“Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a theif. They all kill their inspiration and then sing about their grief.” U2 – The Fly

(The above quote has little to do with this article other than it’s by one of my inspirations, and it’s about art and inspiration :-D)

Every artist has their inspirations. Almost all (their are extremely few truly brilliant, original creatives out there. In fact, I’d argue that there is only one) emulate other people they esteem to be extremely good at what they do.

So here’s a question for those who consider themselves to have an art (of any shape or form) out there. Who are your inspirations? Who do you look to as a mentor-from-afar. Who do you hope to emulate in your art? Who inspires you, challenges you, and by virtue of their excellence, keeps you humble?

Of course the correct answer is Jesus, but other than that, who do you look to for instruction and inspiration? Here are a few of mine.

Web Design:

• Cameron Moll
• Dan Cedarholm
• Veerle Pieters
• Jon Hicks
• Jesse Bennet-Chamberlain
• Mark Priestap

Fronting a band / Leading Worship:

• Bono
• David Crowder
• Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)
• Rich Mullins
• James Hetfield (Metallica)
• Derek Webb

Preaching:

• Mark Driscoll
• Steve Jobs
• Henry Rollins
• John Piper
• Mark Darling
• Noel Heikkinen
• Louie Giglio
• Rob Bell (* I’m not entirely comfortable with his theology, but his communication ability is phenomenal.)

I love The David Crowder Band. I love pretty much everything they do. They are the most innovative band operating in the Christian ghetto wing of the music industry these days, and probably rank up there in the wider world of the music industry as well.

I haven’t ranted and raved about the new album yet because I was looking for a way to describe my general “meh” reaction to this album. Then I read something in Christian Music Today that made it click for me:

“Whereas A Collision was epic and almost unwieldy in album length (as well as length of song titles), Remedy seems downright tame with just 10 songs (of which the longest title is a familiar hymn). The sound incorporates all the band elements—acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, programming, DJ turntables, and violin—without shifting wildly between genres like before. Leave it to David Crowder Band to simplify their process and make it seem like a progression by offering their most accessible album since Can You Hear Us? in 2002.”

Basically this is a really really nice way of saying that the album, while really good, and while better than anything else out there currently, is not as good as Illuminate, A Collision, or any of their other stuff in between.

All that to say it is definitely still worth getting, there are good songs on there. The Nuge plays on a track in it. But it’s not their best work.

Buy this album.

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: the Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Charles Wesley, 1738

Kathy feels we need to unplug… to turn it down. I don’t disagree. (In fact, I do agree.)

We need more quiet reflection, and deeper study of God’s word. We need shared meals, more prayer, more confession (to one another). We need more proclamation of God’s amazing grace and righteous judgment (maybe not in that order).

We also need more loud music. But that music needs to be played skillfully (and in our day, mixed skillfully on skillfully designed sound systems). (Psalm 33, 47, 150)

I think she’s right about the “pop” nature of this loud music (and art) though. Throughout history the church has lead the charge in art (and, well, culture in general). Now we settle for cheap copies of art, hurried ripoffs of other artists’ work.

Why doesn’t any of the above happen? Because we are too busy. I personally am too busy. We don’t have the time to create. That is a huge loss. Something I’m currently mourning and trying to repent from. God help me.

Check out the David Crowder Band’s latest e-card featuring clips from the songs on their new album. Enjoy.

[tags]David Crowder Band, Remedy[/tags]