What's wrong with Christian music?

[brettnolan]

Before you jump all over me...I like ALL kinds of music...from ABBA to Zebra...pretty much all genres in between. I'm not a big Hip-Hop fan, but I can find stuff there that I will listen to.

I keep seeing a bunch of you say that the Christian music (1) all sounds the same, (2) isn't as original or some other lame excuse (in my opinion).

I am becoming more and more convinced that these are all just excuses to not listen to music with the words God, Jesus, or holy (among others) in it.

I am asking for all you anti-Christian-music Christians to prove me wrong. Please tell me specifically what is wrong with the following music. If you're argument is that it is an imitation of another artist, tell who that artist is and whether or not you like that artist.

12 Stones
Mercy Me
Stacy Orrico
Kutless
Audio Adrenaline
Switchfoot
Plumb
Stavesacre
Chevelle
Disciple

That should be enough to get started.

 

[mbuc]

I keep seeing a bunch of you say that the Christian music (1) all sounds the same, (2) isn't as original or some other lame excuse (in my opinion).

I am becoming more and more convinced that these are all just excuses to not listen to music with the words God, Jesus, or holy (among others) in it.

Most music in any genre sounds very similar when you really get down to it; it's not just Christian music. It takes an exceptional artist or band to create something that is truly original and not just an evolution or reworking of someone else's music.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and musical tastes. If you like Christian music, that's fine. I've listened to quite a bit of Christian music, but I've never acquired much of a taste for it. If I choose not to listen to it, that's my choice. I don't need an excuse.

 

[christpunx]

music is neither christian or secular. it's the intentions behind the art that make it sacred or secular. by the way all those bands are horrible.

 

[wonder111]

I agree, it's the intentions behind the art, absolutely!!!!

 

[ps139]

by the way all those bands are horrible.

If you're going to say that they're horrible, give reasons like the OP asks for. Why are they so bad?

 

[brettnolan]

Most music in any genre sounds very similar when you really get down to it; it's not just Christian music. It takes an exceptional artist or band to create something that is truly original and not just an evolution or reworking of someone else's music.

I agree and that's what I'm trying to find out.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and musical tastes. If you like Christian music, that's fine. I've listened to quite a bit of Christian music, but I've never acquired much of a taste for it. If I choose not to listen to it, that's my choice. I don't need an excuse.

Again, I agree, but I'm trying to figure out why Christian music that sounds just like secular music is not as good as secular music that sounds just like other secular music.

 

[christpunx]

If you're going to say that they're horrible, give reasons like the OP asks for. Why are they so bad?

umm..because they don't write good songs. i can't stand to listen for more than about 3 seconds for any of those bands. is that ok with you?

 

[brettnolan]

WHY?!? PLEASE!!

 

[brettnolan]

umm..because they don't write good songs. i can't stand to listen for more than about 3 seconds for any of those bands. is that ok with you?

Who writes good songs?

 

[Dawn Marie]

umm..because they don't write good songs. i can't stand to listen for more than about 3 seconds for any of those bands. is that ok with you?

Just because you don't like them, does not make them 'horrible'. That is your opinion.

Switchfoot are a good band.

 

[popsadie]

Actually..I do like two of the bands you have mentioned- switchfoot and chevelle. I do find chevelle a bit odd on this list though. I have the new album..and although I enjoy it...there is more spiritual subtext on the latest u2 album.....

 

[nadroj1985]

I'm trying to figure out why Christian music that sounds just like secular music is not as good as secular music that sounds just like other secular music.

Both of these two choices are equally uninteresting to me. I don't want music that "sounds like other secular music." I am interested by music that sounds like nothing else--music that is creative and not trying to sound like something else. From what I've heard of the Christian music that doesn't sound like pop, most of the bands are trying to be Christian versions of already existing secular bands (i.e. Relient K, which I have heard called a "Blink 182 soundalike" quite a few times). There's nothing necessarily wrong with this....some people like the sound of Blink, and wanna listen to something like that with more uplifting lyrics. More power to 'em. It's just not my taste in music.

Good question, though. Alot of people just say Christian music sucks and don't really explain why they think so....I think it's a question that should be answered and explained......

 

[christpunx]

Just because you don't like them, does not make them 'horrible'. That is your opinion.

Switchfoot are a good band.

yes i know it is my opinion. sometimes opinions can't be easily explained though so i say they suck.

 

[* kittie *]

hmmm...I don't NOT listen to christian music. I just don't listen to contemporary christian music. There's no specific reason as to why I don't; I just haven't heard anything that appeals to me.

I do have Chevelle's album, but there are other bands that I would rather listen to. They aren't at the top of my...should I say...list. When I pick out songs to listen to, I go for what I'm in the mood for.

Plumb...I liked one of their albums for a while, but it's just isn't for me. Switchfoot is good, but it's like Chevelle. I don't like them enough to listen to them.

Actually, I was trying to find Christian artists that I could enjoy a lot...but I'm picky.
Even though I like many styles, their are very few artists/bands that I will continue to listen to.

 

[Christiangamer]

IMO, christian music was probably great at first. But then it got old. I mean, seccular music can cover so many things, can have so many different emotions and sounds. Lots of christian music today is the same thing over and over again. And it either has to be a happy (so happy its allmost fake) euphoria, or its sad, (because how secualar our world is) ((and thats pathetic i think))i prefer to listen to secualar music. I used to like christian music, but honestly, it got old for me.

 

[mbuc]

I don't want music that "sounds like other secular music." I am interested by music that sounds like nothing else--music that is creative and not trying to sound like something else. From what I've heard of the Christian music that doesn't sound like pop, most of the bands are trying to be Christian versions of already existing secular bands (i.e. Relient K, which I have heard called a "Blink 182 soundalike" quite a few times). There's nothing necessarily wrong with this....some people like the sound of Blink, and wanna listen to something like that with more uplifting lyrics. More power to 'em. It's just not my taste in music.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Good post.

 

[nadroj1985]

IMO, christian music was probably great at first. But then it got old. I mean, seccular music can cover so many things, can have so many different emotions and sounds. Lots of christian music today is the same thing over and over again. And it either has to be a happy (so happy its allmost fake) euphoria, or its sad, (because how secualar our world is) ((and thats pathetic i think))i prefer to listen to secualar music. I used to like christian music, but honestly, it got old for me.

I'm not sure that this is the right way to look at it. Christian music wasn't great at first (as far as I know), and it hasn't been around long enough to get old. Your post makes it sound like Christian music has no potential, which I think is definitely wrong. My relationship with God is the most deep and profound and yet somehow unexplainable part of my life, and call me crazy but I think that means it could probably be translated into some pretty good music (and it already has btw, you guys ever listen to hymns? Some of them are really great songs). However, so-called "Christian contemporary music" hasn't exactly produced much deep, profound, and creative music yet. I tell you what though, when it does, I'll be all over it.

 

[onikirimaru777]

personally im more of a hard rock/heavy metal type person, and frankly i havent found many good christian bands that fit my tastes. If anyone knows any christian bands that sound like slipknot then please tell me about them.

 

[Lotar]

I like some Christian music, but most is more commercialized than most average secular music.

I've heard of most of the bands listed, Audio Adrenaline has one decent cd, other than that I don't really like any of them. Mostly just because I'm not a big fan of rock.

 

[seebs]

I don't think you can reasonably expect a detailed analysis of personal taste.

One thing I have often observed (and I can't speak to any of these bands, none of whom I've heard of) is that religiously-oriented music is sometimes so focused on being religious that they don't really care about the music. It has the same problem that a lot of Top 40 does; it isn't about the music, it's about some other agenda.