The New Crazy-Awesome Christian Music Thread!

So, in the Christian Music World there have been a lot of new albums that have just recently came out and as a result of the summer a lot of the bands are going on tour and making themselves a little more known. We want to hear what you all have to say about these artists! Who is your favorite Christian Artist? Which of the latest albums that have been released have gone above and beyond your expectations? What's a band that has recently come into the Christian music scene that you think deserves our attention? Do you have a favorite song or video that you think everyone should give a listen to? -- POST IT!!

If you've recently had a song or album that has really changed your perspective in some way or has 'touched your heart' in a way that you think would be great to share with others, then please share the story with us!

Below are some new Christian music albums that have come out somewhat recently that have been brought to my attention and I've really enjoyed... I want to hear what you think though!

• TobyMac
• Superchick
• Trip Lee
• Switchfoot
• Addison Road
• Children 18:3
• Jimmy Needham
• Sent By Ravens
• The Rocket Summer
• Write This Down
• Queens Club

Did I forget some bands? Please feel free to add!! Let's hear what you think!! Ready, and go... :D

Well from 2010, came Fireflight's - For Those Who Wait Album!!!! It is amazing and I even based a sermon around the song For Those Who Wait....Fireflight continues to amaze me and set me back for hours listening to their music and just thinking....

John Reuben, MxPx, Jennifer Knapp, and Stellar Kart have all put album excellent albums (or EP in the case of MxPx) recently.

"Alive" (P.O.D. cover) by The Crimson Armada: http://www.myspace.com/thecrimsonarmada

New EP "Zombie" from The Devil Wears Prada:


"Survivor" Destiny's Child cover by Betraying The Martyrs:
http://www.myspace.com/betrayingthemartyrs

God bless you bro's and sisters!
N-joy :)

Jeroen

Nothing to fear here...just a peace offering!
http://www.last.fm/music/Argent/_/God+Gave+Rock+And+Roll+To+You
....even i love this.

(in response to Fallingup1986)

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, and I'm not trying to downplay that, but I'd like to put my two cents in.

A lot of what you say I definitely agree with, especially "Most of what's considered "christian" lacks innovation, artistry and any new themes in the music." Yes, the Christian market does not have nearly as much innovation and exploration as does the secular. But I don't believe that the genre itself is what places the limitation on the bands - it's the market itself. Most people listen to Christian music as an alternative, so they want something that sounds like what's in the Top 40...or they listen exclusively to Christian, and so will stick with the same contemporary Christian sound that seems to have stayed the same forever.

But there are artists making progress, and even for the ones who're not, there's absolutely nothing wrong with NOT being a groundbreaking artist! Yes, those people who manage to break the mold are amazing, but if nobody follows them into that style, they're remembered as a novelty, not as a trendsetter (if they're remembered at all).

The Christian music market is much smaller than the secular one, and held to much higher standards, so naturally it's a lot harder to progress as far as sound goes, because people want something they can rely on, something they won't be scared away from.

But I, as a Christian, look to the Christian market not just for music, but for a way to worship and glorify my King. Sure, the music might not be as high-quality, but it's guilt-free. I listen to a lot of secular music, and it does have its own merits, and I'm not saying that it's full of the devil, but you can't say that it's all nice and clean. Innuendo, violence, and lots of dirty language is the standard now, so in a way Christian music is progress all on its own just for managing to be above that.

Anyway, you can take this for what you will - I'm just trying to present another standpoint. :)

Mixora, I don't like the labels. I wrote about it in this group like a year ago so I won't keep on repeating that point in fear of over emphasizing it till people get sick of it. Basically I don't even get what Christian music is, or why it needs to be called that. But for the sake of clarity i'll use the labels and say that "secular" music is so much more thought provoking for me and so much of it is "safe", that I don't really need alternatives. I like both lyrics and sound and a lot of the times nothing in the ccm bracket has it. Chalk it down to opinion and preference though.

Johnny, sure?? But a lot of rappers have a lot to say. And even with metal there isn't any real problem. I wouldn't judge artists based on genres, especially since people can have preconcieved notions about metal. The key is to not take everything literally.

johnny7gun said:
Violence and dirty language....surely that is only rap music,and the various extremes of metal.Mainstream rock/pop/soul is usualy about love or relationships or completely random subjects,but without violence and swearing.No?
Let's not forget about Mozart

I get the drawing your own boundaries thing, I actually don't mind swearing as long as it's not excessive to the point of being totally futile. You didn't offend at all, i just chimed in because I take music seriously above most things and CCM bothers me.

Just the title of this thread alone is revealing. New "crazy awesome", as in trendy and cool. If you listen to it, you're crazy awesome too. My overall gripe is that "christian isn't a genre, tired arguement but it's true. What makes a band christian? The members? If so then why don't we call professionals christians because of their beliefs??? Christian Doctor's, christian athletes, christian plumbers. If it's the lyrics, talking about God, then a lot of music is christian, even alexisonfire, check their latest video. Both methods aren't really that good. And seeing that a lot of music is clean and acceptable I don't see the point of alternatives. Evangelicals push the alternatives, making it into a subculture, seperating themselves in that one area while not doing so in others. That is my problem, people making their own trendy christian subculture, a bubble to live in and a form of disengaging the world.

I don't bother with it much anymore because again it is a matter of preference and you articulate your views well and definitely get them across well, I can respect that. Just couldn't resist chiming in when I read about this thread, still can't believe that people would talk about "crazy awesome" christian music. Maybe if's just my tastes and if people didn't talk about music that is an alternative or trendy then i'd be okay. And remember, what is considered trendy in christian circles isn't trendy to the rest of the world. Wouldn't be a problem if they fans and bands in the industry were about being genuine, but since they are about copying trends, I think "christian bands" should catch up.

If music isn't what's important and you aren't going to focus on making good music then don't make music, use some other medium.

I like music for emotional reasons too, I want something I can relate to. But if the music is too simplistic then it won't hold my interest for too long, so christian bands for me fail on that account. I also get disengaged if the lyrics are too cliched or unoriginal, I like metaphors and poetic flights of fancy above anything else for me to get stirred emotionally, again christian music fails again in that regard. Not saying these bands don't have emotion behind their music, it's just that I can't feel it because of the music's tendancy to be derivitive.

I think of music as an act of passion and emotion too, trust me, i'm a bonafide music junkie. I was suicidal as a teenager and music got me through some tough times, and I definitely don't think of it as rules or regulations. You want that, look at how record companies sign musicians based on wether their style is in or not and how they can make a band conform, fit for radio and market consumption. That's my problem, I love music too much to see people dilute it to the lowest common denominator. I equate passion with originality and creativity. And music is a product, so you should try and be as creative with your artistry as possible. If you go half way on it and then just try and coast on the fact that the music is about God so you don't have to put effort into it, you're doing a disservice to music being an art form. The christian mentality is the message is good, so the vessel carrying it doesn't have to be,

Anyway, I've really enjoyed this discussion, for the record(:

And on-topic - Life is a good song. It was free on iTunes a couple of weeks ago(:

glahoiten said:
HOLY MOLY YOU ALL KA-RAAAAAAAAAZY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS AMAAAAAAAAAZING CHRISTIAN ARTIST. Josh Garrels. http://www.joshgarrels.com/


I. Couldn't. Agree. MORE!

This guy is incredible. More than incredible.

Check him outtt!

Praise This one will will empower almost everyone!