Friday, June 02, 2006

Finding Feeling in Music

Lately, I have been listening to alot of different music. I love to listen to music right before I fall asleep. It's peaceful. I find that music, to me, is the best way to reveal one's true emotions. Talk can be so cheap, and there is a beauty to music that touches our soul where mere words cannnot compare. Of course, music too can be cheap if it is not honest. I think that is what attracts me to the music I like. There is an honesty, a devotion to staying true to your heart in writing and making music. That is really what makes it so special. Alot, of what I have been listening too is sad, depressing music. It's kinda funny, but I think that often the songs that are dreary and depressing are more enjoyable than the poppy, "Always smiley because Jesus loves me" songs. You know, the "Powerpop Gospel" type of music. I believe it is because of the honesty. It truly drowns out the sugar-coated bullshit that leaves you confused and unsatisfied. We want something we can relate to. As Project86 puts it, we are crying out for something we can feel. Let's face it people. Life is not just "peaches and cream". It can also be "piss and vinegar". It's important to recognize this because it is when we are broken that we see are desperate need for Christ. Jordan wrote a song called "Secrets" that has a line that says, "Only broken find the healing hand". Our eyes are often clouded by our selfishness when everything seems to be going well. I'm sorry for quoting my own band, it was just too perfect to pass up. Let's continue to pray for one another that we will not be blinded to superficial thinking. We can take heart in our lowest times because it is in that place where we truly feel. Here we can find comfort in knowing Jesus will carry us if we trust in him. Christ is our recovery room.

Here is some music that I have been listening too!
Denison Witmer- Are you a Dreamer?
As Tall as Lions- Lafcadio
Copeland- Beneath Medicine Tree
Counting Crows- Everything they've done
Death Cab for Cutie- Transatlanticism
Fielding- Fielding
The Get up Kids- Something to write home about
The Jealous Sound- Kill them with Kindness
(F.Y.I: I used the phrase "Recovery room" from one of my favorite songs they do. This song is particularly depressing.)
Jimmy Eat World- Clarity
The Lyndsay Diaries- The tops of trees are on fire
The New Amsterdams- Worse for the Wear
Number one Fan- Compromises
Rocky Votolato- Suicide Medicines and Makers
Slow Runner- No Disassemble

1 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I couldn't agree with you more about a lot of the christian music that is out there. Honesty is important, apart from honesty it is impossible to worship God. God desires worshipers who worship in spirit and in TRUTH. Though the Psalms do have simple Praise songs, glorify the name of God, there are also plenty of them that are emotionally complex. The Psalmist really do cover the gambit of emotions. I think as Christian artists we too should try and convey the range of emotion, we feel in our relationships with others, with the world, and with God.

And I think the title "Lufcatio" (or something like it) by As Tall As Lions is taken from a Shell Silverstien book (I read it in 4th grade).

Peace

3:15 PM  

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