"Christian" Music

I don't listen to Christian music.

Actually, that's not strong enough. What I meant to say is that I hate Christian music. Now I have nothing against Christians who write and perform music. In fact, some of my favorite artists are professing Christians such as U2, Johnny Cash (see "The Man in Black" on this blog), Sufjan Stevens, T-Bone Burnett, and David Bazan of Pedro the Lion, just to name a few.

The aforementioned pour their hearts, souls and creative integrity into their work - sales and mass popularity be damned.

It's the processed, formulaic, over-produced, sappy, lowest common denominator drivel that can be heard on various radio stations with "positive," "uplifting," "safe" names like "The Spirit," "The Dove" and "Manna From Heaven FM," with which I take umbrage. It's not art so much as it is an amalgamation of projected bad taste with some cheap Jesus-talk sprinkled on.

And while most of the music coming from the Nashville Christian music factory fits the above description, there are glimmers of hope that occasionally shine through. One such example is a man named Derek Webb. Web cut his teeth as one of the founding members and chief creatives behind Caedmon's Call. After leaving the band (amicably, no less) about four years ago, he has gone on to record 3 solo studio albums and one live recording - a prolific pace, unless your name happens to be Ryan Adams.

And while his previous two efforts (She Must and Shall Go Free, and I See Things Upside Down) were worthy additions to anyone's record collection, his latest - Mockingbird - is one of the best albums of the decade. The reason for my writing is the fact that he has just released this less-than-a-year-old album gratis on the website freederekwebb.com.

"What's the catch?" you ask. Nothing. You can download the album, pop it on your iPod, and walk away guiltless - an experience LimeWire or the first incarnation of Napster can't offer. There is no obligation to give a dime, but Webb does offer several opportunities to give to worthy causes he feels passionately about. Say what you will, but this takes stones. He's banking his money on his belief that the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news, not just for the future, but for the here-and-now.

But let's get back to the music.

First of all, the musicianship on Mockingbird is top-notch. Webb has recorded his voice in several layers; a process that sounds haunting and ethereal... distant and immanent at the same time. And the accompaniment is perfect. The oddly-syncopated drums, the sparse piano, the occasional viola, xylophone, marimba, and trumpet... you'll never hear anything like it on the typical Christian album.

But the lyrics - oh my, the lyrics. For all of the praise and attention given to the musicianship on Mockingbird, the lyrics are simply amazing - at once poetic, poignant, convicting, and beautiful. In "A King and a Kingdom," Webb confesses "My first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man. My first allegiance is not to democracy or blood. It's to a king & a kingdom." It's not shocking to see why his records were pulled from the shelves of several Christian retailers.

In "Love Is Not Against The Law" - one of the songs I don't like to hear (but so desperately need to) - we hear Webb cry "It’s giving up your life for the ones you hate the most. It’s giving them your gown when they’ve taken your clothes."

But it's "A New Law" that's the album's triumph. A song about our desire to replace the grace of Christ as offered in the gospel with our own made up lists and rules, we hear Webb sing "What’s the use in trading a law you can never keep, for one you can that cannot get you anything?" "Shine Jesus, Shine" this is not.

This album will punch you in the gut, and kick you in the teeth for good measure. But it's so artistically refreshing that you will enjoy every minute of it.

Thank you, Derek Webb for speaking the truth. Even when it hurts.