Christian Music for a Modern Age

These are the opinions of two teenage girls who love modern Christian music.
All reviews were printed in past issues of Christian Girl.

Rating scale: 1 to 5 stars, one is definitely bad and 5 is all thumbs up!!


For a contemporary Christian flare from one of Nashville's famous stars, hook into Susan Ashton and her several albums. I find her music refreshing, deep, and skillfully done. She has a beautiful voice and raises it in lovely tones to praise the Lord. I'd rate her music with a (****)
~Julia

Hey! Ready for the high energy sound of ska? (Reggae, rap, rock, all rolled up together.) Of course, this style isn't for everyone, but if you like it, well listen up! The group for you is SUPERTONES!!! This Christian band clearly praises Jesus while having a great time. These seven guys are talented musicians and are creative in their lyrics. I rate these guys (*****)
~Leanne

Now comes my absolute favorite singer in the whole world! Rebecca St. James has gone like a whirlwind since her first album, and no wonder! Her gorgeous voice and stylish music have captured the attention of millions, me included. It takes a lot to be a singer, but this Australian does it with breathtaking agility. She has a rock flavor but not heavy metal. I can do no other than rate her a very exuberant (*****)
~Julia


Note from the reviewers: Okay, we're making some major adjustments since last time. Due to conflicting ideas, our last music page wasn't quite right. So this time we'll be rating CD's, not artists, with a little bit of background on both.

For easy-to-listen to music with a trendy twist, try Jaci Valasquez. This talented 18-year-old is an up-and-rising singer who has so far one album out, "Heavenly Place". Her beautiful voice is a joy to listen to, and you'll find yourself humming to the melodies she sings. With a voice like hers, she's sure to go far. So keep looking for new albums of her. I rate "Heavenly Place" a definite (****)
~Leanne

Reality Check is a pretty new group, with a sort of DC Talk flavor. But their songs are sung with a humbleness and humility towards their own sinful nature, and a definiate desire to become closer to their heavenly Father. Their first wide-running CD is "Reality Check", a great piece of talent and depth. This is a REALLY COOL CD. I would highly advise you not to miss out on the fabulous music. (****)
~Julia

Jars of Clay is also easy to listen to and not hard to like with their excellent musical skills and meaningful lyrics, mixing rock with banjos and fiddles. With three albums out: a Christmas album, "Jars of Clay", and "Much Afraid", they are popular among many. Their deep and beautiful "Jars of Clay" deserves a (*****) and for reasons of slight vagueness, "Much Afraid" I'd rate (***1/2).
~Leanne

Miss Angie's new CD "100 Million Eyeballs" Struck the world with a bang. Her lyrics, somewhat different, and her voice, VERY different, work together to create a fun-for-all, fun-to-sing, great-to-imitate beat that once you get the first shock can't help but love it. This charming, Jesus-crazy singer encaptures me with her original music. I'd give her CD a secure (****)
~Julia

It says in the Bible to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, and Caedman's Call fits that description. This folk band tips right on the edge of being rock, but keeps right in with those banjos and bass cello to keep that Tenessee air about their music. The lead singer's voice is beautiful and original as his drummers play trashcans (I've SEEN them drumming trashcans!) and other unbelievable gadgets. This group is on fire for the Lord and show their listeners through their inspiring songs. Their various albums I haven't all heard, but one of their latest, "Intimate Portrait", I'd rate (*****) I can find NO fault with their music.
~Leanne

An emerging new singer Clay Cross is coming out into the open with his latest creation, "Stained Glass". Finally entering the world of well-known Christian contemporaries, he voices his heart in talented songs. His folksy twist keeps the songs interesting while his creative lyrics are sent from a beautiful voice to his listeners. His older album, "Time to Believe" was also well-done. I would rate this with a (***) and "Stained Glass" a (****) I certainly hope to see some more Clay Cross coming out.
~Julia

A new duo entering the Christian Rock category, Considering Lily consists of two former models with beautiful voices. If any of you RWPPC girls get Brio, maybe you entereted their "Beautiful You" contest. Other tunes on the "Beautiful You" album are "Pike's Peak", a great song about the problems with the broad and crooked path, and "Come and Rest", a gorgeous love-song from God to His people. Frankly, I'm gonna sing that one for my church. All the songs on that album are really well-written and REALLY well-sung. I love listening to that CD. I think Considering Lily has a big future in the music world, and can find NO faults at all with that album. I have to rate it a (*****)
~Julia

Smalltown Poets lets out a joyful noise to the Lord, with a good deal of poetry in their song. An artsy rock group, the lead singer Michael Johnston is as good a Christian as he is a singer. Deep lyrics, and skillful instruments make this band way worth listening to. I'd give them a definite (*****).
~Leanne

