excited about ccm

i really don't like contemporary christian music (ccm). this is strange, since i grew up trying to listen to ccm as opposed to the "secular" alternatives. while this did not keep me from developing a love for springsteen, it did mean i listened to amy grant and michael w. smith as well as russ taff while everyone else was cranking madonna and the purple rain soundtrack. from time to time i will still put in medals, the mws project or unguarded and enjoy an old friend.

i find the current installment of ccm to be musically boring and lyrically superficial. there are exceptions, but sadly they are exceptions and not the rule. for example jars of clay's redemption songs is a wonderful reworking of some old hymns. almost anything jennifer knapp does is really good both musically and lyrically. my friend ricki bailey reintroduced me to over the rhine and they are superb. there is reason for hope.

sarah groves has a new album coming out in october, and it sounds awesome. now, granted, my wife would accuse me of being a sarah groves groupie - and that's not really a good thing. but her music is honest, well-played and theologically sound and rich. there is an organic feel to her music that makes you think you just popped by and she sat down to sing at the piano in their living room (ala derek webb). for those reasons, i encourage all four of you who regularly read this to pop over to www.sarahgroves.com and give it a listen. yes, i guess i am excited about ccm.