What’s Wrong With Worship Music?

I knew I liked you Daniel -- I too would fight to the death concerning Lead Me On, the best album to come from a Christian-specific artist. EVER! No questions asked.

On the subject of the rest of your piece, having worked in Christian-specific retail for six years in some capacity, I stand to verify the truth behind your impressions after listening to both Chris' & Charlie's albums. The industry is not set up to reward people who make game-changing, critically acclaimed art.

And that fact makes me wonder if the hymn writers from the last 300 years would have made it in contemporary Christian music. Sure, their basic melodies weren't that complex, and their rhyme schemes were designed to accommodate easy singing, but their multi-verse theological compositions are a stark contrast to the songs being sung in churches around the nation today. Having met Mr. Tomlin several times (the church where he led worship before he became ridiculously huge was blocks from the mall where I worked), he is a nice, shy, non-assuming guy, but he's also not an Isaac Watts. Though, by default, he might be the Isaac Watts of our generation.

I just wish that someone would stand up and actually write modern-day hymnody without hip churches having to dredge up and rewrite the old hymns. If we like the depth and theological heft of those songs, shouldn't we be able to write some on our own?

And now, I'll step down from my soapbox....

Third Day Offerings 1 & 2 'nuff said

I have a lot of respect for Third Day and the longevity of their career, but their music will always sound like Darius Rucker fronting a Steven Curtis Chapman cover band to me.

The Offerings discs are, to me, no exception.

David, as a leader of corporate worship I wholeheartedly agree with you. "Worship" lyrics may touch the soul, but the music is rarely earthshattering. Still, I will take lyric content over style any day. Thanks for the good review.

Maybe we need to look beyond the "Christian Music" genre to find truly great worship albums. When I first heard How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, I thought, "Man, this is GOSPEL!" Not the kind of worship music you'll hear in church on Sunday mornings, but it clearly has the capacity to evoke a worshipful response, while tackling those kinds of deep-seated human issues that we all struggle and turn to God for help with.

Case in point--at the Creation Festivals last year, there was a clear swing toward bands like Skillet (who stole the show, by the way!), TFK, Flyleaf, etc., and less of the "traditional" contemporary worship music...Third Day was conspicuously absent, and artists like Jeremy Camp and Chris Tomlin were reserved for the most reverent performances...Communion, candlelight ceremony, etc.

I guess what I'm getting at is the whole notion that we can find sacredness in the secular, and that music doesn't have to be easy to play and sing on Sunday mornings to be worshipful. Which throws the doors wide open to bringing worshipful music into the discussion of all time great albums. (Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby may be at the top of my list right now!)

Does Jars of Clay's Redemption Songs count as a worship CD? If so, I'd go with that. An incredibly musical take on some great hymns.

Thanks for the comment, Joe. I think your remark about finding something worshipful in "everyday" music. It might say something about Christian music that most of the music that has truly moved me in the last decade has been outside of the CCM bubble. There are certainly some exceptions, but I was nearly moved to tears by Brand New's "Jesus Christ" a few years ago, a reaction that Chris Tomlin's music hasn't yet inspired. I don't intend that as a slam towards Tomlin, but I think he's somewhat handtied by the genre itself. I think there's something indicative in the fact that David Crowder's most adventurous material is found on his EP's, and not his albums. The industry behind him has too much invested in the full-lengths to let him get "weird", and that sort of adventurousness is what makes music great.

Dan,

I felt the same way about Nickleback's "Savin' Me" and most of Daughtry's first release. Up until about a year ago I really listened more to the CCM type of stuff than anything, but I really began to get bored with the formula. Not that it's not excellent music and it most certainly touches people in profound ways, but you're right about the general lack of any kind of real edgy creativity that contributes to really memorable albums. I like a lot of what some of the bands on the fringes of the "traditional" Christian genre are doing, like Switchfoot, RelientK (their sound is a little "teeny-bopper" for my tastes, but I love Matt Theisen's lyric writing!), Pillar, Skillet, Krutch, etc. are doing. They seem to be trying to reach into that void in the Christian music scene, and I'm really thrilled that some of the summer festivals are affirming that and giving them a chance to reach that segment of the audience.