I'm sure most of the readers have heard of Audio Adrenaline, a group of young rockers singing (or screaming, either one) to Jesus. Their two major hits are probably "Bloom" and "Some Kind of Zombie". It's classic rock; both hard-core and solid foundation. I learned a lot about them after seeing a couple of them music videos; Audio Adrenaline is making it's debut, and I hope to be there. I'd rate their "Bloom" with a (****) and "Some Kind of Zombie" the same, (****). The vocals are fun to listen to and the guitar pieces are awesome. Big thumbs up!
A later review:
Doubtless, everybody's heard of Audio Adrenaline with their many CD's, but I'm reporting only on "Bloom" and "Some Kind of Zombie", both great albums. Their simple style in "Bloom" really impressed me, but they've heated it up in "Some Kind of Zombie". It's like two different bands, but in certain of their "Zombie" songs you can hear that same undertone of pure simplicity. "Bloom" was at least a (****) and "Some Kind of Zombie" the same. But two very different albums. The latter is more sophisticated, louder, and maybe more hip, but I still can't help loving that simple elegant style of "Bloom". I strongly suggest both of these CDs to any rock loving music fan. ~Julia

Mayfaire Laundry is a fairly new SKA group, who are genuinly excited about Jesus. Their first and only album out so far is called "Scrub". It consists of high energy songs such as "Swing your Partner" which explains how Christians should stick together and "Lovely Feet" which says how much they want to bring the message of God to everyone. I rate "Scrub" (***).
~Leanne

At first following in the Supertones footsteps, Five Iron Frenzy has taken on a new twist to their energetic ska. Their new album has songs in it such as "Blue Comb '78" where the singer implores us to find his comb, and "Kitty Doggy" in which they give it up for their pets, which make them feel like....stew. They sing about profound or hilarious things, and they have a really accomplished but fun style that leaves listeners laughing. Their old album would be a good (***1/2) stars, not 5 because it seems like them imitate other ska bands. Their latest has an original twang to it that I can rate no less than (*****)!! They are very talented, and I highly suggest the new album to any ska fans.
A later review:
Now I like most SKA, because, well, it's great. I like Five Iron Frenzy because they're SKA, and they got the beat, and they love Jesus! I like their fun songs, and their deep songs. They're up there! I wouldn't rate them on the same scale as Supertones or Insyderz because they have a very different style. It's more of a fun-and-gritty schoolboy-type hip-hop that some would love and others would loathe, just because it's not for them. But these guys are great and I'd rate 'em at least (****)!!
~Julia

If you're into rock, but want something a little different this time, pick up The Waiting. Their self-titled CD is excellent, with hardcore songs like "Number 9" to soft songs like "Hands in the Air". Their lyrics are excellent as well as their musical ability. They have just the right style to keep teens listening. "The Waiting" has definiately earned a (****1/2).
~Leanne

Hey guys! Who's heard of the newest old-type music in the music world? Later than even ska, comes swing; heard of it? Like that old jazz stuff that they used to dance really funky to, with a newer twist. And in the Christian music category, the top swing artists are --you guessed it-- The W's. The "w" in there stands for "Wimps", which is what their schoolmates called them -for being Christians, of course. But "The Wimps" doesn't sound so good as a header.... At any rate, I just got their CD for Christmas and was ecstatic! I love the style, the fun words, the creative ideas, and the great spirit. I'd give The W's an easy (****) and hope to get their newest album!
~Julia

Veggie Tales is a group of very talented vegetables. They have excellent, thought-provoking lyrics, they really do. From "Everybody's Got a Water Buffalo" to "I Love my Lips". No, just kidding. They're really just the cute, lovable vegetables from the hot new series "Veggie Tales". You'd better be able to find them at ANY Christian book store and EVEN at secular stores (they're that hot). The words are put together in such a fashion that people betwen 2 and 99 years old can't help but roll on the floor in hysteria (good hysteria). WARNING: High tech scientists have discovered new evidence that suggests that children under the age of ten may cease the eating of all vegetables in fear of consuming one of Larry or Bob's friends. USE WITH CAUTION!
P.S. Duh to me, I rated it (*****)!
~Leanne

As we exit '98, I figured, hey, what the heck, why not just do a quick review of WoW '98!! Not bad, huh? 'Kay, most people know, if you want a sampler of the Christian music of a year, you get that year's WoW CD. I'm not going to rate it, because what can you rate on a multi-artist CD anyways? So, I'm going to tell you a little about what was on it, in case you still want to pick it up before the '99 version. It's got Carmen's "Mission 3:16" and the Jars of Clay "Overjoyed", and a hit from Rebecca St. James' "God". The only thing I think it was lacking was some ska music from all the rising ska groups, but hey, you can't have everything. All in all, it's a great arrangement of lots of different styles. If I can't decide WHAT to listen to, I let that CD decide for me. It's a good album. I'd pick it up if you don't already have it!
~Julia

