# Christian rock that doesn't suck donkey balls **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 12, 2007, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824 "2007-05-12T09:13:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/21 "2007-05-12T17:25:07Z")
There’s the Celtic/Christian/Progressive band [Iona](http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/iona) as well. I find most of the other Christian bands to be far too literal and obvious with their lyrics, which is a major turnoff for someone (non-Christian) who wants something uplifting without being cheesy-guess they feel that they have to spell everything out literally so that us heathens which might catch a few bars will immediately get the message. While Iona occasionally veers towards such territory you rarely hear the usual terms being dropped by them (“Jesus”, “God”, “Holy Spirit”, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/22 "2007-05-12T18:12:39Z")
I’d go in a different direction: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/JeaBNAXfHfQ/hqdefault.jpg "Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Up Above My Head on Gospel Time TV show") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeaBNAXfHfQ) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/dOmRm0-acJw/hqdefault.jpg "Sister Rosetta Tharpe") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOmRm0-acJw) ---
**Author:** ![Millit\_the\_Frail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Millit\_the\_Frail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Millit_the_Frail)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/23 "2007-05-12T18:28:20Z")
[QUOTE=spoke-] If you don’t mind the occasional f-bomb, **Pearl Jam** ’s CD [Yield](http://www.google.com/musicl?lid=iM9nGbr2_xH&aid=fW1V3ujJvOD&sa=X&oi=music&ct=result) has Christian themes (as implied by the CD’s title). It’s subtle in some places, though. Listen carefully to the lyrics of “Given to Fly” for example. (Particularly the last couple of verses.) [/QUOTE] Much agreed! I’ve always thought that “Given to Fly” is a great example of a non-traditional Christian song. And Pearl Jam, being, like, probably my favorite band of all time, does NOT suck donkey testicles. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/24 "2007-05-12T18:31:10Z")
[QUOTE=Equipoise] **Victoria Williams** (perhaps an acquired taste, but oh so wonderful). [/QUOTE] If you like Victoria Williams, you might like **Julie Miller** (though nowadays she’s a country artist), and possibly **Sarah Masen** or **Sam Phillips**. ---
**Author:** ![Aioua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@Aioua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aioua)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/25 "2007-05-12T18:32:40Z")
mewithoutYou is pretty swank. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/26 "2007-05-12T19:04:30Z")
Saviour Machine is gothic in nature, but one of the best bands I’ve heard. Their Legend: Part II album is one of the best I’ve heard, Christian or not. [Savour Machine](http://www.saviourmachine.com) ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/27 "2007-05-12T19:17:30Z")
I’d check out the [Messianic Mule Testicle Ingurgitators.](http://www.amazon.com/Scary-Stories-Tell-Dark-Anniversary/dp/0064401707/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-4966654-7701406?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178977442&sr=1-1) Oh wait :smack: ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/28 "2007-05-12T20:16:37Z")
“Christian” Rock? [NO!!! IT’S A TRAP!!!](http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0034/0034_01.asp) You could wind up sucking donkey balls yourself! In HELL! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/29 "2007-05-12T20:38:03Z")
“Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum (sp?) It is also onc\e of the very best classic rock tunes of all time. ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/30 "2007-05-12T20:42:17Z")
U2–some are more obvious than others: the entire October album 40 All Because of You Peace on Earth Wake Up Dead Man If God Will Send His Angels Until the End of the World (Judas checking in with Jesus today) The First Time Yahweh ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/31 "2007-05-12T20:47:10Z")
[QUOTE=kaylasdad99] “Christian” Rock? [NO!!! IT’S A TRAP!!!](http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0034/0034_01.asp) You could wind up sucking donkey balls yourself! In HELL! [/QUOTE] 😃 Then I’ll give you a little wedding present… some AIDS! ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/32 "2007-05-12T20:48:13Z")
[QUOTE=feppytweed] POD: I really got nothin’, but I remember Satellite being an alright track. [/QUOTE] “Boom” was an X-Games staple back in the 90s. “School of Hard Knocks” was featured prominantly in the film Little Nicky (ironically, about Satans retarded son) I suprised no mention of Creed yet (but the OP did specify “not sucking donkey balls”) ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/33 "2007-05-12T21:25:17Z")
[QUOTE=Millit the Frail] Much agreed! I’ve always thought that “Given to Fly” is a great example of a non-traditional Christian song. And Pearl Jam, being, like, probably my favorite band of all time, does NOT suck donkey testicles. 🆒 [/QUOTE] My wife and I were discussing this. We find many of Vedder’s lyrics resonate with our Christianity. But my wife is sure she’s read that Vedder is a confirmed Atheist. I figured Christian ideas have just done such a good job ensconsing themselves into many aspects of culture that they can find themselves expressed even in declaredly secular work. But do you guys know something my wife doesn’t? Is Vedder Christian? -Kris ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/34 "2007-05-12T21:31:20Z")
