CD Review: Derek Webb - Mockingbird
I finally picked up Derek Webb’s latest CD “Mockingbird”. It was released on December 26, 2005. Over the last year, Derek has become one of my favorite artists, by virtue of his lyrics which are truth filled, unfiltered by the industry, slightly controversial, and centered around harder truths of scripture and Christian living in a society that tends to pull us away from living Christ-like lives.
My friend Scott (sound guy at our church) told me that this is a difficult album to listen to. He’s right. Derek doesn’t pull punches in rebuking himself (and thereby, the listener, if one is paying attention) about our hypocrisies as Christians. Or maybe it’s just me.
I could pick out choice lines from each song, but right now I’m really focussing on the second track on the album. Called “A New Law”, about legalism vs. the freedom we have in Christ. It’s a topic that’s been on my mind quite a bit here recently.
The title makes the lyrics… ironic? Christ came and brought us a new law, the “law of life that brings freedom”, yet we tend to create “new laws” for ourselves and live by those, rather than the freedom Christ gave us.
A New Law by Derek Webb
don’t teach me about politics and government just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty just label my music
don’t teach me how to live like a free man just give me a new law
i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy so just bring it down from the mountain to me
i want a new law i want a new law gimme that new law
don’t teach me about moderation and liberty i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies
don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit just give me a new law
what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep for one you can that cannot get you anything do not be afraid do not be afraid do not be afraid
I’ll probably post choice snips from the other songs at some point. I’m loving this disc. Definitely worth picking up.
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thats good to hear, I’ve wanted to pick that album up for a long time, I just haven’t gotten around to it yet. Derek Webb is definitely one of the best things happening in Christian music right now.
Haven’t picked up Mockingbird yet but I’ve heard most of the album (and own ‘A New Law’ from an EP off iTunes). I must say that I am currently enthralled with ‘A New Law’ myself.
Mock … yeah … ing … yeah … bird … yeah … yeah … yeah …
yayuh… Derek Webb reminding us that Christianity isn’t just for Bushites… that’s what I like to hear.