# What Christian music is good? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 5, 2005, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951 "2005-06-05T01:09:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/21 "2005-06-05T16:02:50Z")
Isn’t anyone still singing good old-time gospel music? Or has it been sullied by association with ethnomusicologist nerds? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/22 "2005-06-05T16:06:37Z")
There is a ton of great rock out there with Christian themes, but almost none of it comes from the ‘Christian Rock’ genre. Here are some good tunes: **Don Henley** : _The Unclouded Day_ **Jeff Beck/Rod Stewart:** : _People Get Ready_ **Elvis** : His entire Gospel Album **Alison Krause** : _Down to the River to Pray_ **Taj Mahal and Sam Moore** : _John the Revelator_ ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/23 "2005-06-05T16:17:20Z")
Have you given modern Gospel a listen? Kirk Franklin, Martha Muzzini (I think that’s how she spells it), Nicole C Mullin, The Soul Seekers. . . good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/24 "2005-06-05T16:35:51Z")
Maybe it’s just me but I always thought that \*\*Kansas \*\*had a somewhat Christian slant to their music. In fact, IIRC, Kerry Livgren, who wrote much of their material, became a minister after the band broke up back in the mid-late 80s. ---
**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:** [June 5, 2005, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/25 "2005-06-05T17:05:26Z")
Sarah McLachlan did an absolutely beautiful rendition of _Prayer of St. Francis_. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/26 "2005-06-05T17:07:49Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Maybe it’s just me but I always thought that \*\*Kansas \*\*had a somewhat Christian slant to their music. In fact, IIRC, Kerry Livgren, who wrote much of their material, became a minister after the band broke up back in the mid-late 80s. I thought about mentioning them, but they don’t really qualify as modern. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/27 "2005-06-05T18:53:20Z")
I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned the Staple Singers. Their R&B-influenced gospel music made the Top 40 back in the early–mid 70s… ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/28 "2005-06-05T21:09:08Z")
> [@Thudlow Boink](#): > > It might help us give you what you want if you told us what modern music you like, **dalej42**. > > Since you haven’t, I’ll just take this opportunity to plug my favorite Christian band, and _possibly_ my favorite band, period: Daniel Amos. (I tried unsuccessfully to link to their [www.allmusic.com](http://www.allmusic.com) entry, but you can look 'em up there.) Genesis is my favorite rock band. I like listening to the sacred music of Bach and Handel, among others. I like the spiritual strength in liturgical church music. I think my major complaint about most modern Christian music is that it seems very “whiny.” I just don’t like the, “I’d be nothing without you…” type of music I tend to hear on Christian radio. I’d much rather hear, “A Mighty Fortress is our God.” So, what I’m looking for is good music with a strong message. ---
**Author:** ![Treviathan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@Treviathan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treviathan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/29 "2005-06-05T21:29:58Z")
One of the most acclaimed records of the past few years, Christian or no, is _Seven Swans_ by a man named **Sufjan Stevens**. There’s no preaching, no witnessing - just a man delving into and trying to understand his Christian upbringing. It’s really beautiful, especially “To Be Alone With You” and the title track. You can read a review of the album on [Pitchfork](http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/s/stevens_sufjan/seven-swans.shtml), who generally are pretty reliable in separating the wheat from the chaff. Stevens definitely isn’t DC Talk or Jars of Clay, though, so if that’s what you’re looking for be forewarned. ---
**Author:** ![Treviathan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@Treviathan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treviathan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/30 "2005-06-05T21:33:42Z")
Just noticed your last post, **dalej42**. I should add that Stevens sings about Abraham, Solomon, and the Book of Revelations on separate instances - so you might pleasantly find the album more weighty than other mainstream Christian records. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/31 "2005-06-06T02:26:00Z")
I used to be really into **MxPx** as a pop/punk band. Their album “Life In General” is still in rotation in my iPod. Lots of people still dig [**Glass Harp**](http://www.glassharp.net) (aka that band with [**Phil Keaggy**](http://www.philkeaggy.com) in it.) They started out as just another Power Trio but quickly turned to wanting to make alot of music about Jesus and now Phil is one of the biggest Christian musicians around. I’m not a big fan, though. I can attest that they DO rock but are too much of a jam band for me. I have a short attention span (see MxPx). ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/32 "2005-06-06T02:39:16Z")
In the singer songwriter ara I love Chris Rice and Nicole Nordeman. Really thoughtful stuff. Much of it has a positive spiritual message with being specificly Christian. Check it out. Chris Rice. The Power Of The Moment and Life Means so much. Nicole Nordeman, Seasons, and Holy. ---
