But I do not like the current state of Christian music. Not so much because I think all of it's bad, per se - just because I don't like much of it.
Two reasons I don't like it. 1) I just don't like the music. It seems to me like most popular Christian music is aimed at middle aged women. Nothing against middle aged women - I'm just NOT one. And neither are most guys. (And actually, I'm fairly certain that this is a purposeful marketing decision - ask me about K-Love Kathy...) (I'm not sure which frustrates me more, K-Love or the music at my gym... I guess the music at my gym. No one forces me to listen to K-Love.)
2) The lyrics can be really trite, dumb, non-Christ centered, just plain wrong.... etc. ("Our worship isn't about what you can do, but about what we alone can do for you"? Wow, really? Good to know that we can meet God's deficiencies.)
There are a few exceptions to these things of course. The Indelible Grace albums are absolutely wonderful lyrically. Not crazy about the music - but the lyrics are about Jesus and him crucified - hard to argue with that.
Lecrae and some of the other Christian rappers - like listening to a Mark Driscoll or Tim Keller sermon in rap form. Again, not crazy about rap - but I have been cut to the heart by those guys' lyrics.
Mars Hill's Rain City Hymnal - hymns done indie rock. I actually like the music and the lyrics.
And Page CXVI - very similar - very good stuff.
Enter Project 86's newest album. It seems like they've recovered musically from... well, not being so hot. They're rocking again. Hard. I love it. I haven't heard a hard rock album I've liked this much musically since the last Metallica album.
But it seems they've also recovered from their days of not singing about Jesus' word. The lyrics on this CD are not only Biblical - but personal - and not trite at all. I might even say that some of them are pretty deep. I don't know that I'd have understood much of the lyrics to the first song had I not been studying Revelation.
So if you like hard rock and love Jesus - check it out.
And the new Thrice album, Beggars, comes out today, too. I'm betting it'll be similar in quality.
I'm right there with you. I listen at times, but I find myself unimpressed with KLove and Air1 music much of the time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your suggestions. I'll give them a try.
Hey, man, totally with you, P86 has been one of my favorite bands, even when they were aiming their lyrics more heavily on the music industry. The song that really impressed me was "Spy Hunter" which talks about how a false leader has the blood of his followers on his hands. This new album focuses more on God and I'm totally proud of them.
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