…or does it?
Christian rock has gotten a bad reputation over the years, and some of it is well-deserved.
In the ‘80s, Christian hair-metal band, Stryper, became the punchline of many jokes both because of their ridiculously pompous lyrics, and their big hair and hideous yellow and black spandex outfits. (check out the “Calling on You” Video)
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Of course, there is no defending Stryper, they’re just hilariously awful.
However, it would be narrow-minded to disregard an entire genre of music simply because of its silly outfits and religious slant (afterall, Metallica isn’t exactly a fashion icon).
So, today we’re going to take a look at a few of today’s more popular Christian music artists and try to answer the question:
Does Christian Music Suck?
Relient K.
Specializing in pop-punk, this band is frequently compared to acts such as Blink 182
“Be My Escape” made waves on alt-rock radio. The music is light and fun, but the snotty vocals wear thin. But, it’s not really any worse than any of the other stuff this genre has to offer.
Switchfoot
Easily one of the most popular Christian rock bands around, Switchfoot have crossed over to mainstream radio and MTV so well that many fans don’t even realize it’s a Christian band. The group’s slightly grungy Hoobastank-style rock songs like “Dare You to Move” aren’t innovative by any means, but they’re a hell of a lot less annoying than popular mainstream bands like Seether.
MercyMe—God With Us
Ahh…here it is. Bands like this are the reason mainstream radio doesn’t quite accept Christian music. Considered songs of praise, this style of music beats listeners over the head with shiny happy lyrics and bible verses. Probably more popular with housewives than punks. Certainly something your mom might like if she’s kinda lame…or maybe your grandma.
Newsboys—In Wonder
This outfit is the blandest pop this side of Matchbox 20. They seem to mimic whatever musical trend is popular at the moment (apparently watered down Duran Duran at present), but fail to make any sort of lasting impression other than a yawn and some eye-roll inducing lyrics.
Casting Crowns—East to West
This is a terrible band name, that always makes us think of Counting Crows. The good news is, they don’t sound like Counting Crows. The bad news is, Casting Crowns are better. Songs like “East to West” will go over with fans of Evanescence and Five for Fighting.
So, it seems that while all Christian music probably doesn’t suck, a lot of it does. But the problem isn’t always the message, it’s that the bands aren’t being adventurous enough with their music.
Do you think Christian music, gospel songs, CCM and songs of praise rock or not?
Leave a comment and let us know!
Jonathan says...
01.31.08 7:56 am
Good article, but you’ve only scraped the surface of Christian music. One of the problems with trying to determine the suck-icity of Christian music, is that it can’t really be called a genre. There are Rock, R&B, Hip Hop, Rap, Country bands and so on, and some of those happen to be Christian, and sing songs with Christian messages.
I would say that, as with every genre, you have to take the bad with the good.
Some other good Christian musicians include: Jeremy Camp, Jeremy Riddle, Hillsong United, David Crowder* Band, Derek Webb, Third Day, Jars of Clay, and on and on.
Then there are those groups whose band members are Christians, but they are not explicitly a Christian band, like The Fray and Matt Kearney.
So in summary, there is a lot of talent in the world of Christian music, but its not for everyone.
Is positive, Christian music coming into it’s own? | StereoTruth.net says...
01.31.08 10:00 am
[...] always thought so - and often for good reason. Karen, over at eztracks.com has written a really good article from someone in the mainstream’s point of [...]
Angel Journey says...
04.7.08 1:37 pm
All I have to say is this: FAMILY FORCE 5 and Skillet…look ‘em up. FF5 will blow your “not adventurous enough” statement out of the water. Other bands that you fail to mention include Underoath, Red, and Pillar. Plus, I do not know how you can say the band Stryper, sucked. They have a gold album as well as a platinum album and their song “Honestly” peaked at #32 on the Top 40 charts. They also gained air time on MTV and became one of the most requested on MTV. They were the first Christian band to do any of the above so to say they suck just isn’t true. I really hope you look FF5 up, you’ll really enjoy them.
Tom says...
01.8.09 11:02 pm
omg,,,you’re on crack. Stryper jammed. These “new” bands are a total joke. For starters they’re horrible musicians. Stryper had awesome musicians. You try playing those guitar solos. These new bands you praise don’t belong in the same catagorey. Thank God too. I’d be embarrassed if they were. They don’t hold a candle to the old stuff. Thats one thing that I hated about the 1990’s. Cheesy alternative rock that was lame and depressing. It gave everyone a closed mind. And unfortunately it gave you one. Sad to say these things are still going on in todays music. I miss excitment and energy in music. Stryper was very bold. They sold millions of records while puutting “Isaiah 53:5″ under their logo. Soldiers Under Command, In God We Trust, and To Hell With The Devil,,,awesome BOLD titles. Please stop bashing bands that don’t deserve it. I don’t think Stryper gave christian music a bad name. If anything they made it acceptable for people like you to listen to your wimpy, sissy, and silly bands that you praise. Stryper, Barren Cross, Bloodgood, Holy Soldier, Guardian, Tempest, Rage Of Angels, Eternal Ryte, Whitecross, Neon Cross, Deliverance, Tourniquet,,,,REAL bands.
