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Christian Music Rocks at Dove
Awards: The 2005 GMA Week Journal -- Day 4
By Jennifer E. Jones
CBN.com Producer
CBN.com –
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Do you hear it? It's the sound of
change. The Christian music industry is evolving. We're on the
cusp of something great here, and it's rumbling in the wind.
Looking back on GMA Week, the usual kudos
and accolades went to Top 40 artists such as Casting Crowns.
However, the major difference between this year and years past
was the increased presence of mohawks, piercings, and tattoos
amongst the crowd. I'm not too far off when I say rock is taking
over contemporary Christian music.
And I'm not talking about the kind of rock'n'roll that simply
requires having a guitar in your band. Today's hard rock comprises
heart-pumping, screaming, head-banging music that varies from
thrash metal to alternative.
Need proof? No one can deny the universal love for Switchfoot
in 2004. From MTV to VH1, it seemed like Christian and secular
media could not get enough. The Beautiful Letdown gave
the world new anthems in "Dare You to Move" and "Meant
to Live". Something about "We have more than this world
has to offer" that resonates with souls trapped in our pseudo-reality
TV, Paris Hilton existence.
Let's not forget the remarkable release of nerd rock band Relient
K's "MMHMM", topping Michael W. Smith for the first
week. While overlooked by the Doves this year, 51,000 albums sold
out of the gate and an upcoming tour with mainstream bands Good
Charlotte and Simple Plan will more than make up for the snub.
Such hardcore artists have found a home on labels like Tooth
& Nail, which hosts one of the more popular GMA showcases.
The Tooth & Nail roster includes big names with proven drawing
power (Seventh Day Slumber, Thousand Foot Krutch), as well as
underground bands (Showbread, mewithoutyou).
Is it a revolution? I'd like to think so. Not since Larry Norman
in the late 60s sang about Christianity in the real world have
we seen such raw and rare emotion. Their passion for rock is only
a distant second to their love for Jesus Christ.
These bands take on being spiritual role models for the youth.
Punk rockers Stellar Kart played several events for the "True
Love Waits" campaign, which encourages teens to abstain from
sex. For the past few years, Superchick's music has empowered
girls with positive messages about battling eating disorders and
dismissing bad dating relationships.
The argument against Christian rock has been that whatever message
it has is lost in the sound. It is true. The concerts can be deafening,
and some complain that it doesn't need nor should it be so loud.
Psalms 100:1 says to make a "joyful noise". What is
a noise? It isn't soft. It's meant to be loud and get your attention.
The kicker is being "joyful". Is it full of joy? Does
it bring the Good News? Sometimes that's accomplished by displaying
how dismal life is without Christ, like in the popular debut single
by Flyleaf called "Breathe".
I've got a real simple solution if you're concerned about what
kind of message this music puts out: read the lyrics. You'll find
many of these groups are not only presenting different viewpoints
of the spiritual walk, but they also praise God in their own way.
For example, in their no. 1 song "Cornerstone", Day
of Fire's Josh Brown sings, "Lord of all / Show You're strong
/ Be a cornerstone / Be the rock higher than I / Be my fortress
walls / Be a foundation for all."
So listen again. Can you hear it? It's the screech of an electric
guitar. It's the steady drumroll that's about to erupt. It's the
sound of a revolution.
Related Articles:
2005
Dove Award Winners
Read More From GMA Week:
2005 GMA Week
-- Day 1
2005 GMA Week
-- Day 2
2005 GMA Week
-- Day 3
Read more music articles on CBN.com.
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