Christian chicks rock too! (Chicks Rock Write-Off)Dec 18 '01 (Updated Feb 13 '03) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Here's my list of the 15 coolest female performers in Christian music - plus a few honorable mentions. Here it is: my slightly late entry for the Chicks Rock Write-Off (hosted by kristinafh and dustygold). The main objective of the write-off, if it wasn’t obvious, is to write about women in music who, in your opinion, ROCK. That may mean “rock” in the traditional sense (also spelled “rawk”, but I hate that spelling, personally), implying lots of aggression, loud guitars and drums, and other stuff that some people assume is just a guy thing (Au contraire!) In a looser sense, to “rock” can also simply mean to totally kick butt at what you do. And I can think of plenty of female performers who do the latter (and in most cases, the former). I’ve decided that in the genre closest to my heart (Christian music), there are way too many female artists that deserve my attention for me to limit this column to just one of them. So I’ve compiled a list of my 15 favorite Christian performers. Keep in mind that this list is extremely biased by my musical preferences (which sometimes translates to the number of bpm in a song), the fact that it is currently December 2001 (more recent music tends to come to mind more easily), and also general gossip and hearsay (in other words, Amy Grant will not show up on this list). One other thing I should mention is that not all of these women sing - some just play instruments. (So a few songs by male-fronted bands will be on this list due to the superior skills of the female band member in question. Deal with it.) So, without further ado, here’s my list of righteous rock chicks. 15. Corrinne May Song: Something About You Starting off my list is a young indie folk artist from the L.A. area, originally hailing from Singapore. I saw her in concert last night and totally fell in love with her music. Corrinne manages to be straightforward and yet exceptionally dreamy with her lyrics, whether singing about a boy or singing about her Savior. She plays both guitar and piano, and she has a knack for pulling off some delicious chord changes when composing songs on both. This particular song is a fun, upbeat ode to a young man whom Corrinne secretly admires. She just melts whenever he’s around, and she’s dying to tell him that she wants to be more than just his friend. It just melts me to hear her explain her longing, to think that someday there might be some girl who’s agonizing over whether to march right up and tell me how she feels, or wait and see if this lugnut catches on. If this list were sorted according to looks, Corrinne would get #1 hands-down (I have a thing for Asian women, okay?). But looks have no effect on musical talent, as we all know. She’s got plenty of talent, though, and she’ll likely make her way farther up my list as she puts out more music (as long as she doesn’t get some huge record deal and let some Nashville bigwigs overproduce her!) There’s something in your eyes Something in your smile Something in the way you move me It makes me want to sing It makes me want to dance It makes me want to cry, I’m falling in love with you 14. Danielle Young (Caedmon’s Call) Song: Piece of Glass Danielle is mostly a backup singer for Caedmon’s Call, the overgrown folk/rock band fronted by her husband Cliff Young, and Derek Webb. All three have stellar voices, and it’s a darn shame Danielle doesn’t get to take the lead more often, because when she does, it’s always memorable. “Piece of Glass” was the first song Danielle wrote that the band recorded, I believe - it first showed up as a live version in 1997, and then an interesting interpretation made its way onto Long Line of Leavers - the band’s slightly poppier third album - in 2000. It’s a striking song about an anorexic girl who argues with her mirror and struggles to accept that she can be loved just the way she is without having to starve herself. Danielle’s vocals are crystal clear and yet very haunting at the same time, and Derek provides a nice vocal counterpoint during the bridge. You wouldn’t expect it, but this song rocks live. Who are you that lies when you stare at my face Telling me that I‘m just a trace of the person I once was ‘Cause I just can‘t tell if you‘re telling the truth or a lie On you I just can‘t rely After all, you‘re just a piece of glass 13. Margaret Becker Song: Horses Margaret Becker was probably one of the first women in Christian rock who was truly accepted by a rather conservative audience. This was all before my time, so when I got into Margaret’s music, she had morphed into the queen of Christian pop with her classic mid-90’s albums Soul and Grace. As genuinely good as both were, they weren’t quite the real Margaret. She took a sabbatical and returned in '98 with Falling Forward, a more stripped-down approach that really let her vulnerable songwriting