Whats your take on Christian music?
 

I find it peaceful, lyrically powerful and underrated due to prejudice against religous groups

For example 'Oceans' by Hillsong (Accustic) - Available on Youtube

Like most music that's focused on pushing a particular message, Christian music tends to have too much emphasis on the message and too little emphasis on being interesting, enjoyable music.

I would generally agree with Janszoon's sentiments. Music that focuses on pushing a message normally relies too much on the message and not nearly enough on the actual music and being interesting. Due to circumstance I've listened to a large number of contemporary christian artists, and while some of its catchy, I generally want to listen to something more interesting and attention grabbing.

That being said I love hearing someone sing a hymn. When its truly heartfelt I feel like there's no more passionate music out there.

If the overlying theme is overtly Christian, I probably won't enjoy it.

That being said, I can appreciate and enjoy music that has Christian themes/lyrics in it. An album like Illinois has numerous references to Christianity in the lyrics, but the way it's executed, it comes off without appearing too forthright.

Good musicians can get away with making religious music. Dylan, staple singers, Kings X for example.. but most music under the Christian banner is just so awful. But then again I am a godless heathen..

my thoughts exactly

There's only one band I could get into that are apparently Christian Rock, and that's Collective Soul. I only knew them for the song "Shine", as I am sure others do. I mean, seriously, its a damn good song, and I never had any idea what the hell the guy was actually saying.

Other than that, yeah, when the content of a song is overtly about Christianity or Christian values and nothing more, it tends to be rather boring to me. There has to be more substance than just "Christ is God..." Like Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" album, which does have references to loving God, but it also talks about loving the Earth you stand on, loving your fellow brother, saving the world for the next generation, among many other things. So I guess if it has Christian values mixed in with other worldly ideals, and hell, if it sounds so damn good that I don't even notice the lyrics, then I suppose it can be alright. But as far as generic "Christian or Christian Rock" type music goes...yeah, not a fan.

I like a lot of religious music, whether Christian, Hindu, Muslim, whatever. Much of it conveys such an unbridled joy and unconditional love that's it's impossible not to get swept up in it. At it's best it's music from the heart in perhaps the truest sense.

There are actually some really good Christian Metal bands out there if you look for them. One of my favorite bands are Skillet and their 2013 album Rise.
Another Christian metal band is R3D (RED).
Their 2013 album titled, Release The Panic is ok. My favorite album by RED is their 2011 release Until We Have Faces, and the opening track Feed The Machine is a killer song.

I like the positive side to the lyrics and the musicianship is impeccable.

Switchfoot is the only 'Christian' band I know. I remember liking one of their songs, about a decade ago. But that's about as much 'Christian' bands I ever heard of.