Topic: Can you recommend any Indie Christian music? (Read 17683 times)

Malkster · « **on:** 11 Oct 2005, 07:08 »

I’m not looking to debate the merits of the Christian faith. That is a discussion for another place and time. And one I’m not particularly interested in at the best of times. I am however very tired of the Christian music I have in my library. I’d appreciate 3 or 4 recommendations from you, if you listen to this genre of music at all, that might be able to fill out my library a bit. Right now I have only some cuts from Sonic Flood and some other Hillsong stuff.

I’m looking for newer (last 3 years) and not necessarily mainstream.

Cheers.

Jake

decklin · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 07:50 »

Why yes!

Joy Electric.

Actually, I recommend JE to everyone I know (ask them... it gets annoying), Christian or not. I am not even religious myself, although that is something I've been thinking a lot about changing.

Anyway, the music: think totally awesome catchy indiepop tunes. Then think about recording them using nothing but a vintage analog monophonic synthesizer, a lot of multitracking, and an analog sequencer. No instruments! No samples! No MIDI! I don't know how Ronnie does it, but it's amazing.

Praeserpium Machinarum · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 08:58 »

Lampshade
they are a danish shoegazer/mild noise rockband, and they are pretty christian from what I've heard.

Obstinate Esther
danish christian super low-fi thing, I think they sing in danish though.

Br. Danielson - Brother Is to Son
surrealism and christianity collide!

Bonnie 'prince' Billy - Master and Everyone is pretty christian I suppose.
So is Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - No More Shall We Part, there are almost hymn-like songs on that one.

sp2 · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 09:23 »

Remember how I said that Coldplay thread was the second worst thread ever? This is why.

Hm...

You might want to try the Vaselines, although they're definitely not from the last 3 years.

Also, you want to try the Misfits.

Thrillho · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 09:30 »

Audiogene
www.audiogene.net
Now-defunct London band who started out kinda indie, went pop-punk, then went back to kinda indie-pop-rock again. Great stuff.

Good Question are great, I don't think they have a website yet unfortunately.

sjbrot · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 09:59 »

I'm surprised they haven't already been mentioned, but Pedro the Lion. If you're going to listen to Christian indie, that would be a good place to start.

Funny story: They actually got kicked out of a Christian music festvial that they had done for years because their song "Forgone Conclusion" features the word "fucking."

Thrillho · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 10:00 »

Quote from: sjbrot

I'm surprised they haven't already been mentioned, but Pedro the Lion. If you're going to listen to Christian indie, that would be a good place to start.

Funny story: They actually got kicked out of a Christian music festvial that they had done for years because their song "Forgone Conclusion" features the word "fucking."

Surely they weren't surprised by that. Presumably they didn't intend to play it?

sp2 · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 10:07 »

I still stand by the Misfits.

Also, Sisters of Mercy, Faith No More, and Bad Religion.

sjbrot · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 10:10 »

Quote from: DynamiteKid

Quote from: sjbrot
I'm surprised they haven't already been mentioned, but Pedro the Lion. If you're going to listen to Christian indie, that would be a good place to start.

Funny story: They actually got kicked out of a Christian music festvial that they had done for years because their song "Forgone Conclusion" features the word "fucking."

Surely they weren't surprised by that. Presumably they didn't intend to play it?

Actually, they did play it, which isn't terribly advisable. Their frontman had a half-page in Magnet awhile back talking about it.

sp2 · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 10:15 »

Shit, my Misfits recommendation couldn't possibly have been making that exact same point, now could it?

sp2 · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 10:17 »

Ahem...

I WANT YOUR SKULLS
I NEED YOUR SKULLS
I WANT YOUR SKULLS
I NEED YOUR SKULLS

::bows:: Thank you, thank you, you are too kind.

MilkmanDan · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 10:33 »

Quote from: Spinless

I don't get it, why does it have to be 'christian'? Why can't it just be 'anything'? Not trying to start one of those debates, I'm just confused...

