What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

I have varying tastes in music ranging from souther gospel, to black gospel.
Various artists I listen to are, Gold City (personal fav) Brooklyn Tab, Michael W Smith, Imperials, Bill Gaither, Gateway Choir, Nelons, Keith Green, Don Moen, Phil Driscol, 4him, just to name a few.

As you can see my tastes are varied.

Who do you like to listen to?

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

I'm not much into Christian music anymore. As a genre I like rock music the best. U2 is my favorite band.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

If I may ask, why is that?

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

I dunno. I don't like the style of music and it's generally not very well done. And it's usually not very imaginative or contemporary in terms of style. More than that though, I find that the lyrics are too predictable and unimaginative. I find there is a real dirth of creative artistry in Christian circles. The same can be said of secular music as well in many cases. I get just as tired of hearing "Ooooo baby, I love you!" as I do "He is worthy of praise!". Yes, he's worthy of praise but how many songs do we need to say that over and over and over ad nauseum? It's all so predictable. Plus, I don't think from an evangelistic point of view that Christian music connects with unbelievers at any level, especially in the quality of music.

I prefer music and lyrics that are honest about God and the human condition and challenge me to be something better than I am and to actually DO something better than what I'm doing. There are lots of secular songs and bands out there that speak to these ideas and they're the ones I like listening to the most. That's why I like U2.

Please don't think I'm bagging on Christian music or the people who like it. I'm not. I grew up on Gospel music and love a good, hip shaking, hand clappin' choir song as much as the next guy. But after awhile it almost becomes narccisstic, imo, and tends to alienate us from unbelievers. I'd rather point to what God is doing in the world and use that as a bridge than to insist that unbelievers leave all that is familiar to them and completely change their tastes in order to be a Christian.

I hope that's not offensive to anyone. It's just my opinion. I'm often proven wrong, so I could be misguided about this too. Just answering the question posed to me.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

I'm the same way... other than liking old stuff like J.D. Sumner, I've never been able to listen to Christian music. I even tried to force myself into liking it by buying a bunch of cd's but never liked them after spending all of that money... I think I was just trying to fit in with the church "youth" because I liked a girl at the time. lol. The stuff on our local contemporary christian station all sounds the same to me, and I usually can't listen to it for more than 5-10 mins before needing to change the channel.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

This is the exact reason my favorite music is almost all instrumental!

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

When I listen to contemporary Christian music I am struck first and foremost by the "blahhh" factor. Simple guitar strumming with a light drum backtrack and uninspired singing that sounds no better or different then a more vocally talented church member singing at a picnic.
Of course, I did most of my listening during the 80's and early 90's. There seemed to be actual variety and creativity then as opposed to the same 12 "worship and praise" songs that keep getting recycled by every Christian artist out there.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

Thanks for answering.
It helps me to better understand the answer by you explaining it.

I just like to listen to music that keeps me in a positive frame of mind.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

Do you like Classical?
I do when I am in the mood.

Re: What Artists Do You Listen To?
 

I do like a lot of classical and even some songs that don't really do anything for me, still amaze with their complexity. Just as a big architectural project amazes me by the fact that "someone actually DID this!".

I do love David Arkenstone, David Lanz, Suzanne Ciani, Enya, Loreena McKennitt, Enigma, and a number of Latin artists.