My Take on The State Of Apostolic Music
Posted by: Bradley McDonald
The article The State of Apostolic Music--How Bad Is it?, a series of emails between our editor and an apostolic musician and last week's cover article for NinetyAndNine.com, seems to have hit a spark amongst our readers. Many people weighed in on the matter in letters and our blogs here, and there, have all chimed in with their opinions.
So, here's mine...
David B. worded it well when he said that Christian music today is, generally, "a whole lot of less-than-inspiring drivel that all sounds the same." True, there are a few original sounding bands that are technically skilled who can also put your mind on the track to heavenly thoughts, but I can't find too many of them on Christian radio stations.
I believe that the state of Christian music is a reflection of the secular music world. There are some unique and creative artists out there, but the rock music heard on the radio today isn't much different than the alternative/grunge sound that started in the early 90s. People are looking for something different and the fact that more and more people are signing up for satellite radio and online music sites proves that today's generation is willing to search for something special.
What Apostolics have that is different is anointing. That's what makes our live music so good. The challenge is getting that anointing to transfer through a recording to whomever is listening on a CD. I've never recorded music (I can play three chords on the guitar), but I would imagine it's hard to keep the "anointing" when you have to play a song over and over in a studio, trying to get everything perfect for the recording.
As Kent said in one of his emails, talent is only a small part of why we think we have the best singers in the world.
David and Chantell both mentioned that the styles accepted in Apostolic music today don't span a very wide spectrum. To reach out to the mass market, we've got to have a product that is both genuine and distinctive, something out of the current Apostolic "niche."
I believe there are those in our movement who have the talent and willpower to get there.
The article The State of Apostolic Music--How Bad Is it?, a series of emails between our editor and an apostolic musician and last week's cover article for NinetyAndNine.com, seems to have hit a spark amongst our readers. Many people weighed in on the matter in letters and our blogs here, and there, have all chimed in with their opinions.
So, here's mine...
David B. worded it well when he said that Christian music today is, generally, "a whole lot of less-than-inspiring drivel that all sounds the same." True, there are a few original sounding bands that are technically skilled who can also put your mind on the track to heavenly thoughts, but I can't find too many of them on Christian radio stations.
I believe that the state of Christian music is a reflection of the secular music world. There are some unique and creative artists out there, but the rock music heard on the radio today isn't much different than the alternative/grunge sound that started in the early 90s. People are looking for something different and the fact that more and more people are signing up for satellite radio and online music sites proves that today's generation is willing to search for something special.
What Apostolics have that is different is anointing. That's what makes our live music so good. The challenge is getting that anointing to transfer through a recording to whomever is listening on a CD. I've never recorded music (I can play three chords on the guitar), but I would imagine it's hard to keep the "anointing" when you have to play a song over and over in a studio, trying to get everything perfect for the recording.
As Kent said in one of his emails, talent is only a small part of why we think we have the best singers in the world.
If we would've asked them what religious group has the finest singers in the world, hands-down our readers would have chosen "Apostolics" and not because we're Apostolics. Rather, due to the Spirit in the songs, the sincerity in the singers, and the openness to God's anointing that pure talent can't match they would've chosen Apostolics. That said, the talent is also superb.It's the intangibles that all come together in a church service that make the music so powerful. Outside of a church service, well, it's clear that people want to listen to something else, since not many of our readers reported buying Apostolic CDs.
David and Chantell both mentioned that the styles accepted in Apostolic music today don't span a very wide spectrum. To reach out to the mass market, we've got to have a product that is both genuine and distinctive, something out of the current Apostolic "niche."
I believe there are those in our movement who have the talent and willpower to get there.