shine. “Horses” was one of the radio hits off the album - it describes a dream Margaret had about the Apocalypse, of all things. Or perhaps just the end of her life - does it really matter? It’s a lovely song, and Margaret’s passion for living with no regrets rings loud and clear, with much more joy and hope than your usual song about death or the end of the world. The sudden ending is a nice touch, too. Margaret followed this album up with a surprising voyage into the world of R&B on 1999’s What Kind of Love, and she’s been a bit under the radar since then, but I look forward to seeing what she cooks up next. Last night I dreamed You with me You put Your finger to my lips You told me to be brave now And I felt like I’d been kissed I need to remember You‘re always with me I need to remember You‘re the reason I breathe I want no regrets when the horses come for me 12. Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer) Song: Angeltread You were expecting “Kiss Me”, perhaps? Alright, I’ll confess, it’s my favorite Sixpence song. But there’s so much more to Sixpence than that. I decided to go back to their 1995 album, This Beautiful Mess, and pull out an edgy rocker from their more “alternative” days. Now that I think about it, the timid lyrics about a sleepless night go hand-in-hand with “Horses”. The swirling guitars during the verses (a trademark of old Sixpence) make an interesting counterpoint to the rocking chorus - this is a whole different band than what pop radio listeners would expect. Back then, they were the “depressing” band in Christian music. Now everyone thinks they’re too happy. But Leigh’s fragile voice suits this song - and the album - quite well. I look forward to seeing what she and her new lineup come up with when their new studio album finally hit’s the stores (it’s been sadly delayed due to their record label going under). Is this some kind of holy test To stitch the treadmarks off my chest To get up, walk outside my head On a holy search for angel tread 11. Kris Doty (Five O’Clock People) Song: So Far Gone Kris is the bass player for the acoustic quintet known as Five O’Clock people - and I’m not talking bass guitar. I’m talking that big old clunky upright bass. Bass players generally are generally hard to make out among the mix in most music (well, unless you’re watching a dirty movie or an episode of Seinfeld), but Kris manages to stand out, thanks to the sometimes minimal acoustic framework that forms most of the group’s songs. I chose “So Far Gone” because Kris actually explained the song to me when I spoke with her after a concert last year (she’s a really nice woman, by the way). The song deals with a difficult breakup that the group’s lead singer went through, and his struggle to get over it. Kris provides a great underpinning to the acoustic guitar, harmonica, and cryptic lyrics of the song. I also heard that she used to be in a band called “So Far Gone”, interestingly enough. There’s her face on the desk And a hardwood floor Where they both made a mess of mistletoe Precious does that grace appear Now Frodo finds the strength to face his fear And solo goes 10. Laurel Snapper (Aleixa) Song: Pacify Me Man, it’s a shame Aleixa split up. They were one of the coolest industrial acts out there. It’s not every day you see a female-fronted industrial act. (For some reason, the guys tend to be the computer geeks that like to mess around with this stuff.) Laurel and her buddy Kevin 131 made up the nucleus of Aleixa, and most of the songwriting dealt with very personal issues in Laurel’s life (mostly relationships). Disfigured was one of the most human records I’d ever heard - the eerie harmonies cut through all of the machinery with such ease. “Pacify Me” is the creepiest song on the record - it deals with critics and fans pigeonholing the band and saying they weren’t Christian enough due to some of the darker themes on their first record. Laurel actually screams a few of the lines in this song, and it’s nothing short of shocking at first - but very cool, in a Nine Inch Nails sort of way. Pacify me, stop and suck Stick your mouth inside my head Pacify me, you‘ve got the nerve To want me to be you 9. Christine Denté (Out of the Grey) Song: He Is Not Silent Out of the Grey has been a staple of Christian pop radio for several years - keeping things fairly mellow on the musical side, but providing listeners with some clever snippets of theology couched in smart wordplay. Christine and her husband Scott (who is a great guitarist, but he’s a guy, so we’ll talk about him some other time) make up the group, and they write almost everything together. “He Is Not Silent” comes from their brilliant 1991 debut, which many fans consider to be their best, since it’s pretty much wall-to-wall classics. Christine’s breathy voice is in top form, and the song tensely describes a group of people wandering in the desert, thirsty for God but pushing Him away when He tries to help. It’s a bona