Some musicians and music groups trouble me, because while they may produce excellent music, they also appear to be actively anti-Christian in some of their themes, lyrics and personal lives. There are many examples: Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, Nightwish's Tuomas Holopainen, groups with names such as Judas Priest or Black Sabbath . . . too many to list. I generally avoid listening to them out of those qualms of conscience. On the other hand, I have to concede that some of them produce outstanding music.
A group that I have to classify as "borderline" over such concerns is Disturbed. Some aspects of their work light up big red warning lamps in my brain, such as artistic effects like the logo for their second album, Believe, which incorporates both the Star of David and devil's horns, and their participation in festivals such as Hellfest. On the other hand, their cover of The Sounds Of Silence is possibly the best version of the song ever recorded, surpassing even the original from Simon and Garfunkel, and they've crafted a number of rock/power ballads that are world-class. Let's just say that I won't listen to some of their work, because I'm unabashedly Christian in my world-view. If you can say the same, caution is indicated.
Nevertheless, this track from their latest album, "Divisive", appeals to me. It's a dark power ballad about relationships. See what you think.
Here's a half-hour interview with their lead singer, David Draiman, in which he discusses the group's background and development.
An interesting group, despite my reservations about some aspects of their work.
Peter
5 comments:
Dude's got pipes, but if you've heard one Disturbed song, you've pretty much heard them all.
The DIsturbed version of Sounds of SIlence is certainly impressive. But I still prefer the original for a few reasons:
(1) It doesn't force the message. It leaves it up to the listener to hear it, and think about it. And that, to me, is a more effective way to say something.
(2) Art Garfunkel has the finest male voice since the 60s (Simon was a fine singer -- I'm not saying her wasn't -- but there was something magical about Garfunkel's voice. And the harmonies around it were able to display it brilliantly.
For comparison, here's the original
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fWyzwo1xg0
To demonstrate what I mean about Garfunkel, I could suggest listening to his Bridge Over Troubled Water from the Central Park concert a decade and a half later. His voice wasn't quite as perfect in 1981 as the 60s version -- but, even so, watching this guy in jeans and a vest, with minimal musical accompaniment,, walk up to a mike in front of half a million people, and magic comes out of his mouth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXluHoA81ek&list=RDtXluHoA81ek&start_radio=1
I agree 100% with Ben Yalow's comments; if I may make one addition;
with David Draiman, the song is all about his voice, in contrast to Art Garfunkel where the song is all about the song
@ BRM:
I am not a Christian, though we believe in the same G-d. I will not listen to any music group (or speaker) who promotes the anti-Christ or any anti-Christian values.
It has been said that Lucifer sings with the voice of an angel.
When our youngest was born I put away all my popular music LPs; and the only songs our kids heard growing up were psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
Post a Comment