Why I Feel the Contemporary Christian Music Industry is Crap
I don’t even know where to start with this topic….so I’m just going to dive right in. Ok, no, I’m not going to dive in because in order to state my case accurately, I have to provide some background.
I’m a musical person. I sing, play piano, played flute in middle school band, and in addition to performing music, I am also passionate about the music industry in general. I’m actually a little OCD about it – I’m that girl that thinks about what music to play at the party before any other details. I’m that girl that pulls apart her nice computer stereo system and hauls the entire contraption, along with the laptop storing all the music, to whatever get-together just to have the best possible quality of sound going on in the background, even if everyone else could care less. Currently, my husband and I are planning to forego a vacation so we can buy musical equipment and turn our basement into a recording studio (ok, maybe not a studio, but at least a “music area” – the studio is my over-the-top dream) And so on and so forth.
Yes, I am a music snob. I freely admit it and fully recognize the large amount of pride that is the foundation to the following criticism. But a brief switch of the radio station at work a couple days ago has forced an address of the issue…
I have felt for years that the Contemporary Christian music scene is appallingly pathetic. I actually pursued my college degree – broadcasting communications – just so I could get involved and help change it. Didn’t happen. Don’t really have time to go there. Not in every case, but in general, the music that is put on Christian radio, heralded as “wonderful” among the church community, and then readapted as special music in churches is taken from the bottom of the barrel of musical taste and talent. In fact, I think it has only been getting worse.
Here is a good example of a creative, refreshingly lovely sounding song , Brooke Fraser’s (worship leader with Hillsong United) fantastic and worshipful Lead Me To The Cross put through the Christian Contemporary we-love-to-anhilate-perfectly-good-music-and-make-it-overproduced-and-generic-sounding wringer…
Now compare that sonic muck to this and tell me the original version is not absolutely destroyed in Chris and Conrad’s (newbies being zombie-fied by the tasteless CMI) blase remake:
Now, will the majority of the Christian public have the priviledge to hear Brooke Fraser’s version? Nope, they will hear the “eh” Chris and Conrad Lead Me To The Cross remake and thus will never realize how versatile and powerful that paticular song actually is because of the boxed-in, talentless and completely musically bland adaptation. It makes me throw up a little in my mouth. Honestly! There is NO accountability, just stick some wholesome-sounding lyrics (or take them from an already great song) and stir them up into the same basic guitars and percussion ear-sludge concoction as a hundred other songs being played on all Christian radio stations across the country and it’ll be a huge hit with the tone-deaf masses! It’s a catastrophe. That’s all I’m sayin’….
Good post. There are those in the industry with good intentions, but it still is driven by making a dollar–a motivation that does not mesh well with His plan.
sd – exactly. good intentions don’t seem to be overuling the almighty dollar.
Hmm. I get the feeling that you might have slightly missed the point of what Christian music is and what it is supposed to convey. As a recycled teenager, I have heard music of many styles over the years, Christian and secular – good and bad. When I got saved in the 70s I was a great critic of so-called ‘Christian rock’ music. The quality was bad by secular standards, not much to distinguish it from secular music and I felt that it was a bad witness. Over the years it has improved greatly and become very professional – holding its own with the secular music industry. I have also learned something else over the years and that is – one size does not fit all. I preferred the Hillsong version and I love Hillsong music but others might get more of a blessing from the 1st one and I know folk who don’t like Hillsong music. A lot of stuff that is ‘out there’ now tends to classify as ‘entertainment’. Many performers give me the impression that they use the ‘Christian’ platform to sell themselves rather than glorify Jesus, but that’s beside the point.
Your critique was perhaps a little unfair because it didn’t take into account that there are a lot of different people out there with different tastes, appreciations and emotions. To me, the acid test is in motive. What is the performer’s motive. If it is to glorify Jesus, then who are we to complain publically? We may not like it personally but if their motives are righteous then that is between them and God. If it is Christian entertainment then they should make it clear that they are Christians entertaining the public with clean, wholesome music. At the end of the day, the public will decide what they like and vote with their feet/ check books etc.
