Some thoughts while we wait for Lakisha Jones to win American Idol…
As you may have noticed, my blogging has dropped off a little. This is for a couple of reasons. One, it actually takes a fair amount of effort to run a blog and I kind of got burnt out.
Second, and more importantly, my boss has asked me to start a blog for the company that I work for, and this project is currently taking up most of my "blogging" time.
So while I'll continue to maintain City Business Church, I imagine the number of posts will slow down.
It's been an absolutely entertaining couple of years. Although I do get frustrated at times, I've loved all the discussions. And just when I feel that all our hard work is going un-noticed, the Lord will bless the blog with a comment like this from Derek:
Wow…thanks for all the info folks. I’ve officially stepped off the CBC wagon.
I’ve only heard a few of Judah’s messages, and they don’t seem to be “that” off the wall for a High School crowd. But the lack of substance and not being theologically rooted does bother me, especially if he is going to be in a position to influence other upcoming leaders.
Heh. Our work here is done.
Anyway, thanks again for all the love. And consider this post an open thread to discuss anything you want… such as the chances of the Trailblazers making the playoffs (never gonna happen)… why the TV show Scrubs has done more for racial harmony than the Oreo Cookie, or why the new album from Toby Mac is actually pretty good….
Clyde the Glide is going to be on Dancing With the Stars starting on March 19 or so!!
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And I bet he’s gone in the second round. He doesn’t have the same charisma as other athletes, but we’ll see. He should beat out Heather Mills though, the woman with only one leg.
A slow down? What’s Sam/Scrupe/John444/Red deVille/et al going to do with all that leftover time now? Husk more corn?
Gotta plow and plant first, Bloggy. And probably ought to wait until the snow is gone and the mud bogs have done dried up.
You city slickers sure is ignert ’bout farmin’.
Ya know, out here, we see veggies before they’re put in bags and cans.
I’m always up for a thread on decent new Christian music.
I liked Toby Mac’s “Welcome to Diverse City” CD, so I’ll take a listen to the new one for sure.
Fans of bands like Linkin Park/Evanescence should listen to “Red – End of Silence.” Great CD!
For those who like their rock with a little more southern flavoring should give “DecembeRadio” a listen to.
A little more peppy, pop-punk is your thing? I’m hoping “Relient K’s – Five Score and Seven Years Ago” will be just as awesome as their last CD, “mmhmm” when it comes out in a couple weeks, although their own review says it will be a bit less rocky with more love songs.
Other notables (sorry, they’re mostly rock slanted):
Kutless – Hearts of the Innocent
Flyleaf – Flyleaf
Grey,
I like Relient K’s “Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right… but Three Do” best of all their albums, but I love Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been off of “Mmhmm.”
And Cat,
How about passing along a link to your company blog so we can all follow the real estate crash with you.
I love the open thread idea:
If you are needing a good CBC fix check out all the Generation Unleashed 07 video’s on YouTube. You’ll find yourself muttering “shout, shout, shout it out” all day long…it’s a great time.
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Though it isn’t exactly new (it’s been out about a year or so), try Derek Webb’s Mockingbird. All you IC haters will find the lyrics especially notable. I just like it ‘cuz Derek Webb is an amazing musician (and you’ve gotta give the guy credit for having balls of solid steel to write some of the lyrics he does).
I’ve sworn off buying another “Christian” album EVER. I’ve seen Oz behind the curtain and the Nashville Machine is nothing but smoke, fire and mirrors designed to make a few people (record executives) rich under the guise of religion. The poor artists often have to compromise their vision and dreams to placate the record labels and the uptight Christian community. Any originality is squashed under the unrelenting pressure to conform to cultural standards that have little to do with the music being presented. Then they get paid jack on top of that. I’m only scratching the surface on this topic, but needless to say I’d rather buy secular albums than listen to any more whitewashed crap out of Nashville.