Hey, all you ska fans! Heard the latest? No longer do we simply have ska, we have ska-core. And can anybody guess who that is? The Insyderz is their name, and ska-core music is their game! And they do it well. They have three albums out so far, including "Skallelujah" and "The Fight of my Life". When I first heard their "Skallelujah" I was not overly impressed, his weird voice and loud music wasn't something that had me daning, but I warmed up to it, and eventually liked it. But when "The Fight of my Life" hit my CD player, the Insyd-world had a whole different light. From the hard-core and dar lyrics of "The Hunted" to the troughing message in "Forgive and Forget", The Insyderz show now only fun and cool music, but a sophisticated knowledge of different styles of music. Now I go back to "Skallelujah" and love it, because now I've heard the Insyd-world of The Insyderz and I'm likin' in. I have to rate "The Fight of my Life" with a major (*****) and if only because they didn't write their own songs in "Skallelujah", I'd rate that one with (****). I can't wait for their next hit!!
~Julia

Just about anyone who's listened to Christian rock has heard of DC Talk, the one and only! From their funk rap to heartfelt love songs for God, this band is one of the most well-known and loved Christian bands there is. Not that everyone loves them. During their "Welcome to the Freak Show" tour, rumors floated about them turning secular, and questions were raised about their sincerity. No one out in the crowd can really know what all went on in the hearts of these stars, but something can be guessed from the lyrics in "Supernatural", their latest album. This album really impressed me, musically and spiritually. Although nothing was said about the rumors that were made, hints of confession were found in some of the songs. It's a great CD, and I rate it a (*****) with no reservations. Even the album cover was five-star-worthy!
~Julia

I'm not a country fan, but Jennifer Knapp's "Kansas" really grabbed me. My friends saw her in concert and loved her; I only got as far as her music video, but I gotta say, she's not bad! There's something really deep to her lyrics, sung by her slightly Southern and very gorgeous voice. I also have a lot of respect for the fact that she writes all her own songs, very well too! This album, I think is at least a (****) and is great fun singing along to! She's one talented dixie chic!
~Julia

Mukala. I finally figured out what industrial/techno means! With comuter sounds filling the backgroun and occasionally distorting the singers' voices, Mukala's CD "Fiction" demands attention. The songs are almost eerie in the way they sound, but the words are well-done, making for a mix of talent and style. It's a good album, I'm liking it a lot. Dan Mukala (what a name!) put it together with art and wit, but something deeper --real insights into Christianity and what it means. "Ice Age" contemplated the coldness we've set up for ourselves in this day, and "Jesus Shirt" throws off the temptation to keep witnessing to the level of a shirt or piece of jewelry. My favorite, though, is "Stranger than Fiction", where they question how love so strange could be fiction. It's an industrial (*****)!
~Julia

Silage, generally speaking, is the stuff farmers keep in a silo, like corn, wheat...that kind of thing. But there's a different kind of Silage that's slightly more interesting! The band from Las Vegas puts on a real show! Their earlier album "Watusi" was a fun SKA-punk-light hearted deal, but their '98 "Vegas Car Chasers" goes a lot deeper. They modified their style to more of a punk rock type, but still have that SKA sound in the background. Their lyrics run deep. In their song about Vegas, "Billboards", this is what they say:
Life in the bubble, there ain't no trouble
We like to judge our books By starting at the cover
If one of us should stumble We'll hide in undercover
'Cause we can't have trouble when we're living in the bubble...
Billboards and pillars Is all that I see
Will someone please show Jesus Christ to me
This song emphasizes how hypocritical we can be and that it's not of God. I would rate "Vegas Car Chasers" with a (****1/2), just about perfect. They're great, I love them. Pick up their album if you see it!
~Julia

Well, up til now, this has been soley a music page that does bandds that have already made it up the ladder of fame and have probably been rated by everyone else a long time ago as rising stars. But now I'M gonna show you a rising star that you have probably never heard of before. Bryan "Byron Beatty", vocalist, lead guitarist, and keyist (new word) for Far From Ordinary, or more commonly known as the FFO SKA Band! This is a group of 15-19 year olds who just put out their first album, called "Sit Back and Relax". Anyone who listens to the album can tell they've got a ways to go. But it's a little bigger than that. A deep love for Jesus and SKA music drives these kids on. The talent is there, for music and writing. I saw them in concert, and they put on an amazing show, have a real presence about them that connects with the crowd. Everyone was up and dancing. We talked to Bryan afterwards, and he was just a kid like us, fun, nice (very good-looking, but that has nothing to do with anything!) and a God-loving SKA player. In short, I was impressed. I would rate their first album with only a (***) because on the major scale, it's not that great. But the way these teens carry themselves and get things going, they're going somewhere in life, and I for one want to be around when they get there!
~Julia


Shown as received and printed, except for a few spelling and grammatical form considerations.

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