Popular Christian Music

[Harrison]

Okay, before you start stringing me up in town square let me explain myself. I'm a Christian and do in fact play with my youth group band. Now to the point...

I think a lot of the Christian music these days lacks originality or any sense of the fact that work went into these songs. Many of the songs I think are cliche and just the same as all the others. I would think if you were writing music for God you would want to make it better than anything else. And I'm not supporting all these underground Christian hard-core bands, I don't like them either. I just think we should see some more songs that aren't designed for a huge group to sing, those are okay in context, but let's make some original music for God.

[noodle_world]

christian music has a long ways to go. but its finally evolving.

im a sucker for hymms though. u cant get any better then that.

[TheViking]

Originally Posted by Harrison

Okay, before you start stringing me up in town square let me explain myself. I'm a Christian and do in fact play with my youth group band. Now to the point...

awwww you spoil all the fun here, just as I was thinking we needed a good ole string up on the ole town square. hehe

Originally Posted by Harrison

I think a lot of the Christian music these days lacks originality or any sense of the fact that work went into these songs. Many of the songs I think are cliche and just the same as all the others.

I think you are right. But this doesn't apply to just Christian music. Secular music also stagnates and lacks originality. It's just that with secular music, you have way more to chose from. I mean there must be like half a zillion secular labels for every Christian label out there.

Originally Posted by Harrison

I would think if you were writing music for God you would want to make it better than anything else. And I'm not supporting all these underground Christian hard-core bands, I don't like them either. I just think we should see some more songs that aren't designed for a huge group to sing, those are okay in context, but let's make some original music for God.

I am still soooo agreeing with you. If you are doing anything at all for God, why not make it your best? However, there are a lot of factors to this. There is a lot of great Christian music most of all will never hear about mainly due to financial reasons. You do not need money to write good music, you do however need money to publish it, record it and make it known. As any other business the Christian music business is ruled by money. If you invest money, you need to get it back somewhere. This is in fact a bit strange since churches all over the world send missionaries to Africa and Asia, but I still haven't heard about a church who invests the same kind of money in actually hiring musical missionaries for domestic or foreign “markets”. Then again if we do want something new and original, we have to be open to changes. We have to provide a setting in our churches allowing musicians to develop and inspire them to work on their skills and talents. We need to acknowledge songwriters and encourage them as well, and that’s gonna be hard in a lot of churches.

[ravindave_3600]

Let me start by saying I enjoy that instantly recognizable subgenre called "worship" songs. I, too, am a sucker for a good hymn, often more because of their poetic depth than their music.

But I also gave up "Christian music" for a long time simply because the music was unmoving and the lyrics were babyfood. If we can't do something better than late-70s pop, we ought to keep it to ourselves. And if we can't do more than a weak imitation of punk or metal, why bother? Weak hardcore just looks wimpy!

There is some intelligent stuff out there, though. I really like Bill Malonee and Vigilantes of Love (roots rock with no-cliche poetry). Some think Newsboys is past it, but I enjoy their Greatest Hits (no, they DON'T serve breakfast in hell!). And Mr. Kaiser of ol' Rez Band still continues to play music with edge and grit.

Play from your heart. Don't settle for a cheap rhyme. Listen to great whatever. Keep looking. And don't spend all your time on your top-40 Christian radio station. I'm sure they mean well, but....

[bluescube]

I like:

Everyday Sunday
Day of Fire
Fusebox
Rock 'n Roll Worship Circus
Telecast

[Matt Plescher]

In the US culture, we have a very well developed consumer commercial base and large scale of distribution. In order to tap this to make money you need to reach and satisfy a large audience. Doing this generally requires finding the lowest common denominator with a song. You want the song to be accessible immediately and with minimum effort. The Christian labels are owned by the big media companies (BMI etc,) and if you don't produce revenue you get dropped, and the tried and true pop formulas work well to this end. I think that's why you don't see much rise above the level of the pop song of the moment.

The hymns developed in a different environment, moving slowly from church to church and hymnal to hymnal and only the ones that have withstood the test of time are still around. They weren't made with label revenue and deadline pressure.

