Franklin, Rance Allen and Mavis Staples. They’ve got it together and they actually have real musical talent and make great music.
Glad I got that off my chest.
AAAAAAMMMEENNNN!!!!!!!
98% Christian music todays sucks. My fav Christians who were amazing wrtires was Adam Again. Just listen to Worldwide, River on Fire AND Future of Forestry.
I would not characterize that Christian artists are not authentic. At church I have heard original christian songs performed by members that are all inspiring but they are not interested in persuing a pop career. They want to reveal God’s heart and worship Jesus. I think that if you truly want to hear christian songs with ‘depth’, go to churches and be amazed by what you hear and be blessed by it.
There are some Christian recorded artists that write amazing songs with depth and then there are some that will not be blessed by God the same way.
I prefer gut wretching performances through minimum arrangements. If the song has God’s blessing then I will be blessed by it!
nope, sorry. It’s all crap. Real rock only needs three chords to make earth shattering, heart rending, soul stealing music that elevates one. You can’t even use 4 chords work. Xtian ok is like Cold Ply or Nickelback, once you’ve heard one, you’ve erd them all. And on’t even get me started on xtain metal..>????????vomit< christians shouldn't even be allowed near rock and roll. It's not for them