We Don’t Need Worship Music

Ohhhhh Pete Rollins.  Such an unusual little man.  He’s deep and challenging and creative.  His latest piece on his blog is about worship music.  Here’s an excerpt:

Part of the reason why I get caught off guard lies in the way that so much Christian music emulates the structure of popular music. In order to begin to reflect upon what this means (and these are only provisional reflections) we could offer the following working definition of worship music: any music that presents someone or thing as the fulfilment of a gap at the core of our being.

For example a worship song might hold up a woman, fame, sex, money, revenge, Jesus etc. as that which is the answer to our sense of being incomplete. This should not be confused with a piece of music that simply celebrates and upholds someone or thing as good, beautiful and worthy. Rather it describes a song that holds someone or thing as the absolute answer.

It is not then the person or thing which makes a piece of music a worship song but rather the position that person or thing holds in the song itself (as that which fills, or would fill, a perceived void).

The most immediate problem with singing such songs in church lies in the way that it reduces the source of faith to just one more product promising us fulfilment and happiness in our soul. The church is then reduced to just one more company with it’s advertising sales pitch, it’s promises of happiness and it’s impotent snake oil supplement to supposedly enhance our lives.

Read the whole piece here: “The Church Shouldn’t Do Worship, The Charts Have That Covered”

Music Review: Sara Groves, Fireflies and Songs

This album is a couple of years old (2009), but new to me! I just picked it up for 6 bucks at Lifeway Christian bookstore.  I bought this CD without even sampling the tracks on iTunes first. A risk, yes, but a calculated one, being well-acquainted with Sara Groves’ music.  In fact, her Past the Wishing album was the first Christian CD I bought.  It was a life-changing CD, and I wrote her a letter of gratitude. She sent me back a personal, hand-written note that is very special to me.

Now, sentimentalities aside, let’s talk about this album…

Fireflies and Songs is, in many ways, reminiscent of her earlier work. Her voice and the piano are prominent on the songs, with occasional strings, etc. accompanying.  It has a stripped-down feel that I really appreciate. Her lyricism is impeccable!  She is one of the most poetic songwriters I can think of in Christian music. Her lyrics are vulnerable, beautiful, punchy, and delicate. The whole album inhabits this space between piercing melancholy and quiet joyfulness. And it resonates.  It will take a few more listens to really digest the stories that each song tells, but the album is a very pleasant listen. It’s earthy and honest…like you’re sitting on the back porch with Ms. Groves herself, listening to her heart come out in song.

Below is one of my favorite tunes from the album:

Music Review: Derek Webb, “Feedback”

What to say about this album….

First of all, Webb describes it as a “worship album”, and I think that designation is important to keep in mind when understanding this album, an album that challenges what we define as “worship music”. I am a Derek Webb fan. I think his work is honest, prophetic, and artistic. That already sets him apart from much of what we hear in “Christian music”. This particular album is quite a departure from his previous work but also feels like a natural progression.  The album is entirely instrumental!  That’s basically unheard of for singer/songwriter type artists like Webb.  So here’s my brief evaluation.
The Good: The album is coherent and full-bodied. Every track has a lot of substance and a large palette of unusual timbres and hues.  You will hear so many different instruments, from piano to guitar to flute to bongos and a slew of synthesized sounds.  Simply put, it is interesting to listen to! I would call it an aural kaleidoscope.  It is great music for relaxing or for background music while painting, reading, writing, etc. The music is reflective and inspiring while  giving the listener room to breathe and plenty of quieter moments to process whatever epiphany you had during the crescendo.
The Bad: I do miss Derek Webb’s gravelly voice with all of its sincerity and conviction. I think even just one line sung here or there would have been a beautiful touch without detracting from the concept of the album.  The other downside is that  you can’t really listen to just one track. The album is so seamless that one track out of context feels weird. It almost doesn’t make sense. And as much as I love a holistic, concept album, I also like the ability to just listen to certain songs when I feel like it.

Overall, I find the album impressive, refreshing, and worthy of being added to your collection. Webb has created something truly innovative and artistic.  Not everyone will get it or appreciate it. But this album is a beautiful contribution to the music world, secular and sacred.

What Happened to Good Music?

Good music needs our support to stay alive!

The Farewell Circuit, a band out of Minneapolis, is on a quest to raise money to fund their newest album.  If you like Radiohead, Copeland, Jon Foreman, and other similar artists, you will  like The Farewell Circuit.

They have a Kickstarter page that gives the details about the project and explains how you can help.  You have nothing to lose. If the band does not reach their funding goal, you pay nothing!  If they do, you get whatever perks accompany the amount you pledged.

