Emerging Music Stinks
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Douglas K. Adu-Boahen on 02 Apr 2008 at 7:36 am #
You’re right, sir. This music is absloutely terrible. It sounds rubbish, what’s more it is useless for Christian worship. Sadly, people will buy this thing called “Christian music”
Dr Mike on 02 Apr 2008 at 8:14 am #
Back in the ’60s, when too many of us were droppin’ acid and staying stoned for years at a time, music like this was not unusual and heralded as “capturing the spirit of our times.”
Those of us whose spirits were supposedly being captured, however, thought it was crap. So is this.
Dr Mike on 02 Apr 2008 at 8:15 am #
Can I say that? Can I say “crap” here?
If not, sorry.
Chuck Miller on 02 Apr 2008 at 11:42 am #
This is a poor excuse for music. As the King James would say, “it stinketh”!
I think it is a criteria for everything in the emerging church is to be artsy-fartsy. When cool is the standard, quality takes a back seat.
C Michael Patton on 02 Apr 2008 at 11:45 am #
Yes, but this lacks both. It ain’t cool and it has no quality. I thought it was a joke at first, but it is legit.
Alyssa B-D on 02 Apr 2008 at 1:43 pm #
Wow. Hmmmmm…..
Okay, so I understand where they’re coming from. They must feel that our current music is one-sided and focuses too much on our own culture, maybe?
The problem is the art side. I’m a music teacher and I just feel really frustrated when Christians make, well, mediocre art. But I hate to put them down. It’s great that they’re creating….
JohnO on 03 Apr 2008 at 8:58 am #
I’m all for promoting creativity, but this is pretty naff stuff. I love Christian music, especially good worship music. What I really don’t like is Christian ‘performance’ music - secular bands, in my experience, do this far better, perhaps because they don’t feel constrained by having to make their lyrics Christian or preach a message.
So, for me, music helps me worship. But for it to do that it’s almost got to be ‘invisible’, by which I mean that the lyrics have got to meaningful, not trite, the musicianship has to be competent and it has to delivered in a way that doesn’t say ‘look at me (the performer)’.
Brett R on 03 Apr 2008 at 10:21 am #
So, there is a clear definition of what the “bad” people believe and yet a very ambiguous definition of what the “good” people believe. I understand that it is very easy to sink into tribalism, I am just as guilty and culpable. It just seems strange that when they separate the teams that they chose the one without a uniform (let alone purpose).
I struggle with this same form of self-righteousness, so I empathize. I also get the message. I just wish that there was some form of hope in the cross of Christ that this could move people toward instead of the warm fleeting feelings of being clever and one of the “good guys.”
There have been men who have been clever and provocative and in the end magnified the name of Jesus. When I try it, I end up looking like an idiot and God does not look great. I am just glad I don’t try making my attempts into songs.
Tony on 03 Apr 2008 at 10:36 am #
Making that “music” was bad enough, but the thinking that determined to put it on YouTube is even worse.
lol@“it stinkethâ€
Dr Mike,
Do a search for “scatology” + “Wallace” on this blog (and check Michael Patton’s comments) and that will answer your question about using the term “crap” here
Tony on 03 Apr 2008 at 10:47 am #
Speaking of scatology, I think this video can be filed under that blog label here lol
JohnT3 on 03 Apr 2008 at 1:21 pm #
What the?
I am not sure which is sadder, they made it or that they bought into this.
Brian Maclaren to music.
One word comes to mind, no not crap although my grandfather used to say “If you are singing for crap you will get it in the face”
The word is Heresy.
And the dangerous part is the quickest way to get to people is to put stuff to music. Expecially Christians, now adays theywould rather here a song then a solid sermon or study for them selves.
