Confirmation gift- music

February 16, 2006 7:20 AM

My friend is getting Confirmed next week, and I'm looking for some good Christian music for her- a genre I don't know much about beyond the big names.

She's a Sophmore in High School and is typically into pop-mainstream (Creed's her favorite band). Last year, I got her some Burlap to Cashmere, which she loved. They have a similar sound to Rusted Root. I am looking for suggestion of Christian bands which have similar sounds to these guys.
Barring that, I'm also looking for ideas of some quality bands that aren't primarily praise & worship. She sings in the Church teen-band herself, so she already knows of the popular ones like Jars of Clay, Steven Curtis Chapman, DC Talk, etc- basically the big players so lesser-known acts who still rock would be awesome. Thanks!

posted by jmd82 to religion & philosophy (37 comments total)

Chris Rice's Smell The Color 9 is quite good.
posted by grabbingsand at 7:26 AM on February 16, 2006

Derek Webb, Andrew Osenga, Caedmon's Call, Andrew Peterson, Sandra McCracken are a few.
posted by chrisfromthelc at 7:28 AM on February 16, 2006

Maybe Lifehouse, although they're a little dated now. And of dubious quality.

Sufjan Stevens might be good, if a little obscure for her.
posted by Alt F4 at 7:28 AM on February 16, 2006

Oh. And maybe Justin McRoberts.
posted by Alt F4 at 7:29 AM on February 16, 2006

does she like gospel music at all?
posted by By The Grace of God at 7:31 AM on February 16, 2006

Sorry not trying to throw a monkey wrench here, but are you sure your friend is into Christian music? Has she shown a particular interest in purchasing this genre for herself before? Just food for thought before you get her anything.
posted by Pollomacho at 7:31 AM on February 16, 2006

Oh. And Shaun Groves [embedded music plays].

And maybe Paul Colman [embedded music here, too].



I'm all kinds of helpful, aren't I? I actually don't listen to any of these artists with any real frequency. But I know of them, and they might be interesting to your friend.
posted by Alt F4 at 7:34 AM on February 16, 2006

See this thread.
posted by sourwookie at 7:35 AM on February 16, 2006

And the Violent Femmes' Hallowed Ground, possibly.
posted by Alt F4 at 7:36 AM on February 16, 2006

Half-Handed Cloud - Thy Is A Word & Feet Need Lamps
super catchy, fun, indie takes on Bible stories. (further out than the Sufjan suggestion; even further out would be Danielson Familye)

Matthew West - History
popular, eye-catching (haven't heard it)

finally, I think it's time for Elvis' Gospel recordings to really blow up with the younger set.
posted by carsonb at 7:47 AM on February 16, 2006

I just heard Over the Rhine's Poughkeepsie for the first time and highly recommend it if you're thinking of making a mix tape.
posted by allen.spaulding at 7:48 AM on February 16, 2006

more eye-catching and popular:

Superchic(k) - Beauty From Pain
posted by carsonb at 7:49 AM on February 16, 2006

Ha, the femmes did a Christian album? Must get that.
posted by By The Grace of God at 8:01 AM on February 16, 2006

This thread is giving me painful flashbacks to my teen years. disclaimer- I'm no longer a Christian, so some of this info is dated. Anyway: Sixpence None the Richer (more pop-light rock), Relient K (more pop-punk), Switchfoot - obviously (basically neu-Creed).

And, last but not least, Shaded Red's Red Revolution. May be out of print and is a little old, but still good.

The really actual good bands I can recommend are Anberlin (Never Take Friendship Personal) and Mae (Destination: Beautiful)- their two albums are pretty catchy and she would probably like them. Both are still in my rotation of listenable music.

Several friends also highly recommend Over The Rhine.

Other music at Tooth and Nail is mainly christian (warning, loud flash opening). POD is sort of rap-rock Creed-esque, she might like them. you should also check out Starflyer 59, Emery, and Further Seems Forever (especially The Moon Is Down). Not all of this stuff is explicitly Christian, but based on what she sounds like she's interested in, it woudl be ok - generally not offensive, the musicians themselves are Christian and the music ranges from subtle to overt Christian themes without being didactic.

