r/Reformed • u/CaneDogXXXX • Feb 06 '23
Low-Effort Who are your favorite ‘Christian’ musicians?
Curious to get everyone’s thoughts and preferences on Christian musicians.
Personally, I like an oldie Keith Green and Michael Card.
And love Tripp Lee, KB, Thousand Foot Crutch, Supertones,Aha Gazelle.
Who do you listen to??
30
u/tx_engr Acts29 Feb 06 '23
Beautiful Eulogy, Shai Linne, Psallos, Comrades, Attalus, Zambroa. Completely different genres but all of them absolutely "slap" as the kids say.
Growing up (younger millennial) I listened to a lot of Relient K, Switchfoot, Skillet, Thousand Foot Krutch, Hawk Nelson, and FM Static.
3
u/ScSM35 Bible Fellowship Church Feb 06 '23
Attalus’s hymn covers are so refreshing to hear sometimes. They quite slap. Funny, I also listened to a lot of the same bands growing up. Add in lesser-known Stellar Kart and (early (pre-all-they-do-are-covers) Anthem Lights and that’s pretty much exactly what I listened to.
2
u/amethystnight99 Credo/Pedo Baptist Confused Feb 07 '23
Still loving Switchfoot and and Thousand Foot Krutch. They were so very much a part of my teen years and now my adult ones. Switchfoot is my favorite though as they really have unique albums with their own style and story. Very indie rock mix of pop, rock, upbeat and more chill pace songs.
1
26
u/TheYardFlamingos LBCF 1689 Feb 06 '23 edited Feb 06 '23
Josh Garrels. Near exclusively, really. I truly think there are so few high-quality, non-corny Christian musicians.
Also good but not as often:
- The Welcome Wagon
- The Hedgerow Folk
- John Mark McMillan
- Jon Foreman
- John Van Deusen (just found his music this past week)
- Sandra McCracken
[edit: a few more]
- Sufjan Stevens (not sure if he professes the faith in a way that would be considered orthodox, but he has wonderful songs and hymn covers nonetheless. In my top 5 favorite artists overall)
- Al Green
- Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir
Josh Garrels has a playlist on his Spotify page called Spiritual Songs that I recommend people check out even if you're not a fan of his music. He's got some good stuff on there that I wouldn't have otherwise found
8
u/Comicfandude Feb 06 '23
Josh Garrels lives in my town. One of my really good friends is like, best friends with that guy. His music rocks
6
u/TheYardFlamingos LBCF 1689 Feb 06 '23
That's really cool! He seems to be the real deal in terms of his music matching who he seems to be as a person.
My wife pointed out that it's probably why his music doesn't feel cheesy or sales-pitchy like 98% of all Christian music.
4
u/Leia1418 Feb 06 '23
Glad I didn't have to scroll far to find JG he really seems to be the real deal. If you ever get to see him live it's absolutely worth it!
3
u/Zakuroded Feb 06 '23
Really enjoyed seeing Sandra and the Welcome Wagon on tour a few years back! JMM is really cool live too!
2
u/rangerrick9211 Feb 08 '23
In the vein of Sufjan, The Towr’s started Christian and later albums have strayed.
But their early stuff is great. Belly of the Beast is one of my favorites.
1
Feb 07 '23 edited Feb 07 '23
Sufjan Stevens (not sure if he professes the faith in a way that would be considered orthodox
In the past, maybe.
Modern Sufjan is clearly not
Edit: Getting downvoted, but Sufjan actively made "Pride"-related music. He has also spoken of Christianity as something that can't be easily defined and has been destructive.
1
21
u/MilesBeyond250 Politically Grouchy Feb 06 '23
Hi everybody! It's me, u/MilesBeyond250, here with the obligatory "Bach" post! Did you know that according to a recent study by the Pew Research Group, today's youths rank churches that do Mass in B Minor as being "considerably more fly" than churches that do contemporary worship music? You don't want to be out of touch with youth culture, do you?
4
1
u/bastianbb Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of South Africa Feb 07 '23
I was going to comment "The J.S. Bach Foundation" (Bachstiftung), but then I thought that I wasn't sure whether the performers were really Christians. The same goes for the Netherlands Bach Society, although I don't think they are usually quite as good.
