For years I refused to listen to any Contemporary Christian Music. On principle, really. CCM just seemed so cheesy to me. Artistically grotesque. As a devout music lover who grew up on a steady diet of Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash and Van Morrison, I just couldn’t get into something as techno-corny as Michael W. Smith’s Big Picture.
But I would be challenged to think differently. About five years ago, a friend of mine basically forced me to go with him to a Third Day concert at Notre Dame. I loved it. Third Day blew the doors off the coliseum and exalted the name of Christ in the process. Praising Jesus wasn’t an addendum to their musical set list, it was the primary purpose of their gig.
With a newfound appreciation for the genre, I determined to investigate Contemporary Christian Music a little further. While I’m still not totally sold on the overall artistic quality of CCM compared to most secular fare (call me a skeptic; about 30% of the 2000 songs on my iPod are “sanctified”), I now realize that there are some excellent Christian artists out there.
Having said that, here are five of my favorite genre-busting Christian albums that I’m (metaphorically) spinning on my iPod:
Fred Hammond's Purpose by Design
Jill Phillips' Writing on the Wall
Mars Hill's Worship in Every Direction
Jonny Lang's Turn Around
Third Day's Come Together
Got any good recommendations?
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9 comments:
Hillsong--their worship music is fresh, new, and good quality....I recommend basically anything by them
One of the newer bands I really like is Leeland. They only have two CD's out so far.
Sometimes I still get confused by how music is labeled as "Contemporary Christian". Does it mean worship songs or does it mean the artists profess to be followers of Christ? In the latter case do the lyrics necessarily need to convey theological truth?
In the end, I decided not to worry about it, because music is just music. The artists and listeners are either Christian or not. I find that Christian record labels really just act as content filters, which has definite advantages, but some disadvantages as well.
That being said, I would recommend The Light of Things Hoped For by Brave Saint Saturn. "Daylight" gives me goosebumps every time.
Recently, I have been enjoying indie-folk singer Sufjan Steven's Come on feel the Illinoise
A recommendation and response...
TobyMac - Portable Sounds, is a lot of fun!
John, is there really less artist quality in CMM? How many secular songs did you listen to growing up that did not make the iPod? Is CMM really any different? I agree, that out of the hundreds of "Christian" songs spun on stations such as a Chicago station, 89.7, only a few make my iTunes playlists. For myself, I value of those songs. I am uplifted by the music. I hear musician who I can relate to. CMM, whether of questionable quality, gives those who want to listen, the opportunity to enjoy music that doesn't teach my children to fill themselves with possessions, sex, and anything that makes them feel good, or feed my desire (quite honestly) for things of the flesh.
I am not saying I don't listen to secular music, anymore than I ignore the rest of my secular surrounds. I am just trying to respond to a blog that I thought was rather critical of Contemporary Christian Music, at worst, or less than supportive, at best.
Thanks for the responses. I'm looking forward to checking out some of your recommendations.
Jeff: I've been similarly confused by the "Contemporary Christian" label. I've always assumed that it denoted "music with Jesus-saturated lyrics", but I've come to realize that this is not the case. From what I can gather, most CCM never mentions Jesus’ name, but instead employs ambiguous pronouns and non-descript love lyrics under the guise of worship.
That said, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with music that doesn’t mention Jesus. Do we have to “Christianize” something in order for it to be God honoring? I don’t think so. Can an unregenerate pagan glorify God by playing beautiful, skillful music, even if that’s not the artist’s intent? Absolutely. (That’s a theological discussion for another blog entry!) But what makes music 'Christian' if there’s no mention of Christ.
Anonymous: you're right: I was criticizing CCM. Because I do believe that (generally speaking) CCM is artistically inferior to secular music. The writing is redundant, the poetry maudlin, the arrangements uninspiring, and the performances indulgent.
Having said that, though, your point is well taken: much of today’s secular music could be described the same way. Redundant, maudlin, uninspiring and indulgent.
But there seems to be much more out there in the way of secular fare that’s artistically valuable. For example, is there a Christian artist that writes as cleverly as Lyle Lovett? Who in CCM has the vocal chops of Alicia Keys? Is there anyone in the Christian arena that captures pain and rejection more vividly than Bonnie Raitt?
Has the depravity of mankind (and the corresponding need for grace) ever been more powerfully communicated than by Johnny Cash in his interpretation of Trent Reznor’s unflinching song, 'Hurt'?
I raise these questions because I think that Christians should be leading the way in cultural advancement, thus filling out all the possibilities of creation.
Of all people, Christians (because of their relationship to the Creator of the world) should share the greatest commitment to art, literature, drama, architecture, and music that’s beautiful, captivating and engaging.
Thanks for the comments. JPS
Since you referenced "Hurt" I can't help but recommend (with a grain of salt) some of indie rocker David Bazan's work. He's no Jeff Buckley; but in the world of "Christian" music, he's an interesting case study. The lyrics of his early work (as Pedro the Lion) are stories of incredible despair and tragedy, but always returning to the hope we have in Christ. Overall, it's actually quite depressing music, but I enjoy it when I'm in a contemplative mood.
However, in the last few albums his songs are progressively getting more hard-hearted. It's like a very negative reaction to having his earlier work being labeled "Christian."
Anyway, worth checking out, even if only for it's genre-busting appeal. I recommend It's Hard to Find a Friend
I'll put it on my list, Jeff. Thanks. JPS
I’d recommend you also check out (in order):
Fred Hammond, “Something About Love”; Marvin Sapp, “Thirsty”;
Shai Linne, “The Solus Christus Project” (hip-hop; order at Lampmode Records). This is one of the best hip-hop recordings ever in my book!! He has a new one out, too, but I haven’t heard it yet.
Donnie McClurkin, “Live in London”;
Fred Hammond, “Speak Those Things”;
and Fred Hammond, “Free to Worship”
Funny thing – I was listening to Fred’s Purpose by Design when I got to your email!
J-
I thought one of my three boys would be impressed when I put a recently purchased "Five for Fighting" CD on, followed by "The Fray's" recent album. Their response: "Dad, that was in months ago." Even Mat Kearney was old news. So I'll be heading over to your office to "borrow" some CDs.
L.
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