TC Sam Cartman said it best "All we have to do to make Christian songs is take regular old songs and add Jesus stuff to them. See? All we have to do is cross out words like "baby" and "Darling" and replace them with Jesus."
***** Exactly! That really does happen. I distinctly remember, in high school, hearing a song (I think it was from the Eagles, "Life in the Fast Lane") re-purposed as a Christian song, given the title "Life in the Last Days" or something like that. I also remember Kid Rock's "Cowboy" becoming "Choir Boy." I'm dead fucking serious.
I think South Park did it best, all you need to do to be a successful Christian Rock artist is to take any love song and replace the word "Girl" with the word "God".
In my opinion it's a toss up between contemporary Christian music and modern Country music, not that there's much of a difference, I guess I hate Country music more because where I live it's played everywhere.
#6: *It's Propaganda* - Musicians in this genre seem more interested in converting people to their particular version of Christianity, rather than expressing themselves artistically.
I remember reading a bit on Christian music, and one of the most facinating things, is that the popularity of a band or a song has less to do with how good it is, but how often it speaks of Jesus.
christian music follows three standard patterns. 1.how awesome god/jesus is. 2.how great it is to be saved. 3.how lousy things are if you aren't saved. with those limits, is it any wonder it sucks so hard?
Contemporary Christian music is far more tolerable if listened to under water. The industry just needs to baptize the artists while they are recording- problem solved.
Lmao I used to like POD, life house and creed when I was 12. In fairness though it was when nu metal was in. I liked pretty much every nu metal sounding band back then and at least they sung about some different things
Robert Miller Wrong. You’re forgetting that some of history’s greatest artists and musicians and writers are Christian. The problem is that the philosophy/approach of creation has changed. Modern Christian artists are sacrificing quality for message instead of using their talents to make something good. If anyone should be creative, it should be people who believe in a creative, unpredictable, and infinite God. We haven’t lost curiosity. We’ve simply lost how to express it with finesse.
I should also add that there is real talent among Christians out there. The problem is that they’re marginalized by all the mainstream junk and by refusing to compromise to gain more secular popularity.
i want the holy ghost to party with me (kirk franklin), prototype of stupid contemporary christian music. gems of wisdom. they make justin biebers lyrics sound like baroque poetry.
I have NEVER heard Creed playing on Contemporary Christian radio stations. And I grew up on the stuff. I first heard Evanescence on CCR, and then later heard that they were pulled because the band themselves insisted that they were not a Christian band. Yes, Creed uses Christian theology in its lyrics, because of a familiarity with the topic from Scott Stapp's upbringing. But they did not and never have proselytize with their music. Meanwhile, P.O.D. (an actual Christian band who went mainstream) did. So did Sixpence None The Richer.
TestMeatDollSteak That statement's truth value has no impact on the truth value of "they suck because they're contemporary christian." ... namely, they're not contemporary christian. So, that can't be /why/ they suck.
I suppose I've gotten a whiff of contemporary christian music here and there, but thankfully, not bloody much from the stations I listen to. Before it stopped being "The Buzzard," WMMS was my primary source for rock music, and if they ever did any Creed or Amy Grant, it's news to me. Since then, I've really wandered away from rock altogether. But what about the OTHER stations I listen to, you might ask? *CLASSICAL*, boys and girls, where this crap is guaranteed NEVER to show up. At least when Mozart or Bach wrote about Jesus, it carried some gravitas!
I saw Creed open for Van Halen in 1998... ...I had no idea they were Christian. I thought they were just horrible. That said, I actually kinda like _From A Distance_... ...and _Something To Believe In_ is a great song. Poison rocks.
i can't see CC as a genre, cos musically it does not distinguish from other genres, just the lyrical content does. in my view, that doesn't earn 'genre' status. at best, i'd call it a niche market. ever heard Chrisdtian Deasth Metal? almost every song i've sampled is about hell. of course. anyway, its further evidence that they borrow from genres, they don't create their own.
You'd think God would prefer music that actually took some effort, originality, or talent to write. But no, apparently he wants the same bland as shit song recycled over and over again in which half the lyrics are his own name.
Hey you guys remember this article: www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2014/08/musical_nostalgia_the_psychology_and_neuroscience_for_song_preference_and.html? Yeah... So I'll always love CCM. Even if I think it sucks. :'( :'( :'( :'(
I'm the same way when it comes to music, I had such a diverse and vast collection of seemingly random picked CD's back in the late 90's and early 00's. Celtic, Rock, Rap, Classical, numerous soundtracks, some 'Pure Moods' volumes thrown in for shits and giggles...but contemporary Christian music never hit it with me, and I never really understood why even as a believer (back then, anyway). I was more into the old timey blue grass, "O' Brother Where Art Thou" kind of music. At least back then some of the music was subtle and sometimes vague about being religious. Then again I do like me some POD and Creed...nobody's perfect. : P
My coworker is constantly blaring out a hideous radio channel called K-LOVE. It sounds like the worst of modern pop and country rolled into a shitty package with the words "Jesus", "Savior", "Redemption" and "Saved" peppered throughout the ear poison they call songs.