They have to be Christian bands because he asked for Christian bands. Thus, recommending non-christian bands is both pointless and retarded. This is not complicated.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 10:47 »

Quote from: sp2

I still stand by the Misfits.

Also, Sisters of Mercy, Faith No More, and Bad Religion.

Dude.

Rotting Christ.

Of the music I listen to, lets think. Sol Invictus use some christian imagery, but they're pagans, so it doesn't count. Backworld are christian, and probably quite in-line with what you're looking for. They're hardly straight-forward though. Lots of spiritual metaphors and complex gnostic stuff, I didn't even realise they were christian till I checked their website (the guitarist was taught to play by nuns!). Also, to fight my own corner, though It's not precisely what you ask for, I don't feel it's mentioned enough that a lot of the classic metal bands are pretty christian, or at least have christian members. Dio and Iommi from Black Sabbath and Steve Harris from Iron Maiden in particular are big christians. Try tracks like 'Iron Maiden - Sign of the Cross', and 'Black Sabbath - After Forever' or 'Black Sabbath - Heaven and Hell'. That's some good christian music, if christianity matters to you in your music. I certainly know some pretty hardcore christians who mainly listen to classic and power metal.

This doesn't stop Stryper sucking ass, of course.

Malkster · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 11:19 »

Quote from: Spinless

I don't get it, why does it have to be 'christian'? Why can't it just be 'anything'? Not trying to start one of those debates, I'm just confused...

No need for confusion. I'm not looking to be smug and/or self-righteous. I'm just interested in listening to a certainly genre for a bit. And since the genre is there I thought I would pursue it and give it a listen.

Of course anything can be "spiritual" and "meaningful" I'm just curious as to what "Christian bands", those who see Christianity as their label, are doing. Thanks for the reply.

And thanks to all those who have given me some ideas. I'll track some of these tracks down this week.

Cheers,

Jake.

sp2 · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 12:52 »

The Misfits are very spiritual. About wanting your skulls and needing your skulls.

BrittanyMarie · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 13:01 »

I prefer Danielson Famile to Br. Danielson.
His voice rubs some people the wrong way though.

Thrillho · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 13:08 »

Quote from: sjbrot

Quote from: DynamiteKid
Quote from: sjbrot
I'm surprised they haven't already been mentioned, but Pedro the Lion. If you're going to listen to Christian indie, that would be a good place to start.

Funny story: They actually got kicked out of a Christian music festvial that they had done for years because their song "Forgone Conclusion" features the word "fucking."

Surely they weren't surprised by that. Presumably they didn't intend to play it?

Actually, they did play it, which isn't terribly advisable. Their frontman had a half-page in Magnet awhile back talking about it.

Well come on, how stupid do you have to be to say 'fuck' at a Christian festival.

P.S. 'Why does it have to be Christian?' Well, why does it have to be indie?

Because that's what he wants..

Se7en · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 13:23 »

Christian rock just seems like the flat earth society trying to put on a hip new image that doesnt fit properly.

Now ive nothing against musicians having religious beliefs, but as soon as they start making preachy songs, im going to hate them. At least with those nutty street preachers you can draw them into a theological argument in the middle of the street and laugh at their faces.

Thrillho · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 13:29 »

Quote from: Se7en

Christian rock just seems like the flat earth society trying to put on a hip new image that doesnt fit properly.

Now ive nothing against musicians having religious beliefs, but as soon as they start making preachy songs, im going to hate them. At least with those nutty street preachers you can draw them into a theological argument in the middle of the street and laugh at their faces.

There's a difference between a preachy song and a song where you say you love God.

Se7en · « **Reply #19 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 13:35 »

Not really. It has the same effect on anyone that doesnt share your beliefs.

"Funny story: They actually got kicked out of a Christian music festvial that they had done for years because their song "Forgone Conclusion" features the word "fucking."