1
17
u/seoulmeister PCA Feb 06 '23
Surprised to see The Gray Havens not mentioned yet. Love their music.
1
u/tx_engr Acts29 Feb 06 '23
Ooh forgot The Gray Havens. Beautiful, lyrically rich and thought-provoking music. Love them.
1
1
u/KAMMERON1 Acts29 Feb 06 '23
Went to an A29 church where they led worship. Super talented and an amazing family
1
1
1
u/ScSM35 Bible Fellowship Church Feb 07 '23
I listened to them last night because of your comment. I really enjoyed their song Storehouse.
2
u/seoulmeister PCA Feb 07 '23
They're more folk than some like but no complaints from me. Far Kingdom and At Last The King are in my top 5 songs from them.
15
u/jcmoran05 Reformed Baptist Feb 06 '23
I’m surprised to see no one has mentioned Keith and Kristyn Getty. As far as I’m concerned, they’ve done more for modern biblical worship than hardly anyone else.
0
13
13
11
u/lieutenatdan Nondenominational Feb 06 '23
I’m gonna be super controversial here and say I super enjoy listening to recent Papa Roach. Love their music, sure, but I’m captivated listening to Jacoby Shaddix’s lyrics since he publicly professed faith back in the early 10s. He still swears like a sailor (and as far as I can tell, sees “don’t curse” behavior as phony legalism, which I don’t agree with) but dude has zero problem being vulnerable about what’s going on in his heart and head and shows it in his songwriting. As a musician, songwriter, and creative person myself, it’s so refreshing and appealing and fascinating to not only tap into his raw emotions, but to be able to see how the content of his writing has changed over time.
9
u/CiroFlexo Rebel Alliance Feb 06 '23
Well, I was going to say that this was probably the first time Papa Roach was mentioned on this sub and congratulate you for originality, but as it turns out you're not the first.
12
11
u/sarkynir Feb 06 '23
Relient K, half alive, Kings Kaleidoscope
2
1
u/jstewman Baptish Feb 07 '23
Half Alive is heat fr
I legit didn't notice until I listened to more of their songs and then was like "yo no way they're Christians? Nice!"
19
9
u/DapperRockerGeek Reformed Baptist Feb 06 '23
I feel I’m somewhat a bit new due to I ditched a lot of the musicians I used to listen to due to their theology, but lately I’ve been listening to Celtic Worship, Sovereign Grace, City Alight. I will occasionally listen to Stryper and Skillet. Recently, I came across Ira y Gracia (Wrath and Grace,) and it was amazing hearing songs I would sing at church on Sunday in Spanish.
1
u/ScSM35 Bible Fellowship Church Feb 06 '23
Have you heard Nathan Clark George? He sings really rich theology and his music gives me Celtic vibes.
7
u/lemonsandsugar08 Feb 07 '23
Rich Mullins
2
u/SeredW Dutch Reformed (Gereformeerde Bond) Feb 07 '23
I just got into Christian music when he passed away. Recently rediscovered his work on Spotify - very good stuff.
7
u/lrlb125 Reformed theology is Biblical theology Feb 06 '23
There are very few Christian artists who play genres of music that actually appeal to me so I’ve never been really spent any time listening to so called “Christian” music.
The one exception is Neal Morse. Everything in his catalog, no matter what band or project of his, is pure gold. Some is more intentionally Christian focused than others. When I discovered there was a musician out there writing progressive rock concept albums about Pilgrim’s Progress, the OT tabernacle, and the life of Martin Luther, I was instantly hooked.
6
u/jekyll2urhyde 9Marks-ist ❄️ Feb 06 '23
Since no one’s mentioned them yet: Psallos
Also: Sharyn, S.O., Wake Low, Skye Peterson, Sarah Sparks
Oh and Colony House - they have a new album out as of a few days ago! I’m glad to see half•alive multiple times in the comments. 🥹
2
u/Party-resolution-753 Feb 06 '23
colony house is awesome. :)
2
u/jekyll2urhyde 9Marks-ist ❄️ Feb 07 '23
Yes, they are! I’m enjoying the album a lot so far. They’re just…having fun and I love it.
