Christians, Music, and Christian Music

In the days leading up to tonight's Grammy Awards ceremony, indie music darling Justin Vernon announced that his band, Bon Iver, would not be playing the ceremony. The awards show asked them to do one of those collaborations that often happen these nights, but being asked to play a song that isn't theirs (even if it may have been The Beach Boys') isn't "rock 'n' roll" or about the music, so he declined.

Following this train of thought, Justin must loathe the Christian music industry.

When news of Whitney Houston's passing exploded onto Twitter, Christianity Today responded with a tweet about their 2009 article on her album I Look to You. Was this article a celebration of her talent and career? Not quite. The piece touched on that, but the primary focus was on her spiritual familial background, her cocaine addiction, her "rapper/bad boy" husband, and her still dancing around her faith in (then) recent interviews. The author ultimately found it in his heart to write in a positive tone, but every compliment came across as stingingly backhanded.

This was far from a unique occurrence for the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) niche. When popular faith-based music site Jesus Freak Hideout reviewed The Fray's self-titled album a few years ago, they found no complaints apart from the short length and the word "damn" in one song, but that was enough to drop the album to a 3.5/5. More recently, they refused to even touch on hip hop group High Society Collective's sound, hastily throwing out a 2/5 because the subject matter was bold, political, and not theologically rich enough. Strangely enough, even the Jonas Brothers were reviewed and critiqued in this light.

Don't get me wrong, readers. I'm an avid fan of much of what CCM has brought us over the years. Heck, my favorite band and the group that defined how I'd listen to music is the 90s Christian pop group the above site got its name from. Also, even for the material I don't dig, I understand the context: A market targeted towards church youth groups across America naturally won't appreciate some of the content certain artists choose to use.

Even so, this market is quite the bizarre spectacle. The dancing around what even defines who is and isn't in a "Christian band" is confusing enough on its own, even without taking the politics and marketing ploys out of the picture. The whole CCM industry is built upon a sandy foundation. It's no wonder that so much popular Christian music tends to feel contrived and stagnant: With everyone trying to appease the industry's executives and back-pew drivers, how does anyone find time to be creative with what the Lord has given him/her?

Justin Vernon, I don't agree with your attitude towards the Grammys, but if you ever decided to diss the Doves, I'll have your back in a second.