Is CCM a joke?

[ILL Creep a.k.a. Sup3rbit]

What do you think?
If you're into all that pop/punk, rap/rock, or whatever is "cool" right now, then you'd probably disagree with me. There's only a handful of Christian artists that I could listen to, like The Violet Burning, Mars ILL, Headnoise, Iona, Sixpence None The Richer, Chasing Furies, The Fugitives, Waterdeep, and Over The Rhine. I think most of CCM is music for the radio, and it's all done following certain musical and even lyrical standards, making it pretty much organic and monotonous.
I have a very hard time finding Christian music I could really appreciate, that's why I mostly listen to Radiohead, Coldplay, Bjork, Aimee Mann, and the good ol' stuff like Nico, and The Velvet Underground.
CCM artists only seem to offer the kinda music I'd label as a joke, not matter how hard and heavy it is, it all seems to fall in the same category.

 

[Lbiagm]

no CCM is not a joke they play positive and encouraging christian music.

 

[admtaylor]

I'd say that the further I got in my walk with God the more I appreciated all kinds of music that was Christian based. It's the message that grabs me not the music. Although I will admit that some of the music is hard for me to listen to. Try Chris Rice. Not really along the lines of what you have listed as your fave's, but definetly someone who writes lyrics I can relate to.

 

[Mephster]

Of Christian bands, I can stomach Pillar, Project 86, and the Last Street Preacha. I have a heckuva music collection... I usually listen to Korn, U2, Sepultura, and Iron Maiden, so for me to even consider Christian music was quite a step.

Personally, Christian music has never made me question/wonder/seek anything religious. Sometimes the lyrics and music seem quite carbon-copy and that gets quite irritating. Nevertheless, it seems like it was in the late '90's, anyway, all the rage for young Christians to listen to. Honestly, the Christian music on the radio is utterly horrid to my ears.

 

[Lbiagm]

/me agrees with admtaylor and chris Rice's message is confusing sometimes.

 

[ILL Creep a.k.a. Sup3rbit]

"It's the message that grabs me not the music."
True, but sometimes the message some of them bands try to preach is not that clear. It doesn't seem or feel honest most of the time but instead it feels organic and almost obliged. If they didn't use the same cliche phrases and rhymes almost all the time, maybe I would listen to them even if the music is not my style. There's some artists I listen to just for the lyrics, like Sara Groves for example, but most of them I just can't stomach, like dcTalk and Relient K...specially Relient K"s "Sadie Hawkins Dance"...can't stand that song.

"Although I will admit that some of the music is hard for me to listen to. Try Chris Rice."
Isn't he the "Smell the Color 9" dude? If he is, I heard one of his songs once...okay stuff, not really my thing.

 

[messenjah]

I personally love Lifehouse, Evanescence, and Kutless. All three I feel are very real in their lyrics. Most bands I see are very politically Christian, instead of talking about their relationship with God, they talk about how we as Christians should be out preaching the word. Kutless has very personal songs like "Pride Away" and "Tonight" which is about worshiping God in your own way, not the normal way everyone else does. Lifehouse and Evanescence aren't officially "Christian" bands, but their lyrics, especially Lifehouse's lyrics are so obviously Christian. They are very real and very open about not being perfect. I appreciate that. I still love TobyMac and Pax217 and I love worship, but like you said, sometimes Relient K and things like that can get a little annyoing.

 

[LadyLamond]

You sure about Evanescence? I mean that Vampire style video seemed as far away from being Christian oriented as possible. Either way it was a cool video And I love their music....

 

[ILL Creep a.k.a. Sup3rbit]

Personally, I don't like Evanescence's music. They fit right into that nu-metal mold, but they insist they're goth. C'mon, they're not even that heavy. Amy's voice is what stands out in their music, but she doesn't take advantage of it, and instead sticks to the same deliveries. As far as their lyrics go, they seem to contradict themselves at times. But they seem more honest than lots of bands that are out there.

 

[sonic_20]

I'm pretty dissapointed with evenesence. When the band first released their album, they claimed that they were christians. A few months later they denied ever saying that.

 

[Lbiagm]

I dislike Evansence and Relient K but Kutless is awesome and so is TobyMac.

 

[DWJD]

I'm pretty dissapointed with evenesence. When the band first released their album, they claimed that they were christians. A few months later they denied ever saying that.

Same here. I wasn't too wild about them when I first heard them. I don't like them very much, though I like Amy's voice a lot. They sort of got popular on the Christian lists and got "out there'' then they sort of forgot how and who made them popular.

 

[Erichero]

I think you should be able to pick up the spirit of a song, regardless of whether the band claims they're Christian or not. The one question I must ask of any Christian band trying to cut it in the mainstream is "are they ashamed of mentioning Jesus?"

Going back to CCM for a mo ... the one thing that's really cool about CCM is that I can be guaranteed to get Godly music and not risk all the anger/sexually orientated stuff out in the secular stream.

 

[Lbiagm]

/me agrees with erichero.

 

[GodsChic4eva]

CCM is not a joke @ all...i mean stuff like P.O.D., and other artist that are very border-line and i dont listen to them. I think that if you say u are Christian you need to live a Christian life and let other people see Christ through u!​

I think that if you go on tour witha secular artist and share your faith about God then that is ok, but if you go on tour witha secular artist and not even mention nothin about it then they are ashamed of God and they shouldn't really be put in the Christian category.
I used to think evanesance was a pretty cool band, but then i started to search into them like i do all artist, and i found out that they didn't say that they are Christians. and for 12 Stones im not sure about them cuz i haven't found out about them!
I also think that if an artist is a Christian or says they are then they needa stick to listenin to Christian music and not listen to secular. Alot of people think that im weird for the way i believe, but i believe that that is the right and Christian way. I'd like to know who else disagrees and agrees with me!

 

[Johnny Kendall]

I can't get into CCM that much since most of its music is very annoying. I know its lyrics are christian and uplifting and all, but they're so cliche and sometimes they seem to follow and try to copy whatever is popular on the secular market.
And unfortunely, all the good music being made by some christian artists remains being kept from getting any airplay in all the christian radio stations. I dig some of that radio stuff, some Relient K and some Pillar, but it gets tired very fast.

 

[Lbiagm]

i agree with godschic.

 

[GodsChic4eva]

i wish more people did

 

[RTM]

I can't get into CCM that much since most of its music is very annoying. I know its lyrics are christian and uplifting and all, but they're so cliche and sometimes they seem to follow and try to copy whatever is popular on the secular market.
And unfortunely, all the good music being made by some christian artists remains being kept from getting any airplay in all the christian radio stations. I dig some of that radio stuff, some Relient K and some Pillar, but it gets tired very fast.

That is exactly how I feel about the state of CCM today. Aside from a few artists who I have liked for a long time and continue to buy their albums out of habit (Switchfoot, Phil Keaggy, Lost Dogs, 77's), there is not much out there right now that I enjoy listening to.

 

[Lbiagm]

/me tells godschic more peeps will.