Greg on 03 Apr 2008 at 5:43 pm #
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e355/yadumey/Gif/fire.gif
(The music, that is)
wordandspirit on 04 Apr 2008 at 6:50 am #
Dove of Love from Above
I was a little disturbed by the mean-spirited smirking at Brian MacLaren’s attempts at
song-writing (shame on you Michael Patton and Justin Taylor). True, it was a rather ropey performance and recording of a distinctly average tune
with lyrics as s…
Josh on 04 Apr 2008 at 9:01 am #
It bothers me to find many who will stand no criticism of music or performance if it’s presented as “worship.” The typical conversation goes something like this:
Me: “The music in that service was pretty rough. The instruments weren’t properly tuned, the choir missed their cues, the soloist was trying too hard to be Christy Nockels, and the sound reinforcement was poor. It distracted me.”
Other: “You shouldn’t be so critical. They were doing the best they could, and at least they’re trying to glorify God with their talents.”
But is it glorifying God if you stink? Even if you stink very, very sincerely?
britphil on 04 Apr 2008 at 10:43 am #
Can I just say something here.
Much has been said about the appalling quality of the music by the “Emerging church” people. But what about the equally appalling deductive reasoning employed by Michael in this instance.
ie This one piece of worship by an emerging church person stinks so by inference we must all unquestionably accept Michael’s mantra that all “Emerging Music Stinks”?
No!!! Not in a million years! This particular piece of emerging music may stink (in your opinion, and that is all it is , one man’s opinion). I happen to agree that it is not very good, but it does not stink anywhere as much as the attempt at deductive reasoning we see here. This is Brian McLaren’s first attempt at songwriting, he will undoubtedly improve…Michael is allegedly an expert in critical analysis…yet the quantum leap from one piece of emergent music stinks to deduce that all emergent music stinking almost defies belief!
Michael’s is the kind of sweeping statement I would expect to read in a sensationalist tabloid newspaer or the National Enquirer..it really is of a very poor standard indeed , especially considering it is posted by someone who enjoys lecturing us on the need to employ very high standards of rational critique. but appears to be able to lower the bar for himself when it suits.
And can I ask you to search the archives of your own Christian tradition, where you may discover that there are plenty of dire and dreadful examples of the worst type of Christian music imaginable which have been foisted upon and unsuspecting and undeserving church and world down the ages.
One piece of advice Michael. You said the other day during your six-part analysis on all things emergent that you did not know much about Rob Bell. Well I suggest you find out fairly quickly. Rob in his early days played in an excellent punk band, is musically superb and has probably forgotten more about quality music than most of you guys will ever know.
Keep to the theological critiques Michael..they are generally excellent. This type of rubbish does not do you any favours whatsoever, apart from cement your reputation amongst the already converted and pander to established and preconceived prejudices
britphil on 04 Apr 2008 at 10:55 am #
I would like to qualify my previous comments slightly.
There are plenty of emerging artists who could have done greater justice to the song than the people in the song contained in this clip. I share the sentiments of a previous poster…why did soemone not tell teem to hang fire and ask somebody to do it who could do it justice. .
“The problem is the art side. I’m a music teacher and I just feel really frustrated when Christians make, well, mediocre art. But I hate to put them down. It’s great that they’re creating….”
I’m no art teacher but I would like to take issue here. I felt the images and words were OK and thought provoking..they were just badly let down by the mediocre quality of the vocals.
I do not however take one word back re my previous comments on the reasoning that just because this piece of emerging music stinks it all does - it remains crap reasoning!.
C Michael Patton on 04 Apr 2008 at 11:01 am #
brit,
It was just a joke. Most people who read this blog know that I am having fun here. Everyone knows that I think all music stinks other than U2!
britphil on 04 Apr 2008 at 11:13 am #
Michael
Oh noooooo!!!! Not the dreaded U2!!! I once lived in a Halls of Residence where as fellow student played “Gloria” at full blast for the whole day
Now if you really want to get me started you can create a post praising Bono for cosying up to G W Bush!, all in the name of ecological awareness!!
…and it may have been a joke…but it did have JohnT3 going off on one on about “heresy” if I am not mistaken. aaahhhh…I see…he was joking too!!
