Greg Graffin, Gospel Singer
Oh what do my wondering ears did appear? Gospel music from THE MOST unlikely source. Greg Graffin, best known as the lead singer of Bad Religion, has released an album of 'folk' songs with a strong religious overtone. This is the very same guy who, for over 20 years, sang songs like 'Don't Pray on Me', 'The Voice of God is Government', and 'Flat Earth Society' to name a few. In a recent album titled 'The Empire Strikes First' the songs 'Athiest Peace' and 'God's Love' are most certainly not singing praises to the 'Lord'. Yet now he's singing songs that praise Jesus Christ. Here's an excerpt from the Bad Religion song 'Don't Pray on Me':Now I don't know what stopped
Jesus Christ from turning
every hungry stone into bread
and I don't remember hearing how Moses
reacted when the innocent first born sons lay dead
well I guess God was a lot more demonstrative back when
he flamboyantly parted the sea,
now everybody's praying,
don't pray on me
Now, here are the lyrics for the song 'Talk About Suffering' from the Greg Graffin album 'Cold as the Clay':
Talk about sufferin' here below and let's keep a'lovin' Jesus
Talk about sufferin' here below and let's keep a'followin' Jesus
Oh can't you hear it brothers and don't you want to go?
And leave this world of sorrow and trouble here below
The gospel train is coming, now don't you want to go?
And leave this world of sorrow and trouble here below
I've given the new album one listen. I like most of the songs. It's wierd to hear him sing that way though. If you're interested you can listen to two of the songs on his myspace page.
Labels: music review
posted by Aaron at 10/02/2006
29 Comments:
Wow! That's almost as distressing as Pat Boone turning heavy metal:
http://www.amazon.com/In-Metal-Mood-More-Nice/dp/B000005KOE
~Jade
Jade's link
I agree Jade! I have a couple of those songs from that album - Enter Sandman and Crazy Train. They do have some comedic value though.
` That's a bit strange, yes. Stranger than my recent activities....
I don't know man, I couldn't imagine him singing gospel songs. He has a pretty shitty voice to start with. I've always liked Bad Religion for their lyrics moreso than their singing and musical ability. I still love most of their early work, but gave up on them after Stranger than Fiction. For some reason I do really like the songs "The process of belief, and The Defense", which I know are from more recent albums.
On another note, I just picked up the new Beck album today......it's ear butter, as usual. Instead of liner notes and art, it comes with a huge sheet of weird stickers to create your own album cover.
holy crap! i'm so excited about the new beck album, i can barely sit still!
But...
do you think Greg Graffin is serious about his new album, or is he just trying to sing folk songs?
not that there's anything bad about the music content - but i agree with Jason as to why i even listened to Bad Religon in the first place - hence the name!
it's a little puzzling - or maybe i'm just over-analyzing...
Sorry Laura, gonna have to skip that one. I'll refer you to Hank Williams 3's song "I'm Here to put the Dick in Dixie and the Cunt in Country" for my opinion about pop country.
I'm not sure Laura, but I think it may be me (or my writing) that invites the contraversy.
I was just pointing out something interesting to me, and I find out that people have strong opinions on bands.
so - you think Greg Graffin has turned to the dark side? because it's the easier path?
I don't have any idea Cas. I think that the songs he sings on his new album can be described as 'gospel'. Furthermore I think that the songs he sang for Bad Religion are about as far from gospel music as you can get.
I'm agnostic, but I do appreciate gospel music as well as anti-religious music. I used to think of myself as anti-religion, but I have come to terms with the fact that 90% of Americans are religious (or at least have faith in 'God'), and that religion plays a big role in Western civilization. It is definitely an easier path to have blind faith in something like 'God' and drink the kool-aid that's been given you than it is to think critically (or skeptically as Spoony would say) about our world and philosophy. I do, however, see a purpose for the State to promote religion the same way it promotes marriage. It's definitely a good way to keep citizens under control by 'putting the fear of 'God' into them'. I also see the social benefits of things like churches. People need other people to survive, that's a fact. Churches offer a sense of 'belonging' to people of varied and sundry culture and class. People who have made mistakes in their lives and have turned the people who loved them away can almost always get that sense of 'belonging' when they go to church.
At one point in my life I would have used the term 'dark side' to describe that sort of lifestyle, but not now. I understand the signifigance and importance of it in our culture. It's definitely not for me, but I'm glad it's there for other people.
