Musical Influences III
Bad CCM? Sounds like the end result of eating at a disreputable eatery.
Speaking of disreputable, the notion that all Christian music is inherently good because it is "Christian" is simply not true. In fact, quite the opposite. Some of the worst music out there, from a musical point of view, is in the "Christian" realm. The insistence that it is good because it has the Christian label actually damages CCM’s credibility. Mediocrity and non-scottishy music does not honor and glorify God.
Perhaps it is just a taste thing but Christian heavy metal, Christian rap and Christian butteflies, unicorns and rainbows are not part of my CCM collection. Dare I say that these forms of CCM are examples of bad CCM? I apologize to all you Stryper, Whitecross, Neon Cross, Deliverance, Tourniquet, Vengeance Rising and Mortification fans out there. Apologies also to all you Gospel Gangstas, I just don’t get it. I know, I’m old.
Wait a minute, what about Petra? I own one album (Beyond Belief) and that’s as hard core as it gets for me.
My preference is for music that draws me in - musically and poetically. It’s not a volume issue. I say crank it up. The better quality music the better it will sound louder (and vice versa).
6 Responses to “Musical Influences III”
CCM? It is so alien to me that it took a few years to realize that Zoe songs were acapella versions of real music. No wonder their rhythm was always so choppy. A bunch of white people git-n-it-on with proper diction (wait – bad high school choir flashback). OK I’m back.
I enjoy all kinds of music and I know when I’m being sold recycled ideas. CCM products are packaged to sound like Linkin Park, to sound like Carrie Underwood, to sound like whoever is selling lots of product. If there were more conviction and originality in what the artists are saying and how they say it then I would become a convert. But that is how I feel about all art
I couldn’t agree more. Just because you throw in a few Jesus’ and hallelujahs doesn’t make it a “good Christian song.” Not to mention that whole trend of taking “secular” songs changing a few words and now they are “Christian” songs.
Amen, bro! You’re preaching to the choir (um, not a CCM choir).
“Christian” is not an adjective, it’s a noun.
I personally don’t like the rap and some of the more alternative CCM, but I think that if Jesus’ name is glorified and the message of the resurrection is put in the way the people can understand it, so be it.
Our youth groups went to Youth in Action in Birmingham last year and a group named Skillet was there. Way too much for me, but my daughter’s boyfreind said that is was one of the best things he had ever seen. He is not in Jesus and they touched him with the message and the music. If it gets him closer to Jesus as his Lord, even though I don’t like it, praise God!
My newest Christian (adjective) contemporary is from about 5 years back. It’s hard to keep up…
I was listening to KLove on the way to work this morning and had to turn it off after two songs. They were just…well…bad.
I only started listening to CCM a couple of years ago and I think I came in at a good time. I like a LOT of Newsboys, Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, etc. But there is some awful stuff out there too (and, I agree, a lot of stuff that tries to sound like other stuff). And there is the matter of taste to consider. I can’t stand Third Day but I am definitely in the minority among people I know.
But I hate Rush too. The band, not the guy. Although, come to think of it… So go figure.
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