Tony on 04 Apr 2008 at 4:06 pm #
Brit said:
One hopes that’s the case. I mean, there are no other options other than to “improve.” To not improve is to remain completely within the scatological sphere of “it stinketh.” If you’re musically at the bottom of the barrel, going up is the only possibility. Well, I suppose it is possible that he could go sideways and create more musical cow patties, but not of this proportion, especially now that it is broadcast on YouTube. Someone should bring down the entire YouTube site so that this one song is no longer viewable. I would much rather watch and listen to this (click) all day long instead of the above MacLaren “song.”
lol
Cadis on 04 Apr 2008 at 4:36 pm #
LoL
sick
Cadis on 04 Apr 2008 at 4:39 pm #
Oops’
I meant…Thou art full of infirmity
Greg on 04 Apr 2008 at 6:53 pm #
Personally, I didn’t care how it sounded. The singers probably did a better job than I ever could.
The lyrics are what I wanted to burn with fire
Still do. I don’t care what purpose is behind it, saying “I am an atheist” really has no place in Christian worship.
C Michael Patton on 04 Apr 2008 at 7:17 pm #
Sadly, this is the typical way for many to express their faith . . . emphasizing what they are against, with not much said about what they are for. Not sure that it is too worshipful. At least not too me.
But, then again, I don’t like music that is only about pie-in-the-sky stuff either.
Mark C. on 06 Apr 2008 at 5:23 am #
This type of song I would expect to hear at the Borders bookstore when they have open mike night, or at the Unitarian/Universalist church.
britphil on 07 Apr 2008 at 5:37 am #
“This is Brian McLaren’s first attempt at songwriting, he will undoubtedly improveâ€
One hopes that’s the case. I mean, there are no other options other than to “improve.†To not improve is to remain completely within the scatological sphere of “it stinketh.†If you’re musically at the bottom of the barrel, going up is the only possibility. ”
Brit is back after the weekend….much to the chagrin of many on here!
With regard to Tony’s comments, my advice to Brian McLaren is this - stick to what you are gifted at. What depresses me the most is that there was no-one there who said - do you really think this is a good idea Brian What is the ratiknale behind what you are wannting to achieve? Do you think the quality is anywhere near good enough? You are putting it on WHERE!!! You-Tube!!! Do you really want to look this stupid?
Having said that it is no worse than some preachers when they first start out, convinced they are God’s greatest gift to the church - who also clearly have to improve and learn and mature if they are going to be used even half as mightily by God as they appear to think when they first start out. The biggest lesson they have need to learn is not to take the best part of 45 minutes to proclaim what could easily have been said in 15!
I have had a lifetime of hearing sermons “which stinketh” from people who I would only allow near a pulpit with a public health warning around their neck - many of theme from a conservative evangelical persuasion.
I have just come back from a residential weekend where, it may astound you, the “emerging worship was of an extremely high quality..Sadly it is not available on-line or on YouTube which means that pyou guys won’t be able to assess it and make your judements on it but I can tell you it was top notch stuff.
“This type of song I would expect to hear at the Borders bookstore when they have open mike night.
Mark C
Part of the the problem is Mark C, that those of us who clearly think that whatever we do, is clearly superior to anybody else, are sadly never not to be found at the Borders open mic night showing the people they are so critical of how it can and should be done. Usually they are too busy engaged in navel-gazing in a Bibly Study discussing the 79 essential differences between a Calvinist and an Arminian and other such rivetting stuff (not!)…in the belief that this stuff really is where people are at and what they need more than anything else on earth!
I don’t know which open mic night you go to, but some of the groups I have heard in pubs and clubs in the UK are infinitely betteer than some of the trite drivel that is served up in quite a lot of mainstream churches on Sunday mornings.
Bill L. on 07 Apr 2008 at 4:42 pm #
Wow…..that will certainly set the emerging church movement back quite a bit, huh?