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Saturday, September 17, 2005
Christian Music Today, Part One
Recently some bloggers have been attempting to have a dialogue on the state of Christian Radio in America. Questions like "why is Christian Radio so lame?" and the ever present "who listens to this crap?" have come up again and again.
In the interest of helping with this extremely serious problem (joking!) I have decided to irregularly compile a list of really, really good Christian artists that are never played on the radio. My goal here is only to help folks find music that is worth listening to. I would like to say that we can count on the Christian Radio folks to locate these hidden gems and broadcast them to the world. However, it seems clear that like so many areas of modern mainstream Christianity (church marketing, politics, etc.) Christian Radio has adopted a corporate mentality. In other words, if we aren't slumming for the majors, we aren't doing anything at all. Ok, end of rant. Here's my first selection: 1. Sufjan Stevens  A product of the Sounds Familyre/Asthmatic Kitty collective (?), Stevens has been making really cool, really Christian songs for about five years. I first came across his stuff at Cornerstone 2001 - I think it was the Sun Came! record - which piqued my interest. His best so far (imo) is Seven Swans, though his most recent Invites You To: Come on Feel the Illinoise! is getting good reveiws and filling clubs across the land. The melodies remind me of the minimalist composers Steven Reich and John Adams, while the lyrics have an earnestness and honesty that is compelling. On the straight folk ditty John Wayne Gacy he sings: In my best behaviorStevens is also an excellent banjo player, and integrates the tell-tale Danielson family singers into many of his songs. I cannot recommend this guy enough. (ps - I just say Sufjan Stevens at the Canopy Club this week and was again impressed. While his set was fairly short and filled with innocent silliness (cheerleader cheers for Metropolis and Peoria!) - his melodies and instrumental prowess came through clearly. The club was filled with the hippest and coolest of C/U, and I believe Stevens allowed his message (Jesus) to come through, though not with the intensity that I had expected. A recent Mojo Magazine interview with him revealed that he is trying to scale back the evangelical aspects of his earlier records since he is now getting more exposure. A bit disappointing, though I consider that his deal to work out with God.) More to come.  
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28 Comments:
I don't understand why Sufjan is being labled as a "Christian" artist, simply because of his faith. It's like trying to stuff someone into a niche just to have some sort of closer personal connection. Because of the need for most Christians to only listen to artists who they can deem "God Approved," they come across as close-minded. It's way easier for people to understand the day-to-day experiences of dealing with faith than the hand-raising praising. Reaching people where they are at is a lot more effective than giving them a hand from your high horse. Take the subtle beauty of Sixpence None The Richer's albums, or the last two albums by The Normals. They are good music made by Christians. But, I think one's faith is hardly the only outlet for inspiration for artistic creation, and that creativity shouldn't be any less impressive in its "non-praising." All art is made by man, who was created by God, and as long as it is not heretical, it can be viewed as revealing His beauty to all of us. Open those minds...
I actually don't think Sufjan is being labeled as a Christian artist. In fact, I would guess most people who listen to him just like the music, of the "Illinoise" focus or whatever.
Similar to U2, whom most people still never realize are Christians. Bono can talk about "God walking into the room" 'til he is blue in the face, and some folks just don't believe it.
Which is fine, but I think our goal as fans should be to try to understand the motives behind the music. If I listen to, say, Neurosis I can understand their quasi-buddhist take on life through not only their lyrics, but also their riffs. It deepens the experience to understand the medium from which the artist is creating.
Christians are not required to create Christian music. There are tons of Christians who play secular music, just as there are undoubtedly plenty of non-believers playing Christian music for the money.
But when an artist is a Christian who creates good-excellent Christian music, then I want to recognize them. It helps other people who are believers to find music that is a bit more meaningful. Something to which we can relate.
The idea, for example, that Sufjan Stevens is no better than John Wayne Gacy is ridiculously profound to me because I am a Christian. My guess would be that non-believers would have a hard time believing that to be true. As a person intimately aware of my own failures, and eager to lay those sins at the feet of Christ, I adore that line.
But that is just me. I would hope that people who get to a certain level of popularity, and who are professed Christians, would use their podium for spread the Gospel. Not altar calls, obviously, but just creating an example: I am a believer, and I am not a lame, cheesy, intolerant person.
It's a message I think the world needs to hear a bit more often.
Interesting post, Foleyma, although you must not listen to WPGU 107.1 FM (the college radio station). They have a relatively eclectic selection, and I'm actually getting a little tired of hearing of Sufjan Stevens on their station. They play him that much.
we should chat sometime. i had no idea you were a cornerstone-goer. i've gone almost every year from '95 to present, although i missed this last year.
i'm looking forward to seeing what other bands you like.
Actually, I don't listen to radio all that much, though I have liked what PGu has done in the last few years.
But still no spins on Christian Radio ... hmmm.
Heather - I would love to chat sometime - any cornerstoner is a friend of mine, though I admit that my attendance has been sporadic at best over the last few years. Ah, the good old days ...
If you have any music that you'd like to recommend, please let me know. I am in no way an expert on cool Christian music, and would love to hear new stuff.
I went to C-Stone back in '99... good time. That was the year of the break-out stars... Sixpence and P.O.D. But Vigilantes were there and the short lived Chasing Furies... and a good set by Burlap To Cashmere... Danielsen Familie... and the Newsboys! lol That seems like eons ago.
Just talking about this is reminding me of Jitters And Rush! Anyone else remember this joint where Guidos now resides?
Sometime in November Andrew Osenga (former frontman for The Normals) is going to be coming to town. Check out my blog for dates and times.
Sorry I'm getting in on this thread so late. Anyway, I know of a few good bands I like, and you might like too.
I like Mae a lot. I've been getting into mewithoutYou a bit recently but if you're much older than me (age 26) you might be just at the cusp of being unable to appreciate them. Discover America is pretty good too. Vienna Teng is great. I like her a LOT. The Echoing Green and The Juliana Theory have been around a while and I like them both. I don't really know the religious affiliation of the members of The Promise Ring but their music leaves me so happy and full of hope that I have my suspicions. I'm sure you know about Venus Hum but it sems to me that some of her songs are practically worship songs.
And locally, there's always The Elanors and Joyful Sorrow. And I guess my band Bread Box might count, but we don't have an album you can purchase out.
Kelley -
I'd love to hear your band. Let me know when you are playing out again, or if you hear of any other bands that are from this genre who are playing out. Venus Hum is a great band, for sure - good call.
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