The Future of Worship Music?
I’ve been listening to Owl City ever since they splashed with their hit “Fireflies”. After first downloading that song, I went back and downloaded the whole album.
I was on a road trip and driving listening to my iPod and the Owl City album came on. It got to song 07 “Meteor Shower” and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing – it was a song of worship. I replayed the song and was amazed that in the midst of their album they had put in an obvious worship song. (You can hear it at the bottom of this post)
Now I listen to the song and truly worship. I find myself wondering if this is the new sound of worship music. It reminds me of 2 landmarks in music that changed the game – the first time I heard Jars of Clay and the first time I heard SonicFlood. Both changed the worship music landscape and we have never been the same.
When I visit churches now (and I visit a lot) – I find myself looking for a DJ or at least a Mac or laptop on the stage. I look for who is controlling the loops and tracks. When I go see various concerts, I look for laptops on the stage. I’m curious – if I came to your church, would I see a laptop on the stage? Let me know.
So friends, go to iTunes, pay the $0.99 and check out “Meteor Shower” by Owl City. See what you think – I’d love to hear your opinion. I’m not sure, but I think he could be on to something new. Like Jars of Clay and SonicFlood, could Owl City be a game changer?
January 27th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Check it out on Lala ($.89) and you can listen to the whole album (complete songs, not 30-sec clips) before you buy. Here's the link to Meteor Shower: http://lala.com/zjEb
Here's the link for the Ocean Eyes (Deluxe Edition): http://lala.com/zATDI
I'm listening to the entire album right now, liking what I hear. Reminds me of Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service, $8.50 for a 19 song album ain't bad. Thanks, Greg.
(also hope Dallas is making you so nostalgic that you have to move back…
January 27th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Exactly – he was greatly inspired by Death Cab and Postal Service. I love both bands and so I obviously loved Owl City. Thanks for the links!
January 27th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Genesis Metro Church (Frisco, TX) rocks 2 laptops at the sound booth every Sun!
January 27th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Sweet! Glad to know you guys are holding it down in Frisco. Keep rocking!
January 27th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Genesis Metro does know how to rock a worship set. I filled in bass a couple years ago. Used distortion on my bass for the first time in a worship setting doing Hillsong United’s Break Free. I wish all church’s would embrace higher energy music. Old school is great but nothing is wrong with staying current. I don’t think God has a music preference, he created it all anyway. Worship in heaven will take it all to a new level. Thanks for the article Greg!
January 27th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Thanks Dan. Keep rocking the bass!
January 27th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
I think we've already been headed that way for some time now. We run click tracks/loops on almost every song we play now, and I've noticed a definite increase in electronic aspects of worship music (I think we can thank David Crowder for starting that trend). either way, I like the sound… and if that's where worship music is headed, I think that's awesome.
January 27th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
I agree that my boy, Crowder, started taking the Church in that direction years ago. His violinist/DJ changed the feel of worship music. Though we may take loops and tracks for granted, the majority of churches still don't use them. I think that will change over time. I've found tracks are especially helpful for smaller churches (which is most churches).
January 28th, 2010 at 6:05 am
I love that song..after reading this blog I took a listen back through the songs..I see what you are saying Greg. So easily could be sung in a church…as a worship song.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
Yep. I guess what I was trying to say is that the song has so much space and room in it (times where you don't sing) – I wonder if the Church is ready for that. That's what I meant by the future of worship music.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Thanks for this, Greg. I looked up Owl City on Wikipedia and read about the connection between Adam Young and Relient K's Matt Thiessen.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Yeah – that's cool.
February 4th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
so I may be missing this.. but why are laptops important?
February 4th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Sounds like you are missing this. I didn't say they were important. I said they are the sound of today and the future of worship music.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Lol, well I missed your point. You didn't forthrightly say they were important, but you implied they were by your noting in multiple posts they are a status of control and you look for them.
As for them being the future of worship music, I agree, but only for a sect of worship music as it's not going to be for everyone. LC.tv uses them and have for a couple of years now, but I've noticed some campuses backing off of them. They provide structure for sure, but can be a point of over-structuring worship time (18 minutes baby!) and boxing in. (my opinion).
Thanks for the conversation, definitely interesting..
Also, if you want to talk about a musician who knows when to play.. look at B.B. King.. Lucille doesn't talk when he does.. and he don't talk when she does.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
True. I'm working with a church of about 300 people and they use tracks and a laptop to "fill out" the band – make it sound like they have instruments that aren't there. I know a lot of big churches (like you guys) use them and I'm seeing more and more small to medium size churches use them as well – for different reasons.
What I mean is that in the future, I think seeing a laptop on the stage will be as common as seeing drums (which at one time was radical). Will every church in America have drums or a laptop? No. But most will – one day.
Great thoughts on B.B King. Well said.