[QUOTE=Autolycus] Hey everyone, I like rock and I’m Christan, yet I’ve noticed that most Christian rock I’ve heard completely felches goat testicles. [/QUOTE] _ponders_ How does one felch testicles? Seems to lack the needed orifice. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/35 "2007-05-12T21:36:12Z")
Sarah McLachlan does a beautiful version of the [_Prayer of St. Francis_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_of_Saint_Francis). ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/36 "2007-05-13T01:20:02Z")
I really like Barlow Girl. I got so see them live a couple years ago. They’re three sisters, playing guitar/bass/drums; the bassist handles most of the lead vocals and also plays keyboards, ala Geddy Lee 😉 And the drummer is a real kick to watch play. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N2Oorhq0ek) [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q83MFbukqyY) [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8vdAmEJcmA) ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/37 "2007-05-13T11:36:16Z")
While not especially well versed in this topic, I’m still a little surprised\* to be able to add: **Neal Morse** (founding and former member of **Spock’s Beard** ) has released a few solo projects about his personal spiritual journey. One is called “Testimony” and the sequel (some reviewer’s description, not mine) is called “?”. (That second name may not have been the best marketing decision ever made.) **Kerry Livgren** (formerly of **Kansas** ) has done a number of Xian-themed projects, some under the name **A.D.** Both of these may be what the OP had in mind when he mentioned the donkey balls, although I like a lot of what Morse has done (just not the two I named). Personally, I’d rather they both rejoined their previous bands. But, “there you go”. Less overtly Christian is a band from Sweden called **The Flower Kings**. Christian or not, this is a band doing some very interesting progressive rock without the “metal” overtones typical of prog these days. (And in case anyone notices, I have mentioned them in many other threads. What can I say? Roine Stolt RAWKS!!) \*I say surprised because I thought Morse and Livgren were well enough known to have already been mentioned. Were they simply overlooked? Or are they not as famous as I thought? ---
**Author:** ![1point618](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/c57346/32.png) [@1point618](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1point618)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/38 "2007-05-13T13:31:29Z")
[QUOTE=VCO3] Christian music is in a pretty abysmal state right now, coming off of a creative heyday in the late nineties. It’s funny how a good chunk of the late-nineties Christian indie rock bands went on to have major success in the regular indie rock and/or punk/hardcore world - Pedro the Lion, Summer Hymns, The Danielson Famile, Sufjan Stevens (who got his start as the lowly keyboardist for the Famile), Mae, the Juliana Theory, Jimmy Eat World, Zao, Appleseed Cast, the Autumns, and more recently Richard Swift and Page France. [/QUOTE] I’ll definitely second Page France and Sufjan Stevens. Also, [Low](http://www.chairkickers.com/) is a great Christian band, although I don’t know if they are a Christian Band so much as a band whose members are Christian. My favorite song of their is “Broadway (So Many People)”. I’d also suggest [Justice](http://www.myspace.com/etjusticepourtous), a French DJ who does a lot of remixes and electronica music. I know he’s Christian, but again I don’t think there is much Christian influence in his work. Check out “NY Excuse” and “We Are Your Friends” if you can find the MP3’s. There are a lot of other good bands in the indie scene who are Christian or have Christian themes. One person you might ask about it is the kid who runs [this blog](http://youaintnopicasso.com/), he’s a really nice kid who knows a lot about indie music, and will definitely respond to your email. He’s also Catholic himself, and sometimes plugs an indie/Christian group on the blog, although he keeps his religion out of the blog for the most part. Finally, re: P.O.D, I used to be way into them back in my Goth days. The only CD of theirs that doesn’t suck is [The Fundamental Elements of Southtown](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fundamental_Elements_Of_Southtown). Although the art on some of their other CD’s is really cool too. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/39 "2007-05-13T13:46:25Z")
I don’t really listen to Christian Rock, but I pegged MxPx as Christian-influenced before I knew that they started out as Christian Rock. Then again, I don’t see any direct references to religious themes in their music, more of just a clean-cut punk group (then again, I only have one album of theirs.) Now I also didn’t know about the roots of Jimmy Eat World, but it wouldn’t surprise me considering they exude the same sort of vibe as MxPx. Of course, it’s ironic considering their acronym 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824/40 "2007-05-13T14:49:19Z")
[QUOTE=Frylock] But do you guys know something my wife doesn’t? Is Vedder Christian? [/QUOTE] Beats me. (And of course he wouldn’t _have_ to be a Christian to incorporate Christian themes in his music. Or he might have been a Christian at one time and an atheist now. Or _vice versa_.) [“Given to Fly”](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/pearl+jam/given+to+fly_20106328.html) sure sounds like a song about Jesus. Sample lyric: _He floated back down cause he wanted to share His key to the locks on the chains he saw everywhere But first he was stripped and then he was stabbed By faceless men, well, f_\*_ers He still stands; And he still gives his love, he just gives it away The love he receives is the love that is saved_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rock-that-doesnt-suck-donkey-balls/403824.md?page=3)