Christian prog vs secular prog

for me, lyrics really should be looked at seperately from the music, and shouldn't really interfere with the music itself (unless its glaringly horribly written.) My mom tells me I don't listen to enough Christian music  but my problem is modern Christian Rock 99% of the time thinks they can pass off generic music as amazing if they have (equally generic) religious lyrics. I reaaaaaally want an artist who makes great music and in depth lyrics based around this, and the closest I have is Neal Morse whose lyrics are at the very least passable

Although he's not always widely considered a prog artist or a Christian artist, I'd strongly recommend checking out Sufjan Stevens. He makes some very progressive, interesting, and beautiful music, and many of his songs have very strong Christian undertones. Some are even openly and obviously Christian in nature, although they're never preachy, and can almost always be interpereted in any way the listener wants to.

I welcome all kinds of lyrics, but when an artist/band puts off n-th album about the same theme, it seems a bit unoriginal...

profanatio wrote: Even ELP (Gasp!) have written lyrics that I wouldnt have done. "The Only Way" comes to mind and of course from 1st Impression Part 1 comes " Not content with that with our hands behind our backs we pull Jesus from a hat get in to that get in to that." Not something my pastor would smile upon!!

Indeed. I was slightly offended by that part from KE 9: 1st Impression as well. (Says the man with the BSS icon) As for "The Only Way", sometimes I found it sounded anti-God, sometimes it sounded pro-God. Jethro Tull's lyrics I found weren't to my taste either, on the "Aqualung" album. Although I understand Ian Anderson's message. Also, Genesis's "Visions of Angels" slightly offended me, the part where Peter Gabriel sings "God gave up this earth, its people long ago." And also "In vengance to a god no one can reach." But I'm not sure if the lyrics were talking THE God or a different god in regards to the "vengance" part.


ANYWAY, /rant. Here are the best Christian progressive musicians IMO:

Neal Morse <-------- as a Catholic, I loved his "One" album, I thought "Christian music that has GOOD music? EH?"

Glass Hammer






Edited by Teh_Slippermenz - December 17 2007 at 20:26

I think Neal has a real fire lit underneath him being that he has only been a Christian within the past 6 or 7 years. If he comes off 'too preachy' to some (which I don't think he's being preachy--merely telling a story), he's probably pretty consumed with his faith and that's all he wants to write about. He may begin mingling in some more secular subjects here in the next few years and maybe (hopefully) entertain a Transatlantic reunion. Right now, I don't believe he's comfortable balancing the two styles and wants to focus on spreading the Word.

I don't have a ton of Christian discs, but there are some Christian artists that I do enjoy and I don't consider them lightweight at all. One band that I am listening to a lot is Casting Crowns. They aren't cookie cutter in the least. Extremely talented band.

Lastly, I can't recommend any other bands that haven't been mentioned. I've really been getting into Iona, which really pens some beautiful and spiritual music. All of the ones mentioned I'd highly recommend. Neal Morse especially.

E


Edited by E-Dub - December 17 2007 at 20:40

Faith is a delicate thing. I think in this case most important things are talent and sincerity.
If you make something in the name of God, make it in the best way. I guess God is too busy to listen to banalities .
Even more, straight preaching is often close to hypocricy.

For me one of the best examples of good music linked to religion is "Jesus Christ Superstar" by Webber - Rice.
Yes, it tells about Christ, but it also tells about things we meet in our lives: love, pain, courage, friendship, betrayal etc. And the story's told extremely talented, music and lyrics make the listener to live lives of the piece characters, love, sympatize and feel the pain of some of them, almost hate or despise some others.
I can only welcome if religious music is of such level. But it's so hard to reach it.

Edited by NotAProghead - December 17 2007 at 21:52

Rubidium wrote: If you're looking for Christian prog, the obvious place to start is Neal Morse.  Not only are his lyrics Christian in nature, but he's also one of the most talented modern prog composers.  Other bands that often mentioned are Glass Hammer, later Kansas, Proto-Kaw, and Salem Hill.  Ajalon is a band that doesn't get mentioned much, but they have produced some quality music. But for my money, the best (aside from Neal Morse, of course) is Akacia.  All three of their albums are wonderful, but I think the best is their second album, The Brass Serpent.  And the title track is over 36 minutes long!  What could be better?

I second the IONA recommendation.You will like them if your into Celtic music.HOURGLASS is very good if your into metal.

Not prog, but Albert Ayler and Charles Gayle are awesome beyond words.

Don't laugh but a lot of Chis de Burgh's earlier stuff is prog influenced and inspired by Christianity, before he went wishy-washy mainstream.  He had a fairly good concept album called "Crusader" which you may want to check out.