Creed. Switchfoot. Collective Soul. Sixpence None the Richer.
Four huge bands united by one theme: moments of Christianity in their songs. Sure, these moments are few and far between, but when Scott Staap of Creed sings, "Can you take me higher? To a place where blind men see? Can you take me higher? To a place with golden streets?" there's no doubt left that teens can get something uplifting from this popular music.
But have you ever wondered why fully Christian bands don't make it into the mainstream music scene very much? The reason for the usual lack of mainstream popularity of Christian music is quite simple, really. It's because Christian music far too often is cheesy, too wordy and preachy, harmonizes too much, and offers little to nothing of the unexpected.
This has been true for years, but it's time to renew our hope in Christian music. There is some great stuff out there these days! Sure, you still have people like Avalon, Bob Carlisle, and Nicole Mullen whose stuff pretty much all sounds the same and makes music lovers want to bang their heads against the wall, but I promise that the bands I'm going to mention are actually good. Teens have no reason to dislike them, due to their creativity and skill with their music, the lack of preachiness in their songs, and the catchiness of their music.
Here's a list for you to try out.
*Jars of Clay
This band has been going for quite a while, with some substantial success at times. Their first album was self titled, and it may actually be their best work to date. Songs like Flood, Liquid, and Like a Child actually received significant radio time. These guys keep the preachiness far away from their tunes, with their lyrics usually filled with figurative language like metaphors and allegories.
What is more, these guys can jam. It's clear that Jars of Clay isn't out to preach from a pulpit. Instead they are about the music and put their hearts and devotion into what they do. This band is one you must try out.
*DC Talk
With their popular song "Jesus Freak", these guys broke into the scene for good reason. Their style is actually similar to POV and other good bands like Linkin Park, but their subject matter is clean and nicely uplifting. Definitely worth a try.
*Amy Grant
Okay, she's actually huge. She has done back up for tons of bands and several duets with Peter Cetera of the huge band Chicago. Amy Grant is an immensely talented artist, there is no doubt. For those who love rock and roll, she might not be the right choice, since she tends to the country music style, but she's still good. I recommend trying a Christmas album to start with.
*Steven Curtis Chapman
He's a little wordy, but he knows how to rock and roll. Chapman actually has a sound that is very similar to Tom Cochran, of "Life is a Highway" fame, but of course Chapman plays Christian rock. His lyrics are somewhat introspective and his ability to write catchy tunes is quite impressive. This is not boring old Christian music.
*FFH
While not all of FFH's music is great, they have some good tunes like "One of These Days," which deals touchingly with a person's search for their Savior. They don't change up their music as well as Steven Curtis Chapman or Jars of Clay, but they have talent.
*Jaci Velasquez
She has a spectacular voice and tends to the ballads and slow songs. The thing is that her lyrics are deeply touching and personal. She expresses better than most the angst of trying to live in a rotten world and stay pure. Rachael Lampa is about on a par with Jaci Velasquez, and both are worth a try.
*Casting Crowns
Their music is spare but crisp. Sometimes they forget that they need to be playing and not singing all the time, but otherwise their music is pleasant and often quite catchy.
*Jennifer Knapp
With a voice like Natalie Merchant (from 10,000 Maniacs) and solid backing music, she actually has some nice up-tempo tunes. Eminently enjoyable, her music is pretty unique in the world of Christian music.
Honorable mentions include:
Michael W. Smith merely because he has impressive staying power. I really don't like his whiny voice though.
Audio Adrenaline because they make interesting music that doesn't preach.
Stacie Orrico because she has a modern style that is good to dance to and appeals to teens.