Now this is hilarious. Christians say fuck just like the rest of us. Even the ones that dont actually say it, think it. Or they use some word that they think isnt so bad, but contexually is exactly the same thing.

sp2 · « **Reply #20 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 13:37 »

Quote from: Se7en

Or they use some word that they think isnt so bad, but contexually is exactly the same thing.

Like "Jesus loves you?"

ASturge · « **Reply #21 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 13:40 »

Isn't Sufjan Stevens a Christian?

sjbrot · « **Reply #22 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 14:47 »

If I'm not mistaken, Stevens also has a Christian music label as well.

Inlander · « **Reply #23 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 16:19 »

He also addresses his Christianity, both the good times and the bad, in several of his songs - just take a listen to "Casimir Pulaski Day" off Illinois.

This knee-jerk reaction a lot of people have against any popular music that can be identified as Christian - or as any other religion, come to that - is ridiculously immature. It's possible to make religious music without sounding like a missionary. It's a major part of life for millions and millions of people, and to say "If you write songs about God you're a loser" is just stupid.

Luke · « **Reply #24 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 16:23 »

Not sure if it's "indie" or not, but it hasn't been mentioned yet so I'ma go ahead and recommend the Newsboys. Very Christian, yet very cool at the same time.

sp2 · « **Reply #25 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 17:01 »

Personally, I have no interest in christian music. Generally it is either an ironic attempt to cultivate "moral" messages in "debaucherous" media (like Christian death metal) or it is generally low quality. Sometimes it's both. I'm sure people can do it well, but really, it's not something that I think "oh gee, I want to hear my musicians singing about how Jesus loves them."

I don't like God. I don't believe God exists, and I do believe that the concept of God is detrimental to the human condition and prevents people from seeking self-actualization by creating a moral block on questioning authority and the dominant philosophies in our society. When I look at the people who have done what I consider to be great things, I find that a majority of them are in fact not christian, or at least keep religion to a very limited portion of their life. I can listen to music that has a message I disagree with (e.g. The International Noise Conspiracy....I disagree with communism for various reasons, such as that communism destroys the human spirit). But I find christian music particularly condescending and masturbatory, not to mention offensive for some reason or another.

As for Sufjan, I think I'm the one person who didn't jump on the Sufjan bandwagon. And really, I don't care.

RUMBLEMOOSE · « **Reply #26 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 17:06 »

There's a fair amount of Christian hardcore around, probably because it's a short step from vegan-preachy or straightedge-preachy to Jesus-preachy. Some of it's not even that bad (Crucified, Overcome, Living Sacrifice).

Is Starflyer 59 Christian, or just on a Christian label? Kinda shoegazerish pop.

sp2 · « **Reply #27 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 17:11 »

Straightedge is the worst thing that ever happened to punk.

Well, second worst. After Good Charlotte.

Luke · « **Reply #28 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 17:16 »

Quote from: sp2

But I find christian music particularly condescending and masturbatory, not to mention offensive for some reason or another.

Well, it's pretty much given that Christian music is going to be offensive to some people. This is because a main basis of most any religion is that any other belief system that contradicts that religion is wrong. It's to be expected.

soak · « **Reply #29 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 17:16 »

Quote from: RUMBLEMOOSE

vegan-preachy or straightedge-preachy to Jesus-preachy.

Not all vegans are preachy and veganism is somewhat at odds with mainstream christianity.

Me I'm an Athiest-Vegan, so all you meat eaters can goto hell!

Inlander · « **Reply #30 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 17:19 »

Ahem.

Quote from: Malkster

I’m not looking to debate the merits of the Christian faith. That is a discussion for another place and time.

Se7en · « **Reply #31 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 17:19 »

I'm used to people being subtle about their religious beliefs. Flinging them in peoples faces is downright rude to a yorkshireman. Its just not done. Religion belongs in church, not in public.