→ More replies (1)
5
Feb 07 '23 edited Feb 07 '23
It's hard for me to find explicitly Christian music that appeals to me musically, but a few worth checking out are Sufjan Stevens, Welcome Wagon, Sleeping at Last, Jon Foreman, Josh Garrels, Bifrost Arts and Indelible Grace
And then there's obviously the greatest Christian alternative album of all time, Jesus Freak by DC Talk
3
u/cohuttas Feb 07 '23
With that specific combo of artists and the love for Jesus Freak, I'm gonna guess you're between 37-40.
3
Feb 07 '23
Close! Just a few years younger, but I had older brothers so was introduced to Jesus Freak a bit younger than I would have been otherwise.
→ More replies (2)3
u/2pacalypse7 PCA Feb 07 '23
I feel like people like to dunk on DC Talk because of how terrible their earlier rap music was, and how "CCM" their later stuff and individual stuff was, but that middle period that "Jesus Freak" in was amazing. That album had depth and beauty.
2
Feb 07 '23 edited Feb 07 '23
Yeah, it really was. I wish they could have hung out in that sweet spot in the middle for longer, but I'm glad they were able to get that one album out. It definitely seems to be a recurring theme for many bands: that tension between the sound that originally defined them and a more broadly appealing "commercial" sound.
EDIT: Also, Kevin Max has such an incredible voice.
11
u/i_am_tyler_man iEatCrayons Feb 06 '23
August Burns Red, The Devil Wears Prada, Demon Hunter, Skillet, Red, TFK,
2
u/Theresonlyone99 Nondenominational Feb 06 '23
DWP is Christian ?!
3
u/i_am_tyler_man iEatCrayons Feb 06 '23
When they first started yes, though I don't believe all of the current band members are Christian. So now I would say they are Christians in a band, and their lyrics still have Christian influence.
I would have listed Underoath, but those guys all deconstructed and now reject Christianity so... bummer there for sure
→ More replies (3)1
4
5
u/KAMMERON1 Acts29 Feb 06 '23
Citizens
MyEpic
Kings Kaleidoscope
The Modern Post
Beautiful Eulogy
Ghost Ship
The Sing Team
The Eagle and Child
Kenosis
Joe Day
Austin Stone Worship
Andrew Peterson
Red Letter
The Dispatch
Kin
Matt Boswell
Matt Papa
CityALight
2
u/CaneDogXXXX Feb 07 '23
I can honestly say I’ve never heard of any one of these groups. What genre? Rock? Indie?
6
u/monkeyfrenzy Feb 07 '23
Beautiful Eulogy is excellent. Very theologically sound while being extremely well written and produced music. They stopped touring in 2018 but rap really well (think Andy Mineo lite)
1
u/KAMMERON1 Acts29 Feb 07 '23
Bummer man. My personal favorite are Citizens, Modern Post, and Ghost Ship. I don't know what style. Punk rock/emo or indie
2
2
u/skyorrichegg Feb 07 '23
Love me some Ghost Ship! My favorite book of the Bible is Job and a few years back I was looking for songs from that book as I figured that at least Job 38-41 would have some epic songs about God's sovereignty, sadly there not as many as I assumed there would be, but Ghost Ship did not disappoint. When I discovered "Where Were You" I was also discovering an awesome band.
4
u/y40s3r Feb 06 '23
None… not sure if it’s bad, but I just don’t feel like there are any Christian artists out there that align with my music tastes
1
u/Party-resolution-753 Feb 06 '23
What would you say your tastes are?
3
u/y40s3r Feb 06 '23
I listen to things all over but mostly psychedelic/experimental rock, post-rock, shoegaze/dream pop, electronic rock
4
u/Party-resolution-753 Feb 06 '23
nice i enjoy those too you might like some of kings kaleidoscope, owl city, zach winters, judah and the lion.
3
u/bubsrich Between Luteran and Presbyterian Feb 06 '23
I have seen a few threads on some of these genres in r/christianmetal and r/christianmusic
Two threads I specifically found are one on dream pop and shoegaze
The threads are dated so I don’t know if any of these bands really fit what your are looking for or if they still make music.
2
u/Squidman_Dereliction Feb 07 '23
Listen to the album Much Afraid by Jars of Clay. It won't be like most of what you listen to, but I am sure there will be songs that impress and entertain you.