fide classic - right up there with “Wishes” and “Remember This”. We take our daily bread And after we’ve been fed We take our hearts and turn away But He is not silent He is not whispering We are not quiet, we are not listening 8. Melissa and Tricia Brock (Superchic[k]) Song: One Girl Revolution Superchic[k]’s sound is pretty much defined in their name - aggressive and happy chick rock in yo’ face. The group was actually originated by Max Hsu (formerly of Church of Rhythm), who felt a need to have a Christian rock band that young girls could relate to. He met the sisters who now front the band at a CoR concert, and apparently they left an impression. “One Girl Revolution” is the band’s mission statement - exhorting listeners to be confident in who they are, whether they be male or female (they hold that “chick” is a non-gender-specific term), in the most guitar-heavy, beat-heavy, electronics-heavy, pop-hook-heavy way that they can manage. I’ve heard that the group’s concerts are a blast, with people in the band specifically for the purpose of blowing confetti and toilet paper and whatever else into the audience and creating one big chick party. Rock on! And I’ll be everything that I wanna be I am confidence in insecurity I am a voice yet waiting to be heard I’ll shoot the shot (bang) that you hear ‘round the world And I’m a one girl revolution 7. Korey Cooper and Lori Peters (Skillet) Song: Thirst Is Taking Over When’s the last time you heard of an industrial band that was split 50/50 between girls and guys? Okay, Skillet isn’t exactly industrial - they’re a hyperactive electronic pop band with a knack for marrying really catchy hooks to somewhat dissonant music, slowing down every now and then for a more straightforward praise song. Korey handles the keyboards, electronics, and backing vocals (her husband John Cooper has been the lead singer since the band’s inception back when it was just three guys in 1996), and Lori is the band’s drummer, who came on board in early 2000. They both rock, and the Alien Youth album gives them several chances to shine. “Thirst” is probably my favorite Skillet song yet, with John and Korey’s lyrics painting a desperate picture of mankind’s need for God, surrounded by a wash of techno-wizardry and a solid beat that suddenly explodes during the finals chorus. It would make a killer song for Sunday worship, if only I could figure out how to translate it to acoustic guitar! Hold me down, hold me down Drip it on my tongue and my convulsions stop Thirst for love, thirst for Your love I could swallow Your beauty whole 6. Tiffany Lee (Plumb) Song: Sobering (Don’t Turn Around) Plumb’s debut in 1997 was more or less Christian music’s answer to Garbage. The band didn’t set out to be that way, necessarily; it was just convenient timing. Unlike some female-fronted rock bands who simply find a cute chick with a decent voice to put up there in order to give the band sex appeal, Tiffany has true ownership of the group. The band’s website says that Tiffany is Plumb - a girl who takes her band with her wherever she goes. This fierce little number from the group’s first album is just oozing with attitude, as Tiffany defiantly takes on skeptics who have grown bitter and are purposefully leading other Christians astray. La dum da da dum Drink the cup of delusion This empty hole inside Drinks the wine of remorse And giving cause to stumble It’s sobering, the changes Don’t turn around, don’t walk away Don’t try to lead where you don’t know 5. Rebecca St. James Song: God While Rebecca St. James may be a bit of a musical chameleon these days, and may sometimes deserve the accusations that she’s overdoing it, there’s no denying that this girl has an unbridled passion for God. Her poppy debut in 1994 didn’t really show us her full potential, so it was a huge surprise two years later when she unleashed this rocking anthem to the creator of the universe. Suddenly this pop princess who was slated to be the next Amy Grant had become Christian music’s response to Alanis Morrisette (which she’s now outgrown by taking the musical lead from Madonna and Britney Spears - don’t ask). I still debate over whether God or Pray was her best album (she actually put out a good Christmas album, too, and I rarely buy Christmas music), but it’s definitely true that God had more raw, rocking energy. The flute/whistle/whatever that opens and closes this song gives it a very otherworldly feel, and I think there’s a hint of her native Australia in there somewhere. That chorus might border on window-breaking frequency and power - and it’s music to these ears. He made the night, He made the day Spread the Earth upon the water, made the heavens and the rain Look at the sky, see its design The very same Creator is the One who gave us life 4. Sarah Macintosh and Rachel Meeker (Chasing Furies) Song: I Surrender Chasing Furies was one of the coolest bands ever to put out a Christian rock album. It’s a shame they broke up