return to the
The Spirit of Truth in Song
also
check out the
SONG OF THE WEEK
Here are a few of my favorites artists-
38TH
PARALLEL
I have
to promote this anointed local band that emerged out of Ames,
Iowa and is flying high! These guys have got the SPIRIT, and they
are SOLID! Their musical genre' is right there with P.O.D., which
is also talented. However, I feel that this band is more
interested in the message and their notes are just a tad tamer
than P.O.D. So if you like P.O.D. or maybe the Channel Surfers,
this is a band you must check out!
CAEDMON'S
CALL
This
is another young band. Their music runs on the "folksy"
side, but they can also surprise you once and awhile. They often
sing of the trials and tribulations we all encounter on our
paths. Good music and good messages are plentiful in their music.
THE
CALL
This
is an old college band from the late 80s. They put out some
really great alternative music, but REM got noticed and these
guys didn't. Believe me, The Call's music is just as good. They
are in line with REM and U2, but with a little more seriousness.
If you want their best, I recommend the CD Reconciled.
They also have a "Best of" album.
*LISTEN TO SOME SAMPLES SONGS*
THE
CHOIR
You
have never heard of them? Too bad. This alternative group did
most of their work in the 80s and early 90s. They are no longer a
band, but the lead singer still is active. Steve Hindalong's solo
album was unique and awesome. There is nothing quite like this
music.
JOHN
COX
This
is likely an artist you haven't heard of unless you are very keen
to the Christian music scene. Hard to really describe his music,
but it has lots of heart and truth. His unique voice can really
"grab" you at times, but what he sings, he means. His
emotionally driven lyrics can send chills up your spine and lift
your spirit at the same time.
dc
TALK
How
could I list my favorites and not put these guys on it? There is
SO much talent in this trio of spirit-filled artists that owning
their greastest hits CD would be a must. Don't let
the"dc" name fool you because these guys are disciples
of Christ and play a variety of music- from a strong rock songs
like "JESUS FREAK" to mellow ballads like "MY
WILL." They each have distint voices and together produce
some wonderful harmonies. Given there long time sucess, they
could be considered the most talented "Christian" bands
out there.
HUMAN
As far
as I know, this band only released one album before breaking up,
which is really too bad. Fortunately that single album is one of
the finest Christian rock discs to be recorded. Lyrically, they
share some deeper, mystical conversations with God. You can hear
this divine energy flowing through Vic Sapp's, the lead singer's
voice. I heard that this front man of Human was going to start up
a new band, but I no word on this endeavor yet. I will keep you
posted.
JARS
OF CLAY
Jars
of Clay has been around a few years. Their biggest song to date
was "FLOOD," but they have released many other CDs
since that debut album back in 1995. I liked their early efforts
more than the latter, but their music is solid in message and
melody. The "Jars" never get too loud, but keep most of
their vocals soft and instruments acoustical. I am really
enjoying their latest album- Who We Are
Instead. Check it out.
KANSAS
This
is the band that really noursihed my spiritual hunger when I was
young. Here was a group of young men from different religious
backgrounds that blended their spirituality and music better than
any have since. Sure it was the 70s, but this band's rock music
with orchestrated strings will live forever. If you never have,
listen the the song THE WALL. We can all relate to that one! By
the way, two members did go on to form a Christian band called
A.D.
JENNIFER
KNAPP
The
first song I ever heard from this wonderful soul was UNDO ME from
a "various artists" CD. That song resonated loudly in
me and from that moment on, I was very interested to see what
else she would produce. Well, she certainly hasn't dissappointed
anyone! Each of her albums is very solid lyrically, spiritually
and musically. She sings from the heart and has the voice of an
angel. If you have never heard of this young talent, you had
better give a listen.