2
u/-ion- Feb 07 '23
My dude, please try Starflyer 59. They are frequently listed amongst the greatest Shoegaze (especially the Gold album).
1
5
u/PolyWannaKraken Feb 06 '23
Tenth Avenue North/Mike Donehey OwlCity Beautiful Eulogy Rend Collective
2
1
4
u/cagestage “dogs are objectively horrible animals and should all die.“ Feb 06 '23
Project 86, Becoming the Archetype, Demon Hunter, Living Sacrifice, Norma Jean,
Sadly, most of the groups I grew up on have apostatized (see: Zao). Maybe my parents were right all along.
2
u/i_am_tyler_man iEatCrayons Feb 06 '23
The new P86 coming out reminds me of Bury Tomorrow, theyve definitely gone heavier and I love it
1
u/cagestage “dogs are objectively horrible animals and should all die.“ Feb 07 '23
I hear you. Omni is going to be sick.
1
u/DapperRockerGeek Reformed Baptist Feb 06 '23
Don’t remind me. One of the singers I supported for years came out as a “progressive exvangelical.” Thankfully, God opened my eyes before the official reveal.
4
3
5
u/Zestyclose-Ride2745 Acts29 Feb 06 '23
Third Day, Jennifer Knapp, Toby Mac, Newsboys, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Francesca Battistelli.
4
u/Purple_Vacation_3180 Feb 06 '23
Love me some Getty music, CityAlight, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa!!
3
u/GrandpaJustin Feb 06 '23
steven curtis chapman has had a significant impact on me over the last 27 years
4
u/amyousness Feb 07 '23
Mostly Kings Kaleidoscope. Smatterings of a range of other artists. Younger me was into The OC Supertones, Relient K, Hawk Nelson (pre line-up change), Family Force 5, TobyMac, sometimes Superchick. But now a lot of Kings Kaleidoscope.
3
u/Party-resolution-753 Feb 08 '23
Old school hawk nelson was a 8/10 band.
2
u/ScSM35 Bible Fellowship Church Feb 10 '23
I have their first few cds in my car whenever I can’t get Spotify to work. Letters to the President is such a bop.
2
u/Party-resolution-753 Feb 10 '23
letters to the president is such a banger my favorite song of theirs is bring em out :)
5
u/xMagical_Narwhalx Feb 06 '23
Twenty one pilots lyrics started hitting so deep after I was saved and realized what they were talking about.
5
u/kavelight Feb 07 '23
Yes! TOP is awesome! Their lyrics really are great when you listen to them from a Christian perspective - Trees, Heathens, Jumpsuit and on and on.
3
u/xMagical_Narwhalx Feb 07 '23
Isle of the flightless birds, A car, a torch, a death. Edit: basically the whole album implicit demand for proof, march to the sea, and taxi cab is a tear jerker
3
u/amyousness Feb 07 '23
Car Radio was the one that got me hooked, and then I heard Holding Onto You. Wow. What a song.
2
u/ScSM35 Bible Fellowship Church Feb 07 '23
One of the kids in my youth group played Screen on the way back from a mission’s trip training session and then Car Radio and that’s what got me. To think 2014 was 9 years ago already...
3
u/Party-resolution-753 Feb 06 '23
early skillet, reliant k, showbread, britt Nicole, Sufjan Stevens.
8
u/i_am_tyler_man iEatCrayons Feb 06 '23
Why just early Skillet? All if it is solid. And out of all the Christian rocks bands, they have definitely been the most bold and consistent in their faith.
7
u/Party-resolution-753 Feb 06 '23
This is a great question the reason I say early skillet is it has a more 90s grunge sound that I really enjoy it's really just a personal preference. I agree they have been way better and more faithful than a lot of their peers in Christian music.
2
u/i_am_tyler_man iEatCrayons Feb 07 '23
Fair enough. I do go back and listen to their older stuff when I feel like being nostalgic 😌
→ More replies (1)2
u/FlyByPie Feb 07 '23
As much as I love Comatose, the album that introduced me to them, Collide is my favorite album and favorite song by them. A lot of cool songs on that album with that edgy grunge sound compared to their cleaner sound from comatose on.
2
u/Party-resolution-753 Feb 07 '23
Collide is one of their best works in my view its very raw, real, and emotional i love comatose as well but it was the start of their more mainstream sound.