after only one. Sisters Sarah and Rachel, and their brother Joshua, put out a spooky mix of ghostly piano, crunchy guitars, and sometimes ethereal/sometimes gritty vocals aptly titled With Abandon in 1999. The sound took quite a bit of getting used to, but it remains one of my top 5 albums even now that they’re all off doing something else. “I Surrender” in particular was a difficult song to get into, starting off with a crunchy guitar riff and then falling apart into a spacy verse which gave Sarah ample breathing room for a gutsy vocal showcase, and then kicking back in at the end, bringing everything full circle. The song is about running away from God and then realizing that you desperately need God, and Sarah is particularly passionate about it, because she’s lived it. She’s now married to Johnny Macintosh, former guitar player for Luna Halo, so I eagerly await to see what the two come up with if they decide to record together. I believe Rachel decided to pursue a non-musical career. Here my heart lay, open before You I can’t deny, I just adore You Please don’t make me live without You I can’t go on without You here I surrender 3. Adrienne Liesching (The Benjamin Gate) Song: Lay It Down The Benjamin Gate is the coolest thing to come out of South Africa since Dave Matthews! Lead singer Adrienne Liesching is merely 19, and already a gifted songwriter. Her lyrics tend toward simple expressions of praise to God, but she’s been smart enough to not get too mired down in “Christianese” or specifically label her group a worship band. This particular song is a gusty, edgy rocker encouraging listeners to let go of the burdens that they carry and worry that God won’t forgive them for. She really lets loose on the chorus for this one, likely taking a few cues from Plumb, Garbage, and No Doubt before her. One look at her bright red hair and you might think she was literally on fire! Stand back, the fire destroys the sky No longer need to be on the run from the sun Hold on to what He’s done 2. Jennifer Knapp Song: Into You Jennifer is arguably the most popular female solo artist in Christian music right now. She’s been on a roll ever since her 1997 debut, Kansas, with her earthy voice, level-headed and slightly goofy concert persona, and disarmingly personal lyrics about her relatively new faith in Jesus Christ. Some artists get away with being straightforward about their faith and not having to mask everything in enigmatic lyrics, and they still receive constant critical acclaim - Jennifer is one of these. She’s not preaching at you - she just tells her stories. “Into You”, from her mostly mellow 2000 release Lay It Down, is a crunchy rocker that seems to reveal a lot of her doubts and insecurities, ultimately resting on the prayer that she simply wants to know God better. Like Sarah from Chasing Furies, she’s been there and back, and she’s got a wonderful way of telling us all about it. She‘s a wanna be hero, yeah, she try to be strong At the end of the hour you‘ll find that the tower ain‘t standing so tall It‘s a real hard thing to show your weakness If anyone can love You, I know my King does 1. Joanne Hogg (Iona) Song: Wave After Wave Those of you who read my reviews regularly will not be surprised by my #1 choice. Iona makes the most gorgeous music in the world. (In my world, anyway.) Joanne has fronted the British fivesome for over ten years now, her lilting voice and timelessly reverent lyrics guiding the band through an exquisite musical maze made up of Celtic and traditional folk instrumentation, 70’s/80’s inspired lead guitar parts, and a hefty dose of progressive rock and jazz influence. “Wave After Wave”, from their 2000 album (and their last before ForeFront, their American label, was stupid enough to drop them and they had to go the indie route), brilliantly waves together a violin intro, a tricky 7/8 rhythm, a whistle solo, and one of the most gorgeous melodies you’ve ever heard, into a song about God’s redemptive power as seen in the constant renewal of nature. Joanne is not one to be lost among these male musical prodigies - she writes almost all of the lyrics and is incredibly skilled on both the keyboard and acoustic guitar. Honorable Mention These last few ladies may not have made my list of all-time favorites, but I thought they deserved a nod. Nicole C. Mullen Song: Granny’s Angel I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what all the fuss was about at first. Turned out there was a lot more to this “folkabilly” chick than her inspirational/Gospel smash “Redeemer” let on. Nicole’s albums are an interesting stew of R&B, sassy guitars, cute personal interludes (even if those can be a tad annoying), and whatever else Nicole feels like throwing into the mix. How many singers in this genre play their own guitar? Not many. In that sense, she’s often likened to Alicia Keys (who plays her own piano). “Granny’s Angel” is my favorite of her songs just because of its story and its