New prophets of the altar alternative

The Washington Times

June 2, 1996, Sunday, Final Edition

SECTION: Part B; COMMENTARY; Pg. B4
New prophets of the altar alternative
By David Chamberlin

Did you ever think you'd see the day when "Jesus Freaks" would crack music television's video rotation, enter the playlist of mod rock radio or garner recognition in Spin magazine?

Well, that day has dawned, and Christian acts such as D.C. Talk and Jars of Clay have crusaded right into the Alternative Nation with albums that share honestly about life, relationships and the struggle to keep their heads above water.

DC Talk's Jesus Freak debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard Top 200 charts and has spent 19 weeks in the Top 100 right alongside Oasis, the Beatles, Smashing Pumpkins and Green Day.

The album has garnered acclaim from the likes of USA Today, Rolling Stone, and even The Washington Post without the band watering down its message.

Billboard said Jesus Freak is, "A great piece of work that should find broad-based acceptance. This album will be the one that earns them well-deserved acclaim from the mainstream." Entertainment Weekly noted, "Successfully, if not derivatively, combines textured vocals, aggressive guitar and solid songwriting, especially on 'Colored People' and the raucous title track."

Jars of Clay's self-titled album has risen to No. 68 after claiming the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Heatseeker chart along the way. Their hit single, "Flood" recently reached No. 3 on Radio and Records Adult Alternative radio charts and No. 8 on the Alternative charts. The hit has been spinning on The Box and VH-I for weeks.

With the exception of Amy Grant, few Christian artists have taken their acts to the collective masses. Sure, you could see groups like Petra on Z Music Television, the Christian version of MTV, but not touring the same venues Pearl Jam plays or having their records displayed at Tower Records.

Previous reviews of Christian music have been critical at best. J.D. Considine, a writer for the Baltimore Sun and Rolling Stone recently remarked, "Frankly, I get a lot of records where there are messages I don't necessarily agree with. But what bothers me ... has nothing to do with their message - it has to do with the utter mediocrity of their music."

Music journalist Amy Linden stated on VH-1, "The problem with many of these 'Christian' music people is that they are more concerned with the Christian part than they are about the music. The music is terrible, it's bad, solid-gold dancer music, and they scare me!"

But these recent releases are different and they are charting undiscovered territory as they "break on through to the other side." Gone are electronic drum machines or poor productions. No more music that's two seasons behind the curve, no more poor engineering. They've taken their acts to a higher level and are now beginning to compete with many cutting-edge bands.

Part of the criticism has been the music's primary focus on joy, praise and worship. But whether you're a "Jesus Freak" or an agnostic, there is a frustration and pain side of life and recent Christian artists are tackling it and other life issues. However, parents and Bill Bennett shouldn't worry about these artists taking a Trent Reznor or gangster rap lyrical approach. No "Cop Killer" here.

Jars of Clay write about depression and child abuse in songs like, "He." It's just post apocalyptic alternative without the profanity, sex, violence and substance abuse.

"Don't try to reach me, I'm already dead. The pain when it grips me, for things that I've done. Well, I try to make you proud but for crying out loud. Just give me a chance to hide away. Exhaustion takes over, will this end someday? Fearful tears are running down. The pain you've laid, don't speak a sound. Don't take my heart away from me. And they think I fell down."

DC Talk vocalist Michael Tait said in a phone interview, "It's not all mountaintop experiences. We're going to screw up. We're going to write about our problems and how Christ is going to help us with them."

It's plain to see that these acts are moving beyond their previous borders, and new bands will surely follow as they continue to explore "the other side of life." And just maybe this "evangelism" will keep parents and politicians happy, while kids rock with the new prophets of the altar alternative.

David J. Chamberlin is the special assistant to the vice president for policy at the Family Research Council. He researches, writes and speaks on issues related to popular culture, Generation X and youth culture.