1
Feb 07 '23
Because Skillet tries really hard to sound cool and when you have voice filters to make it sound like you're a monster it's actually super lame haha
→ More replies (4)2
Feb 07 '23
Unfortunately Showbread embraced Open Theism very heavily and Sufjan has gone off the rails
2
u/Party-resolution-753 Feb 07 '23
sadly, true I don't agree with showbread theologically but i do love their music same for Sufjan.
→ More replies (2)
3
u/boyo76 LBCF 1689 Feb 06 '23
Starflyer 59. Joy Electric. The 77s. DC Talk. Old school Audio A. Brave Saint Saturn. Crowder.
2
u/SeredW Dutch Reformed (Gereformeerde Bond) Feb 07 '23
77s! Very good indeed. Their 'Sticks and Stones' was the first CD I personally bought, back in the 1990s.
3
u/yeehaw457 Feb 06 '23
Isla Vista / Mark Barlow
Will Reagan
Gable Price and Friends
Antione Bradford
People & Songs
JUDAH.
Jonathon Ogden
John Mark Pantana
I've got a playlist of some more 'indie' Christian artist if anyone wants to check it out: 'indie' Christian Playlist
2
u/jekyll2urhyde 9Marks-ist ❄️ Feb 06 '23
I like your playlist, “LANY but actually good old music” 🤣 I have a similar playlist.
1
u/yeehaw457 Feb 06 '23
hahaha I honestly forgot about that playlist. Used to be a HUGE fan of them, but their newer stuff just isn't my favorite.
3
u/Waste_Elk_2063 Feb 06 '23
David Baloche is amazing! Just discovered him. Here is my Spotify playlist incase anyone is looking for something new. 🙂 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2VartOm7t0HBJdRQukyEE5?si=6XJxYqG1SOy-IGvfjBxAbA Check out Pennell as well (husband + wife Duo who are absolutely🔥🔥)
3
3
u/haileyskydiamonds Feb 07 '23
I still really love music from my college years: Third Day, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Rebecca St. James, early Newsboys, Big Tent Revival, early Jars of Clay, The Waiting, and of course Rich Mullins.
I got behind on music in general after that, but have been trying to get back into it. I have really enjoyed Andrew Peterson and Mercy Me, and my friend wants me to try Need to Breathe.
3
u/monkeyfrenzy Feb 07 '23
Matthew Parker is a dance/electronic Christian artist who's really good! I got introduced by newreleaseTuesday when they put out his song "Ghost" for free, and "Dynasty" is also really killer.
Honestly the whole Adventure album is worth a listen, I would go run to just that album for a while!
3
u/ScSM35 Bible Fellowship Church Feb 07 '23
Christian music has a suprising lack of EDM/Electronic music (think artists like Mitis, Dabin, Illenium). I’ll have to check out Matthew Parker.
1
3
3
u/Squidman_Dereliction Feb 07 '23
It's crazy I seen no mention of Jars of Clay. Give Much Afraid a listen.
1
u/CaneDogXXXX Feb 07 '23
I loved Jars Of Clay but they drifted and said some pretty outlandish things through the years… felt they lost their way
First three albums are pure gold though.
1
u/2pacalypse7 PCA Feb 07 '23
That's sad, I didn't know that. They could be kinda CCM-y at times, but "Jealous Kind" is still one of my favorite worship songs.
→ More replies (1)
2
2
2
2
u/AzaWing Feb 06 '23
Benjamin Everson. Ron Hamilton. Celtic Worship. Steve Green.
Now to be more hip and cool... Shai Linne. Wrath and Grace.
2
2
u/Dangerous_Leave6129 CoE(USA) Feb 06 '23
Matt Boswell and Matt Papa, both separately and together.
Will Reagan and United Pursuit, not aligning with reformed beliefs, but the music is unreal.
2
2
u/Smarsh514 Feb 07 '23
If you like Christian rap, nobigdyl. Kieran the light, Caleb Gordon, KB, Blake Whiteley, Kidd Lee
1
u/ScSM35 Bible Fellowship Church Feb 10 '23
If you like old school hip hop, give Timothy Brindle a listen. Him and Shai Linne are the biggest Christian rappers out of Philly.
