Yes, in some ways, it is unfortunate that Derek Webb had to write his latest
CD. Because if he did not write the music, we would have found Christians in
a much better place. But since the Christians of today are hypocritical in
many ways, Derek is here to point it out to us. Like Hollie says in her
review below, it's not going to be an easy listen, but you will learn from
your experience. Don't worry about the music either, because Derek crafts a
folk/rock album that is the best we've heard in a long time.

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I SEE THINGS UPSIDE DOWN - DEREK WEBB (2005)
by Hollie Stewart

Let's say an album came out that took a giant index finger and pointed at
the darkest part of your heart. Let's say it took everything considered
normal and traditional in Christianity and turned it all upside down like
the temple merchants' tables. What if, in poking fun at religious society,
you were left staggering at the fresh wound of your own soul? Would you buy
such an album?

If not, then avoid Derek Webb's newest CD, I See Things Upside Down. He
will deconstruct everything considered comfortable American Christianity.
You will be left extremely sore—unless, of course, change doesn't scare you
and you enjoy bleeding.

No bleeding wanted? Then you need to completely avoid this work. Stay away
from "Better Than Wine," which takes the Song of Solomon and creates a
modern-day text of love through a subtle dance rhythm. It could make you
blush. Be sure to ignore "I Repent," which holds such shocking lines like,
"I repent of judging by a law that even I can't keep / Of wearing
righteousness like a disguise / To see through the planks in my own eyes."
If you hold fast to the materialism flooding the church, "Ballad in Plain
Red" will infuriate you. Its Moby-like, spoken-word delivery won't soften
the blows to your skull: "Don't want the song, I want a jingle / I love You
Lord but don't hear a single / And the truth is nearly impossible to rhyme."
And don't be fooled by the happy, country-folk lightness of "T-shirts." The
lyrics will shock and awe: "They'll know us by the t-shirts that we wear /
They'll know us by the way we point and stare / Telling 'em their sins are
worse than ours / Thinking we can hide our scars / Beneath these t-shirts
that we wear."

Are you running as far away from this album as you can? Some of you are…
oh, but I see you back there. Come up here. Yeah, I think you'll like this
record. I can see the morning on your face. You're like Webb when he
sings, "I don't want medication / Just give me liberation / Even if it cuts
my legs right out from underneath / Don't give me medication / I want the
real sensation / Even when living feels just like death to me"
("Medication"). You want true Christianity. You want to look past the
monster we've created and get back to the basic truths of being one of
Christ's disciples. Part of that journey could begin with this rough folk
album made by a former member of Caedmon's Call.

Perhaps "I Want a Broken Heart" could become our prayer. We could admit
that we have "faith in the bank" and money in the heart. We could fess up,
acknowledging that we've "traded naked and unashamed / For a better place to
hide." The surreal, ambient synthesizer and atmospherics almost lift us out
of the natural earth into that place of brokenness we need to rediscover.

The upside-down sight this musician speaks of is incorrect sight. We
convince ourselves that what we see in the natural realm is real, when we're
as messed up as the one who has never heard about Christ. Derek Webb calls
to the church at large to reawaken to God's reality, for only His reality
will last. We will only learn how to see when looking through His eyes.
He's in the business of correcting sight.

Read more about Derek Webb at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/folk/derekwebb


MORE NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

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http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/themint/themint.shtml

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http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/copeland/inmotion.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, JUNE 7 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

DISCIPLE - DISCIPLE
Disciple has one of the more unique sounds in Christian music. If you've
ever heard these guys talk, you know they are southern red-necks, through
and through. But they make some of the most energetic hard rock available,
delivering that southern rock flair that few others can create. Their first
major-label release delivers some great songs.

KRYSTAL MEYERS - KRYSTAL MEYERS
If Bethany Dillon pulled out an electric guitar and had a rock band in the
studio with her, she'd sound like Krystal Meyers. This youngster has some
great rock/pop songs (most of which are co-written with Ian Eskelin) and a
very nice singing voice. Hopefully we'll see only better things from this
new artist.

PANIC - MxPx
MxPx has been firmly planted in mainstream punk rock for almost fifteen
years, and it looks like they're not giving up yet. Fans of mainstream punk
only need bother picking up this album, which continues their similar sound
and angst-filled lyrics.

X&Y - COLDPLAY
It's been three years since their prolific A Rush of Blood To The Head and
they are finally back. Although not a Christian band, this PICK OF THE WEEK
speaks about universal these such as love, friendship, and life. The latest
from Coldplay brings their keyboard-based melodic pop/rock to a whole new
level.


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http://cMusicWeb.com/
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