Several times this week I’ve seen a press release reprinted on several websites, (a release which originally I read on a newswire but ignored), about a new Christian album that claims to, and I quote, “Change the Shape of Christian Music.”
I’ve heard some broad claims before, but that’s a tall order. So I decided to check it out and see what it was all about.
Well, turns out it’s just a cleverly written press release touting a project that can’t possibly live up to its claims.
The project is He Is Here, by artist Rosalina Vega, and while it is a lovely project it’s certainly not groundbreaking. Vega has a lovely voice, she’s accompanied by piano, and there’s nothing wrong with the album, but the songs are the same kind of songs Christian singers have been singing for centuries. Very nice, but certainly not changing the shape of anything.
So while the marketing ploy worked – I went to the site and listened – the album certainly didn’t live up to the hype.
But hey, what do I know? Head over to Rosalina Vega’s website and listen to the album and let me me know what you think.
He Is Here releases August 15.
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posted July 31, 2008 at 11:50 am
Maybe we need to stop trying to change the shape of Christian music and start changing the shape of the church. See my rant following Joanne’s rant. Or better yet, as HIs followers, let’s represent Jesus as and let Him change the face of the world through us. Wouldn’t that be cool.
No insult to Rosalind Vega I am sure she is very talented and good.
posted August 7, 2008 at 10:55 pm
i love the songs with a new style of christian music, i ordered 2 copies. I can not get enough of it. I am looking forward to the new cd. I AM TELLING ALL MY FREINDS TO LISTEN AND BUY IF THEY LIKE IT, AND SO FAR EVERYONE HAS AGREED WITH ME. I LOVE THE STYLE AND THE EXPRESSIONS THAT ARE REFLECTED IN THE MUSIC. I BELIVE THAT IF YOU LISTEN TO THE WHOLE THING YOU WILL AGREE WITH ME, SHE IT VERY TALENTED AND I CAN SEE THIS REACHING MILLIONS.
posted August 7, 2008 at 11:12 pm
THIS MUSIC COMES AT A TIME IN MY LIFE I REALLY NEEDED SOME INCOURAGEMENT. AND IT WAS PROVIDED BY IT. I WILL BE BUYING 10 COPIES TO GIVE TO MY FAMILY MEMBERS. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. KEEP THE INSPARATION COMING AND DO NOT LET ANYONE DISCOURAGE YOU, ROSALINA YOU HAVE A GIFT AND I KNOW THIS CD IS GOING TO BE A HIT. THANKX
posted August 15, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I agree with the comment about changing the shape of the Christian church, rather than the music. But, in a world filled with cynicism and hypocrisy, the way you start is by opening up hearts to the gospel message and the RIGHT kind of music can help to do that. Personally, I’m tired of the rock n’ roll and the rap that has permeated the genre – as far as I’m concerned MOST of today’s so-called Christian music is nothing more than a lot of loud rock or rap with a few “religious” words thrown in to make it “Christian.” That’s the shape of Christian music today. Obviously, even from the short audio clips I heard, Rosalina Vega’s album IS different. I love the music – it’s a breath of fresh air. I don’t know if it will change the shape of Christian music, but I sure hope it does because today’s Christian is in pretty sad shape.
posted August 15, 2008 at 2:56 pm
AMEN Brother! Today’s Christian music is in pretty sad shape. Most of it sounds no different from night club music. It needs a facelift. Rosalina’s stuff sounds reverent and thoughtful, and that’s how we glofiy God. I can’t wait to get the CD and hear the entire songs. You don’t hear much music like this anymore.
posted August 15, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Jonathan, I’m not sure what kind of Christian music you listen to, but almost none of what is aired on Christian radio is rap or rock. (Some would say that’s unfortunate, LOL.) Most of Christian music, the stuff that’s promoted and played on the radio, is A/C or worship and geared towards 30-something year old soccer moms. (Don’t know if you caught this post about Christian radio:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/07/are-you-an-average-christian-r.html)
Sorry, I didn’t find this project any different than any of the the stuff already out there.
Joanne
host of the Gospel Soundcheck
posted August 23, 2008 at 12:26 am
hello there i am writting because i just went to Rosalina’s Web site, rosalinavega.com, boy the music is great. this is the way we honor God, the angles are praising the Lord when they here this kind of music. I can not wait to hear the entire songs. I would encourage everyone to listen to the short clips, it leaves you wanting more. I love how every song is different. this should be a hit, no this will be a hit. keep up the good work, this is how we should be worshiping God, no with all that rap or drums. this is very good music. i am 25 years old and i love the change.
posted September 18, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I take issue with the comments by Joanne (host of Gospel Soundcheck) — As a Christian musician, I spend a great deal of my time listening to Christian music on the radio. Most of the music has the same beat, largely relying on the bass track, like drums and so forth. If you take the time to study the history of music, as I have, you will learn that it is the syncopation and rhythmic beat introduced by drums and bass that transitioned Christian music, mostly during the 1970s, into the world of rock n’ roll, rap, and reggae – away from the “sacred” quality that once characterized the genre. The greatest Christian hymns ever written (from decades past) do not use drums or bass tracks. This album, He is Here, while perhaps not the earth-shattering release its PR people tout, is in fact changing the shape of Christian music by producing songs with a truly sacred quality. Whether it is a Grammy Award winner or not remains to be seen, but it certainly is a noble effort with some very fine music. As for the rest of Christian music on radio, perhaps rock and rap are not the correct terms to use. Maybe light rock or contemporary fits better – but when all is said and done, the truth still remains — as Billy Joel once said, “it’s still rock n roll to me.”
posted September 19, 2008 at 9:06 am
Warren, the claim of the media hype by the artist is that this project will change the shape of Christian music. Sorry, it doesn’t. There isn’t anything new here.
Joanne
host of the GS blog
posted September 21, 2008 at 3:59 am
Joanne, I do not mean to sound sarcastic (please excuse me) but it never ceases to amaze me how the self-professed industry experts seem to always have to get the last word in – right or wrong. You missed the entire point of my email. I think I made it fairly clear. Evidently, you just want to keep your spin on it whether it fits or not. Hey, what could I say — it’s your blog.
posted September 22, 2008 at 9:56 am
Warren, I’m juggling a lot of comments this week to monitor and if I missed the point of your comment, my apologies. I went back and reread and I can see that you’re talking more about the sacredness of music – whole other topic.
Just for the record, in response to the comment about being a “self-professed industry expert:” I promise, I never claimed to be an expert on anything. There are a lot of other people more qualified to do this job … including my dog …
By the way, you might find my “confession” from a few weeks ago interesting. It might explain a little bit about me and my work in Christian music.
http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/08/a-musing-a-confession-and-the.html
All the best!
Joanne
host of the GS blog
posted April 7, 2009 at 11:14 am
My goodness, this record definitely doesn’t live up to the hype that the press release claims.
Seriously folks let’s just address the music and the presentation – not the heart. She’s having trouble keeping on pitch…and the pictures?
Whatever happened to excellence? Sad example we have here…thanks Joanne for letting some folks know that their music sometimes is just best given to family and friends instead of writing up some trumped-up, ego-driven press release and saying things that are not true of their music.