RUMBLEMOOSE · « **Reply #32 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 17:19 »

Oh no, I meant vegan hardcore bands (Earth Crisis), not vegans in general, sorry if I offended anyone.
Not all straightedge people are pushy either, until you put them in a band.

Luke · « **Reply #33 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 17:27 »

Didn't heretic say something about being a drummer in a Christian band?

sp2 · « **Reply #34 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 18:17 »

Quote from: Luke

Well, it's pretty much given that Christian music is going to be offensive to some people. This is because a main basis of most any religion is that any other belief system that contradicts that religion is wrong. It's to be expected.

It's less that I don't believe in it and more that I find the Christian message and method very destructive and overzealous. This comes across in Christian music.

Storm Rider · « **Reply #35 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 18:28 »

Quote from: soak

Quote from: RUMBLEMOOSE
vegan-preachy or straightedge-preachy to Jesus-preachy.

Not all vegans are preachy and veganism is somewhat at odds with mainstream christianity.

Me I'm an Athiest-Vegan, so all you meat eaters can goto hell!

I've been damned by so many groups now that your contempt has hardly shattered my soul.

I'll give you a gold star for effort, though.

Kai · « **Reply #36 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 19:24 »

Zao is some pretty fucking awesome Christian metal that doesn't soudn really annoyingly preachy. They pretty much make conecept albums about the fall of God in like, six different ways. so yeah.

Kid Modernist · « **Reply #37 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 19:31 »

Man, I didn't realize there was so many anti-religious bigots on this forum.

"laugh in their faces" for believing in God?
They are stupid? Because they don't have the same world view as you?

We shouldn't judge anybody about what they believe. Any atheist should know that it is a belief not a fact. Nobody knows until they die.

My whole point of this post: Come on everybody, can't we just agree to disagree?

shrimp · « **Reply #38 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 19:38 »

My problem with Christianity is that it is their "God's will" that you go forth and tell everyone how your way is the right way, and everyone else is doomed.

I then find it particularly offensive if that message is put to music, so its like a sneaky wee message that is slipped into the minds of others that "God" is great and you're wrong if you don't agree. I find that filthy.

But listen to what you want, it's your decision and GREAT for you if you are a Christian and feel spiritually fufilled and happy in your path- CONGRATS

Se7en · « **Reply #39 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 19:45 »

WHY shouldnt we judge people on what they believe? surely you cant get a more personal, better criteria for judging a person than that?

If i believed that god lived in my sock drawer, and that peanut butter was a holy food, to be eaten on the holy day which is every third tuesday..

Id be bloody disapointed if you didnt think i was an insane idiot.

Same applies to all religious beliefs. The more rediculous they are, the less respect i have for the believer. This is not bigotry, this is common sense.

1patheticloser · « **Reply #40 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 21:35 »

I came to this thread to discuss Sufjan Stevens, as he seems to have the most non-offensive (to me at least) spiritual vibes I've heard in a long time. Also, isn't that Kanye West album supposed to have similarly open emotion about his relationship with god?

On another note, the reason I don't like most everything else in the "Christian Music" genre is because the lyrics "I love Jesus, He's so great" gets really old after being sung by thousands of people in tons of different genres, or sometimes, by the same people in different genres (DC Talk, I'm looking at you...well scowling really). And just because a lot of rap talks about nothing but killing people, "bitches" and money in ways I disagree with, I wouldn't come out and say I hate black people. So let's stop talking about hating Christianity, and get back to talking about hating Christian music..

Also, Vegetarian-Atheist, represent. You guys can eat all the meat you want. It ain't got souls.

tasteslikeevil · « **Reply #41 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 22:00 »

Quote from: ASturge

Isn't Sufjan Stevens a Christian?

I know that at least his album "Seven Swans" is very Christian. It is also very awesome.

