hey! nice to see your name around these parts again.

what about 16 Horsepower? are they still considered in this genre?

Nice work Mr. Theory.

I'm not a big fan of Christian rock (though I do consider myself a Christian) -- for many of the reasons you actually allude to.

The generally lower quality and mediocre sound of many of these bands is the main reason. The other reason being -- as you mention -- the way that the evangelical community has such a large hand in what is actually fed to it's audience. This in my opinion stifles creativity, but also creates an industry built on an audience consisting largely of youth who buy this stuff because their Christian parents forbid them to listen to the "real thing."

At least that is how it was when I was younger...

Anyway, I thought you made your points extremely well. I also thought that with the whole "mystery supergroup" thing, you had a trememdous angle.

Nice work.

-Glen

Hey Mark,

Thanks for remembering me.

16 Horsepower had always been in an awkward place. While David Eugene Edwards, their lead singer/songwriter/instrumentalist is a Christian, he never really seemed to pay any attention to the Christian market, other than throwing the occasional interview to HM Magazine (the main Christian magazine to cover interesting music.) The rest of the band didn't seem to share any faith and it seems as though that is one of the big reasons 16HP broke up several years ago.

Even if they HAD wanted to explore the Christian market, it is doubtful whether they would have caught the attention of anyone.

So they (and rightly so) just went with the general market and built up a great fanbase of people who were merely fans of good music... some of them were Christians, some not... but it was the music that drew them, not the faith.

That said, I think that the mainstream DID tend to lump them into the Christian rock category, something many US reviews remarked on. (The band was actually bigger across the ocean, hence the reason they did most of their tours in Europe. Interestingly, I don't think the European press harped quite as much on the faith issue.)

The dichotomy was pretty interesting and I think that, to this day, no one is entirely sure where 16HP fit in. All I know is that there are people who love their music.

i only have their "Low Estate" record...because i heard a segment on them on npr. it's a great record.

all of this reminds me of the funny comment made by folk singer Greg Brown about contemporary christian music: that much of it sounds like "praise the lord, let's go to the mall"

it's probably like everything else, the good stuff gets ignored by the majority of the general public.

The Theory! Long time, no see -- welcome back.

Mark, I love the "Praise the Lord, let's go to the mall" quote. I think I'm going to use that to explain why I rarely listen to Christian music. I've even gotten my wife to quit playing that pandering local Christian radio station!

I think I'm going to need to check out Neon Horse -- I haven't heard a thing by them.

But the question remains: Just who are these guys?

So are we talking, like, The Residents, but for Jesus?

I am wearing my Residents t-shirt today, so I like the reference above and find it ironic that they pop up.

The Residents are unknown (to an even greater extent than Neon Horse, despite being around since the early 70s) for the reason that they feel like obscurity will best produce a genuine artistic product. The downfall of this is that while individual recognition isn't possible, as a group The Residents are so recognizable in their own cultish way that it almost supersedes indiviuality and the group recognition is as important... thus rendering the original reasons moot. Now I suspect (and I say this as a hardcore Residents fan) they keep up the facade because it's been financially advantageous.... not to mention being easier to switch members in and out as needed.

Neon Horse, on the other hand, coming from well-known groups (at least, as well known as underground Christian artists can be), doesn't want that to distract from the music... they simply want the music to speak for itself. Of course, this has it's own downfall of making the hiding of band members simply feel like a gimmick to create interest in the music.

You're right, if Jason Martin isn't involved with this album. I'll eat my hat. If I had a hat.

Terribly written review. How many band names can you drop in one article? Lord. All you did was put down Christian music and wonder who the members were. In the 90's? What? Your saying about the whole having no talent but if your heart was in the right place? Apply that to EVERY genre of music, not just Christian music--although this genre is guilty of signing what sells sometimes, that's all the secular mainstream music industry is today. I could have read this entire review and not known what the band sounded like or what you were talking about. Embarrassing.

Mark does all vocals on the album, aside from backup and harmony stuff. Well, he may do those also... But anyway, there isn't "two vocalists" like many people assume. Mark is just THAT awesome.

your proof?

They just played live 5 days ago. Plus, just listen to the vocals. It's only Mark.