David Crowder Band is the closest thing I can think of to being a creative worship band. "A Collision" is so fantastic, but you almost have to listen to the entire album beginning to end to understand the story of how worship is our depravity meeting God's divinity (hence the collision). I highly recommend seeing them in concert. Plus, David plays the keytar for a song or two, which is worth the ticket price, if you ask me.

How bout the latest album from delirious? Kingdom of Comfort. One of the Christian music scenes biggest bands is addressing consumerism. Also Hillsong United's newest movement is all about Social Justice and actually doing something in the world.

Jars of Clays Good Monsters album refrences the problem with the ccm industry.
Derek Webb, Robbie Seay band, Michael Gungor band, Even Israel and New breed are creating well done albums that aren't afraid to go deep and remain worshipful.

There is some incredibly creative worship music being produced today. Check out John Mark Mcmillan, Jason Upton, Kari Jobe, Klaus Kuehn, Rick Pino, Misty Edwards, Kim Walker, Brian and Jenn Johnson, and more. Jason Upton and John Mark Mcmillan have the most creative worship music I've ever heard. If you're hungry for something other than the cookie-cutter mainstream worship music, then I would suggest that you check out these bands.

i was just moaning about a video I saw on Youtube. Some gal warbling, "It's all about yoooooou, Jesus. it's not about meeeeeee." Though clearly how she sang it, it was about her. That being said, we look at the great library of hymns that have gone before us, and most of the piffle has been forgotten. It's hard to judge the very best of Charles Wesley or Isaac Watts (or Phil Keaggy!) to the latest from Chris Tomlin. Time will forget the forgettable.

That being said, I've gotten a great deal out of Robin Mark's "Revival in Belfast" CD, every song is about Jesus and the music and lyrics are tremendous; And Brian Doerksen, who isn't afraid to wrote a song of lament.

Thanks, Dan. Great piece. BTW I bought a Christmas album on iTunes last night. King's College Cambridge Choir, so you get a feel for what rocks me.

Dan,
I am shocked, Darius Rucker, you hear Darius Rucker in Mac Powell? No southern rock heritage, no Alleman Bro in the music no Skynerd in the guitar work? Darius Rucker and a cover band. Wow I am going to reevaluate my ears and see if I am missing something. Next you will tell me thousand foot crutch is a hairband. ........ They're not are they?

I'll check out as many of the acts mentioned as I can, although a few of them I'm already familiar with. Jars of Clay are great, but they're not really performing within the "worship" genre, which is something all to itself. David Crowder is inside that circle, and I really enjoy his music quite a bit, but even he seems trapped a bit by the worship tag. Writer Andrew Beaujon referred to Crowder as the Radiohead of CCM, but one listen to the acts side by side puts Crowder's musically adventurous spirit to shame.

I was really amused to see Rick Pino recommended, however, as I know him largely as the guy covering "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)" on Youtube and throwing the word "Jesus" in when possible. The rest of his music might be groundbreaking, but there's something deeply, deeply wrong with his choice of cover material.

Hi Dan,

I was talking with my dad this (Canadian) Thanksgiving about those moments when you first realize something that seems so simple and apparent (for him, it was the realization that history is written by people, and is therefore not infallible).

This review provided me with a moment something like that. I have been wondering why I haven't found much on the CCM shelves that I would choose for my CD collection. I hadn't even thought to wonder if the constraints of the industry itself play a role.

Thanks for this!
Sara

I guess it depends how you define 'Worship Music'...

Surely we're actually talking about songs suitable for congregational singing, and those that aren't?

For a song that draws people in to congregational singing then it has to have broad-appeal, so will obviously be subject to certain limitations.

But great music made to the glory of the King is as equally worshipful as the stuff made for the our church meetings.