Do the Hidden Cameras count as a Christian band?

lofin · « **Reply #42 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 22:07 »

ok, for one, you can't have a 1025x1281 res.
bib for tuna, they are just scroll bars, quit spazzing.

when i posted the image it looked great and didn't disrupt the thread at all, since i run at 1600x1200 and everyone else should also. hope this helps.

Kid Modernist · « **Reply #43 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 22:14 »

FAITH PLUS ONE. Seven Swans is awesome. As is Newsboys, which I feel sort of embarassed to admit. hah.

But, really, I agree with most people that a lot of Christian music is crap. Mostly "I love god." lyrics repeated ad nauseam.

(and in case anyone thinks I am because I defended it, I'm not Christian, just a spiritual guy (not the kind that says it to cop out of answering the "Do you believe in God? question. I believe in God, but that pretty much everybody is going to heaven, and we should just all be nice)).

Luke · « **Reply #44 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 22:20 »

lofin - make that image smaller, please. Pictures shouldn't put a horizontal scrollbar on your screen when you're working with a 1025x1281 resolution.

*high-fives Kid Modernist*

I have to agree with pretty much everything you said, man. Just... yeah. There's a lot of Christian music out there that really just annoys me (and I happen to be Christian myself), but there are some really awesome groups *coughNewsboyscough* to be found out there.

Also, it wasn't until this thread that I remembered that I actually have a greatest hits album by DC Talk. Man, I haven't listened to that in a long time.

sjbrot · « **Reply #45 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 22:31 »

Quote from: Storm Rider

Quote from: soak
Not all vegans are preachy and veganism is somewhat at odds with mainstream christianity.

Me I'm an Athiest-Vegan, so all you meat eaters can goto hell!

I've been damned by so many groups now that your contempt has hardly shattered my soul.

I'll give you a gold star for effort, though.

Forgive Storm Rider, soak. He doesn't realise that veagan hell is basically cows eating people and milking them for all eternity.

jeph · « **Reply #46 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 22:43 »

Quote from: Malkster

Can you recommend any Indie Christian music?

Nope.

I cannot recommend any indie Christian music.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #47 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 23:27 »

The main awesome thing about being a pagan (apart from having an open and sane morality, a respect for nature, having a non-subservient relationship with the supernatural etc.) is that any given religious pagan band tends to have a good few songs telling Christians to 'eff orf. Do Christians do this as well? (Actually, I know they do...see Bob Dylan thread) It would be quite interesting, in my mind, to intersperse tracks with titles like 'Unbelievers Shalt Burn' or something with tracks like Inkubus Sukkubus 'Wake of the Christian Knights' or Sol Invictus' 'God Told Me To' on some sort of mix tape.

soak · « **Reply #48 on:** 11 Oct 2005, 23:50 »

Quote from: sjbrot

Quote from: Storm Rider
Quote from: soak
Not all vegans are preachy and veganism is somewhat at odds with mainstream christianity.

Me I'm an Athiest-Vegan, so all you meat eaters can goto hell!

I've been damned by so many groups now that your contempt has hardly shattered my soul.

I'll give you a gold star for effort, though.

Forgive Storm Rider, soak. He doesn't realise that veagan hell is basically cows eating people and milking them for all eternity.

Did you all just miss the athiest bit?

jariku · « **Reply #49 on:** 12 Oct 2005, 00:35 »

Current 93.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Can you recommend any Indie Christian music? (Read 17683 times)

Malkster

decklin

Praeserpium Machinarum

sp2

sjbrot

sp2

sjbrot

sp2

sp2

MilkmanDan

Malkster

sp2

Se7en

Se7en

sp2

ASturge

sjbrot

Luke

sp2

RUMBLEMOOSE

sp2

Luke

soak

Se7en

RUMBLEMOOSE

Luke

sp2

Kid Modernist

shrimp

Se7en

1patheticloser

tasteslikeevil

lofin

Kid Modernist

Luke

sjbrot

soak

jariku