When I was first getting into Christian music in the late-'90s, many of the Christian bookstores had this handy poster that said something like:
If you like [insert popular mainstream artist here]
, then you might like [insert less popular Christian artist with a similar sound here]
!And the poster was divided into various of the popular genres (pop, rock, rap, etc.) Polka, for some reason, was left off. Of course, the point of that poster was to introduce music lovers to Christian artists who sounded like their non-Christian favorites.
You may or may not like the idea of trying to "convert" people's music choices. However, it does make for a good blog feature. So let's do it like this: I'll name a popular mainstream artist and you reply with Christian artists that fans of the mainstream act might like. Make sense?
Let's kick off with the winners of three Grammys this past Sunday:
If you're a fan of Coldplay, then you might like...
Comments (44)
Coldplay's kinda Christian. They have a lot of Christian refrences in their music.
aural self mutilation
... to take a course in music appreciation so you can learn about Frederic Chopin.
(Sorry, couldn't resist.)
Coldplay...I don't believe in "Christian" music, just music that is either good or bad...
@WhenFaithandFearCollide@xanga - but are they really Christian? not that i think they're not, but just because they have Christian references in their music doesn't make them Christian right?? I guess that depends on what kinda reference they have, and I'm not familiar with their songs except the popular ones.
@the_earth_isnt_humming@xanga - And unfortunately the "Christian" music tends to fall on the "bad" side.
um, if you think all "christian" music is bad...you need to broaden your experience with the genre.
and..if i am not mistaken, i seem to hear some pretty "bad" music on top 40 stations from time to time. which is why i avoid them.
August Burns Red
When I heard the song "Stay Strong" by the Newsboys I thought parts of it sounded a little like Coldplay and I liked it so I went and bought it. :)
@Pcgecko85@xanga - Haha, I do love them...though I think they're not quite in the same vein as Coldplay.
I'd say The Myriad, Cool Hand Luke, Mae, etc, etc.
@CyanideNGunpowder@xanga - Amen to that. Most of the Christian artists who are good have made some mainstream success at some point. And just about every single one of them makes a distinction between being Christians in a band and being a "Christian band."
Some of the songs on Jonezetta's new album.
@ehrinn_l@xanga - There is no doubt that there is secular music that is bad as well but that is not the point being made. It is whether Christians should create a subculture of their own in the music industry or if they should be out in the world letting their faith come out in their music instead of their music coming from their faith. Christian artists should expect to be critiqued in the same ways that secular artists are. Whether their music is good, whether they have real talent or are just furthering a formula, and whether they are creating good lyrics. Look at bands like Nickel Creek, Pedro the Lion, Over The Rhine, etc. who are considered to be either excellent representations of a genre or bands that are changing the definitions of a genre. And they are all Christians...but they are Christians who play music that appeal to all and yet do not water down their message in the process.
Is anyone else embarrassed to like christian music? I flip it on the radio sometimes and my boyfriends like wtf is that? And I'm like christian music..?
@Pass_the_Aura@xanga - yep
@the_earth_isnt_humming@xanga - Amen.
Mute Math is good.
Jabbing an icepick into your skull. Really, it's not much different than hearing yet another generic band like Coldplay.
@xNicolax@xanga - I am even embarrassed to like what is considered Christian music that has gone mainstream like Switchfoot or Jars of Clay...even though with those two specifically, I shouldn't be embarrassed because they are both very talented bands.
@Pickwick12@xanga - I agree. I can't wait for the new album...they remind me of an electronica version of The Police...even the lead singer's voice sounds the same as Sting. haha
If you like Coldplay, try listening to Taylor Sorensen. And Mute Math is EXCELLENT.
Apparently posts like this are a magnet for musical elitists.
Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy love Coldplay!! Best band in the universe.
Mmm...if you like Coldplay you might like Leeland, Mute Math, Jars of Clay, Bluetree, Jon Foreman...
If you like Coldplay, then you might like Joe Satriani, since Coldplay ripped him off when they wrote "Viva la vida."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb49QuPLuHg
@dorkyfreak@xanga - I guess it all depends on how you interpret it. I tend to interpret things in a more religious way. If you ever hear "Broken" by Lifehouse it sound like it could be a Christian song but I don't thinks it's meant to be one. I treat it like one though.