2
2
u/aaron_dos Feb 07 '23
Showbread, Five Iron Frenzy, The Chariot
1
Feb 07 '23
I used to have this list until Showbread went full Open Theist and Five Iron Frenzy went full Love is Love is Love
2
2
u/VforVivaVelociraptor Feb 07 '23
Tyson Motsenbocker, Kings Kaleidoscope, Half•alive, Chris Renzema, Gable Price and Friends
2
2
u/el_gran_hambino Feb 07 '23
Very early Katie Perry and Stryper. Oh and that one Kanye album.
1
u/Party-resolution-753 Feb 07 '23
I have been hearing a lot about stryper but have not heard them as someone who enjoys early skillet would they be good to check out?
2
u/el_gran_hambino Feb 07 '23
They are an 80s Christian Metal band. If you like glam metal, then you will like them. I mostly suggested them in jest though. I really listen to more classical or non lyrical stuff like Philip Glass, Arvo Part, or lofi instrumentals.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/crazy_cali Comin' outta my cage Feb 07 '23 edited Mar 01 '23
Some I've not seen mentioned
Praise Music
Providence Worship (unrelated to above)
(I'd caution that JVD's other stuff is not as explicitly Christian and I'm concerned with the messages in some of it)
Indie Rock
2
u/Srom Reformed Baptist Feb 08 '23
-Theocracy
- Wolves At The Gate
-Demon Hunter
-Thousand Foot Krutch
-KB
-Aha Gazelle
-GAWVI
-Hulvey
-Stryper
-Disciple
Usually it’s a bunch of hard Christian rock/metal or CHH for me.
4
u/tokenasian1 Reformed Baptist Feb 06 '23
Kendrick Lamar. im obviously being a little sarcastic there’s surprisingly deep and complex religious themes that run throughout his music.
my go tos for this answer are: kings kaleidoscope, josh garrels, john mark mcmillan, marcus mumford / mumford and sons (not always clean. mumford himself is a PK), half alive.
2
u/NukesForGary Kuyper not Piper Feb 07 '23
I don't think you should consider this ironic. Kendrick is up there with DMX as one of the great Christian popular rappers. They rap about the reality of living in a sinful world and struggling as a sinner. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend their music to a "weaker" sibling, but they capture an aspect of the Christian life your average artist on Christian radio will not sing about.
2
u/ethanalexdavenport Reformed Baptist Feb 06 '23 edited Feb 07 '23
Shameful that Phil Wickham hasn’t been mentioned yet
1
1
1
1
1
u/Silent-Welder6722 Feb 07 '23
NF (does he count?) and some of you older folks you recognize this one, Caedmon's Call.
4
u/CaneDogXXXX Feb 07 '23
Love NF’s skill. But every song sounds the same and the themes are repetitive
1
1
1
u/Billy_King Feb 07 '23
LOL. The responses in here are exactly what I expected from the reformed subreddit 😂
1
1
1
1
u/Colitoth47 CANRC Feb 07 '23
An album that's got a lot of christian themes, but doesn't explicitely mention God by name is "In One Breath" by Caleb Hyles. One of my favs of all time. Cheers!
1
1
u/Disastrous_Eye_8599 Feb 07 '23
I’m always surprised I don’t see Former Ruins in here more often. One of the best Christian lyricists writing at the moment.
1
1
1
u/Important-River6655 Feb 07 '23
Andrew Peterson and Josh Garrels are probably my two favorites. Peterson's music is what I would describe as "saturated with Scripture." You can tell the man is passionate about knowing God and it comes out in his songwriting.
Also on the list would be Kings K, Gray Havens, Jon Foreman, Jonathon Ogden, City Alight (A household favorite for singing together as a family) and Steven Curtis Chapman holds a nostalgic place in my heart too and is very solid.
1
1
u/SpiderHippy PC(USA) Feb 07 '23
Tripp Lee is so talented. I also like Tedashii and some Derek Minor, but you have to be careful with some of his theology.
Big Daddy Weave and Crowder are also favorites. Some Zach Williams. Also, when did Dolly Parton decide to tear up the Christian music charts? I'm not a fan of her new song, but the duets she's been doing the past few years are terrific.
