Musical Musings

I have a pretty wide range of musical tasts, just ask my wife.  I grew up on older country and it was not until late in the 80′s I leaned more towards Rock but even then it was not until I found classic Rock (Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, etc) that I found my Rock “home”.  I “rarely” like some classical and even more “rarely” like some operha even.  What I DON’T like under ANY circumstance is Torn Anus Torry Amus.

Within the past few years I have picked up an enjoyment of Christian music – more Rock in nature.  But I am VERY picky in what I like so my collection of Christian music is very minimal.  I don’t know what it is, but I will put up with a mediocre Country or Rock song and will even listen to it again, but not so with Christian music.  It better be original, the artist better not be mimicking Paul Simon or changing a couple of the words to Sesame Street and calling it spiritual or Christian music.  I cannot stand that nonsense.  I think I hold them up to a very high standard.  I figure if they have to mimic or alter a secular song then they are a sell out just trying to make a buck and they don’t have the talent to cut it with the Christian genre.  I might be wrong, but that is why I have a very small list of albums by Christian Artists.

But, my favorite all time Christian artist – top of the list by a mile, is Third Day.  It doesn’t hurt that my birthday is on the same day as lead singer Mac Powell, nor does it hurt that their music helped me stay focused and quasi calm while my marriage was in shambles and coming apart (we pulled through it ).  It was rather amusing, a friend gave me a couple of their albums which I did listen to, but I was in my “hate Christian” music mode and never really latched on.  But coming through that rough patch I was able to get into the music, hear the lyrics and enjoy the actual vocal sound of Mac coupled with the Rock sound of the band.  As a result I have never looked back.  I finally was able to see them in concert this summer and enjoyed it.  So if you want to give them a spin, I would recommend 4 of their albums.  The first two are their worship albums (Offerings & Offerings II) which are a fair seperation from their genreal musical style.  My favorite two “regular” albums would have to be Wire and the latest Revelation.  I think out of all their albums, Revelation has to be their best – especially track 5, aka Revelation.

Aside from that, the bulk of my short list would be: 

1. Jeremy Camp – Unplugged album only
2. Jeremy Riddle
3. New Live Worship (King of All Glory is awesome!)
4. Newsboys (Hit and miss, need to be in the mood)
5. Casting Crowns 
6. Nicole C. Mullens
7. Delirious

Thats the bulk of my Christian albums although there are a couple others floating around.  Thats not to say I don’t still like or listen to secular music because I do.  As I was looking through my music catalog I zeroed in on just a few other favorites.  I really enjoy the talent of David Gray, love INXS (which I could not stand in the late 80′s), love the name hoobastank (only song I like is “The Reason” – but cool name) and I hate to say it, but I suffer from a musical disease – I find myself slightly drawen to the music of “Pink”.  Not sure why but there it is.  Besides, she has that slightly trashy hot look I seem to like much to my wifes dismay.

So there you have it, yet another round of pontification.

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