I am not sure why, but it is generally hard for me to listen to Christian radio or Christian music in general. I absolutely know that music is a very subjective thing. So one person's opinion in regards to music does not invalidate another person's preference for what music they like or don't like. But I find it personally difficult to listen to most Christian music.
It is weird to me, as when you flip through radio stations you can almost instantly tell that a song is a Christian song when you get a quick sound byte. It seems for some reason that in so many Christian pop songs, with male singers they use this sort of whispery and hushed voice. I am not sure why the whispery hushed male voices are popular, but they certainly seem to be more the norm in so much of Christian pop.
The music usually is so very similar sounding to me, like they are all the same studio musicians. Maybe they are using the same musicians. I don't know. But it is odd that you can scan the radio and in an instant often tell a Christian radio song when one comes on. And I do not believe it is the Spirit moving in me, letting me know it is a Christian song. I think it is the whispery hushed male vocals and music that instantly scream out it is a Christian song.
For many of the songs, especially praise ones meant for corporate worship, there is also the pattern of the slow build up, climactic and building up repeating chorus which indicates it is the time to raise our hands, then a dramatic drop to quiet - then a big pumping ending.
Also, all the different Christian pop songs seem to basically have the same lyrics over and over and over again. Mostly about Jesus dying on the cross. I fully and absolutely believe the substitutionary atonement is at the heart of the gospel. But the Bible is filled with so many things, not just all verses on the atonement. I wish there were more lyrics in songs that sang about other things about Jesus and the Kingdom and following Him.
I get asked often about what Christian music I listen to, and I always go blank as I really don't listen to too much. But when I do, I usually listen to:
- David Crowder Band - I think they keep getting better all the time musically in what they are doing and have loved their music for a long time.
- John Michael Talbot - most of his songs are very mellow and beautiful and often straight from Scripture.
- Delirious - I used to listen to them ALL the time. Not as much anymore, but they have carried me through some tough times with their music in the past. They have some of the patterns, but they I think were the first to bridge some of the good from U2-like music and emotion and bring it into the Christian pop scene.
- Leeland - I just saw them at the Youth Specialties Convention this year. The lead singer is 18 years old, I think. They were quite fascinating to watch and I got Becky their CD for Christmas. They are somewhat different, yet do have the very catchy choruses. But I find myself listening to them a lot now. Somewhat hypnotic.
- Josh Fox - I am always biased to Josh as I see how he lives out the music and also writes such wonderful songs.
- The Pioneers - this is a band from Orange County whom is a rockabilly band who leads the music at this church. The lead singer is the pastor of a church called "Hot Rod Church". I went there once to the church meeting and they were so refreshing and fun to be with and really love God.
- Jubilation - Great Gospel Performances. This is a series of CD's which has songs by Mahalia Jackson, The Soul Stirrers, The Heavenly Gospel Singers and others primarily from the 1930's, 40's and 50's. No matter what mood you are in, when you listen to these songs, you are lifted up.
I also listen to Jeff Johnson, who has recorded some beautiful Jesus-centered and more meditative songs. I like the early Johnny Cash recordings of gospel songs and even the Elvis recordings of some classic gospel songs and hymns. The Altar Boys were a Christian band in the late 80's and 90's and were the closest thing to The Clash I could find and really, really liked them. And I recently discovered a band that is no longer called "16 Horsepower". They aren't directly "Christian" but they have biblical themes throughout the music. The lead singer David Edwards is now is solo and has a new band called Woven Hand. I just got two of their CD's and it is definitely sort of this haunting, brooding, music with biblical imagery in most of the songs. I read an article and David Edwards is a Christian, his father was a pastor. Although, he is not in the "Christian" music scene at all.
Now this raises all the "what is Christian?" etc. and I believe there is so much music out there in the secular music industry which you can focus and hear about God in the lyrics, the stories etc. - so I don't try and divide lines to what is Christian and isn't. But, I am sitting here listening to Leeland and began thinking about all this. I am procrastinating doing something, so this just allowed me a fifteen minute procrastinating break.
My opinion about music is entirely subjective as I said, and I know there are millions who love Christian music and I don't think anything is wrong with that whatsoever. Blogs are sort of journals of thoughts - so I am only expressing some thoughts and opinions, not based on anything but personal preference. Maybe there are others who also have a hard time listening to most contemporary Christian music too. I don't know. But I am not trying to start a debate on any of this. Just blog-thinking-out-louding.
