The Original Psalmist Was an Angsty Hipster
Much of the church music we sing on Sundays is inspired by the Psalms. Typically, from a single verse. Typically, from near the end of the Psalm. The only problem with this approach is that the entire Psalm is the song – written by one of the original songwriters, King David. And when we pull […]
Quiet Company’s New Album = Evangelistic Atheism
I recently stumbled across Quiet Company’s new album, “We Are All Where We Belong.” And it’s like nothing I’ve heard before. Taylor Muse, originally part of the girl-led band Eisley, which opened Coldplay’s Rush of Blood to the Head tour a few years back, leads this Austin Band. And it’s indie rock at its best. […]
NT Wright on Church Music
Yes, it might be the British accent. But, everything this man says sounds right.
If We Moneyball’d Church, Would We Still Sing Songs?
For those who saw the film adaptation of Michael Lewis’ brilliant book “Moneyball” this past year, you probably shared my reaction when you saw the old baseball scouts sitting around the table talking about how to find the next great ball player. Superstitions and traditions based on the best technology available 40 years ago – […]
How to Select Worship Songs for “Your” Church
Church song selection has a lot to do with your philosophy on the power of music. If you merely want songs to be theologically accurate and emotionally powerful, most CCM songs will do. But, if you believe that music can be more powerful than the sermon – that the words in the songs we sing […]
The Manipulative Power of Worship Music
One common argument I hear from both Christians and not-yet-believers is the idea that worship music can wrongly catch people up into a emotional trance or tizzy in which they too readily accept anything being said from the pulpit. This is absolutely true. But, removing music doesn’t solve that problem. Consider Martin Luther King Jr.’s […]
What Will Church Music Look Like in 10 Years?
Historically, church music seems to follow/mimic/react to mainstream trends. So, if we look at indie music today, can we predict what our church music will look like 10 years from now? Here are two potential paths I see the evolution of indie music performance taking us. Foster the People – Pumped up Kicks (Live on […]
The Musical Premium of Average Taste
Having average taste is helpful as a songwriter. It’s not a bad thing. It means you know what people like. Your focus isn’t on “art”. Your focus is “accessibility”. You create easy-to-sing songs that people remember.
Bleed Into One: The Story of Christian Rock
Wow. I haven’t been this excited about a movie in a long time. Bleed Into One: The Story of Christian Rock. COMING SOON. Check out the trailer embedded below! (and thanks to Wes and Zack from American Jesus for the find)
Capitalist Music Choice in Christian America
“Sunday is the most segregated day of the week.” Historians often point to the beautiful unity in the early church, which I had partially attributed to its homogeneity – the fact that it’s easy to be united when you have the same personal and cultural preferences anyway. But in the book “Fresh Power”, Jim Cymbala, […]
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