Last week, Christianity Today music guy Russ Breimeier, in a newsletter I somehow failed to get, talked about something we at Patrol have debated for several years now: the “sound” of Christian music. That unmistakable sound that outs a passing song on the radio as Christian music, even when you’ve heard only a few seconds—seconds that didn’t happen to include any lyrics. Many, many friends have confirmed their possession of this awkward sixth sense, the ability to spot a Chris Tomlin or MercyMe or Casting Crowns single after hearing approximately 2.5 seconds of strumming. Breimeier asked for affirmation from his newsletter readers, and planned to report the findings the next week (today).
It really is a shame that we missed the memo, because dude, this is totally like what we specialize in. Here’s how I would describe it: utterly and completely soulless. Production with no heart, guitars obviously being strummed by passionless studio musicians who get paid by the output, a sort of pleasureless concoction of light-rock’s meager elements. Music that is made for a company to sell records or a person to sell their ministry, or any scenario where music is displaced as the primary focus. If you happen to catch any vocals, they’re even more of a tipoff: unbridled earnestness, more about the actual subject of the song than the “hey, I’m singing pop music and it’s awesome” factor. How can one detect all of that in about 3ish seconds? I have no idea, but I know it is more than possible.
I have not noticed the "soulless" sound of Christian music. Maybe that's just because I'm not a musician and do not have a trained musical taste.
What do you think?
Zane and I have had many conversations about this. We are definitely in the "can spot it after hearing 2.5 seconds" crowd.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's a blanket statement because not ALL christian music is bland, but a majority of it does tend to be behind the mainstream in trends and styles.