quote: I think the problem Maher correctly addressed in "Christian Rock" is how Christian religions are using rock et al as a means to get kids into what they're selling, it's a crass marketing tool that will take the counterculture and appropriate it to suit their agenda...This, of course, is just gross and obnoxious, and invariably yields really terrible third generation rip off music with shit lyrics.
Stiil, I think that this is only a problem to me from my perspective, because I tend to champion the same subversive methods if they happen to echo my politics and views.
quote: Is this just another example of the right wing just having their shit much more together than the left, who come up with loads of good ideas that the right wing always implements flawlessly? Is it possible that in the near future we may see musicians with powerful right wing messages in their lyrics?
quote: And I wouldn't label all Christian music "right-wing", at least not in the UK. In the 80s, the evangelical church in the UK was actually a bit lefty - except when it came to abortion and sex that is. Christianity’s a funny old beast. Elements of it are definitely part of the counterculture, whereas there are individuals and factions that spread a lot of hatred, bigotry and control. It’s neither right nor left wing (although individual denominations, individuals and networks may drift towards either pole on the axis) - they just seem that way depending on the stance of the person making the judgement, and on the prevailing cultural climate of the time (for more on this, read G K Chesterton’s “The Everlasting Man” and “Orthodoxy”  . I mean, when the church started the Jewish establishment thought it was a deicidal cannibal cult!
Delirious’? problem was that they were running with an established fanbase from their developmental period as the in-house band at Cutting Edge. Rather than start from scratch they used this as a catapult into the mainstream British chart scene. This has caused them no end of difficulties, from the “Radio! Suckers never play me!” to deeply suspicious interviewers. I think the media and music industry felt they were being manipulated, and they’ll only allow that when it produces symbiosis (the Manics are great at existing in harmony with the media, using it for their own ends, despite what you think of their music) - Delirious? were using their own indie label and had funding outside of the industry. They’ve not recovered yet in this country, but do rather better in the States, where there Christian music scene is more established. Ironically, the Christian scene is well established there because it’s just as much based in organised crime as the rest of the industry.
Added to that, they’re five very sweet boys who’s music I’ll never like ‘cos I’m not into arena rock. A lot of people love their songs, so there’s no question whether they touch people.
quote: You can draw a link between 'Christian' and 'political' rock often being shit - (e.g. the Manics and delirious?). It's because they are more concerned with relaying some shite MESSAGE than writing decent TUNES.
Although a great Christian band like Lift to Experience has a far more central, complex and overt message than Delirious?, and makes beautiful and heart felt music without a hint of manipulation. Same with Iona (occasionally dodgy mix of Clannad and early Genesis not-withstanding).
quote: You don't need to agree with the views of the people who make the music you love. But it's often the icing on the cake when they have something worthhile to say, especially if they say it in their music.
Tell me about it - there’s practically no-one who I listen to who I identify with. Godspeed...!, ASMZ and Lift to Experience come closest - I doubt any of you guys have heard any Iona.
You don't have to play rock'n'roll to be a god-botherer - how' 'bout Destiny's Child and the Sugababes?
Good god: mental image of Beyonce. Savour it. Treasure it though the day... |