Oilcountry99 says...
03.17.09 5:44 pm
ya bro. um check out underoath. one of the best hardcore acts there is and they’re very christian too. and Relient k is epic. their lyrics are kinda lame with a touch of humour but thats what makes them relient k and i love them, just like a million 14 year old girls across north america.
and ya you should check out anberlin, the almost, august burns red, between the trees, bracing for downpour, becoming the archeatype, chasing victory, dead poetic, destroy the runner, emery, falling up, haste the day, mychildren mybride, oh sleeper, project 86, skillet, and the wedding
Karen added...
Thanks for the suggestions!
Which underoath song is your fave?
Maybe I’ll check it out sometime.
03.18.09 7:52 am
oilcountry99 says...
03.18.09 10:03 am
You could check out desperate times desperate measures or writing on the walls. those songs in my opinion destroy everything made by the popular secular band they are often compared with (alexisonfire) you may have heard of them. and underoath isn’t preachy. in fact lots of their songs are about their lead vocalists cocain addiction
Karen added...
Cool, thanks for the suggestion.
I don’t really love alexisonfire, but I’ll give underoath a shot.
Might even write another article about some of the new, heavy christian rock acts.
thx
03.18.09 10:22 am
oilcountry99 says...
03.18.09 11:28 am
If your a fan of the heavy august burns red is band you have to check out.
Nate says...
04.20.09 3:31 pm
Switchfoot ISN’T a christain band, they say it themselves on their FAQ on their website.
And if you want innovation, listen to Switchfoot’s less mainstream stuff like Oh! Gravity, and The Legend of Chin. I hate people who judge Switchfoot by just listening to one or two of their songs (most likley from TBL). Jon himself said: “Honest experiences make good music.” Being innovative is a seccondary priority. You can take a piano, tune it microtonaly and play random notes on it and that would be innovation. But it wont have any emotion, or porupose behind it. And like I said before, listen to some of their other music, tell me the Legend of Chin, Oh! Gravity, or New Way to be Human, or even Nothing Is Sound for that matter isn’t unique and you must be crazy.
Nate says...
04.20.09 3:35 pm
And even if you still dont like them, each to his own I geuss, that was just my 2 cents.
Listen to Skillet though! =D They are awesome. (my 2 cents again of course)
kyronfoo says...
04.24.09 12:20 am
look, i don’t really know what ur talking about, im not sure that website of urs is really thier website, but switchfoot is a christian band and by the way, writer of the blog. many of the songs that christian music has created has indeed made the manstream market, i suggest that you do a little more research and revise ur opinion without giving thought to fact that the songs indeed are christian. don’t worry about the hate of christian music u seem to imply in ur blog, i think i know where ur coming from. but seriously,if hate of christians is ur case, mabye you try seeing our point of view without pregudice towards religon
kyronfoo says...
04.24.09 12:23 am
o! and by the way, thiers some really good songs on the album that “east to west” came from
oilcountry99 says...
04.24.09 8:41 am
did you check out underoath?
anberlin?
August burns red?
Karen added...
Underoath was cool, thanks for the tip! Haven’t had a chance to check August Burns Red yet (slow ol’ computer). Will give ‘em a spin thought!
Thanks again for the info
05.5.09 3:44 pm
kyronfoo says...
04.24.09 8:11 pm
u talkin to me? anberlin
oilcountry99 says...
05.6.09 8:25 am
august burns red has a pretty sick drummer.
Walker says...
05.7.09 6:58 pm
Don’t forget to check out Demon Hunter. If you want heavy metal and awesome vocals, they’re the best Christian band around! And I agree, Red, Skillet, and Reliant K are absolutely epic.
oilcountry99 says...
05.8.09 9:44 am
iv never really liked demon hunters vocals. personal opinion though
Michael Stewart says...
05.11.09 7:57 am
For me and most people I know, we really don’t care to hear songs about God or Jesus or anything to do with religion quite honestly. That’s not to say there isn’t good (and bad) music being made by bands labeled as ‘Christian Bands’.
Reality is that most music never hits the mainstream (or radio) at all. So whether a band is Christian or not really doesn’t have anything to do with it. Is the music good or not…that’s the real question?
Let’s switch religion for a minute to demonstrate a point. How many people are out there listening to a Hebrew guy singing Reggae? Sounds like a joke but, but Matisyahu has been mainstream for a couple of years now. http://www.matisyahuworld.com/ Anyone into reggae, trust me, you’ll be shocked if you never heard him.
Anyway, my point is, doesn’t really matter what religious overtone any band or musician has, if the music is REALLY good, it will make the mainstream…if it’s your avg Christian music from your average Christian Rock Band - most will never hear that music….and some will stay away on purpose.
The genres of Rock, Pop, Alternative, Reggae, Country, etc…that should define classes of music…not religion. The minute you strap religion on music, there’s going to be a segregated base of listeners.
Bryan says...
09.1.09 12:30 pm
This pretty much explains it best. =)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_qPc8xEnAs