Hallelujah: It’s the Christian music thread.

[kateln]

venusdiva429 said:

Godless pagan here

I think Christian pop's biggest problem is that they're just, I don't know, trying too hard sometimes? Like, I can almost tell that they're just not that innovative or daring, and it comes through in the music. There are groups that seem to be able to put the creativity and music first, and the religion second, and those are the ones that make it work. Not to say that they discount thier beliefs to sell out to the man, but they definitely seem to connect with the musical side of things, and then embellish on that...they let the music take them through the process, in other words, and then elaborate on that.

...if that made any sense.

I thought that Pagans had lot's of gods, at least that's why I never got into...too many to keep track of.

I agree that a lot of Christian bands seem to be trying to hard. I'll say this for P.O.D. (who I'm not a fan of) at least they tried to do something unusual for that genre of music. As opposed to Michael W. Smith or Geoff Moore and the Distance, or the other bands on the "Songs of Praise" albums who all sound interchangable.

[defaultusername]

I think the guys in Lifehouse are Mormon, and many fundamentalists have an even lower opinion of them then Catholics and Jews (but not as low as their opinion of homosexuals).

[satellite]

I think Christian pop's biggest problem is that they're just, I don't know, trying too hard sometimes? Like, I can almost tell that they're just not that innovative or daring, and it comes through in the music.

Or not trying hard enough. Granted my only exposure to Christian pop these days comes through infomercials and magazine articles, but I get the vibe that many performers are successful because of the built-in audience. I'd prefer if the band can compete on the wider musical playing field.

[livviebway]

I was reading some book a few months ago (unfortunately I can't remember what it was) that was talking about the "Christian music ghetto." The idea of that being that Christian artists end up playing the same old stuff to the same built in audience because if they try to expand beyond the standard "Christian music sound" their original audiences will reject them, attack their Christianity, etc. Dang, I wish I could remember what book this was from.

[defaultusername]

Are Mormons considered Christians (sine they don’t subscribe to the Nicene Creed)?

[starskin]

I think so. They are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I'm pretty sure (from what my ex-Mormon friends have told me) that they consider themselves Christian, but not part of Christianity in the sense that they're Catholic or Protestant. Like a seperate branch or something.

[Binky]

Has anyone here ever heard of Five Iron Frenzy? I, ahem, obtained their music and really dug the sound. Later, I actually listened to the lyrics and realized they were talking about God and Jesus in more than the typical rock songy way. I'm an athiest but I still like them. I also love gospel music like Moses Hogan.

[Ella]

Some of my fav Christmas music:

"The little drummer boy"- the Mormon Tabernacle Choir-Nobody else should cover this song.
"There's no place like home " - Glen Campbell- It reminds me of my late parents.
" Frosty the Snowman"- Perry Como. LOVE this version.
"Oh Holy Night"- Martina Mcbride- If you haven't heard it, find it. no one can hold a note like her.
"Light of the stable"- Emylou Harris- a sweet, beautiful song.

I'm sure there's more, but that all I can think of for now.
I'm off to download some xmas music.

[defaultusername]

I know Mormons like to think of them selves as Christian, but I wonder what someone whose is, say, Catholic might say. Keep in mind that Muslims regard Jesus as a profit, but you wouldn’t call them Christians.

[zacandmax]

bisonchiefnole said:

I will try not to go overboard with my post, but I am one of those 'crazy Jesus-lovers' so bear with me.

For Christian rock/metal, I love Underoath.

For more pop-type, I like Switchfoot and Lifehouse.

When I want to listen to hip-hop, Christian music is really the only hip-hop still worth listening to. I'm talking about lyrical ability, plus beats, the way hip-hop used to be. Verbs, Cross Movement, Gospel Gangstas, etc.

Favorite all around Christian artist: Javen Campbell. Still sort of unknown, but I guess you could say he has that laid back John Legend type voice, but can really saaaang! And Chris Rodriguez. Only one CD, Beggars Paradise, but it is awesome!

I feel weird that I've never heard Amy Grant and only one Michael W. Smith song. Maybe it's because I'm non-Caucasian. My people like music that moves the soul as well as the feet.

Amen.

I too, am a Jesus lover. I am a Baptist. My Mother is a musician for her church, she plays for two choirs there. I sing in church, my sister sings, we used to have a Gospel group when we were little. We'd go around to different churches all over the city and sing, with my mom on piano. Imagine two little girls, eight, and fourteen, who sounded like Mary Mary, tearin congregations up everywhere we went.

Anyway....

My Christian music is actually Gospel music, I like Amy Grant and Steve Chapman and such, but I really love Walter Hawkins, Shirley Caeser, Andre Crouch, Donnie McKlurkin, Kirk Franklin. Good Gospel choirs aalways rouse me, and I enjoy foot stomping singing. I will admit, some of these singers I have named also have had serious personal issues, but I try not to let that cloud my enjoyment or the message that I get out of the songs. Kirk Franklin has led a movement that has really reached out to secular audiences, they actually play alot of his songs on contempory R&B radio, and for that he should be admired. Just wanted to add my 2 cents on Gospel music.