I love music. There's something about it that is so unearthly, so mysterious. It isn't really tangible either. You know it too. I know there are some of you who say you don't like music, or claim you don't have an opinion on the subject. Your lying. Or ignorant. Since I like music and I think alot, I've though alot about music. Here is what I've put together. Music is a gift. God Himself gave us music as a means to express the inexpressible. Our thoughts and emotions come together in a beautiful union as they travel through the melody and into the very ears of God. I wish I could better explain with words the sheer awesomeness of what music is, but I can't really, you are just going to have to experience it for yourselves. Here are some words from Frederick Buechners book, "Wishful Thinking".
"We learn from music how to listen to the music of our own time- one moment of our lives following another moment the way the violin passage follows the flute, the way the sound of footsteps on the gravel follows the rustle of leaves in the wind which follows the barking of a dog almost too far away to hear.
Music helps us to 'keep time' in the sense of keeping us in touch with time, not just time as an ever-flowing stream that bears all of us away at last but time also as a stream that every once in a while slows down and becomes transparent enough for us to see down to the stream bed the way at a wedding, say, or watching the sun rise, past, present, future are so caught up in a single moment that we catch a glimpse of the mystery that at its deepest place time is timeless."
Have you ever experienced this? If not then I'm sorry, cause it is really amazing. Maybe I can help, cause this is one of the things that can be invaluble when you are trying to get to know the God of the universe, and you realize that what you are, and what He is, are so different that you wonder how your every going to communicate to Him the depths of your soul.
Ok, I have to confess, I don't really like most christian music. I think I've narrowed it down to unoriginality, simplicity, and bad composition skills. I mean I still worship to it at church, I like the words, and it is music so I can still outpour my soul to God through it, but I definately wouldn't put any of it on my iPod and listen to it for fun. It is just too simple for me, and not really all that beautiful either. I'm not saying God didn't want it to exist, cause He does, and he uses it in powerful ways I'm sure. So I don't know where you stand in your experience with music but I'm going to share some things that I done, and maybe someone will get something out of it.
--I stopped listening to music that is filler. If you use music as a time filler while your driving, or walking to the store, maybe start listening to sermons, or the bible on tape, something worth your time.
--I listen mostly to ambient music, soundtracks, and classical music. Some of that stuff is really beatiful, complex and well written.
--I run alot, and when I run I put on music, and I pray, I pour out my heart to God, and both the music and the running help me to express what I am feeling to God.
--When I think, or do homework, or pray, or read the bible or go for walks and admire God's creation, I listen to music. It's a soundtrack to life.
--Buy some good headphones. Please. The world of quality audio brings life the music your listening too. iPod headphone users, your getting gipt of frequencies below about 200Hz. You can't even hear the kick drum can you? Yup, cause it's at around 60Hz.
Here is my list of a few artists for those interest in epic ambient-like music.
Sigur Ros- they are awesome, if you have never heard them before click the link. It's in Iclandic, and his voice is kindof weird at first but give him a while to grow on you. And click on the link and watch the video, that should get you started. listen to Takk... first, then Meo Suo I Eyrum, and ignore the fact that they are streaking on the cover of their lastest album.
http://www.emichrysalis.co.uk/quicktime/sigur_ros/glosoli/index.php?version=7.500&bandwidth=38400
The Pride and Prejudice sound track.
Ulrich Schnauss- he is electronic ambient, he has some good stuff though.
Sufjan Stevens' Seven Swans album is really good, low key music, christian too.
Chronicals of Narnia sound track is pretty good, very epic music.
One more thought before I sign off. Read the bible to music. Reading the book of Joshua to the Chronicals of Narnia sound track. Now that is Epic.
1 comment:
An artist I just discovered recently that you have to listen to: Son Lux. (myspace.com/sonlux) I'm shocked that there's a Christian electronic musician of this caliber, it's some really astonishing stuff. (Break is the only original song of his on his myspace, the rest are remixes which are kinda meh. His album's incredible though.)
Whenever I get around to making that worship CD, by the way, I'm enlisting your help. If I ever get around to it. I would love to put a more electronic, atmospheric feel to common worship songs, I think that whole genre needs a good booster shot.
And I totally, absolutely agree about the "no filler" thing with music. As well as the thing about good headphones, although I think you might have to come to grips with the fact that most people won't know the difference. :P
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