It’s the same machine on the secular side, FICM. And I feel you on the soapbox you were beginning to climb up on.
But that doesn’t mean my ears don’t recognize good old rock n roll when they hear it, christian or not!
It’s just nice for me to hear bands like Thousand Foot Krutch, Red, Flyleaf, POD, etc. that, although usually FOLLOWING a trend pioneered by the secular market, at least present a decent option to hear the same TYPE of music with a more positive slant in the lyrics department.
Bloggy…I’ll check out Mockingbird. Thanks for the suggestion.
IC Hater…hmmm…might make a sweet tattoo!
The difference between secular labels and Christian labels making money is that the secular labels are very clear about the fact they are just trying to make money. Christian labels often try to present themselves as some kind of positive influence and other religious posturing. It all just seems hypocritical to me, professing devotion to Christ while worshiping the dollar. I’m not saying Christians aren’t allowed to make money, I just think they should be up front about it. It just seems a contradiction to me to hawk your wares while playing on the religious mores of the people. There’s a difference between “I’ll entertain you for a buck” and “Hey, look at me, I sound just like real rock music. Jesus loves you, now gimmie a buck”.
I don’t know if I’m expressing myself all that well. Maybe I’m just too cynical.
No, I completely agree. Hits a bullseye on why I’ve always had a VERY difficult time with Worship CDs. “Oh…you wanna make a dime of praising Jesus?” HUH?
I guess I just try to steer clear of the “motivation” and am fringe enough to just see Christian artists as similar to secular artists, just pigeon-holed into their genre because they choose to sing about things that directly include Christ.
I definitely feel some of that cynicism though.
I’ve long been disgusted by mediocre Christian artists that were terrible, but were somehow able to put out CDs just because they were the “positive alternative” to a secular style or artist.
Maybe I’m late to this, but I saw this on t.v. this morning and about snorted Cheerios out my nose.
Bloggy,
When it comes to Derek Webb solo albums, I have to say I love his first one – “She Must and Shall Go Free” even though I’m not a huge fan of country-sounding music. And talk about ball of steel, Wedding Dress shocked and inspired me and is definitely one of my all-time favorite Contemporary Christian songs.
FICM,
Your comments about the Christian music industry remind me of the email I wrote Cat after going to a Michael W. Smith concert at the Meadowlands and being appauled at the price of the ticket. I totally agree that money and Christ are at odds over the Christian music scene. Perhaps we need a few artists to go the Keith Green route and offer their music for a free-will offering. Plus I wouldn’t mind a few more artists who sounded as good as the late Keith Green.
I agree. That’s why I don’t pretend to give anything back when I ask for money.
Well, ok… I do give some rewards.
I have often thought I should sell prayers. There’s apparently a huge market for it. After all, if the church can do it…
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Asbestos filtered cigarettes are more appealing than some of the music being marketed right now. Whatever happened to Keith Green, Larry Norman, The Imperials, Elvis, et al? I became old today.
Catalyst said:
So, are we hung over this morning, Cat? What a shocker!
Sam
Yeah. But even though she was better than Blake. Blake was the only guy, and you knew the girls were going to split votes and one would get voted off. Lakisha was still classy in the end though. I wish her the best.
At this point I’m jumping on the Jordin band-wagon, or even Blake’s. But please no Melinda. I can’t stand her.
Lakisha lost to a split demographic. She’s still a much better singer than Blake who is only hanging on because he’s the last guy in the mix. Blake is this year’s Justin Guarini. After the show is over, no one will remember him, because he’s a mediocre singer at best and his gimmick beatboxing will not sell albums. I worry that the girls will split their vote again, because Blake needs to go. For once, I’d like to see the two best singers compete for the final spot.
I’m guessing Jordin will win at this point, being the most talented and the youngest. Melinda is a true professional, but her age limits her potential audience – I just don’t think she could appeal to a younger generation who will vote and buy albums. (I will buy one.)