I like Tim McGraw too. Jason is a nazi, and I bet he's never even heard ONE Tim McGraw song.
The two that I can remember are: I like it, I love it, and Over and Over again. Both horrible songs. Over and over again is second only to I will always love you(Whitney Houston version) in annoyance factor. I know I've seen his videos on CMT and in clips. Just not a fan of almost everything played on pop country stations.
"mine shvanz es gud, ya? -Jason the nazi. Shizer!
(Okay, so I don't know how to spell German)
Yes, those are Tim McGraw. You picked some pretty bad examples of his music though. I bet I could play some songs of his that you wouldn't hate.
Do you like anything they play on any pop station? For the most part I don't like anything I hear on the radio.
You would never hear 90% of the country on my HDD on the radio. I'm sure that's true for all of my music. I just don't see how you can condemn a whole genre of music just because you don't like what they play on the radio.
Shizer!!!!
i don't want to get all political, but please elaborate on this statement
"I do, however, see a purpose for the State to promote religion the same way it promotes marriage."
Does this mean you don't agree with the separation between church and state?
While i'm not saying religion is 'the dark side' - i've heard some very interesting debates on NPR lately on Religion and Politics. Take a listen and let me know your thoughts, if you have some time....
I don't mean that the State should support or sponsor any particular religion, just that the State should encourage people to have faith in 'God' and religious practices. That leads to a more moral and docile population.
The whole 'separation of church and State' is a 20th century invention. When the founding fathers created our constitution it was based on moral and ethical codes set forth by the christian bible. Nowhere in the constitution does it state there should be any 'separation' between religious and secular morals. It's not even mentioned in any official documents until the late 20th century. Before that the only time it's mentioned is when the objective is to prevent the state from endorsing a particular religion.
In my opinion the State should most definitely NOT sponsor any particular sect or religious ideology. However, the State does have an interest in having it's people be religious because people are more likely to follow laws set forth by a 'higher power' than they are laws established by men.
I usually don't give NPR the time of day because of their overt bias. When you have a debate that is based on fabrications, straw men, and misleading statements set forth by the secular progressive agenda, it's not really a debate at all but rather a personal bash session.
` Indeed. The state shouldn't prevent religion at all. And speaking of politics and faith, you should see the fireworks going on at Nociceptor's!
` Hey, thanks for the extensive comment A-Ron! I thought you might like it.
Spoony, that was a post that will make it into my top 5 posts of all time. This post with this list is upcoming.
What the h-e-double hockey sticks are you two talking about?
#3 post of all time
New post! The rest of us are confused.
~Jade
Ohhhhh....I get it. I now know which post y'all are talking about. This is very timely: see this week's "South Park" episode for commentary on conspiracy theorists.
~Jaded
Hi. My name is Aaron.
I post once a week, maybe.
NEW POST, DOOD!!!
That was a fantastic post, I'm sorry I missed the conversation the first time around. Kudos Spoony....very thorough, precise, and scientific. I have now done what I should have long ago...bookmarked your second blog. As for the # 2 and #1 post of all time...what are they Aaron? Link'em up.
i too, agree! i was just able to read Spoony's post - and i will probably read it a few more times!
it always amazes me when people come out of the woodwork when you do analytical posts!
So Aaron - are you going to be doing a top 5 posts of all time list?
Yes, I will be doing a top 5 posts of all time post. We can probably expect it this weekend.
I already have 4 posts chosen, so I have to do a little more research on what will be #5 and some honorable mentions.
Hey there. I read your blog and just wanted to tell you that Graffin didn't turn Christian or anything at all. "Talk About Suffering" is a traditional American folk song (Even though most of you, as well as me too have never heard it before). Anyhow, just wanted to tell you guys that the world is still alright and he doesn't really want to spread Jesus's word or anything. Cheers,
Thomas
its good, folk themed music. most folk music is religious. greg comes from rural roots anyways. its not neccesarily him praising jesus, but playing the music he heard growing up. i enjoy it. and i hope people get past the bad religion aspect and see him as an individual.
I totally agree with both of you guys, Thomas and anon. Thanks for commenting. I just found it unusual that a singer for a punk band would put out an album so far out of that realm.
I've like 'cold as the clay'. It's a pretty solid album.
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