Oh yeah, she might like The Juliana Theory, as well.
posted by tweak at 8:07 AM on February 16, 2006

please, for the love of god, stay away from christian rock and introduce her to good sacred music like bluegrass, early delta blues, and classical music from baroque through Mozart. Worst that can happen is that she buries the CDs in the corner of her room.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 8:22 AM on February 16, 2006

Sorry not trying to throw a monkey wrench here, but are you sure your friend is into Christian music?
Definitely. When I said she knows some artists, I meant she really likes them.
I asked this question because I know Christian music now covers virtually every genre out there; I am just trying out to find the good stuff that's out there. And, seeing as it is for Confirmation, it only seems appropriate that I get her something religious-oriented.
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'll give them a testdrive and see what I think.
posted by jmd82 at 8:28 AM on February 16, 2006

I second Over The Rhine and Starflyer 59 as well as Sufjan Stevens. I would also reccommend Pedro the Lion, Damien Jurado and Dolorean in terms of people that are good musicians who happen to be Christian. She may like Creed now, but kids at that age need to have their horizons expanded.
posted by Heminator at 8:31 AM on February 16, 2006

My whole family enjoys Third Day quite a bit (link has embedded music). They have several albums, their latest is "Wherever You Are" and it's very good.

My son would enthusiastically second the Switchfoot suggestion. He's bought all of their albums with his own money, so he must like them. I can't say I share his opinion here, but I do like some of their songs. He is also of Confirmation age, so maybe his opinion relates more than his Dad's does.
posted by genefinder at 8:35 AM on February 16, 2006

Pedro the Lion [Winners Never Quit is an amazing album] or Sufjan Stevens are both good choices.

But, I have to concur with whoever said that you should get her some old-time country/gospel/bluegrass/sacred harp/ballads/spirituals etc. It's far superior to anything Christian rock could ever hope to achieve.

If you're feeling particularly wealthy I recommend you buy Goodbye Babylon. I then recommend you keep it for yourself and give her some socks.
posted by cloeburner at 8:40 AM on February 16, 2006

Definitely. When I said she knows some artists, I meant she really likes them.

OK, just trying to help you get a gift that will be appreciated!
posted by Pollomacho at 8:42 AM on February 16, 2006

Grits are a great group.
posted by wackybrit at 8:42 AM on February 16, 2006

The Innocence Mission (indie-folk, much compared to The Sundays) & 16 Horsepower (gothy alt-country majorly influenced by The Gun Club). Like folks said above, introduce her to the good stuff.
posted by echolalia67 at 8:55 AM on February 16, 2006

Yeah, the older American sacred music is hair-raisingly good and its traditions are continued today. A run-in with those continued traditions are what brought me to God, FWIW.
posted by By The Grace of God at 9:01 AM on February 16, 2006

My Mother's Hymn Book By Johnny Cash.
posted by drezdn at 9:06 AM on February 16, 2006

I'll third or fourth the recommendation for the classics. Google up "Sacred Steel" or the Campbell Brothers. Intense.

Nick Cave's also on the Xtian path.
posted by omnidrew at 9:19 AM on February 16, 2006

No mention of U2? Maybe they're not as Christian as they once were, but they certainly fit the bill of not primarily praise and worship.
posted by Robot Johnny at 9:37 AM on February 16, 2006

Cherie Call is not quite so alt-rock as some of the names above, but she's a good songwriter. There's two albums in particular I'd recommend Heart Made of Wind and He Gives Flowers to Everyone. The former is not so much religious as thoughtful, the later is her real entry into inspirational/Christian music. There are mp3 clips and even a number of full songs available on her site.

Dar Williams is hardly explicitly Christian, but the stuff she does is of such high quality that spiritual experience and even theology is almost bound to come into its scope. Her album The Green World is full of both, and it's a marvelous piece of art.
posted by weston at 9:40 AM on February 16, 2006

Oh, Johnny Cash, absolutely. He sings "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord" with the Carter Family backing him up. It's outstanding.

Also look for Aaron Copland's arrangements of old American songs including Simple Gifts, Walls of Zion, etc.

And Handel's Messiah, of course.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 10:00 AM on February 16, 2006

If she likes Creed, she will probably like Scott Stapp's new solo album. In fact, she'll probably like it as much as she did when Creed released it.

Don't ask me how I know this. Let's just say I got some kick-ass gifts for Christmas, and some that didn't pan out as well.
posted by mikewas at 11:41 AM on February 16, 2006

On further review: Dar Williams' work is most emphatically not Christian music. She is a self-described follower of a mush of different faiths and I'm very sure that the original poster is looking for something different.

That said, I've got a bunch of her albums myself, and like her quite a bit. Just not the ideal Confirmation gift. Sorry, Weston.
posted by mikewas at 11:44 AM on February 16, 2006

Echolalia's pretty spot on. There's also The Doves, who were kinda gothy/new wavy. They're one of the rare bands that sucked before they got hit with the religion stick but was pretty good afterwards.

