Dean's Thoughts on Entertainment

Christian Music - Critiqued by one of its own

Christian Music is a strange world all on its own, and I am often asked my opinion concerning this industry and their products. I will admit in general that Christian music is a cheap rendition of what popular music has to offer, but on occasion true talent does arise out of the fold of Christian Music. I will explain my reasoning for this judgment, and I will try to point out some diamonds in the rough that should be enjoyed by all.

The biggest problem with Christian music is that it is almost entirely outdated by the time of its release. Since I think that talent is often shallow within the confines of Christian music, most of the artists emulate what is climbing the charts. The problem is that by the time they write the music and release it the Pop Charts have moved on to some other "Hot" new sound. So, while on the pop charts Punk and Ska were dead, they still ruled in Christian circles because they are a few years behind. Today, the bands are beginning to sound like Matchbox 20 and other standard 90's bands, and once again the trends of the industry are beginning to shift away.

The next hurdle for Christian music is Christians. I could go on for days about how simple minded the Christian worldview can be concerning art and exploration, and if you listen to a Christian radio station it will be playing the same sad slow crap that they were playing 15 years ago. Since, Christians as a whole are slow to move on to any kind of change, new styles are not profitable until they have been exposed for awhile. This also helps to explain the outdated feel of Christian music. Besides the Christian radio stations, Christian audiences are generally sheltered from popular music and as such would have a harder time distinguishing quality music from recycled trash. So the trend is re-enforced by the audience that doesn't know any better, and the industry that wouldn't accept it any other way.

The third problem is repetition. Almost every album contains the gratuitous cover of an old hymn which has been covered by every other artist. It's like every rock band covering Led Zeppelin on every album that is released. It gets old quick. And since the stigma is that unless God or Jesus appears in every verse or it isn't Christian, the songs can be a bit redundant. I wouldn't mind the artists singing about some other topics than God's grace for 12 straight songs. But on the same note, I would like to listen to a Rap album that doesn't focus on big butts for 12 straight songs. I think it is this reason that leads to bands "Selling Out".

On occasion, Christian Bands actually touch the charts, and although they seldom stay, there are clear reasons why they made it. POD is probably the best example for a current band that has been able to survive in the secular market and remain "Christian". The reason being is that they have talent and applied themselves to a musical style as it was being discovered. When Rap/Metal burst onto the scene, they were there already. I am sure that versions of POD will continue to emerge over the next few years within Christian circles but for once they had a band that was actually "On Time" for a pop movement. The other "Christian" bands that made it big almost always officially sold themselves out. The difference between those bands and your standard Christian band is that the Music was superior to the purpose of the band. Now as a Christian, I view them as sell-outs, but as a person who appreciates art and music I view them as intelligent. The Christianity of the band had become a gimmick, and it no longer served the band. If you are forced to write and produce a certain type of music, and any change would lead to the destruction of the band, why not shed the confines of Christian music and write what you feel? So, when Evanescence asks to have their albums removed from Christian stores I understand, they aren't necessarily forsaking their God, they are removing the puppet strings that mar the Christian music industry, and would ruin their artistry as a band.

Now, after all my Christian music bashing I will make some redresses that I think are important. As a Christian, I am interested in music that is glorifying to God. And although Christian music is not always of a quality I would deem acceptable, when a good Christian song is produced it far exceeds the ones on the radio because it can be enjoyed on multiple levels. Because it not only satisfies me musically but also spiritually, and the pop charts seldom offer such a song. The shame is that the Christian industry will never correct itself. I don't see Christians being on the cutting edge of anything within my lifetime and for them to achieve success in a market as fickle and fluid as popular music is nearly impossible. They will forever be divided and behind the times, and they will be happy as clams with what they have. And once again my favorite quote comes into play, "Ignorance is Bliss", and the Christian industry will be blissfully ignorant into eternity, where we will be stuck with them because the good bands will be going to hell.

For those of you, who are looking for good Christian bands, check out these artists.

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Cross Movement - They shame all the rap artists in existence, and the hype around them is well deserved. If they were to sell out, they would destroy the pop charts for years.

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Ambassador - He is one of the head members of Cross Movement and his solo album does not disappoint.

P.O.D. - They have begun to stale, but the Fundamental Elements of Southtown is one of the best Rap/Metal albums that exists

Project 86 - Drawing Black Lines is probably one of the hardest albums I own, and it contains more quality songs than your usual Korn album

Five Iron Frenzy/The Supertones - For you Ska fans these are the bands to sample. I would only check out the first 2 albums by The Supertones because they got old and corny fast. Five Iron Frenzy is great, and I would recommend Quality is Job 1 as their best album. Actually I think I lost that album, because I miss it and I can't seem to find it.

Pax 217 - A bit like 311, they are a good blend between rock and rap.

John Reuben - Another white rapper, but he is worth noting. His song "Do Not" would have been a hit single if it had been released.

Third Day - A little bit of Southern Rock twinge make this rock band notable. Angus Dei is so beautiful you can hardly contain emotion.

Switchfoot - Their latest album was a bit run of the mill, but they have a handful of great songs in their repertoire like Amy, and that new song they got on the radio...The Chorus has "We Were Meant to Live for so much more!". Yeah, that one.

Michael W. Smith - Live the Life is a great album, and he is one of the bigger names in the Christian music industry.

Popular Artists who Christians should appreciate

Stevie Wonder - This man should please everyone, if you don't like him you most likely will go to hell. It's written in Jude or something. When my girlfriend was told she couldn't play Stevie at her job at PBU I wanted her to quit.

Mark Knopfler - Baloney Again is a nice tune, and I found his Sailing to Philadelphia album deeply satisfying.

Creed - Their first two albums are good, but they very quickly abused their own sound when they decided to re-release the same song a dozen times. But songs like Faceless Man are enjoyable, and I probably will enjoy them more after Creed stops releasing albums or learns to evolve.

Kansas - They are a bit older, but they were good. And they became a Christian band toward the end of their career. Come on Dust in the Wind????