New Music

OK, so I’m not a big Christian music fan (whatever “Christian music” is. I still can’t figure out what makes a song “Christian.”) I don’t listen to K-Love, and I don’t buy much Christian music, basically because it’s usually sappy prom songs for Jesus.

But I do like worship music and I’m a fan of Chris Tomlin. I know some think his music is a little on the simple side, but that’s one thing I like about it. One of the trends I’m seeing in worship music right now is to write songs that have a post-modern feel. That’s all well and good, but the problem is they’re hard to sing along with. That’s one of the ideas of worship music, right? To get others to sing along?

That’s what I like about Tomlin’s music. It’s simple and sing-able. And as simple as it is, it just leads you to a place where your heart is stirred and lifted to God. So, my recommendation goes to Chris’ new album, Hello Love.

Personal faves...

    • Sing, Sing, Sing
    • Jesus Messiah (Absolutely awesome worship song.)
    • You Lifted Me Out
    • Exalted
    • My Beloved

Comments

[Dave Soper]

Hum. I thought it was me but I have noticed that recent worship songs and various churches and functions I've attended seem harder to learn, taking more unpredictable twists. When I looked up postmodern music on Widkepedia and thought back it did seem to make sense. I thought, though, "Hey I don't like those simple sing song songs." But when I checked the Hello Love link I found I really liked the samples that rock!

[Jan]

Thanks! Nicely said. I will say that maybe I am just choosy, because my experience has not been that MOST of it is trite, subpar and far from real life. Of course, much of what I listen to is Tomlin, Hillsongs, David Crowder, Matt Redman, Lincoln Brewster, and Steve Fee! Also, Matt Maher, Natalie Grant and Mark Schultz (a personal favorite). But then again, I like Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond and Bread, too! Thanks again, Dave. And in case I haven't made it clear lately, I appreciate you!!!

[Dave]

Well, there you go Jan! (Ha, ha, just had to say that!) If you listen to Christian radio and Christian music (how does a song get saved?) and you like it that's fine with me. My personal feeling as a musician is that most of it is subpar musically and as far as the content goes, much (not all) of it comes off as trite, cheesy and far from real life.

That's why I trend towards the worship music genre. Well written and well played worship music such as Tomlin, Hillsongs, David Crowder, Matt Redman, Lincoln Brewster, Desperation Band, and Steve Fee (to name a few) will go a long way towards the Philippians 4:8 idea.

And "as a leader" I'm recommending Chris Tomlin's new album!

[Jan]

Well, there you go, Dave-I hear Jesus Messiah on KLove all the time! Actually, I am on the music advisory panel, so I regularly get surveys, so I can let them know to ax the sappy prom music and keep the cool stuff. While I do my share of channel surfing and enjoy Billy Joel and Aerosmith as much as the next guy, I find that music is a VERY powerful tool. It has a tendency to get stuck in my head. And if I am going to spend the day at work dealing with difficult situation after difficult situation, I'd much rather have a christian song (by my definition a song whose message is centered on God, points to God, is about Godly things, etc.) running through my head all day than, for example, Baby Got Back, however amusing that may be. It all goes back to Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy-keep thinking about these things." The music I listen to becomes sort of a soundtrack for my day, and "Christian" music often helps me maintain my focus on the 4:8 things. Of course, there is bad music out there, just as there is in any genre. I just don't think that it is fair to categorically dis an entire genre. Not saying that you have to start listening to KLove, but as a leader, it would have been nice for you to acknowledge that there is nothing wrong with it for those of us who enjoy it. I know that, but there are plenty of new believers around NHC (praise God for that!!!), and it might have been important to mention. Just my two cents worth-well, more like 4. Sorry I got long winded!