Love to Hate CCM
Growing up in a strictly Christian household, we were limited to the select types of music only found in Family Christian Stores. Yep, thats right, armed with our 7Ball Magazine in hand we would travel to the store in search of the next hot Christian band.
Looking back now, I’m somewhat embarrassed that some of my first albums were Petra rock. Steve, I’m sure, is embarrassed to have me recollect him videotaping himself singing in his deodorant stick Michael W. Smith’s My Place In This World (he loved that album). It wasn’t until I became a musician that I started to realize what lie outside the world of Christian music.
Don’t get me wrong here. I still primarily listen to Christian music because I prefer to engross myself in more wholesome lyrics. There are plenty of good Christian bands out there but I must say that there are many more of them that are bad.
I’ve been saying something since I started playing in worship bands. It was embodied in the release of the Cutting Edge album by Delirious?. As Christians we should be on the cutting edge of music. We should be defining what is good lyrically, musically, and overall artistically. Sadly, we are mostly behind this game. For every popular secular band out there CCM belches out its own variety. I remember a few years ago, when the boy bands were popular (thank GOD that is over), to counter the BSB and N’stinks, this group (I can’t legitimately call them a band) called Plus One came out. I didn’t even have to listen to know it was bad.
So why am I leading an all out assault on CCM? Well, I’m not. You see, there is this band that came out recently. From the minute I heard their first single I knew I would love them. I was shocked when I discovered that the lead singer was only 17. The sound is mature, the vocals are deep and melodic. The album covers a range of sounds dipping into several genres but manages to weave them all together masterfully. Most of all, its a worship album without being a worship album. You can sense the deep love for God in every note played and every word sung. I admire that. Their name is Leeland.
I’ve had the album now for a few months and have listened to it frequently. For some reason today I decided to visit their website and read up on them and how others view them. I discovered that they are, in fact, a byproduct of the machine that is CMM. Leeland Mooring, the lead singer, actually collaborated with none other than Michael W. Smith on Smith’s new album. This doesn’t bother me at all because to me good music is good music regardless of the label, studio or producers.
Well in my search for Leeland info I stumbled upon a site that I found utterly intriguing and disgusting at the same time. The site is called the CCM Patrol. I believe they take an honest look at some of the products of CCM and write their take in a very sarcastic and witty format. While some of their content may be spot on, these guys are so cynical it makes me feel like an altar boy (for those that know me, that is a huge claim!). Their banner claims that it is a place where “WHERE CHRISTIAN MUSIC IS ALLOWED TO GET BAD REVIEWS. REALLY BAD REVIEWS.” My only problem with this is that the reviews are so cynical and critical I don’t think I read a single positive word on the site. There is a point that is crossed where a negative review becomes plain mean. This site crosses that line easily and frequently.
Another site I go to, RELEVANT Magazine, which I have been following since it’s birth a few years back has taken the same road. Its demography stretches from HS students to post-moderns in their 20s. They take a snobbish attitude toward politics, religion, the environment and media. If you don’t like artsy movies or indie music you are worthless. Sufjan Stevens (who I can’t stand) is their musical idol. Its all about being trendy. I don’t have time to follow trends.
Its not enough to just disagree on whether an artist or album is good. The RELEVANT message boards attest to that as there are thread upon thread of arguments about said topics. Has the Simpson generation become too cynical?
Even though I disagree with some of the attitude and ideals I will still frequent RELEVANT. Despite the cynicism, I will now start visiting the CCM Patrol blog periodically. I can’t help it.