I don’t wish to knock your involvement in music in any way. I would have loved to have studied music when I was younger but didn’t. Engineering claimed me! I think that if you love music – what is the definition of music – all things to all people? then a good clear and constructive critique is always of value, but please don’t slag it – one of God’s children out there might think it’s fantastic and praise God (giving Him glory) for giving the performers the ability to perform – music.
Bless you
)
Thank you for posting this.
I am a Christian, but I CANNOT stand Christian music anymore.
There was a time period in early 2000’s where it wasn’t bad…but then the rise of the worship bands came upon us and sucked the industry dry.
Yes there are good musicians out there. But..as far as good quality Hip-Hop/Rap & Pop, Christian music is seriously starved. To me, the intention is great, but bad entertainment is bad entertainment. Why would any successful music label in the music industry have any interest in marketing bland music? It doesn’t make since, unless you’re in the Christian music industry.
There are some…very few, notable artists, but it’s such a hard genre because a lot of Christian Hip-Hop/Rap & pop sound so corny. The production is not the best quality either. I would love to listen to some new stuff…but all of my favorite Christian artists have fallen off the face of the planet or have switched to mainstream (see Jadyn Maria).
Anyways, I could go on forever. But, I’m the same way when it comes to musical experience. I’m currently working on my Bachelor of Music degree and was raised on Chrsitian.
Sad industry.
We could really use new labels and artists.
I hear ya, lesanddot. I expected a comment just like yours, actually. I could have posted a much longer blog that would have explained much more thoroughly my point of view, but I try to make my posts a resonable length. My public criticism is actually toward the christian music industry and Chris & Conrad got knocked along the way. I’m confident the actual musicians the CMI supports DO have pure motives, or good intentions – like slamdunk said. The disappointing part is that, in order to make money, the industry (the decision makers, not the artists) pushes cookie-cutter music that is drab and all sounds the same. Therefore, many Christians are missing out on music that is much higher in quality, is often much more personal and worshipful because it isn’t forced into a very limited type of sound and style. My point is that there is a lot of really great christian music out there that isn’t allowed any exposure because of the tight grip of a corporation. For example, why would Chris & Conrad’s version make it on the radio when the Hillsong version has already been around a while and is musically much higher in quality? It doesn’t make sense.
Hi,
Yes, reading your explanation does make things a little clearer. It does seem that money tends to have an overpowering hold on folk. I suppose at the end of the day, they have got to decide themselves who they are going to serve – God or money. It’s just a shame that it’s christian business involved in this
In many ways, Hillsong don’t rely on extra exposure from a financial viewpoint. They have been so successful in mainstream Christian circles, but yes, radio exposure can be very important too and I suppose it is unbalanced if money is the controling issue and certainly it could restrict new good talent from entering the marketplace and getting the Good News out. Hillsong did actually get a song in the Aussie no 1 spot if I remember rightly.
Ah well, there you go. Enjoy your music making
Les W – Do you have a blog page? I’d love to visit. I appreciate your comments! I was trying to think of other examples besides the Lead Me To the Cross one and it seems i’m hung up on Hillsong because another major one that jumped into my mind is Mighty to Save – again, Laura Story’s version is just not the same, although I do appreciate she and Chris & Conrad’s choice of songs to remake, even if I feel the originals should be left the way they are and put on the radio instead. Another point to add – this isn’t just the case with Christian music, it is also prevalent in other music industries as well, with radio stations picking up songs that fit into a particular mold and then they all end up sounding the same…I guess i’ve just been waiting for years for it to change and am disappointed to have to hunt around for the best stuff because what’s on the radio is a poor representation.
Hi Theepiphany,
. I do think that for an artist to make a cover version they have to ask themselves – why? especially if the original has been very popular. This was done quite a lot through the 60s-80s and it was very rarely that I liked the cover. Having said that though, there were the odd times when a popular singer released a cover and it was much better than the original. Like yourself though, I think my general attitude was/is that if I really liked the item when I first heard it, I seldom had much time for the cover as it always seemed second best. I assume that a professional musician might take a different stance as they look at the technicalities of the item as well as the emotive side. I don’t know. Like with art (as an artist, my wife is into technicals so there are times that we disagree on what is ‘good’), I know what I like and if it appeals to me then who cares about the nuts and bolts of it. Oops! Sorry any professional musicians and artists reading this. At the end of the day, we are all original people and have our own unique tastes. ‘One man’s meat is another man’s poison’. Music is too vast an area to generalise.
