five things (vol. 5)

1. I am liking "How It Starts" by The Features. I heard it in the new Mustang commercial.



2. Speaking of music, Fr. Dwight has an interesting post - Why is "Christian" music so Awful?

Why is it that so often Christian music is so awful? I think there are a couple of reasons. The first is that the musicians and their audience mistake a worthy message for talent. Then they get a martyr complex if they’re criticized. “You’re obviously not very spiritual if you can’t enjoy my music!  The second problem is that the audience are often either totally uncritical or they haven’t the ability to criticize intelligently. Too often the audience actually like the crap that is being dished up. The third factor is that market forces are usually not in play. Market forces often have a surprisingly sharp and salutary critical effect. Market forces weed out the junk, but in the Christian market they’re doing it for love, not money, so no one is telling them to get off the stage ’cause it won’t sell.These are all the practical problems. There is, however, a deeper problem. Christian popular music is almost always pretty bad, but  the problem with most “Christian” music is that it is secular music with Christian words. In any decent art style and substance are supposed to match up. The meaning and the media are supposed to harmonize.

To some extent, I agree with him. Christian music can be pretty embarrassing sometimes - especially some of the garbage that passes for liturgical music. We accept mediocrity.
I also agree that music for the liturgy should not be "Christian lyrics" set to popular music.
But, Fr. Dwight seems to leave no room for all the excellent Christian music that is out there. Despite the fact that rock music (or any popular music) may have been used to promote sin or at least the near occasion of sin, the music in itself isn't forever tainted. I don't see it as any sort of compromise with the world - it's taking art and redeeming it in Christ.


3. If you are not watching Fringe, you are failing at TV. This week's episode (which I'm watching right now) is amazing.


4. Fr. Barron on "Why Catholics Leave the Church and What Can Be Done About It." Some of the reasons he cites: tough doctrines, bad preaching, and lack of outreach.


5. If you're looking for an interesting story, check out Vattu, a webcomic by Evan Dahm.