There's pretty much only two themes in contemporary Christian music: 1. "I'm a worthless piece of shit but God loves me!" 2. "I WANT JESUS TO BE MY BOYFRIEND!!"
I lead a life that attempts to parallel the moral principles that are brought forth through the ancient Scriptures... and I emphatically agree with you (except for #5 where it's not necessarily terrible but more mediocre and subpar for my palate). At any rate, my reason for comment is... I can't show this to my kids (however much I would like to) because of the, shall we say, 'more intrusive' language, Lol. 'Tis a shame... because your assessment is very much on point.
I haven't stopped to think about the Christian music I used to listen to for years. Now that I am thinking about it, I guess I still do like some of it. I can't put my finger on what I like about it though, so maybe it's just because it's so familiar and was such a big part of my childhood. Though, I don't know why that would make it appealing, since I don't think my childhood was particularly great. Or maybe I just have terrible taste in music.
It honestly took me a few years to realize POD was a Christian band. Then again, the only two songs I really ever liked by them were School of Hard Knocks and Youth of the Nation. I think the only Christian band I enjoy is Skillet. Then again, every other word in their songs isn't 'Jesus.'
While I agree that at least 50% of christian music that came out in my 37 years is trite, cheesy or dull, when people talk about things like no originality, repetitive chord progressions, bad lyrics, the general valuing mass market appeal above true artistry, secular pop music is every bit as guilty of all this. At least imo, the vast majority of secular popular music has sucked for the past 20 years or so. There is actually some really great, original, profound, creative christian music out there, it's just all under the radar. Acts like Andrew Peterson, Josh Garrells, and Gungor, to name a few, are great. There is also a lot of good actual gospel/southern gospel still being made. The stuff you hear on christian radio is just a narrow part of what all is actually out there. I also like to go back to classical and bluegrass sometimes as well. They both have a history of making good gospel music.
I did a review of the new Lifehouse album for Ultimate-Guitar. The themes aren't as overtly christian but they're still god-awful. I tried to avoid bashing it too hard but there's admittedly one or two strong enough moments to make it an average album at best. This is coming from a guy who's current favourite album is Colored Sands by Gorguts and would heartily recommend it instead.
3:16 Except Norwegian Black Metal, if a Christian band tried to get in there they'd get burned while locked inside a church...Probably have already happened.
***** Which artists do you think are writing about Christianity in a complex, artful way? The first name that comes to mind for me is Sufjan Stevens. And -maybe- some modern rappers like Hopsin or Kendrick Lamar.
Even when I was Christian I couldn't listen to our local Christian music radio station because it all sounded the same to me. Like all the artists had the exact same type of voice and stuff. That and they broadcasted portions of "Focus on the Family" and even 12 year old me knew it was bullshit.
This is real music: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Xdl0m1v5el8.html And so is this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-F51uHpH3yQk.html This is not: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZtlDVleJBtA.html That's what happens when you let stunted little proles think that anyone has the talent to write down a song. Artistically speaking, the Christian world was doing far better when intellectuals were producing content for it. Even as an atheist, I lament that passing.
I don't disagree about contemporary Christian music being generally unoriginal, but how many original, new concepts are coming out of mainstream music that's mostly love songs?
One good thing "Creed" did? The video for their "Scream" song, they all get killed by Ghost Face in it. Worst thing, I think, at the end, it ends up being a prank and they're all still alive. :)
The only Christian music I want to hear is "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus." I laugh everytime I hear them singing that. I suspect Jesus may be a porn star.
Christian Music isn't really a genre, it's a topic They call it a genre because it really just is crappy rock, crappy pop, and crappy country, and they don't want it to be compared to the good music in those genres That is why for such a crappy "genre" it is capable of the occasional good song/band
I found myself at a bizarre feminist burlesque show last year, where a woman performed/stripped to Butterfly Kisses. I think it was the only time I've ever enjoyed that song.
If you want a real laugh (or cry) search on youtube "mark lowry song of solomon" When I was younger in a believing household, somehow that song didn't strike me as totally bizarre.
I grew up in the Episcopal church, with parents who both sang in various choirs. Even when I was a Christian, I had no patience for that vapid tripe. (Carpooling with a woman who looooved the Newsboys didn't help at all.)
Hmm. I was actually just listening to a song about Paradise Lost. Anyway I still think Decon Struct's video on this subject is one of the funniest things he's ever done.
You know, some people think Viva La Vida by Coldplay is about Jesus. If it is, I'm gonna have to say it's probably the best Christian song I've ever heard.