LIFEHOUSE
This
is a relatively new band on the scene having just released their
second album. Their big hit on the radio was "HANGING BY A
MOMENT," but the entire collection of songs on No
Name Face is worth your time. Even though
they are young, they bring ancient wisdom into song. I categorize
them as rock, but they many times float into an alternative sound
and occasionally even pop. Their latest album simply called
"Lifehouse" is musically mellow and spiritually subtle-
a bit too much I would say. Even so, after listening to it
several times it really grew on me. They do have talent and
should be around for awhile.
LIVE
Live
is a live wire! These guys will teach you, rock you and shock
you. They have their ballads like other bands, but when they cut
lose they put it all out there. Poignant is one word I would use
to describe this band's music. Some may even find it offensive,
but that is the way of Truth sometimes. Their strong desire to
seek spiritual truth powers nearly all their music resulting in
passion and persuasion. Their best album has to be The
Distance to Here- it really says it all.
MOODY
BLUES
This
is an oldie, but a goodie! Before there was "Christian"
music, there was "spiritual" music. Same thing really.
This band didn't directly sing about God or Christ, but they sang
about Spirit and Truth. Listen closely to many of those old
favorites and you may just hear their message based in love.
RICH
MULLINS
Rich
Mullins is no longer walking the earth, but his music lives on.
This humble man from Indiana just wanted to praise God through
his music and love others through his actions. His honest and
sincere songs could not be ignored by even the most callous of
hearts.
SIXPENCE
NONE THE RICHER
Expect
a LOT from this group! They have only just begun. You likely
heard their non-religious song called "KISS ME" which
climbed the pop charts, but their spirituality surfaces in most
of their music. Their latest album, Divine
Discontent, may be their best yet. The lead
singer is a song bird of peace and the string instrumentation
would even impress Bethoven. They are singing the background
song!
Sixpence None the Richer Website
SMALLTOWN
POETS
You
may not have heard of these guys. I actually saw them in concert
here in my hometown at the high school gymnasium. I took my
oldest son and we were right there- front and center. These guys
are honest and fearless. I thoroughly enjoyed their debut album-
very inspiring.
REBECCA
ST. JAMES
Everyone
knows about this darling of Christian music. She uses her strong
Aussie voice as well as any singer, and it seems she has a song
for every taste. As she has matured, so had her sound, but I
still like her earlier, edgier songs. I would say the
"God" album represents her best overall work. It is
solid from track 1 to 10.
SWITCHFOOT
This
band is starting to really make an impact on secular radio
stations with thier latest album- Beautiful
Letdown. I really love this band for
several reasons. Although they are young, they seem to have
really tapped spiritual wisdom. They will always have one or two
surprises in their wild, California style. Some of their music
will make you bounce while some will help your heart fill with
gratitude.
THIRD
DAY
This
is a solid Christian band. They remind me of a good ole' southern
rock band like Lynard Skynard, but one with an unstoppable love
for God. I like them because they sing loud and clear. They seek
the salvation of love and peace from God. They are not caught up
in "labels."
U2
I have
heard that Bono and Edge considered being priests, but thank God
that they instead formed a band! Their spirituality is expressed
in much of their music along with some political and social tunes
too. Bono especially is proactive in the world community and has
been called a "saint" of rock & roll. It is clear
to see that his desire is like that of many of us- that God's
Kingdom come! While their music has been all over the place, my
favorite album is still The Joshua Tree. And
their latest album How to Dismantle an
Atomic Bomb is worthy of a listen too!
YES
How is
the world could I leave these guys out! "Yes,"
they are old, but their music has spanned more than three decades
and in my opinion is timeless. They are true musicians, but more
importantly, they are true spiritualists. This was one of the
first bands that helped feed my spiritual appetite when insired
music seemed scarce. They recently rerecorded some of their
classics as accoustical tracks. What can I say- they have good
hearts and good music!
If you are interested in these artists or others, let me know
Savioroftheworld @ savioroftheworld.net
BACKGROUND MUSIC- Melody of You
BY SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER