I've had some stimulating conversations with our Youth Pastor, Jim Williams, about bands and musical influences. His musical knowledge leaves me in awe. I was thinking about the albums and music that have had the most influence on me throughout my life. So...here they are. The ten albums that shaped my musical tastes. Keep in mind, I'm in no way saying these are the most influential albums of all time...just to me. And please, drop a comment and tell me yours!
Seven and The Ragged Tiger, Duran Duran - Yes. Seriously. I was Simon LeBon when I was 10 years old. The Reflex, New Moon on Monday and Union of the Snake played non-stop in my bedroom as I jumped in front of the mirror pretending to be the 6th unknown member of Duran Duran. I discovered pop music was more than just Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie when I heard this album.
Kick, INXS - This was THE album that catapulted my interest in music. It became more than just pre-teen enjoyment fascination. I knew I wanted to sing. Nobody was cooler than Michael Hutchence. This one is still a fave in my book. My clickwheel still lands on this album from time to time. My first rock concert, 1988, 14 years old. My first introduction to the sinful state of man was through the song "Devil Inside". With a chorus like, "The devil inside, the devil inside, every single one of us the devil inside". How could a group of pop rockers nail the sinful state of man like that? I believed that there truly was no hope of overcoming the nastiness everyone has within them. This song helped influence me to believe I was a sinner and needed a savior.
Green, R.E.M. - Music with a message. Although I never bought into the "Green" message, I did buy into the music. So what if they had the most basic chord progressions? This album started my R.E.M. obsession from 1989 - 1993. This is when I decided I wanted to play the accoustic guitar and sing. With songs like "Pop Song '89" (first song I learned on guitar), "Orange Crush" and still one of my faves today "Inside Out", I was hooked. I don't know many R.E.M. fans in my world, most worshipy leaders were influenced most by U2. Which leads me to my next album...
Rattle and Hum, U2 - I didn't catch the Joshua Tree wave in 1987. I was busy listening to INXS and arguing with the numerous U2 fans that Kick was better than Joshua Tree. Rattle and Hum brought U2 into my world big time. With a feature film to boot, there was no escaping the influence of U2. With the opening live rendition of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter", I was hooked. "Desire" and "All I Want is You" were the next songs I learned on guitar back in 1989. Still a classic.
Faith, George Michael - George Michael grows up on this, his first solo album after WHAM!. This was also before his exit from the closet. This one had quite a bit of influence on me...right before I discovered INXS. Not much substance lyrically on this, just a lot of great hooks. melodies and masterfully put together. As a matter of fact, I don't think I could bring myself to listen to this one around the house with songs like "I want your S-x", and "Faith" (not in the faith in Christ sense). Not good for the little ones here. Yet, it did have influence on me musically.
Automatic for the People, R.E.M. - Probably one of the most impacting albums for me. Read my notes on this one here. Still lands on my iPod playlist at least for a week once a year. I could put many R.E.M. albums on here, but I just picked the two that impacted me most.
Jars of Clay, Jars of Clay - Christian music can be cool? This was the beginning of me liking "Christian" music. Although the album "crossed over" into the secular world with the song "Flood", it was still written with Christ in mind. Acoustic driven rock for the soul. I really tried hard to like contemporary Christian music in the early to mid 90's only to get annoyed. It's really hard to come from listening to R.E.M. and go right into Ray Boltz and Michael W. Smith (both of whom are wonderful songwriters). Jars of Clay filled that void for me in 1996. By the way, I swear the album cover looks like the male cast from Friends which was kicking into high gear in 1996.
Time, Third Day - This album rocked my world in 2000. After being in a church that sang nothing but hyms for a year and a half, this disc was like water in a dry desert. Grace "Baptist" Church was on the verge of birthing a worship time that truly connected people with the Lord with a musical style that was relevant and relatable to the late 20 and early 30 somethings in our church. For me, Time was the beginning (or the end...depending on your perspective of music preferences) for me. "I've Always Loved You" (one of my buddy's faves) and "Your Love Oh Lord" sparked a yearning in me to explore worship music and entertain the possibility of being used by God in the area of worship leading. It was the spark, but the next one was the flame...
Passion: One Day Live, Passion Worship Band - "Do you think we could ever do something like this at Grace?" This is what I asked my mentor and pastor back in 2000. We were listening to "You are My King" on this album, hearing the excitement of the crowd on the recording and the authentic worship that sent chills up my spine the first time I heard it. I'd never heard anything like it. So many great worship leaders at the beginning of their ministries. Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, Christy Nockels of Watermark, Matt Redman and even David Crowder (He was just a guy in the background on the DVD of the live event). This recording catapulted my desire to bring that excitement heard on the CD to the worship at Grace. We've never looked back.
Facedown, Matt Redman - There are a few key CD's I always tell people they should have in their worship collection. You've got your Tomlin stuff, Crowder stuff and of course your Redman stuff. This is the essential worship CD for me that I will always tell people they must have. It's edgy, it's live...which means it's Matt Redman at his best...leading worship, it captures the moment like no other worship recording, it's more than just a collection of worship songs...each song is crafted to teach us something about the essence of worship. "Praise Awaits", "Worthy You are Worthy" are two of my faves. There are lyrics like "You should be the joy of every heart, You should be the praise of every tongue" and "Let worship be the fuel for missions flame" which teaches that the desire to worship God and give all to Him (Romans 12:1) should fuel the flame to reach others for Christ...sharing with others the excitement and joy we have in knowing God. This is an essential part of my music collection.
Well there you have it. My top 10 musical influences from the time I was a youngin' about the age of 9 to now. I could really keep going...especially on the worship stuff. Maybe another list?
So what I'd like to know is yours. What albums influenced you musically? You don't even have to be a worship leader or a musician, I want to hear from anyone about their musical influences. And yes, you can even drop a snide comment about my list!
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