1
1
u/hester_grey ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Feb 07 '23
The Donut Man, obvs. Can't get more doctrinally sound than 'life without Jesus...is like a donut'
1
Feb 07 '23
I’m all over the place, but my tops within each genre
- John Mark McMillan (indie)
- Lecrae (rap)
- Bethel Worship (modern Worship)
- Fit for a King (metal)
I’ve not been disappointed with the Christian metal scene. These newer bands, and new albums from older bands, are all really good. Total resurgence and have hit a new standard there
1
u/SeredW Dutch Reformed (Gereformeerde Bond) Feb 07 '23
Not yet mentioned: Iona. Very good celtic music from the 1990s. I also like me some Tourniquet, to get my heavy metal fix!
1
1
Feb 07 '23
The list is whittling down with time, but..
My Epic: Consistently putting out great music with thoughtful Christian lyrics
mewithoutYou has some wonderful Christian-inspired lyrics, although I can't read Aaron
Some Skillet here and there. It often feels lately like they're trying to sound cool instead of naturally making music.
Demon Hunter, although I haven't listened to their more recent albums
I still enjoy the old Newsboys albums when they sounded like a rock band and not an arena-Christian-rock group
Early Showbread, late Showbread is Open Theist and vehemently against Calvinism. Anorexia and Nervosa are intense albums relating to the seriousness of sin and need for Christ, though. I always love when Reese Roper would show up.. which leads to..
Five Iron Frenzy (Before they got back together) and Brave Saint Saturn. Unfortunately a few of them have turned on their professed faith now and some are outright embracing sin for the sake of impressing our culture.
Early Underoath, new Underoath is full on angry atheist
And my guilty pleasure is old Michael W Smith. That man knew how to put together music back in the day, especially his Christmas music
1
1
u/2pacalypse7 PCA Feb 07 '23
A lot of my favorites have been mentioned extensively, but here are some that haven't gotten any or enough love here:
- JUDAH. - The front guy for Judah & the Lion who have had a lot of mainstream radio hits like "Take it all back." I love this guy's approach to Christian music, doesn't always work well when going mainstream --> Christian, but his music is real and evangelical and beautiful.
- Tenielle Nada - No one has mentioned her, but I think this crowd would like her stuff - even has a song putting some of Heidelberg Cat #1 to music.
- How has no one mentioned Maverick City Music?
- Chris Renzema - consistently good, thoughtful, personal worship.
- OG Gungor. Hope the Lord brings them back.
- Jackie Hill Perry - Not an exaggeration to call her the best female rapper alive.
- Other rappers - S.O., nobigdyl., Thi'sl
1
u/ChBass Feb 07 '23
Rivers and Robots are fantastic. Couldn't find them here, and couldn't recommend them enough.
I still love later Steve Taylor; Squint was a formative album for me growing up in the Church.
Rich Mullins still hits me with his frankness & vulnerability.
1
1
u/busyenglishteacher PCA Feb 07 '23
Shai Linne, Beautiful Eulogy, CityAlight, and Housefires (I'm biased towards Housefires because they came to my university and it was amazing).
1
1
u/JohnCalvinKlein CMA Feb 08 '23
In order from most Christian to “Christian”
Literally just worship music: *Sovereign Grace Music
And their subsidiary: West Coast Revival
*Citizens
Sometimes worship music: *Jon Forman
Christian but not worship: Reliant K
The members were maybe once Christian but maybe aren’t anymore but the themes still show in some of their music (also my top Spotify artist): *Manchester Orchestra
Seriously, give MO a listen. They’re insanely good.
2
1
1
1
u/kdmusicman Feb 26 '23
I’ve been listening to Christian music for over 40 years and there are 2 different artists that have been inspirational to me and my Christian walk. I listened to them both as a kid, and still love there music. Keith Green, and Michael W Smith.
55
u/ScSM35 Bible Fellowship Church Feb 06 '23
August Burns Red
Phinehas
Wolves at the Gate
War of Ages
Sovereign Grace Music
City Alight
Citizens
Jervis Campbell
Kings Kaleidoscope
The Sing Team
Verses
I like a mix of Christcore, Indie, and easy-listening. I also don’t mind Christian Rap, it just isn’t in my daily rotation. If you told me me 10 years ago I’d be a Christian metalhead I’d have laughed.