Hey, I love Christian Music! To me, if the music seems to go against my morals, I dump it. Reason is, Not all CM is bad. In fact, the more uplifting the better I feel; isn't that the reason to listen to music? I don't listen to music to make me think of suicide (it has happened and I am grateful I don't feel the same way' but some music seems to focus on those past feelings and causes mass depression. But Christian music reminds me of God's love and reminds me that life is supposed to be enjoyable through Him and with Him. And besides if a person searches (and it isn't hard) they can find a wealth of talented Christian bands, like Skillet and ever heard of Spoken? I have turned away from most mainstream with the exception of bands called Within Temptation and Nightwish. Everywhere I look I find great Christian bands and I thank the Lord for providing me with music that suits my tastes and glorifies him at the same time.

Hey, I love Christian Music! To me, if the music doesn't make me feel Good, I dump it. Reason is, Not all CM is bad. I tend to like any genre (Screamo one minute and Pop the next) In fact, the more "Christian" the better I feel; isn't that the reason to listen to music? I don't listen to music to make me think of suicide (it has happened and I am grateful I don't feel the same way, but some music seems to focus on those past feelings and causes depression for me. But Christian music reminds me of God's love and reminds me that life is supposed to be enjoyable through Him and with Him. And besides if a person searches (and it isn't hard) they can find a wealth of talented Christian bands, like Skillet and ever heard of Spoken? I have turned away from most mainstream with the exception of bands called Within Temptation and Nightwish. Everywhere I look I find great Christian bands and I thank the Lord for providing me with music that suits my tastes and glorifies him at the same time.

Neon Horse is the 4'th best band ever(1.Led Zeppelin, 2.Black Sabbeth, 3. Blink-182, 4. Neon Horse.) I've acually listend to the album for 2 1/2 hours straight before it's so addickding! I'm a christen and most of the "Christain Music" sucks but alot of it is better than most secular stuff. Examples: Secret and Whisper, Anberlin, Augest Burns Red, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatis, Emery. I bet alot of the bands you like are christen. Examples: As I Lay Dying, Flyleaf, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Bob Dylion, Run Kid Run. all these band I have listed on this page are AMAZING and if you haven't heard them you should look them up (shut up and ignore the fack that their christain).

"On April 10, 2008 Neon Horse performed live at the House of Blues in Anaheim. The band members are now known; previously it was kept a secret. Mark Salomon(of Stavesacre) is the singer, Jason Martin (of Starflyer 59) plays guitar, and Steven Dail (of Project 86) plays bass." (source wikipedia).
I honostly love Neon Horse. They sorta remind me, personally, of The Gorillaz. But at the same time not really. But the fact is, yes, Neon Horse is different. And I think thats a big factor in why I love them so much. Their debut cd is genious in my opinion.
As for Christian music: I love it! CCM has always been a part of my life. Most forget where it comes from: pretty much Larry Norman. CCM goes wayyyy beyond the 90's. Christian music started with the Jesus Movement. Don't give me crap that we're brainwashed and we think we need our own genre. I think we deserve our own genre if we want! For me I don't care whether if a band calls themselves a "christian" band or they're just christians in a band. I've come to look past that because it shouldn't matter. What matters is that its good music. I listen to everything from Underoath, Neon Horse, Haste the Day, Anberlin, to hip hop like KJ-52, TobyMac, John Reuben, to indie artists like Bradley Hathaway, Jonathan Hape, to worship like Chris Tomlin, etc etc. I honostly love it. To me if the music it self is good and the lyrics are clean, fun,"theres hope", just plain silly, whatever, I like it. For me it comes down to whether I like the music. The fact that there are special awards, sections in stores, magazines, etc makes it easier to find new bands I like and also to show some appreciation to CCM artists. If there was no "christian" music then I doubt people like Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, etc would ever get played on the radio or whatever. And there would be so many lives that would never hear about Jesus or have some of those songs that just help people get through the day. I'm sorry but Christian music is good music. Call whatever I guess (and thats the nice thing, bands don't label themselves as a Christian band often still get played on some Christian radio and vise versa for Christian bands that get played on secular.)
but without Christian music the world would be so different and not really in a good way. Yes there may be pros, I aggree, but the cons would outway by far.