I'd like to make the argument that John Coltrane's "Love Supreme" is the best worship album America has to offer. Coltrane wrote this piece after coming out of a heroin addiction. This was his hymn of gratitude to God.

You can listen to the title track here:
http://www.johncoltrane.com/swf/main.htm

First of all, I'm going to concur with Larry on this one (mostly because I have a severe soft spot for '60s era jazz). A Love Supreme is simply an ode to a man loving on his God out of thanksgiving and it also served to transform the latter third of the man's storied career.

On the topic actually being hotly debated here, Ronnie & JB do bring up the key concern/issue/defining factor regarding worship music: since worship is a subjective experience (with all apologies to my fundamentalist Pentecostal roots), people's reactions to and preferences for worship music are also going to be entirely subjective. As with Dan, I can preach against the milquetoast aspects of contemporary, CCM-lauded "worship" music all day long for its trite lyrics and its hackneyed aspirations to create modern-sounding folk & Brit-pop music. It's simply NOT creative at its core: it's designed to be consumed at mass quantities, not discussed and dissected by music critics for its transcendent qualities.

Granted, quality hymnody (i.e. my original post in this thread) should be life-changing and near-timeless, but who are we to debate what songs future generations might revere highly? For all we know, it could be "Entertaining Angels" from the Newsboys....

Sinead O'Connor, Theology. "The Glory of Jah"

Say what you will about her Christianity, she's singing her heart out.

When you're not writing merely to be sung by the masses, but to give your last breath to the Almighty, you're kind of freed up to give God all he's Worth.

Hymns! Please, let's not be so hip as to dismiss so many of the great hymns. Just 'cuz you can play it on an organ don't mean it can't rock you for God.

Just to clarify, I'm aware nearly any sort of music can be "worshipful" or whatever term you prefer, but for this particular article, I mean the subgenre of Christian music occupied by Tomlin, the Parachute Band, Lincoln Brewster, Hillsong and the like.

That being said, I am always pro-Coltrane endorsements.

Dan,
Great article! You articulated what I have been feeling for a long time. Well done!

I have really been enjoying Hillsong United recently... But even then, I realize that 80% of their songs are Power Ballads... But I can't help but love their albums (especially the live ones.)

One bright spot in the christian music scene is Phil Wickham. His album "Cannons" is fantastic!

Again, thanks for this.

Try Jason Upton's Dying Star--the album is not only tonally and lyrically nuanced in a way that most worship music isn't, but it also weaves a story that progresses from disillusionment to divine rebuke, from rebuke to rebellion, from rebellion to sober submission, and from submission to glory.

Dan,

Well done for writing a thought-provoking article (and obviously addressing something that people care about).

I'm curious to hear your opinion on Enter the Worship Circle (www.entertheworshipcircle.com), Josh Garrels (www.joshgarrels.com), and The Psalters (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=13425205). Thoughts?

I would have to agree with you Daniel. Thanks for being so thoughtful in your approach to this subject. One of the only bands that could be labelled "Christian" that has consistently made great albums is Waterdeep. They made a worship album called "You Are So Good To Me" a few years back that I believe could truly be called great as an album. This was well before Third Day ruined the song by the same name. Check it out if you haven't already, see if you agree.

Loved this article! I think worship music struggles to find the balance between honest simplicity and anthemic emotion. So often it misses the mark on both, thanks to an industry that wants to play it safe. It seems like musicians (and producers) find a formula that works and stick with it.

I'd love to hear some experimental worship, especially in the area of music and arrangement. But honestly, how would you play it in church, where the musicians are not often top notch?

Two thumbs up for the Amy Grant christmas CD??

Reading the comments left to this post point out the disparity of the situation. I've read Joe's post a few times trying to figure out exactly what he's trying to say, but I think he's saying that he's found fresh inspiration in Nickelback and Chris Daughtry. If these are the artists people are turning to to save them from the mundanity of CCM, we're talking about a larger problem.

