LikeNoOneBefore said:
I have been a strong Christian all my life, and I have also listened to Christian music ever since I can remember. At one point in my life, that was ALL I was allowed to listen to. But now, when I turn on a Christian radio station, it all sounds the same. I can't tell Chris Tomlin apart from Matthew West, sometimes, and it bothers me how repetitive the music is sounding. It's boring! I swear that every Christian artist is using the same chords over and over. In fact, my own youth pastor doesn't like much Christian music. (We sang "All Because Of You" during worship, once, and he plays U2 music before service starts over the speakers a lot. My pastor is my idol.)
So can any Christian relate to me here? Sorry if this topic doesn't fit the category, but I'd like some opinions so I don't feel like a heathen. Hahaha...
I followed a similar path to you in terms of my musical journey. I grew up in a Christian home but during my teens I didn't really listen to much Christian contemporary music. I thought it was cheesy. . .and it was. (Course so was a lot of the "secular" music I was listening to as well, but no one could have told me that). In college my relationship with God really started coming alive and at that same time, a friend of mine introduced me to a whole new breed of Christian music that didn't suck. For a good number of years I listened to Christian music, almost exclusively. Now, in the last few years, I find I'm listening to Christian music less and secular music more, basically for the same reasons you've described.
I think the problem is broader than just the music itself, it's the whole idea of "marketing Christianity" that I find disturbing. It's not just the sounds that are derivative, it's the whole approach. The Christian music industry in many ways seems to be no different than the mainstream music industry. Capitalize on the latest trend and sell as much as you can. Quality and depth is sacrificed for the sake making the Almighty Dollar. What I've found particularly problematic is the "praise and worship" trend. The musical quality is getting worse and worse, the lyrics less and less meaningful as the industry seeks to hustle as much praise and worship product on the market as they can. The selling of worship to me is reminicscent of the moneychangers in the temple.
Another thing that bothers me is that now that it is finally acceptable for Christian artists to "crossover" to the mainstream (back in the day Amy Grant was pilloried for such ambitions), it seems everyone was trying to sound like the latest modern rock band. There just doesn't seem to be much real quality happening in Christian music today. But then again, if you want the truth, I think the mainstream music industry is no better. 90% of what is out there in the mainstream is also cheap, derivative, unoriginal, commercialized crap. What's truly pathetic is that so much of Christian music is aping that rather than trying to aim for a higher artistic standard.
Anway, now that I'm done with my rant, there are some artists in the "Christian market" that I think put out original, high quality music and demonstrate some depth and a willingness to recognize all that goes into life beyond the happy/feel good stuff.
These are artists I'd share with anyone, and not be embarrassed because the music is just good.
Rich Mullins (he died in 1997 and it's getting hard to find his material, but he is my favorite artist, period. The lyrics, the music, everything is bar none. His magnum opus is the 1994 album "A Liturgy, A Legacy, and A Ragamuffin Band")
Mark Heard (he died, in, 1992, I think. Very edgy, very unusual sound and lyrics. Not like anyone else you've ever heard. He's not super-accessible, so I recommend the "Strong Hand of Love: Tribute to Mark Heard" album as a starter).
Burlap to Cashmere (Only had one album out, as far as I know. But they were good. Ignore their most popular and least original song, "Basic Instructions" and enjoy the rest of the album).
Caedmon's Call (They're actually still around. If you like rootsy, acousticy music, this group is for you. My favorite album is "Share the Well" which has some gorgeous East Indian and South American influences).
In general most of the lastest praise and worship stuff doesn't do much for me, but I do like the City on a Hill series. The City on a Hill Christmas album is probably one of my favorite Xmas albums of all time.