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.
But, you won’t get through the first song without being jarred by the lyrics. Lines that not only portray an individual’s lack of hope – but that evangelize this non-belief. Using rhyme, rhetoric and repetition aimed at persuading us there is nothing bigger than ourselves to believe in – and to embrace the beauty in that.
It honestly hurts my heart to hear someone so passionately sing these lines. And I can’t stop listening.
It’s fascinating. It’s an entire new genre of lyricism.
Secular is no longer the antithesis of spiritual. This new album from Quiet Company is. Parents should be frightened. I’m astounded by the honesty – and devastated by Muse’s devastating lack of hope.
15 Comments
Taylor
January 25, 2012Hey Eric,
Stumbled upon this blog and wanted to say thanks for featuring the record, even though you clearly don’t agree with it. I’m really excited that the record is finding listeners in the religious community, as well, and becoming, if nothing else, a conversation starter. It’s also incredibly interesting how differently people view the record. You see a lack of hope, but I feel like the songs are more a celebration of humanity than anything else. Which is not to say that either perception is more valid than the other, really.
Anyway, thanks again for listening and posting, and we’ll hope to see you at a show sometime.
Best,
Taylor
Eric Olsen
January 25, 2012Love the record, Taylor. Haven’t listened to another more in the last 3 months.
Not only grateful to your contribution to music, but to spiritual thought.
If you happen to have any long-form explanation of the album’s personal meaning to you as a writer, I’d love to see it. Is there a magazine article or a write-up somewhere you can direct me to?
Jonna
January 25, 2012I guess one would find it hopeless or hopeful depending on what you put your hope in! I find Quiet Company’s music to be uplifting because I believe in humanity and those traits unique to the human race. My thanks to Taylor for the richness of his music and its message.
Sarah Q
January 25, 2012“Everybody really makes their own destiny. It’s a beautiful thing. It’s just you and me, exactly where we belong.” Doesn’t sounds hopeless to me. I absolutely love this album.
Taylor
January 25, 2012Not sure if there’s anything like that online, Eric. But if we’re ever in the same city, I’d be happy to discuss it over coffee or something.
Best,
Taylor
Eric Olsen
January 25, 2012Taylor,
Actually heading down to Austin end of February for business. I was hoping to catch you guys live (your dates don’t specify yet). But coffee would be a great fallback plan.
Would love to work something out.
Thanks!
eric@relevantreverence.com.
Casey
January 25, 2012I too am fascinated at the dichotomy of this album. What a glorious celebration of creativity and musicianship. One of the best crafted albums I have listened to since Arcade Fire. The obscene message in content leaves me so heartbroken that I can not endorse or privately listen to this album.
Reading the lyrics published by Quiet Company has only strengthened my doctrinal stance in Christianity and I pray for this band daily.
Gloria
January 25, 2012As someone who was disserved by having faith shoved down my throat as a child and who was, in my teens, on the verge of suicidal because everyone around me claimed to feel the presence and hear the voice of God, I’ve always found Muse’s lyrics incredibly empowering and healing.
If he’s a danger, it’s only to the paradigm of control within which religions convince their followers to live.
Eric Olsen
January 25, 2012Obviously, the subtle attempt at humor didn’t land.
The angle I was going for is that it’s usually angry metal music that most parents are afraid of. When it’s actually thoughtful non-belief like this that really challenges the way we think.
Stephen Ernst
January 31, 2012Comeon Eric, seriously? As much as I’d like to believe that QC’s music is dangerous for Evangelical Christian children (the controversy would help them sell more records) it’s just not. What’s dangerous for your kids is modern Biblical scholarship, textual criticism, and prolonged exposure to people who are suffering — THAT will challenge the way your kids think.
This album won’t de-convert your kids (just like listening to Evangelical worship music won’t convert anyone — they’ll either think it’s weird or be appalled), but this album will bring those of us with similar beliefs closer together using rhyme, rhetoric, and repetition (the same components in your worship music).
Think of it this way: A few years ago, while I was still an Evangelical Christian missionary, I traveled to a remote village in central India and ended up meeting a Christian man who was beaten to a bloody pulp by Hindus because of his conversion. He was the only Christian in his village and his soul was was dying inside without encouragement. The moment I stepped out of the car he ran up to me and I held him (this grown man) for 5 minutes while he sobbed, staining my white shirt brown with his tears — he was so happy to know other “believers” existed. My presence revived his soul.
That is what Taylor’s new album is to those of us who have de-converted and lost everything in the process — it revives our souls. It isn’t evangelistic, it is humanist-worship, pure encouragement, and it is so damn beautiful.
Eric Olsen
January 31, 2012Hey Stephen, I explain my attempt at humor in that line in the comment above yours.
Your story from central India is simply beautiful. Would love to hear your de-conversion story as well if you have the time.
Eric
Stephen Ernst
January 31, 2012You’re kind of missing the point. I’m saying that QC’s music isn’t evangelistic-atheism at all (as you claim) instead it’s more “atheist-worship” or “an atheist who is worshiping humanity” and QC’s music isn’t going to challenge anyone to think differently. A relationship with Taylor might change them but just hearing his songs, that won’t do a damn thing. The only people who would listen to his songs and be moved by them are people who already believe the things he says or have had similar experiences.
Maybe someday we’ll exchange stories. Anyways, I’m glad you’re giving QC a shout-out, they definitely deserve all the exposure they can get.
Eric Olsen
January 31, 2012We have different opinions on the power of music. And from personal experience, I can tell you that QC’s music did move me, a believer. I believe there is no medium or art more powerful or more persuasive. That the Dylans of the world are the ones who change the world.
Stephen Ernst
January 31, 2012Yeah, it’ll move ya but for the grand majority of people (yourself included) it moves you to solidify your existing beliefs, not in the way that’ll make you change your beliefs — unless you’ve suddenly de-converted and you haven’t told us yet.
Eric Olsen
January 31, 2012Gotcha, I see what you’re saying. That this album in particular is not a defense of atheism, but a celebration of humanism. And therefore is not “evangelical”.