But are they christian?

over the past few months,  i’ve found a new music group that i can’t get enough of.   they are viral sensations.   they are crazy talented.   creative.   artistic.   sometimes creepy expressive.  they make infectious  “videosongs” that are posted mostly to youtube.

they don’t really fall into any modern category.   they’re goofy and funny and melodic.   they do “covers” and put their spin on old songs…some are traditional classics…others are more modern.   honestly,  i can’t really put a finger on why i like them so much.   but i do.

i love music.   i used to be deeply invested in the creative process.   making music was a major part of my daily expression for over 40 years.   i played multiple instruments.   i loved classical music…the “big band sound”…i played in jazz bands.   the traditional marching music of the military band still moves me emotionally.

my ipod playlists are all over the map.   classical guitar to screamo punk.   lilith fair chick singers to a capella.   my love of 80’s metal music is well documented.   hip hop…rap…rap core.   i listen to it all.   my 15 years in the great state has even softened my hardened soul to country music.   some days are just made for zac brown.

we are made in the image of the creator.   one of the ways we reflect the image of the creator is in our own creative ability.   animals don’t create.   people do.   people who are made in the image of the creator.

granted, there is some music…especially some of the more historically moderns genres in the past 50-60 years…that can get pretty vile and perverted.   but when i widen my perspective and begin to appreciate the genius of the musical creative process…the pure inventive brilliance of a musical mind…it’s simply astounding to me.

this is not some lame discussion of whether you “like” a certain band or if a particular style of music is what you’re into.   no.   this is about music…music of all kinds and styles and shapes and content…and how the making of music is at the heart of god.

“but are they christian?” is not the question we should be asking.   “are they creative?”   “is their music honest?”   “do they do the creative process justice?” those are more important questions to me.

there is a time and a place to sing praise to god and express ourselves in musical worship of the creator.   there is also time to simply enjoy music.   and when i connect to music that i enjoy,  my awareness of the creator is always more alive.   that’s just the way i see it.

here’s a vid of my current favorite band.   don’t laugh.   i’m being really serious here.   i can watch their videos again and again and again.   they are the duo that are making the hyundai christmas commercials we see all the time on espn…

they’re called pomplamoose.   this is one of my favorites.   go to their youtube page.   you’ll want to listen to more…

#creation #music