Be Desireless. Be Excellent. Be Gone.– The Back of Sarah's What Would Steve McQueen Do? t-shirt. Inspired by The Tao of Steve
I have a borderline compulsive shopping habit. It’d be a problem, except that I also have a regular habit of consigning clothes I don’t wear anymore and selling CDs that I don’t play. Oh, and I’m predictable enough in my habits that I budget for the inevitability that is the coupon from the Express or the sale on Best Buy’s website. CDs and books are my favorite impulse purchases. So much so that I recently had to declare a moratorium on buying books in order to catch up on my reading. Underoath’s They’re Only Chasing Safety was one of my impulse purchases. I went in looking for Elliott Smith, I left with Underoath (and Elliott Smith.) I listen to They’re Only Chasing Safety all the time. I’m listening to it now. And, for the longest time, I couldn’t tell you what I liked about it. Its screamo, lighter than their earlier work. Its well put together. Their departures from the norm of the genre, like the church choir, are appropriate and not overeager and irritating or bizarre. It doesn’t seem like they set out to do something new or redefine their sound. They have some new members and this naturally rippled through the music. All that aside, for a good month I honestly couldn’t tell you what I liked about it, just that I did.
Now, this is going to sound odd of a CD that begins with the screamed lyric, “So lets not even try.” But there’s hope here. Maybe not in the words, but there’s something in the delivery that makes me think that whatever is the current source of my anxiety is nothing and that I should relax and let it go. After some reflection, it occurred to me that this is what I dig about this CD.
If I didn’t know prior to hearing them, I’d have known after a cursory pass that these are men of God. Which is cool, except that I have a pretty big chip on my shoulder when it comes to organized religion. Christianity in particular is something that is okay only at arms length. I see it coming and I say, “No thank you.” I like Jesus’s pamphlet distributing, name tag wearing, SUV with the fish bumper sticker driving fans best when they aren’t within earshot or eyeshot. The word disdain comes to mind. Jesus is okay. Its pretty cool that you’ve taken him as your personal savior. I just don’t want to hear about it. I don’t want to talk about it. And, please don’t try to save me. In my clique, we tend to not talk about religion. And, when it comes up it tends to come up as a sociological concept. This saves us all from an argument. Underoath had the good taste to not be obnoxious about their faith. Listening to the CD, I knew it was there. But, it wasn’t in my face and I could take it or leave it. Mostly, what it seemed like was that these were good, clean guys who’d decided they wanted to be moral and decent human beings. And, I have to give them props for that. Its hard trying to be decent. Taking the high road is always more work.
Article comments
1 - Beth
I really don't think you have to drag me but whatever. Have I told you that I love how you can take two things that seem to be different but are able to find a connection? I think it's great! And article that starts with a quote from dear old Steve is worth the read. :D
To me, the message often gets lost in the organzational politics of religion and I don't think this is unique to Christianity but it is the model I am most familiar with. I guess I really don't understand the Church's stance against homosexuality. I know somewhere in the Bible, it discourages but shouldn't the Church, our moral authority be encouraging tolerance and promoting intolerance?
That's all I really wanted to say about that, oh and when you finish Plan B. Let us know how it was.
2 - Katharine D.
Thank you. Now, If I could just find a way to connect unrelated things in conversation without confusing the hell out of everybody.
And, I agree, I don't think its a Christian thing, its probably a human thing. But, Christianity is not just what I'm most familiar with, its a huge chunk of the American foundation. No god but our God, and our way or the highway.
I don't understand the church's view on homosexuality, either. Its just another place where I feel that instead of bringing light and clarity, the church has brought noise and darkness. I've heard people reference passages of the bible, but I've never heard anyone quote them and no one has ever said, "Look, here. Read it for yourself." I don't know, you shore up cultural identity and you guarantee a legacy by fostering intolerance. Tolerance might lead to blending and sharing, can't have that.
Oh, I didn't drag you into this, I'm dragging you to the Warped Tour. And, you're going to like it because its going to rock.
3 - The Theory
ahhh... I'm an old school underOath fan... so naturally, I can't stand the new stuff. ;-)
4 - Katharine Donelson
Fair enough. I like the old stuff, but for different reasons. I wouldn't say its hopeful, though and that's what I like about the new stuff. But, even if you don't like the new stuff they're still amazing live.
5 - Dan
Hello everyone, I hate Underoath's new stuff, it's shitty screamo that could be duplicated by any other screamo band out there. If the screamer could actually change pitch once in a while then maybe I could deal with them...but after a while I have to turn it off because it's so high pitch it gives me a damn migraine. "The Changing of Times" shows off Underoath's real talent. If anyone is looking for some really good screamo you should check out Saosin, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, or The Bled. peace
6 - Kristen
Hey. I just kind of randomly found your site and your critique of Underoath. I like what you had to say about them and I think you'll find that there are a lot of good bands out there filled with Christian guys and gals. Some others to check out would be Emery, Showbread, Beloved, and the early stuff from Cool Hand Luke. Good positive stuff with great lyrics.
As a Christian, I am really frustrated with Christians in general as well. I think a lot of us have a lot to say but rarely put in into practice. But I do believe that a few really bad Christians discolour the world to the ones that really follow God.
I'll ask God to show you some of His kids that are a good example of what it is to BE His kids. There's a big difference, sometimes.
Peace out! (P.S. check out my blog?)