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Editorial:
Minority Report
Anna Rankin
Comment:
Racism in Ulster: Up-front and Ugly
Ken Newell
From
the Director: Naming Our Sin
David W Porter
Faith
in Ulster: Facing Up to Diversity
Stephen Skuce
Faith
and Practice
Walter Lewis
Interview
with Rose Ozo: Where the Heart Is
Anna Rankin
Craigavon:
Religious Liberty in the Shadow of Drumcree
Small Steps
Tim Foley
Embracing the Stranger
Richard Kerr
Review:
On Eagle's Wing
Ethel White
Review:
Conflict, Controversy and Co-operation
John W Morrow
Review:
The Subversive Manifesto
John Kyle
Review:
L is for Lifestyle
Claire Martin
Review:
It Will Not Be Taken Away From Her
Cary Gibson
Review:
Prophetic Untimeliness: A Challenge to the Idol of Relevance
Paul Rankin
Review:
Two Little Boys
John Gillespie
Review:
Son
David Smith
REVIEW:
Son
by Andy Flannagan
reviewed by David Smith
FOR SOMEONE who often feels like he resides on the fringes of Christian sub-culture, I was somewhat cautious when asked to put down my thoughts about Andy Flannagan’s new album, Son. My music collection – which I like to think of as, at worst, eclectic in taste, and, at best, encyclopaedic as far as good music is concerned (“who doesn’t?” you may say) – rarely strays into the ‘mainstream Christian’ bracket, I have therefore found myself questioning my ability to review an album that would sit most comfortably in the ‘Modern Worship’ section of a Christian Bookshop.
In saying that I am largely ignorant about Christian music does not mean that I’m openminded. I have to confess that, based on years of hopes raised then cruelly dashed, I am somewhat cynical towards most music coming from Christian sub-culture into the world of music at large.
So, now that you know all my secrets, I have to say that Son has so far been unable to change my gut feeling about most Christian popular music. As with so much Christian music it lacks that ‘x-factor’. For want of a better explanation, most tracks on Sonlack ‘the edge’ that most successful secular music bases itself on.
Of course my opinion is just that, my opinion, any critic can only bring themselves to the production or piece that they are reviewing. I’m sure that an ardent Andy Flanna-fan (sorry, I couldn’t resist the cheesiness) will be happy with this, his latest offering.
In fairness to the album, its standing is definitely raised by three tracks which come nearer to that euphemistic ‘edge’ I mentioned above than many other songs from Christian artists. ‘Talk All Night,’ the first track, is an upbeat love/worship song that is thoroughly sing-a-long-able and shows a genuine musical creativity. Both ‘Stop’ and ‘Arms’ meanwhile use strong lyrics to raise the issue of justice for the poor of the world and the responsibility of love that we have towards others. I particularly like the line, “Now we’ll give you food, we’re the generous ones, but only if you buy our rockets and guns.”
Essentially, Son is a great worship album. Most of the tracks are the kind that a slightly progressive church would consider using in an alternative worship service. They’re also the kind of songs that would go well with audiovisual presentations in contemplative sessions, particularly as this album comes with CD-Rom bonus material for the creative worship leader which includes: sheet music for all the songs on the album; videos to “Open Arms” and “Stop”; Powerpoint mock-ups and cell group outlines.
But what’s my bottom line? If you’re looking for a new worship resource for your cell group or for an alternative service, Son would be worth checking-out. However, if you’re hoping against hope for a new album by a Christian artist that can happily rub shoulders with the best of secular music, I’m afraid the search goes on.
DAVID SMITH is Project Officer for “Preparing Youth for Peace,” a project of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and is a contributing member of Zero28.
SON
Andy Flannagan
Distribution: ICC Records and Wesley Owen
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