I'm sorry but the idea of an all powerful being, up in the sky, watching every little thing I do all day, every day, is both unsettling and a bit sad. I would like to think if I was all powerful and up in the sky that I would have better things to do than be a peeping tom type. :)
Why don't they make music about a theological school of thought or Martin Luther or fucking something else in their history then just Jesus? It would be less repetitive...
It's what you get when the message overrides the art. Sufjan Stevens is Christian and writes music with overtly Christian themes, but makes good music because he cares more about writing songs than 'spreading the good news.'
The most powerful aspect of Contemporary Christian music is that it manipulates your emotions. Which makes a lot of people make a manipulated conversation to Jesus and then soon lose interest and fall away. It wasn’t real in the first place. It was musically manipulated! Been there.
Obviously you didn't do your homework for the subject. You simply may have heard a song decided they were all this way. This video should have been 5 seconds long and simply stated that you are biased and you don't like it.
I've got this mental image of a Tibetan prayer wheel with the repetitive Christian message instead of a Buddhist prayer making the endless, perpetual rounds.
And there is another reason I'm glad I live in the UK where religion tends to be a personal private matter. Any young person/band who tried to play a religious rock n roll song would be as popular as a naked septuagenerian German yodeller pushing your religion on others is just so uncool 😀👍
I feel like the #1 reason should be that it's artless. You did make mention of it, but seriously, if your music is not creative, it's not worth listening to, period.
Amy Grant was basically adult contemporary before that genre became really popular. She was so popular that she crossed over into "pop" music and released a secular album or two.
Best Christian music was written during the medieval/classical age. Its the same with the literature too, Dantes Inferno is a billion times better than Left Behind.
Jesus, I pull down my pants and I lift up my hands. Jesus, you are the man. I'm glad to come into you. I give my body to grace On your invisible face. Jesus, I'll lay me to waste So I can come into you. This is my favorite song to our lord and savior.
1. Hey! I'm not sure it's fair to say that MW Smith is the CCM Richard Marx. If anything, he's more like Kenny Loggins? Idk. Who knows. 2. I met Carman once. When I was, like, 5. hm... Yeah. Sufjan Stevens, for example, has very thoughtful material about God and Christianity and stuff. 4. Hey! I still like Jars of Clay and Creed (and to a lesser extent, yeah, even Lifehouse)! I don't think Creed was ever even explicitly marketed to Christian, um, markets... They just talked about Christian stuff. In that way, they were more like U2 (sorry XP). There were actually a surprising number of Christian bands "invading" mainstream rock even in the 00s! Flyleaf, Switchfoot, Skillet, etc... A lot of them are still around. There's this band I like called HURT. I guess the singer was raised Christian. His lyrics are pretty anti-religion, but he has said in interviews that if he could stick to just one type of writing, he wouldn't mind having the "captive audience" built in to CCM. Ha! Another thing that bothers me about CCM is the shitty lyricism. Mixed metaphors all over the place. For example: "this bomb is ticking, and we're getting to the end of the fuse!" -Petra "saddle up your horses, we got a real to blaze, through the wild, blue yonder of God's amazing grace..." -Steven Curtis Chapman "packing up the seeds God planted in the fertile soil of you..." -MW Smith (actually, his wife wrote that and all the other lyrics on his first album, so, if he's the Elton John of CCM, which is admittedly a stretch, she's the Bernie Taupin! Ha!) It almost hurt just for me to write those lyrical abominations out! 😅😢
Contemporary Christian music artists aren't selling Jesus to non-Christians. They are selling their own Jesus-osity to other believers to show the former is worthy of getting the latter's cash.
If you only look at the bad, then yes all you'll find it soulless music. However, there are many Christian artists that stand out. Examples: Danny Gokey, Elevation Worship, Bethel, Lacrae, Housefire 3, TobyMac, Jeremy Camp, MercyMe, Hillsong Worship, etc. The problem with Christian music, is that the radio likes playing the same songs repeatedly from generic artists, so people are lead to believe that all Christian music sucks.
secretagentman Dude, I'm a Christian and I just want to let you know that pretty much all of the artists you suggested are not very good examples of "stand out" Christian music makers. Danny Gokey?? TobyMac?? Mercy Me?? I'm sorry, but I (and many others) would say they are just NOT good.
I still like Phil Keaggy - he is one of the world's great guitarists and I find even the Jesus stuff fairly original and enjoyable. But there aren't many morel
***** I have always liked "Sounds" - John Pattituci of Chick Corea Elektric band on bass. If you haven't heard the Carnegie Hall Live album, it's amazing.
Agreed. 3/4 of the band would agree too. Tremonti especially hated that they managed to get that label. Yes, there was religious imagery in their music, but it was never about converting anyone to Christianity.