Not wishing to draw this out as I’ll never get any work done – much too easy to spend too much time on the computer – my favourite place
I have just started a blog. You may find it boring as I put it together mainly for family to keep up with what we are doing whilst we are living in France. Much easier than keep sending emails on titbits and it can be lighthearted as well. We have had our house on the market for 2 years now and are still praying for the Lord to sell it for us (French Real Estate Agents leave much to be desired!) so we can return to England.
http://lesandot.wordpress.com
wow. you didnt hold back did you.
so, i really dont disagree with you here a bit. there is a package to be conformed to in the mainstream christian radio. it is sad, really.
sadder to me, are the artists that buy into it. why? never mind. i know the answer to that. i believe the intentions are good. but a lot of the why’s and purpose behind what they do is lost under the big thumb of the industry.
i much prefer listening to my kids ipods of indies. we love supporting those artists!
id love to read a part 2 to this post
Wow.
There was NOTHING wrong with the original. You don’t remake a song only two years old. And to remake it by dumbing it down and layering it with triple generic-ness? Wow.
Let “them” have their generic radio.
I applaud you for speaking honestly about this. I have found that music in general has taken on a bubble gum machine, popcornish tone, instead of the honesty and sincerity it used to possess. I think some of it is done to appeal to a younger crowd,but when it comes to Christian music I want that raw heart song that draws me into communion with my Father or reminds me of His promises. The beat and tempo mean very little. As for me, I gravitate to artists such as Rita Springer, Sara Groves, and others who still seem to remember the reason for Christian Music in the first love; to spread the love, power, and truth of Jesus Christ through the gift of music.
Well said, Kelli. I completely agree.
You definitely touched on a nerve. You did a great job explaining one extreme. The other extreme is borne out of the industry “enhancing” a simple and powerful worship song so that it becomes musically masterful with added instruments, percussions etc. and simultaneously sterile when it comes to God’s anointing flowing through to the listener. Guess I’m a little too old school, but I see nothing wrong with an acoustic guitar or piano and a worshiper simply being allowed to cut-loose and be free to express themselves. It’s not that I dislike the other instruments. I am a percussionist and a budding pianist. Perhaps I will feel differently when I reach the point of writing my own music and seeing it published.
All His best,
Pastor Andy Logan
All Nations Word and Worship Center
Corpus Christi, TX
http://www.aplogansr.com
http://aplogansr.wordpress.com
Werd.
…but you already know where I stand with this one, and it’s quite within your camp.
I agree with the cookie cutter-ness of a LOT of the songs in the CMI. But there is an alternative to your point. As a worship leader in my church, we do countless covers of countless songs and our band has had several requests to have CDs made of us doing the songs. We do them slightly different than the original and our congregation likes that. Likewise, I’m sure some of these artists like the song but like thir own version even better and are able to enter a worship state easier. Is this true for everyone? Nah. How many versions of shout to the Lord have you heard? A bunch I bet but each one still leads me to worship and a particular arrangement may take an individual even deeper than that. My father has asked that one of our vocalist record her own version of “breathe” because her voice is soothing to him unlike some of the other ladies who sing it. I wouldn’t be too quick to criticize CMI for not promoting hillsong on their radio stations. From the vibe I get, it’s not that hillsong doesn’t WANT their songs to be played, they just don’t want to become an idol in the CMI therefore i don’t see them doing any heavy promoting. I have never heard of the name Hillsong on radio until about 2 years ago. I think Matt maher did the original version of “your grace is enough” then Chris tomlin released his own. I like Tomlins much better due to the mix, but I can honestly say, there are times when I enjoy listening to the other because the drum intro has a nice bass slide under it.
