jonahcantskate

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

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

Janszoon

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.

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RoxyRollah

X2.

I don't understand the lack of creativity when it comes to non secular music. It always strikes me as a slap in the face to God. Supreme being, mediocre praise though song, the math there adds up wrong. One would think they'd put a bit more effort or muse into music made as an act of worship.

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Josef K

I don't know. I've been listening to a lot of Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story lately, which is this great compilation collecting stuff released on Cooke's label. A lot of the material is religious and really good. But yeah, the modern "Christian rock" brand is sort of tainted because when people hear the phrase they think Switchfoot or whatever. If these bands weren't so musically boring the message would be much easier to stomach. Not to mention the fact that the industry tends to be pretty controlling and the audience for artists who call themselves "Christian rock" pretty limited, in a way that makes artists who make music with strong religious themes (Sufjan Stevens, Belle & Sebastian, I guess the Hold Steady) not want to associate themselves with music that's defined by religion.

Lisnaholic

^ Well done, DriveYourCar ! I was wondering why everyone was so focused on modern music, especially when what Roxy says is so often the case:-

For exhaulted, inspirational music in praise of their God, I think Christians did it better in the past. For instance, while all those Gothic cathedrals were being built in Europe, the German nun Hildegard von Bingen was writing devotional songs that are still performed today. Some of them are collected on an album called, "A Feather on the Breath of God"; nine hundred years later and her songs are still selling!That's quite an acheivement for a woman, and quite an album title too.



Meanwhile, back in the modern world, Phil Keaggy is also a very devout Christian songwriter. Not sure if his music will still be selling in 900 years though:-
http://www.musicbanter.com/jazz-blue...il-keaggy.html

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Cicatrice

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.

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The Ascension

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.

Moss

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..

bob.

my thoughts exactly

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BoxTar

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.