Music Review: theBREAX

FINALLY!  Some seriously hot hip-hop!
When it comes to hip-hop music, I have narrow taste. I like intelligent, underground, artistic, classic hip-hop. And frankly, that’s hard to find in Christian music. But I’ve found it!  This album weighs in at a hefty 21 tracks. So here’s the breakdown:
Beats: The beats are…good. Solid and groovy. Very few of the tracks have the kind of beats that will make you get up and dance. But it’s not that kind of album. It has more a of a bob-your-head, basement, mixtape kind of feel. And if you like old-school soul music, you’ll hear some tasty sampling as well. Each track sounds refreshing and different from the one before it. And that’s no small feat on an album of this length.
Lyrical Content: These rappers are forthright with their faith without sounding too preachy or hung up on their own theological prowess. And they are disarmingly clever with their rebukes. Content-wise, you’ll hear a mix of funny punchlines and  heart-penetrating spiritual insight.
Lyricism/Flow: There are three emcees, each with their own style. I think they are some of the most talented rappers I’ve heard in Christian hip-hop. They rap like poets not like guys rearranging the words of Bible verses to make them rhyme over background music.

Overall, I think it’s a stellar album, very reminiscent of classic hip-hop but contemporary enough to resonate right now.  I don’t love all 21 tracks, but I can listen to the album all the way through. It’s entertaining, thought-provoking, and just downright fresh!  Get it!

 

Support Good Music!

If you don’t know about the band The Farewell Circuit, where have you BEEN?!

My long-time friend and musician, Danny, fronts the band. Over the last several years, they’ve put out some wonderful, interesting, creative, and compelling music on a small budget. They have some new material up their sleeves but need help funding the project.  It’s simple: Make a pledge, help them reach their goal, and get some great music (and other perks depending on how much you pledge).

Check out the link below:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/215145836/the-new-farewell-circuit-album

Support good music…your music collection will be better for it!

Music Review: John DeGrazio

Another interesting Christian album. DeGrazio is not a newcomer by any means! He has a hefty resumé in the music industry, including playing with the group Burlap to Cashmere. But this album, DeGrazio’s third full-length album, is very different from Burlap’s Greek-influenced music….and different from much of the current music, really.  DeGrazio’s voice is clear, controlled, and full-bodied. He sounds like he could have come from the musical theater stage straight to the studio. Lyrically, the songs are neither groundbreaking nor poetic. But they ARE honest. The lyrics read like pages from DeGrazio’s diary, and it’s evident that he has put his soul into this work. I think the most notable thing about the album is the musical arrangements. Some of the tracks are downright stunning!  He is a classically trained musician, and it shows. Operatic melodies and robust string arrangements make for a collection of complex and distinguished songs. Overall, I would liken this album to a glass of fine wine; not everyone is going to ‘get it’, but those who do will patiently savor this sophisticated flavor.

Update

A whirlwind more or less.

Since my last blog entry, I have become unemployed, after having my dream job for four months. And I have also relocated back to Georgia.

I don’t really know what will be next for me. I feel small and overwhelmed. My faith is being tested. Really, really tested.

But the good news is that I should have plenty of time for blogging!  I will continue the “Reconsideration” series over the next several days.  I am also expecting a CD in the mail that I will be reviewing here.  Until then, I’d like to know: How do YOU cope with uncertain times in your own life?

Music Review: Trent Cory

 

This album has been out for a while. I’m a little late on the scene!  But I thought it was still worth reviewing .  So here’s the deal with this fellow. He has an extraordinary voice. A strong, masculine, and controlled voice. Definitely a powerhouse, but never overpowering. This a live worship album, kind of in the same vein as Israel Houghton’s work. A lively and palatable blend of gospel and pop. Many of the tunes will have you doing your “church jump”. You know that little Holy Spirit hop Pentecostals do when they get excited!  There is nothing incredibly unique or groundbreaking about this album. It’s just good, solid, sing-your-guts-out, worship music. It’s an album you can listen to straight through, and those are rare these days.

Music Review: Tal & Acacia

Lots of random clicking in the iTunes store somehow led me to Tal & Acacia’s album ‘Wake Me’.  And I’m so glad I stumbled upon them!  I am always on the lookout for something fresh in Christian music.  This duo so beautifully smashes the Christian female vocalist mold.  Vocally, they sound like a blend of Norah Jones and Regina Spektor. Musically, they are somewhere between Imogen Heap and Ingrid Michaelson with a sprinkle of MIKA. The strength of this album lies in its courageous melodies and timbres. The chief weakness is the lyrics. Lyrically, the songs are catchy, but nothing complex or penetrating that will provoke deep thought. In all fairness, I think the simplicity is intentional. Overall, a balanced and delightful album. A refreshing, off-center addition to your Christian music collection and a good soundtrack for talking a walk on a sunny day.