What's that, you say? Christian rock that's actually good? It exists, according to Daniel Radosh. Although Radosh identifies himself as a secular Jew, he's put together a list of what he considers the top ten Christian rock songs—songs that, in his words, don't "reduce all expressions of faith to crass evangelism, anodyne praise, or crypto-romance." 
As a nice added touch, you can listen to all ten of the songs on his list at his blog.
I don't follow Christian rock closely enough to rate his list, but I've listened to the first five or so songs and have been fairly impressed. (Except for that Sixpence None the Richer song—maybe it's a good song, but where I live it got played on the radio approximately every 22 seconds, which had the effect of savagely beating its appeal out of my head.)
What do you think of his list? What would your top-ten list look like? Share your nominations in the comments below, and bonus points if you provide a link where we can listen to your pick(s) online.
(Link via Evangelical Outpost. The picture above is of a band called Stryper. You either know who they were, or you don't; best to keep it that way.)
update: Stryper is apparently still around, although they have updated their wardrobe.
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Comments (14)
Although "In A Sweater Poorly Knit" is my favorite song off Brother, Sister.
You can listen to my favorite album here: http://www.last.fm/music/Derek...
You can listen to the whole track of some of his older songs, and if you scroll down you can listen to samples of songs from all his other albums. I particularly recommend The Ringing Bell.
My top 10? These are right off the top of my head and not in any particular order:
Climb A Tree by Charlie Peacock
Just Between You and Me by DC Talk
You Were There by Jars of Clay
Closer Still by Wilshire
If We Are the Body by Casting Crowns
Majesty by Delirious
Face of Christ by Chris Rice
Get Down by Audio Adrenaline
A Friend by the Winans
These Thousand Hills by Third Day
I could have picked a hundred more - we really have the best musicians in the world...
Saw Casting Crowns in concert Friday night and they were so great!
Supertones Strike Back, Grace Flood, Unite, Little Man, Wake Me Up On Time, Where I Find You, We Shall Overcome, Cult of Cool are all great songs and that's just from the two albums I have.
"Christian" music is always tricky, of course. But for some definition of the terms, here are <strike>ten</strike> some of my favorites:
"Inside Outside" — Delirious?
"In the Light" — DC Talk
"Need" — The Benjamin Gate
"Take My Life" — Jeremy Camp
"Treason" — Kutless
"Breathe into Me" — RED
Bah, I dunno. If you take some postmodern definition of "Christian" music, then maybe I can come up with some truly great Christian songs. But in terms of straight-ahead and stellar Christian songs, I dunno... there just doesn't seem to be those "Hotel California"- or "Smells Like Teen Spirit"-type songs out there in Christian music.
I'm somewhat surprised Sufjan Stevens didn't make the list considering his mainstream appeal, although perhaps he's too "low-key" with his faith?
One more debatable little omission... U2.