Now don’t hear me wrong it does get annoying that the same song done by different artists gets redundant and very dissapointing. If it sounds that way to me, imagine how it sounds to God, whose ear is much more trained and whose music knowledge is immensely deeper than mine. I think it’s an idividual case but I agree with you. Perfoming live however is a whole different story. Whatever leads people into worship is what needs to be done. If that includes Casting Crowns play “all because of Jesus” just like Fee does it or Kristian Stanfill doing his own version of Jesus paid it all (marvelous remake by the way). Another redone song from
hillsong I believe is called “from the inside out” and seventh day slumber did their own (I don’t like it) but then Kristian stanfill did a live version and I think it just it put on an album. I must say, in my opinion, Kristian Stanfill’s voice trumps hillsong and seventh day. Anyways, that my two cents, I’d post more but I’m riding in a car to Nashville.
Mike – thanks for stopping by! I love the comment and the different points you brought out. I agree with you that leading live worship can be a very appropriate opportunity to do well-known songs in a fresh way. Especially being a worship leader at a church or within a ministry you’re a part of provides the unique opporutnity to combine a great song with your knowledge of the particular audience that you’re leading in worship. It’s probably the ideal situation for musicians. I hope you’ll come back and keep commenting!
I agree with your comments, but I still feel the need to state that a person enjoy both versions of the song.
Chris & Conrad’s version has just as much merit as the Hillsong version, even though that differs between the two.
Speaking for myself, I enjoy both versions equally. I appreciate your comments and discussion, however.
I actually stumbled on your blog because I was searching for what people were saying about today’s Christian music being overproduced. I didn’t get to read all of the comments but I’ll leave mine anyway. I live in the Atlanta area and lead a worship band. It seems that most of the time when I turn on one of the several contemporary Christian stations these days I hear music that is way overproduced and as you say “cookie cutter”. I can hardly listen to it anymore but it seems that so many people are so into it. For me it is like they’re not leaving any room in the music for it to breath… for me to breath. It is almost smothering sometimes. As for me and our band we are going back to the simpler things. Play nice rhythms and melodies and let the people sing so that you can hear them… not filling up every space with sound. Just my 2 cents.
Pardon my frankness, but to me it just sounds like you have a great big chip on your shoulder. I have very wide and varying tastes, and there are few genres of music that I don’t like at least *some* of. I have participated in many forms of music from orchestral to hard rock, so you can’t say my opinion comes from a narrow view of music. The original song sounds nice, but sorry to disappoint you, I like the Chris & Conrad version better. And yes, you do sound like a musical snob. Points to you for at least admitting it. I think the important thing to note here is that this is not a moral issue (which many musical snobs appear to want to make it). You don’t like the current trend of music production. Fine. That is your perogative. You aren’t required to like it. You aren’t required to buy it or listen to it. But you make it sound like no one should be allowed to produce music of that kind. I am *glad* you are not in charge of who gets to be on the radio and who does not. I’m not saying that the folks in charge of the stations throughout the nation right now are doing that great a job, I’m just saying that I don’t think you’d make it any better (based, admittedly, solely on your comments in this post).
You say that the music on Christian radio is “taken from the bottom of the barrel of musical taste and talent”. Certainly, there are some low-talent acts out there (as there are in the secular realm, also). However, that is certainly not the case for everything out there. Steven Curtis Chapman and Casting Crowns come to mind. I wish there were more acts of their caliber on the radio, but that has less to do with musical and production style, and more to do with high quality godly lyrics. Christian music is intended to glorify God, and exhort and encourage the Body of Christ(His Church). I think the emphasis should be less on how the music is produced, and more on the lyrical content — because that is the message of the music, and the message is what matters most.
I’d rather hear Steven Curtis Chapman sing “Let Us Pray” through an overdriven loudspeaker, or Casting Crowns sing “Who Am I” through a tin can, than hear the most wonderfully produced song by another performer who says nothing other than “God is love” and only has lyrics that even vaguely discuss *anything* of spiritual signifigance. It is the lyrics that are the problem, and I believe have *always* been the problem with any music that follows the genre of the popular styles of the day, and at the same time is supposed to exalt God. It is far too easy for the artists to continue to produce the music, and forget the “exalting God” part. And *that* is where the real trouble lies.
In short (well, OK, not so short), I think you are off track. The biggest problem in Christian radio is not fluff production. It is fluff lyrics. I *will* grant you that it is a big problem, and that there are far too many acts out there producing songs that (in my opinion) do not matter — not because of their production, but because of their message.