The title was an attention getter. I do not consider this album cheesy 80′s christian music. I consider this some of the best (only good?) Christian music ever written. Rich Mullins, (as many of you know) is my all-time favorite Christian artist (though I must say Derek Webb and David Crowder are quickly catching up), and Never Picture Perfect is one of my favorite albums of his.
It is encouraging, challenging, deep, and good (if not VERY 80′s…) music. These songs stir my soul and encourage my faith. If I am down, or discouraged, I pop this album in (or queue it up in iTunes…)
I highly recommend it.
Favorite songs: I Will Sing, Hope to Carry On, First Family (makes me cry every time.), Bound to Come Some Trouble, The Love of God, MY ONE THING (favorite, hands down).
February 28, 2005 at 11:07 am
Ya, pretty much Rich Mullins was the best. You have pretty sweet taste in music, as it lines up well with mine.
February 28, 2005 at 1:29 pm
I too am a Rich Mullins fan. Other recently converted Rich Mullins fans we all know and love: Jenn B. and Liz D.
One of my all time favorites though is from the Pictures In The Sky album called Screen Door. Give it a listen – it will make you think AND smile. Matt – talk to me about seeing Rich do this song in concert – he had an interesting way of getting people to remember it. Could be a fun Rock special performance. :))
February 28, 2005 at 1:39 pm
Wendy – are you talking about the cups thing?
Unfortunately, Mullins stuff is too old to cover at the Rock :(, even at Stonebrook. When Ron Pool was with the other band they did a TON of Rich Mullins stuff… about 10 years ago.
February 28, 2005 at 1:52 pm
I thought the title of the post was your invention, Matt, until I read the entry. Whew–I thought I was going to have to rebuke you.
I was in Ron’s band when we did the songs; I remember doing “Brother’s Keeper” and I think we tackled “Creed” once. I know we did some others, too, but I forget what they were.
I saw Rich at C.Y. He was very talented. I’d seen alter calls at Petra concerts, and generic performances by Michael W. (whom I like a lot), but Rich finished the concert by transferring the singing to the audience. Thus he was probably the first “modern” worship leader I ever saw.
February 28, 2005 at 4:20 pm
Yes – the cups thing – people still do that believe it or not.
I was around 10 years ago – it is true – lots of Rich Mullins. Only Ron wasn’t bare footed when he did it.
March 1, 2005 at 11:00 am
If you were a teenager/ at your prime of musical fascination in the 80′s, then you wouldn’t consider 80′s Christian to be cheesy. Rather, you would have precious memories attached to it and all that that involves.
Note: this is Tim using Matt’s computer, and I have Never Picture Perfect as a vinyl album.
March 1, 2005 at 3:36 pm
Rich had some great tunes. My favorite is also Screen door. I was an 80′s teen (man I’m feeling old now). Christian music has changed drastically for the better but you have to start somewhere. Steve Taylor was one of my favorites. You might tease me about his music but look at the songs he has written for the Newsboys and other bands.
March 1, 2005 at 9:54 pm
Wendy and Clint (Clint, welcome to my blog btw). I think Screen Door is a fun song, but for some reason, I don’t see why it’s everyone’s favorite Rich Mullin’s song. What am I missing? :)
March 2, 2005 at 11:06 am
Screen Door summed up the age old question of faith and work and had a catchy tune with a hint of sarcasm.
Another song from the 80′s I like still is Sheeps and Goats by Keith Green. Sarcasm at its finest (in a good sense).
March 2, 2005 at 2:10 pm
I am a visual thinker – the word picture of “it’s about as useless as a screen door on a submarine” gives me a good visual to go along with “faith without works.”
It just sticks with me because it is completely ridiculous to put a screen door on a submarine and think the sub is useful for its intended purpose. Believers not wanting to step out in their faith and expecting to live up to their full potential is equally ridiculous. It is a good picture of how limiting God working through us looks.