I want to officially announce the death of what Mark Driscoll calls, "Prom Songs For Jesus". You know the songs, "I love your grace and your face, in this place, as I run the race, blah, blah, blah." See I just wrote one right there. You know the ones. Like the ones that God, "laid on my heart" after I learned my first three chords on the guitar and I was overflowing with songwriting genius. Yeah, those lasted a LONG time. I don't mean to be overly cynical. Forgive me. I know this type of music in the church is not all the way dead, but it's certainly almost there.The reason I say that these types of songs are almost dead (as most of them should be) is that record labels are beginning to put money behind more songs with theological substance as evidenced by this record.
Recently I was referred to this record from Tim Challies' blog, so I bought it. I am in the business of knowing about good music for the church so it caught my attention.
This record features Bethany Dillon and Matt Hammet (lead singer for the Christian band, Sanctus Real). They are both very solid singers that proves to be the case with this recording. It features songs that would be called "modern" hymns (having been written in the last 1o years or so) and the content is theologically rich which should stir our hearts with authentic affections for God. The musical arrangements are very inventive and interesting. Some of them I dig and some of them I don't really prefer, but it's certainly worth the listen.
I think my favorite is "On The Third Day". I'm sure I'll be using this song next year for Easter.
Give this record a shot. I'm sure you'll be encouraged as you listen.
9 comments:
Speaking of Sanctus Real, they have a new CD out also. It is called 'We Need Each Other'. Not only is their music wonderful, but these are nice, solid, Christian guys.
Our family has had several chances over past years to spend some time with Matt and Chris (in particular) in fellowship. They are not only nice, but they invested time with our teenagers... and our teens were impressed!
Just be careful Z...
While you may be one of the deep theologians who appreciates attending seminary classes and such, not everyone is.
I know many people (some with lots of letters after their name) that appreciate the simple reminders and imagery of their "prom songs".
Its about balance, proper context and proper doctrine... not style or depth of creativity in phrasing.
Jim,
Thanks for the correction. I have to disagree with you though about me being "deep". :)
I hear what you are saying. I think I am overstating here to make a point. If all I ever get is "grace, place, seek your face" etc. I think we'll be starved and might be conjuring up fake emotions. MIGHT be. Not for sure will be. You'll have to check your own heart and I will too. We need something to respond to. God initiates, we respond. He gives revelation, we give praise and adoration. Blah, blah. I'll stop now. I think you get my point and I think I get yours. We still have some "grace, place, river, seek face, Jesus is my girlfriend" kind of songs at DSC, but I am moving us more and more away from it in the new songs I choose.
Fair enough...
Now I must go ask grace in this place so I can stuff my face... lunch is ready!
Jim
There is an ebb and flow to complexity in music in history. We are finally coming out of the era of blinding simplicity. I stopped listening, altogether, to Christian music about a year ago. That sounds snobbish, but it was a pride thing. Something that was insurmountable. It was damaging my attitude every time I flipped the dial. I prayed about it, and let it go.
Weirdly, I didn't have a problem singing for church. I suppose, for me, there is a difference between listening for pleasure/personal enrichment and singing for church. Because it is hard for people who aren't musicians to understand how hard it is to sing a terribly constructed song and mean it. For a better understanding (for those non-musicians) try to think of what you do well, and then imagine being immersed in a HORRIBLE version of it and trying to like it, worst of all, trying to be sincerely emotive towards God amidst it. It is difficult.
But as I said, after a while, even non-musicians begin to recognize the difference between garbage and substance. The new of the new wears off and the cream rises and takes the helm. I've been waiting for years for it to happen and I agree with Vitamin Z that it is finally showing promise.
Excuse me while I indulge in a non sequitur... Soap box ready...
The next thing that needs to happen is the absolute destruction of the "Christian" music industry. Not songs about Christ, but the industry that calls itself "Christian" as if it has been baptized or something.
Artists need to to be in the world and not of it, not out of the world and expecting it to run to them. Mainly because the Christian music industry has the absolute worst reputation in the world when it comes to treating people, paying people on time, stealing ideas, and general attitude.
Yes, there are exceptions, and good ones, but on the whole, you ask ANYBODY who has had dealings ... the CCM industry along with the Gospel has created a unique niche for being the one that will screw you first. Its not persecution, it is the truth. I've talked to at least 7 road managers who have managed 7 different big ccm acts and who have worked with others like Allison Kraus and Nora Jones, Tom Jones (Kraus, a Christian) and they say that the CCM groups never pay on time, and that the general attitude of the "secular" artists is filled with kindness and they would work them 10-1 over the CCM folks. One has to ask why?
It is sad even, because I've met so many CCM artists who don't even want to be in it. Something about being labeled in a genre doesn't sit right with them. I think that possibly the reason is that that's not the way "being" a Christian is meant. Until Christ comes, a God has designed a system for which to be healthy and sharpened, we must be smack dab in the middle of the sinful world to be salt. That means what it means - be in the dadgum world. If we don't we lose the saltiness.
Again, some love it and I truly believe are called to serve only the Church, and they serve the church alone in complete happiness. But that should have nothing to do with industry - A corporate, competitive, capitalistic structure that claims to be "Christian" is a dangerous thing. The Church, the body, flesh and blood people are the only created thing who can have claim to that, which is hard enough. Slap a building or corporate structure up, start funneling cash through it, and call it Christian.... destined for failure.
Seth,
I spent two full years+ submerged in all that is the CCM music industry and I came away feeling very similar to what you write here. My prediction is that there will be WAY more bands like Switchfoot, Muthmath, The Myriad, etc in the next 10 years. It just makes way more sense.
Your testimony about touring bands, etc is sadly what I found to be the case as well. I had a great experience with Matthew West (he always paid on time and was always true to his word) but I heard too many horror stories to believe that his behavior was the norm.
I could go on and on, but you said it better than I could. I you are curious about my thoughts on some of this stuff, just search my blog under "Nashville" or "CCM" or "Christian music"
Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
z
Zach, Angelica and I both have wondered out loud recently why we sense more of the beauty and creativity of God in so-called "secular" music (some of it, anyway) than we do in nearly all of "Christian" music. I'm not sure of the answers. Maybe it's partially because there are more secular artists that just seem to enjoy being creative, period, with less thought of what people will think of them, than is commonly the case in the Christian market?
I remember reading John Piper's point in Desiring God that self-consciousness kills joy, and therefore, it is harmful to true worship of God. I could be wrong here, but it seems to me that CCM, in general, is overrun with self-consciousness, in terms of people trying to create, while worrying hugely about what other people think-- tailoring the songs "just right" to get radio play, hopping on secular musical bandwagons to appeal to non-Christians (usually a few years too late), and NOT going off in "different" (i.e. challenging) musical directions, a la Radiohead. I can't help but wonder, is this seeming self-conscioussnes in Christian music killing the joy and creativity therein, and therefore robbing Christian artists of the chance to "image" the joy and creativity of God Himself, when He creates? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
Sorry, this comment is not in the vein of these other substantive comments:
When linking to music, please use something besides an iTunes URL. Besides the pain of having to load it into another program, what if your readers don't have iTunes installed? Or what if they don't have it at work? Use Amazon or something that anyone can access universally.
Seth S,
Frankly if people don't use iTunes they need to get repent and get saved.
Just kidding (sort of :))
You are probably right. I just like how I can point to an individual song at iTunes, but Amazon or options of things to click might be more helpful.
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