Christian Music That's Good

Most Christian musicians that are officially labeled a “Christian Musician” turn out being pretty lame, selling to a market saturated with bad copies of better “Sin Musicians”. And although most Christian music doesn’t compare to the more mainstream, I’ve always had a place in My heart for both. It makes sense, I mean most of the Christian songs are about Me. It’s hard not to enjoy that. I have about as many songs written about Me than Winona Ryder, and that feels pretty good.

One Christian band that I always thought was almost good was Caedmon’s Call. Mostly they were normal Christian safe Toad The Wet Sprocket sounding… but with less edge. Yep, less edge than the Toad.

Well, then one of these band members, Derek Webb, decides to up and go solo, which not too many were excited about… until they heard his album. It was lyrically tough and challenging! Very rare in Christian circles! Sure, David Bazan was doing that for years, but since when were Christians listening to David Bazan? This Derek Webb character had a built in Christian audience, and he went for their throats by challenging their little Christian bubble worlds. Needless to say, Jesus was very pleased.

Derek Webb’s newest album “Mockingbird” is a “Person Who Says They Love Jesus Must Own”. It is lyrically as anything Bazan did with Pedro The Lion, and dare I say even more challenging? Musically, Webb has nothing on the creativity of Bazan, but oh those lyrics! Instead of normal Christian music poorly pulling the heartstrings, Webb aims straight for the head, and it’s hard not to be shaken by just about every track on his new album.

That being said, I really love the new Derek Webb album. If you are not a Christian, it’s probably not too interesting for you, although their marketing department would probably disagree. The album mostly stirs up and challenges the current state of American Christianity and its current stereotypes, and it works well in shaking comfortable Christians into taking a quick glance at how they are living, and if they think that truly is the life I have called them to live. Below is a video of one of My favorite tracks on the new disk. Click and maybe enjoy and maybe even be poked a little. Well done, Derek! A man after My own heart!