Also: Danielson Famile. Ot The Harder They Come soundtrack, which is pretty religious (though plenty secular too. You might be able to sneak it by her). Sufjan's Seven Swans album is his most explicitely Christian, and it's OK. People seem to really like him, but I don't get it. Pedro the Lion is OK but not great, as is most Christian music. I heard that Modest Mouse was considered Christian music at one point, when they were tighter with Pedro, but I'm not sure how much that was simply wishful thinking by the Christian promo services. OneBeLo is a fantastic rapper and his lyrics are explicitly Christian, which can be a little weird. In fact, there's a fair amount of Christian spirituality in a lot of consciousness rappers.
posted by klangklangston at 11:45 AM on February 16, 2006

My band, The Bran Flakes, did a religious song:

A Susie Moppet Singtime Sing-A-Long Song (mp3)
posted by mildred-pitt at 12:19 PM on February 16, 2006

Uh, teenagers as a group don't like traditional sacred music. Just like secular kids, they like what a purist might think is lesser...

As for my recommendation, has she tried Delirious? They are a little harder edged but our teens at church seem to like them.

(There is actually some really good wheat amongst the Christian Music industry crap-in every genre. Just stay outta Wal-mart and go buy it online.)
posted by konolia at 1:18 PM on February 16, 2006

A few that indiscriminately popped into my head:
- Casting Crowns
- Tree63
- Jeremy Camp
- Third Day
- Audio Adrenaline
- Switchfoot (the obvious)
- The Fray
- Chris Tomlin
- David Crowder Band
- Kutless
- Relient K
- Chris Rice
- Matt Redman
- Shawn McDonald
- Caedmon's Call
posted by charmston at 1:39 PM on February 16, 2006

On further review: Dar Williams' work is most emphatically not Christian music. She is a self-described follower of a mush of different faiths

Far be it from me to pin down Dar's particular faith, if indeed it could be done, and in that sense, you're correct that her music is not "Christian" -- it is not at all limited to religion in theme or scope, or Christian theology where it's theological. But take a look at the lyrics to And a God Descended. Whatever else is in there, there's also Christian themes/theology, no question.

I'm very sure that the original poster is looking for something different.

I'm aware the suggestion doesn't fall strictly within the bounds of the question -- neither does my other suggestion, Cherie Call. However, it seems likely to me that The Green World would be the kind of thing that a teen who enjoys listening to religious music that is not simply "praise and worship" (as the poster mentioned) would also enjoy.

Sorry, Weston.

No offense taken. I think I see where you're coming from. I just still think you're wrong. :)
posted by weston at 5:35 PM on February 16, 2006

Dar Williams was a religion major at UC Berkeley. She's awesome, but no, not specifically Christian.
posted by selfmedicating at 5:42 PM on February 16, 2006

Pedro The Lion changed my life. At least, at a point where I was very confused about my place in the shiny happy church I had grown up with, and my place in the world of knowing people who did drugs and slept with their boyfriends and were still my friends, and the place of wondering what I should be doing, he came along and absolutely nailed the intricacies of the gray areas there in "It's Hard To Find A Friend" and "The Only Reason I Feel Secure".

Even so, it's not necessarily the fact that your friend is looking for someone to pin down the gray areas for her. I just feel very strongly about Pedro the Lion and felt the need to add two cents after a statement like

Pedro the Lion is OK but not great

Sufjan Stevens all the way, I think, even though he's not full on pop, just because he's lovely and his songs are so multi-dimensional and lovely with Jesus. I'd aim for "Seven Swans", which just has some gorgeous imagery and song titles like " All The Trees Of The Field Will Clap Their Hands". And he plays a lot of instruments. And is attractive. And smart, I'd wager. And I think he cares about the environment.

Also rans:
If, for some reason, you want to venture a little deeper into obscure indieish Christiany sorts, Page France is getting some buzz but toeing the line frantically about the relative merits about getting lumped in with Jesusy Sorts.

Rosie Thomas has a pretty voice like a small clear bell. The song "I Play Music" is linked to on that blog, and it's very sweet song, and she tends to fall along the lines of quirky singer songwriter.

Shout out to Dolorean, but it's a bit more lo-fi country folkified than maybe you're thinking.

(links include mp3s somewhere, or so I tried to arrange it, at least.)
posted by redsparkler at 12:00 AM on February 17, 2006