I got a bunch of iTunes gifts cards for Christmas, and I have found a couple albums I am currently enjoying, but for the most part, a lot of Christian music sucks. Almost every worship song is playing the same 1-6-5-4 chord progression in the key of E, and most Christian sub-genres look and sound the exact same as their secular counterparts. I thought Christians were to be “in the world, but not of the world.” Is the Christian music industry an exception? Where are the creative artists?
I’ll be reserving my iTunes gift cards until I get some good recommendations. For now, these are some Christian artists I have been enjoying:
- Derek Webb
- Shane & Shane
- Indelible Grace Music
- Caedmon’s Call
- Scott Phillips
What artists have you been enjoying? Any recommendations for artists that glorify God and don’t try to look and sound like the status quo?
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The soundtrack for the movie “Once” is amazing.
2 weeks ago a friend of mine told me about desperation band and I love them. Apparently they’re popular, but if you haven’t heard of’m, get the the album “Everyone Overcome”. They’re similar to Hillsong United, yet very different.
What do you think of Casting Crowns?
Hey brother- some christian music is pretty lame – i agree. However, there are some cool things out there. Personally, I don’t operate so much in categories as much as whether it’s good. You are right, too much of the christian stuff sounds girly. I just ditch the labels and just listen to some music and listen for what they are saying. I used to live on thrash and punk and I still love it – i just listen to what they are saying “garbage in – garbage out.” Listening to some dude rant about how his life sucks and how he needs to blame everyone else for his problems is no longer my idea of a good time. Don’t get me wrong – musically I really dig Pantera and Metallica – I just have little time for what they have to say – and they do have something to say. Everyone is preachy – don’t care who it is. Check out Demon Hunter if manly stuff is what you are after – cool lyrics – killer riffs. Also Decyfer Down is great. Check out old Kings X. Galactic Cowboys, or All that Remains. I know you dig the folkier stuff – so check out – Above the Golden State, Lystra’s Silence (they split up – but great stuff), Manic Drive, Blindside, Andy Gullahorn, Five Iron Frenzy (ska – incredible), Caleb Rowden, Daniel Bashta, High Flight Society, Jason Stocker, Lincoln Brewster (vocals are girly, his guitar shames me), Thrice, Yellow Second, Sara Groves, Jeremy Camp, Andrew Peterson, Project 86, MXPX, Telecast, Supertones, and one of my current faves, Needtobreathe. Thats my list – sorry about the length of it – I really love this stuff and it has taken lots of digging to find some of this stuff. Most of the bands that are more underground I found at emusic.com – i have a subscription. They have all the Hillsong United stuff. Hope that helps – if not send those gift things my way – I’ll take them off your hands.
Meredith Andrews
meredithandrews.com
we were on the same dorm in college. She is a true artist that seeks to glorify God through all she writes/sings. Worship leader at Harvest Bible Chapel.
Thanks everyone for the responses!
Cody, Once is one of my favorite movies and I love the soundtrack, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova have become some of my favorite artists thanks to that film.
AJ, I will check them out this afternoon.
Lisa, I really liked Casting Crowns when they first came out because their lyrics were saying some pretty “in-your-face” stuff. I don’t dislike them, but I can’t help but think that most of their songs are starting to sound the same musically. That happens with a lot of bands. They only have one sound, or they come out with more albums that are totally different but sell out. Very rarely do you get a band that keeps a good variety, stays true to their original vision and mission, and keeps more creative and different releases flowing. Casting Crowns’ first album was great, arguably the second as well, it’s been tapering off after that for me….
Fred, thanks for the suggestions. Not so interested in just hearing “manly” music. I’m more interested in hearing powerful lyrics that are powerful because of their declarations not just because of the shock factor or type of music. “What a Friend We Have In Jesus” is powerful, and it’s a hymn. The lyrics are what make it great. I will definitely be checking out Above the Golden State, Lystra’s Silence, and Manic Drive.
Samantha, I will check out Meredith’s music this afternoon.
Thanks all!!!
And the winners are… Lystra’s Silence, Desperation Band, and Glen Hansard (Once).
Hi, I know exactly what you are talking about. I used to love Skillet. While they had some songs that could be used either way they also had a lot of good ones. I bought their last album recently, and it has disappointed me so much that I don’t want to listen to any of their music again. That really bugs me because I love their sound. Anyway, I searched for more that I would love. I found Manic Drive. They are awesome! I also love Shane & Shane, Leeland, Sanctus Real, Meredith Andrews, Newsboys, 33 Miles, Decemberadio, Big Daddy Weave, Casting Crowns, Casting Pearls, Phil Keaggy, B. Reith, Day of Fire, Fire Flight, All Together Separate, Seventh Day Slumber, Jonah 33, Jars of Clay, East West, 12 Stones, Down Here, Decyfer Down……Well, there are a lot that I have found that seem not to be compromising so much. I hope that helps you some.
Thanks for the recommendations, Wendy. I’ll check some of those out.
By no means limit yourself to music under the “Christian” label. There’s a whole world out there of great music that doesn’t fall under that category. Just because it’s secular doesn’t mean it has to be degrading.