Shelter Me
Monday, March 14, 2011 at 11:46PM 
Video games have always been a great source for me to find music. I’ve always been fond of the Tony Hawk game soundtracks, but I also have enjoyed songs from sports games as well as WWE: Smackdown VS Raw. The ladder is the reason I have discovered Project 86. They play some sharp heavy rock tunes. If you look them up, they are defined as either “alternative metal”, “nu metal” or “post-hardcore”. Not to mention “Christian rock”.
When I discovered this “Christian rock” business, I had only been fond of two specific Project 86 tracks (the ones off the WWE game). I did think to myself that maybe I would end up not liking them as much as I thought I would. But I listened to their songs and realized that I really took pleasure from their music. They did have much biblical references in their lyrics, but other than that I realized I could never hear the “Christian” in this music. It didn’t make me feel like I was in church or that I was praising Jesus. I afterwards wondered why I ever thought that this aspect would steer me away from them. After all, it’s only the religious choices of the musicians, right?
Then I discover that Project 86 have gotten horrible reviews from Christian communities. Apparently they fall short of delivering messages that are complementary with Christianity. I’ll let that be up for debate by those that follow the religion, but I do believe that front-man Andrew Schwab uses words wonderfully and powerfully in his lyrics. It comes as no surprise for me to learn that he is also a writer/journalist.
All in all, I believe that you shouldn’t think too much on what your favourite artists get labelled as because it could ruin the music for you. And something like the artist’s personal beliefs should not affect the music experience, even though I know in some cases it can. But I guess that all falls on how you let music be involved your life. Some of us would throw away CDs after learning something we didn’t like about the artist, and some of us only see music as sounds that we like going into our brains regardless of who produced it.
In any case, you should really give Project 86 a listen. They are an intelligent band who produces songs you can hold in your heart. Anyone of any faith should be able to see that.
alternative, christian, video games in Blog
Reader Comments (1)
I'm enjoying your blog, Laura Leigh. You strike just the right personal, yet informative tone.