And, I guess, we actually are talking about a larger problem. Look at top 40 radio, and you can give the same criticisms. Fortunately, there are a lot more options in the general music market than what you'll find in the worship world.

While the Enter the Worship Circle albums are stylistically different than Tomlins stuff, they still use the same four chords and typical song structures. As for the Psalters, I think they'd consider themselves more regressive than progressive.

Fortunately there is hope in those that are finding inspiration in Radiohead and Coltrane... music that has/is doing something to help people grow.

There are several foundational problems in the system and in the church that are way too long to post here, but I think they can be summed up in this. In the end, we must help people grow rather than placating to their weaknesses. The hard road isn't easy, but it's usually right.

I love "Lead Me On" too. Best CCM album ever and in my top 30 overall.

Sometimes you have to step out of the approved Christian music section and listen to unapproved stuff like Bruce Cockburn's "You've Never Seen Everything". That's as real as worship gets.

So much I could comment on. I'm glad that I can freely come out of the CCM closet and support Lead Me On, though. :)

I agree that that the artistic expression and values in worship albums and CCM in general muted than most of us would prefer. One of the things that I appreciate about listening to worship music is that it gives me an opportunity to extend the worship environment into my weekly environment, and remove some of the Sunday only issues.

And in some ways the artistic value in what is currently available is just fine. Sometimes I can only go so far with music that is pushing the limits in musical and artistic expression. And I'm a trained composer with roots in twelve-tone series. Sometimes it's nice to come back to harmony

Lately I haven't been paying much attention to what's coming out of the CCM markets. I don't even listen to the Christian music station anymore because I only ever hear a dozen songs repeated. I'm much more interested in finding the new up and comers and indies now.

But still, I come back to worship music as a foundation through the week just to reconnect me to the spiritual roots I need to focus on.

There is a lot of depth in the work of Caedmon's Call. From "In The Company of Angels" to "Share The Well", they're always bringing honest, well written music to the scene.

One of my favourite post.modern, non-sugarcoated worship bands is The Glorious Unseen from Nashville - also the resident worship band of the local community called The Anchor Fellowship.

Post-modern shoegazing indie worship music. Awesome.

It's fair to say that worship music lacks artistic vigor, but did you ever think of it this way....

Instead of creating an amazing piece of art, maybe the intention is to worship a Master Artist. Along with that, creating something beautiful, relevant, and inspirational.

Of course, this is only a thought, but who knows what Chris Tomlin's thinking. Speaking of Tomlin, most of his stuff is written for him, but he is a great worship leader, though.

The best and most original worship album I've heard recently is "Tonight The Stars Speak" by The Glorious Unseen. Ambient, atmospheric sounds create an angelic experience. I love it.

To counter my previous thoughts, there are great albums that are within the "Christian" market that provoke inspiration.

My favorite would have to Sleeping at Last's "Keep No Score". This release is nothing short of artistic brilliance.

Another would be Copeland's "In Motion".

Personally, I love worship music, and I write worship songs. I've struggled to write songs that are creative, but also inspire the listener to become closer to God. I think that's the hardest part about writing contemporary worship songs.

Also there is the kiwi's The Ember Days from Auckland. Quite similar to TGU, their female vocalist actually did guest vox for the upcoming TGU EP.
http://www.myspace.com/theemberdays

I agree with Kyle's pix; I'd add Copeland's "Beneath the Medicine Tree" album along with Switchfoot's "Nothing is Sound." Both of those albums have instigated profound times of worship in my life. But to be honest, I don't really know what "worship music" is anymore.

Is anyone else with me?

Ever heard of Zehnder? Mike Morrell introduced me to them. Just think what would happen if Barenaked Ladies started singing about Jesus, justice, and thy kingdom come.

Talk about alt. worship! It's a bit weird, and at times, I downright don't like it, but I appreciate it, because it's different.

I wrote a review on Zehnder, in case you're interested, here: http://jeffgoins.myadventures.org/?filename=what-if-barenaked-ladies-got-saved.