**Author:** ![riserius1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ab992/32.png) [@riserius1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/riserius1)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/33 "2005-06-06T04:57:33Z")
If you want to hear some really powerful music by a Christian, I can’t recommend strongly enough Testimony and One by Neal Morse. Morse is the former lead singer of the progressive rock groups Spocks Beard and Transatlantic. He converted to born-again Christian a few years ago and both albums mentioned are nothing short of brilliant. They are both strongly in a prog-rock vein, so if that’s not your cup of tea, well… I can definitely say, though, that Michael W. Smith…_They Ain’t!!!_ Chris W ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/34 "2005-06-06T05:24:50Z")
I actually like that big Michael W Smith song, “Place in This World”. I wouldn’t reccomend it to any of my friends though. Someone mentioned Switchfoot, and I agree. Also, Nickel Creek. They do bluegrass. I like some songs by Jennifer Knapp, she’s country. My mom listens to this band called Casting Crowns. I kind of like it. Their name reminds me of Counting Crows, and they also sound kind of similar. It’s not my type of music, but a lot of people like Dream Theater and the members are christian. Jimi Hendrix claimed Purple Haze wasn’t based on LSD, but on a vision of Jesus. Here’s a good one: Five Iron Frenzy. They were actually my first introduction to Liberal thinking! I don’t know where they stand politically, but just look at some of these: [All That is Good](http://www.christianrocklyrics.com/fiveironfrenzy/allthatisgood.php)- I haven’t quite deciphered the lyrics to it, but I get the message of “Use your mind” from it. [Get Your Riot Gear](http://www.christianrocklyrics.com/fiveironfrenzy/getyourriotgear.php)- Protests police brutality. I think it refers to a particular incident in Denver, although I don’t remember it. [Fahrenheit](http://www.christianrocklyrics.com/fiveironfrenzy/fahrenheit.php)- You guys will like this one. It’s an anti-homophobia song. It really opened my eyes about how homophobia is bad when I was young. [Four-Fifty-One](http://www.christianrocklyrics.com/fiveironfrenzy/four-fifty-one.php)- Sort of against the christian culture. [Giants](http://www.christianrocklyrics.com/fiveironfrenzy/giants.php)- This one is kind of anti-capitalism. [The Day We Killed](http://www.christianrocklyrics.com/fiveironfrenzy/thedaywekilled.php)- This one protests America’s treatment of Indians. I’m disappointed that nobody else hear seems to be a fan of Burlap to Cashmere. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/35 "2005-06-06T07:10:46Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > 1. “Jesus He Knows Me” (Genesis) Er, that song is pretty critical of Christians, or at least a certain breed of Christians: [lyrics here](http://lyrics.rockmagic.net/lyrics/genesis/we_cant_dance_1991.html#jesus_he_knows_me) > [@](#): > > Won’t find me practising what I’m preaching > won’t find me making no sacrifice > but I can get you a pocketful of miracles > if you promise to be good, try to be nice > God will take good care of you > just do as I say, don’t do as I do > > I’m counting my blessings, > I’ve found true happiness > cos I’m getting richer, day by day > you can find me in the phone book, > just call my toll free number > you can do it anyway you want > just do it right away U2 doesn’t bill themselves as a Christian band, but some of their songs definitely have some symbolism, like [I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For](http://www.macphisto.net/u2lyrics/I_Still_Havent_Found_What_Im_Looking_For.html?PHPSESSID=6ed4c2b7c14058d225cf12966b2222fb). ---
**Author:** ![andrewdt85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71e660/32.png) [@andrewdt85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewdt85)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/36 "2005-06-06T07:43:41Z")
Wow, Five Iron Frenzy sings against police and greedy capitalism and weak church-based Christianity?! :eek: So, what do they have to say about Islam? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tarrsk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@Tarrsk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarrsk)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/37 "2005-06-06T07:45:11Z")
Damn, can’t believe I forgot Five Iron Frenzy. They were about as liberal Christian as you can really get- the first distinctly “Christian” band I can think of whose members were open socialists and outspoken social progressives. In addition to the more political songs that **Talon Karrde** linked to earlier, they’re infamous for writing really silly tongue-in-cheek lyrics about whatever random subjects happened to come to mind, including Canada, Star Trek, Denver (versus California), the fictitious death of their trumpet player (based on a rumor that originated on their message board), and Godzilla. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/38 "2005-06-06T14:00:05Z")
Michael Card, John Michael Talbott, Iona, Maire Brennan (of Clannad) ---
**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/39 "2005-06-06T14:18:02Z")
Non-believer checking in. Larry Norman’s early 70s folk stuff was actually quite god (& now highly collectable). “666” is an awesome tune. Try and find any recordings you can of Rev. Louis Overstreet at his Phoenix church in the early 60s; Howlin’ Wolf meets Chuck Berry! Quite a bit of “Sacred Steel” is very good music. Any blues/roots/country Christian recordings, white and black, from the 20s and 30s are usually winners. The Golden Gate Quartet was an awesome vocal group from the 50s. I’m not quite sure how it was possible for Christian modern rock to adopt all of the sucky aspects of secular modern rock and, against all odds, somehow make it worse, but this has happened. ---
**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951/40 "2005-06-06T14:19:16Z")
> [@Crandolph](#): > > Larry Norman’s early 70s folk stuff was actually quite god (& now highly collectable). “666” is an awesome tune. HA! 😃 Typo - I meant “quite good!” Honestly! Geez that’s funny… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christian-music-is-good/306951.md?page=3)