Switchfoot

Switchfoot has to be the most ambiguously Christian rock band on Earth, but it works for me. I'm not particularly religious, so if I want their songs to be about other things then it's not too much of a stretch. Their first extremely successful album, A Beautiful Letdown, is pretty played out by now, but enough time has passed it's starting to be safe again to listen to. I think. Songs like "Meant To Live" and "Dare You To Move" and "This Is Your Life" were more popular, but I think the best song off the album was actually the last track, called Twenty-Four. Very ambiguous, very clean, very Switchfoot.

That whole thing didn't sound like a very positive review. Switchfoot's pretty mainstream, but they've got their sound down. You have to give them that. And this song is solid, so give it a listen. Enjoy.

Here's Twenty-Four from The Beautiful Letdown.

David Crowder Band: Illuminate

Christian music can sound very contrived, and the David Crowder Band is no exception. They're not immune to inflated choruses and strained lyrics, standard chord progressions and hallelujahs. Crowder succeeds where others fail, however, in creating elaborate sounds, layered guitar work, and instrumental breakdowns that bring you to the end of a theme and back without just taking you through the motions. Illuminate, the group's 2003 release, highlights these uncanny abilities in melodious precision in an experimental effort with ideas to spare.

This is Intoxicating, from the studio LP Illuminate by the David Crowder Band.