playful attitude. Nicole describes the stories of two youngsters who are “coincidentally” saved from near-death experiences, and asserts that someone somewhere was praying for them, and that someone might not be around forever. It’s classic Gospel attitude with a part backwoods, part Destiny’s Child soundtrack. Very interesting. Stuck in traffic at a quarter to nine Shirley‘s cursing - “Oops! That fatal wreck on my side!” No compassion, ‘cause she don‘t realize Had she been any earlier… BOOM! It could have been her life Katy Hudson Song: Growing Pains I saw this 16-year old singer songwriter open for Phil Joel this past February, and I was blown away. Her voice doesn’t give away her age - it’s a playful concoction of Jennifer Knapp, Fiona Apple, and Sarah McLachlan. She held her own that night, with just a guitar and the personality of a Southern California kid being her only weapons. Her album was a surprisingly high-energy pop/rock attack, throwing in all manner of bells and whistles and almost overusing her voice in places. But she rules when compared to almost any other teen artist to hit Christian music in the past few years! Comparisons to Michelle Branch probably wouldn’t be out of the question - if Michelle Branch drank a lot of caffeine, anyway. “Growing Pains” is definitely the most amusing track on Katy’s debut album, making a sneak attack on my musical sensibilities by spoofing a showtune and purposefully overdoing the vocals in an ode to the trials of growing up. (For the record, I hate musicals, so Katy’s very lucky that I like this song so much.) I‘m still growing, still stretching Still breaking in these new shoes Looking for a way to make a mark of my own I‘m just a spring chick, wet behind the ears It‘s a part of life, so I don‘t need to fear These growing pains that I‘m going through Kendall Payne Song: Supermodels Kendall Payne kind of slipped through the cracks with her 2000 debut, Jordan’s Sister - it was first released to the mainstream market and then to Christian stores. I think there were other female singer/songwriters who were more prominent and had more solid albums. In any case, she won me over with an opening slot for Delirious? Last year, and it was a treat to exchange a few words with the then 20-year-old artist after the show. “Supermodels” is probably the song that’s gotten her the most exposure, since it was the theme song for the short-lived WB show Popular. Kendall takes the fashion industry head-on and rips it apart for making girls feel guilty for looking ordinary. And she pulls it off with a some crunchy guitar riffs and a good dose of sass. You go girl! God has given me a mind That I will use from time to time ‘Cause I‘ve got more on my head Than what‘s made by Paul Mitchell Leanor “Jeff the Girl” Ortega (Five Iron Frenzy) Song: When I Go Out (live version) Last, but not least, we have “Jeff the Girl”, tenor sax player for the wacky post-ska band, Five Iron Frenzy. Normally, she helps to pepper the band’s songs with whimsical horn blasts, but one precious little moment on the band’s live record, Proof that the Youth are Revolting!, may just be her crowning achievement. The group invites her up to sing a song, and she ends up screaming the group’s brilliantly wacky “When I Go Out”, forgetting a line or two in the process. That’s a feat, given that the song is all of seven seconds long and it has five lines. She’s taken to covering other similarly lengthy grindcore tunes in concert recently, but this one definitely takes the cake. Well, that’s it. I hope you’ve enjoyed my list, and I hope I’ve convinced you that Christian chicks can rock, too. It’s no secret why God created woman after man - she wasn’t an afterthought. God simply saved the best for last, and these songs are solid proof of it. We, the authors participating in the Chicks Rock Write Off, would like to thank kristinafh and dustygold, and congratulate them on an Epinions anniversary! Here we all are - read as many of us as you can stand to: adjensen, Afterglow34, amorican, arielssong, BeeCharmer, brothermansoul, Charles_Tatum, chezon, chrisceb, churst, cletta1201, cynicalone, Daniel_Rf part one and part two, Darkmistress, DavidK93, DavidMac, deaser26, Debbie26, divad23, Divine_Cheese, dolphin4a, dragonfire88, educatedphool, eplovejoy, FraggleMom, frazzledspice, GinaHill, Greatpilgrim, gungian, HawgWyld, JediKermit, jeff_wilder78, Joubert, jphalt, kcfoxy, kevlog, KingpinLJC, kuuleimomi, lambchops, madtheory, MattA75, mauriced, melissasrn, MiDoyle, mnehr, movielover123, ObiWanJabroni, Officer, pageclot, paulyoungotti, pogomom, Psychovant, repulsemonkey, sarah_knipper, saulsbury, Saxguy, scmrak, seric26, shadow_dream, sleestakk, sslabs, sumo_rhino, SurgRN911, theciscokid, 3BCoach, tigger500, 29th_Candidate, Wokelstein, xiphoid, and of course, kristinafh and dusty gold Great Music to Play While: Praising God for creating chicks, of course.  |
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