Joy Electric
The Violet Burning
Lift to Experience
The Normals
Mars Ill
Christafari
Cross Movement
The Billions
Lifesavas
Starflyer 59
Sufjan Stevens
The Danielson Family
Grits
Reliant K
Dave Crowder Band
The Orange County Supertones
Atmosphere
Ester Drang
Pedro the Lion
p.s., Please feel free to add to this list in the comments section. I would love to know of some others, particularly those with real artistic/conceptual motivations!
Bob Dylan
ReplyDeleteDamien Jurado
Havalina Rail Co.
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Bill Malonee & the VOL
Cush
Eisley
The Headphones
Twothirtyeight
Zwan
JAZ,
ReplyDeleteDid you ever know the band out of California called 'The Prayer Chain'. They were at the forefront of the whole 90's 'alternative' thing. Anyway, I liked them quite a lot.
BFC
Derek Webb
ReplyDeleteTrevor Giuliani
it's hard for me to say "christian bands" b/c i'm not sure what that means (personal faith? song lyrics? worshipful spirit? ecclesial identity?). that being said, here are a few to add, chosen soley by the content of their songs:
ReplyDelete* chris tomlin (don't agree with the theology of some of his stuff, but it's about the only worship music i can listen to on a consistent basis)
* circadian rhythym
* common
* the gravity show (mike pritzl of VB's side project)
* the innocence mission (and they're catholic to boot!)
* iron & wine (not sure if sam beam self-identifies as a christian, but damn, his songs have tons of christian themes)
* joseph arthur
* john davis (formerly of superdrag)
* john legend
* johnny cash
* kanye (http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/01/24/D8FB8FI00.html)
* ollabelle
* over the rhine
* pentecostal bouffant (they only released one album, but it is ridiculously good)
* richard ashcroft (some of his music really seems to be christian, and then he says something like this, so who knows what that means - http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/ashcroft%20draws%20jesus%20comparison)
* robert randolph
* starsailor
* tarbox ramblers
* the waterboys
* willy mason (?)
* U2
that's just what i can cull immediately from my iTunes.
Bach!
ReplyDeleteKabello!
ReplyDeletePage France, Bill Fay, Duvall, Jars of Clay! Does Nick Cave count? Gillian Welch?
ReplyDeletedz
Oh,
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the 77's! They were pretty great too.
BFC
Newsboys. POD. Sixpence None The Richer.
ReplyDeleteThats right. I said it. Boyakasha.
Waterdeep
ReplyDeleteOver the Rhine (my absolutest favouritest)
Pedro the Lion
Havelina Rail Company
Oh, and definitely FaithplusOne (Cartman's Christian band).
I have been trying to get of that Page France album "Hello Dear Wind"... any leads?
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I find myself preferring sort-of-christian songs by obviously non-christian bands. "Rivers of Babylon" (from 40 ounces to freedom).
On an unrelated note, I heard that Alice Cooper (of shock-rock fame) became a Christian. I don't think he initiated an MC Hammer-like second career though...
I too meant to put Trevor G. (and Dave Zahl for that matter).
ReplyDeleteWell, I really meant explicitly Christian bands. Of course, any time someone sings of existential angst, loneliness, or love received from the outside, I identify as a Christian. That list is endless! But since people seem to want to mention songs that have overtly Christian themes, I've got a few faves:
Prince: The Cross
Television: Torn Curtain
DJ Shadow: Blood on the Way
Pixies: Heaven (live)
Norman Greenbaum: Spirit in the Sky
Stevie Wonder: They say that Heaven is 10,000,000 light years away
King Missle: Jesus Was Way Cool
Genius: Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth (B.I.B.L.E.)
Al Green: Jesus is Waiting
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony: Crossroads
Desmond Dekker: The Israelites
The Wailers: The Lord Will Make a Way
David Robinson: I'm a Carpenter, Baby (amazing old funk tune)
Nick Cave: There is a Kingdom
Nick Cave: Breathless
Nick Cave: Brompton Oratory
Violent Femmes: Jesus Walking on the Water
The Blue Ridge Rangers (John Fogerty's solo project from right after when Creedence broke up): When He Calls My Name
Black Hearts Procession: Only One Way
Daniel Johnston: Lord Give Me Hope
Those are all amazing songs! Whoever asked if Nick Cave fits, I sure think he does (The Boatman's Call album especially). And obviously there's Dennis Wilson. And then my other favorite worship bands of the moment (this one's a bit of a stretch): Roxy Music!
Of course, last and best, there is Dudley Perkins! I'm hoping to see him live in Leeds on the 9th of Feb.
for the page france album, you have to go straight to their record label, www.fallrecords.com
ReplyDeleteI don't see Carman on your list. I can't say that doesn't hurt!
ReplyDeleteWhat about Creed? Nevermind...
ReplyDeleteI love Christafari. Kanya West's song "Jesus Walks with Me" is amazing. I use to love the Super Tones but they are a bit glory for me. The Israelites are a great Christian ska/rock steady band.
ReplyDeleteYou listen to Reliant K? I think something in my soul just died. . .
ReplyDelete