As you know if you’ve read here for any length of time, I love music. I have absolutely no musical ability whatsoever and I think this gives me a greater appreciation for those who do. As an avid music lover, I’ve also grown to love artists truly pursuing creativity of expression; music as art rather than simply recycling established motifs. This is exactly why I have such a difficult time with much “Christian” music.

As discussed here previously, I struggle with much “Christian” music. I struggle because it is exceedingly difficult to find a balance between sound, God-centered lyrics and true musical creativity. Too often, one or the other (or both) is sacrificed. Much of what passes for Christian music contains no Christian content and simply regurgitates secular trends to an uninterested audience. So I find myself listening to a handful of Christian artists or primarily instrumental music. I love music, and I love God enough not to compromise.

So when a Christian artist comes along visibly struggling for artistic integrity and God-centeredness, I can’t help but take notice. For me, since the release of Illuminate, the David Crowder Band has been one of these handful of acts (along with Anathallo, Derek Webb, Jeremy Casella, Ever Stays Red, Robbie Seay and a handful of others) truly pushing themselves creatively while striving for truly “Christian” lyrics.

I have to admit, I have not looked forward to a “Christian” release for quite some time, so it has been an odd experience anticipating this release. The tension only heightened under the spectre of Christianity Today’s five-star review. And the question remains: does the album live up to the hype?

This question is not as easy to answer as it ought to be. As you’ve probably gathered, I have extremely high expectations for music and little patience for cliche and rote mimicry. The upside of this is (for me) intensely rewarding musical ventures while the downside has often been a double-standard. I am much more quick to dismiss a secular artist than a Christian one because the sad truth is that there is precious little good Christian music out there.

With that said, A Collision is heads and shoulders above just about anything else even vaguely within “Christian” bounds. The obvious dedication to pushing the level of creativity and willingness to experiment are rare qualities for a Christian artist. But, would I listen to A Collision if it were not expressly Christian? I think that I would. With A Collision, we are presented with a band openly willing to experiment and push themselves creatively, and for that alone, we ought to take notice.

Yet it is exactly the experimentalism that has soured many to this album. I’m not opposed to experimentalism (as my love for Medeski Martin and Wood would indicate) if it works. The problem is that I’m not sure it consistently works on A Collision. As one friend said, we seem to be presented with a concept album without a clear concept. However, the more I live with this album, the more a concept emerges: our depravity which drives us to God, then away from Him and finally back to Him. The opener Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven, But Nobody Wants To Die (A Walk Downstairs), clearly presents us with the problem of depravity and divinity and the costly solution. The weight of the subject matter only increases with the refrain “Let me tell you what He’s done for me” of Come and Listen. This is admittedly a heavy album seeking to explore depravity, divinity and the necessary relationships therein.

Crowder tries to do this through interspersed nods to country and bluegrass. We have nods to Hank Williams Sr. and Johnny Cash, both of whom openly struggled with themes of depravity and redemption, but too often, the result is disjointed at best. The “country” sections only seem to jolt the mood (which they may have been meant to do) and bring a feeling of inconsistency. Though it works thematically, musically it’s a bit jarring.

The turning point of the album seems to come with tracks #10 and 11. Sufjan Stevens‘ O God, Where Are You Now? (In Pickerel Lake? Pigeon? Marquette? Mackinaw?) effectively and dramatically asks “O God, Where Are You Now,” setting the stage for A Beautiful Collision, as the centerpiece of the album. A man overwhelmed (again) by depravity calling out (again) for God’s deliverance and finding assurance (We Win!).

With few exceptions (Here Is Our King, We Win!), the album is not all that radio-friendly; moody and sometimes dark, it seems to be meant to be listened to as a whole. The foundation of dance-rock is still present, but A Collision truly showcases a band coming into their own and finding their true artistic voice. This is not an album for everyone, but the best one’s usually aren’t are they?

Bottom Line: Highly Recommended.

Visit the David Crowder Band website.
Read Christianity Today’s review of the album.
Read [retro]evangelical’s review.