I would guess only 10-20 of the P&W songs from the last 25 years of the form will be around in 50 years.

Cheers
Matt

[ravindave_3600]

Originally Posted by Matt Plescher

to make money you need to reach and satisfy a large audience. Doing this generally requires finding the lowest common denominator with a song. You want the song to be accessible immediately and with minimum effort.

True. Of course, some (like SCChapman) manage to combine creativity, poetry, and good musicianship. Saying something is "pop" doesn't necessarily mean it's bad (think: Beatles), merely that it tends toward things you've already heard a hundred times.

The hymns developed in a different environment, moving slowly from church to church and hymnal to hymnal and only the ones that have withstood the test of time are still around.

Time is a good way to test for the good stuff! How many Charles Wesleys are out there today?

I would guess only 10-20 of the P&W songs from the last 25 years of the form will be around in 50 years.

That would be an interesting thread..."Which P&W songs have what it takes to be in the hymnal of 2050?"

[BB]

Originally Posted by Harrison

Okay, before you start stringing me up in town square let me explain myself. I'm a Christian and do in fact play with my youth group band. Now to the point...

I think a lot of the Christian music these days lacks originality or any sense of the fact that work went into these songs. Many of the songs I think are cliche and just the same as all the others. I would think if you were writing music for God you would want to make it better than anything else. And I'm not supporting all these underground Christian hard-core bands, I don't like them either. I just think we should see some more songs that aren't designed for a huge group to sing, those are okay in context, but let's make some original music for God.

Boy.... i would have to agree. I understand in one way, yet it still upsets me that most is a copy of what's popular in secular music 2-3 years ago. The U-2ish bent seems to be very popular in todays Christian music. OF course, I feel pretty much the same about popular secular music also.

Now, let me preface this by saying I don't portend to be an expert by any stretch of the imagination. Even though I've been playing for 35 years and made my living for many years playing music, I'm fairly new to playing worship music and the whole contemporary christian music thing. The worship leader tells me to listen to the fm christian staion for songs ideas or to hear what the songs we do actually sound like! I can listen for a little bit, but after a while, I have to turn it off. Thats not to say there aren't some great songs...there are. But, the majority seem to be re-hashed and most of them sound the same.

I enjoy playing with the worship team and lending my meeger talents to help lead the congregation to worship, but sometimes feel the music could be a lot better. Coming from a blues background, the lack of R&B and blues flavored christian music is sad. I'm sure there has to be some good christian music out there.....can anyone point me in the right direction?

[reverbbb]

Originally Posted by BB

Coming from a blues background, the lack of R&B and blues flavored christian music is sad. I'm sure there has to be some good christian music out there.....can anyone point me in the right direction?

What do you think of this sort of bluesy Praise song?

http://home.comcast.net/~rlprivitt/I...ct_My_Love.mp3

[Harrison]

I agree about the hymns. The lyrics are just so good. These days people will settle for a mediocre rhyme that doesn't really get their point across. One thing that really bothers me is when my church takes a hymn and thinks they have to "pep it up" because it's "too boring." But I can't really do anything about that.

[PraiseCaster]

Originally Posted by reverbbb

What do you think of this sort of bluesy Praise song?

http://home.comcast.net/~rlprivitt/I...ct_My_Love.mp3

I dont know about anyone else, but, I LIKE IT!

:D

Now that is some cool blues, and it sounds like its served up with a little Austin style BBQ sauce too boot!

[kihoalu]

Awesome...

[Cindi 500]

Originally Posted by BB

Coming from a blues background, the lack of R&B and blues flavored christian music is sad. I'm sure there has to be some good christian music out there.....can anyone point me in the right direction?

Back in the '90s there was a acoustic guitar playing guy from The Vineyard (Anaheim) named Chris Lizotte who had a number of releases and was most certainly bluesy, poured out his tattered heart into very song, and told life stories through his songs that rivaled the drama of King David and his psalms. I saw him play with a bassist, drummer, and leslie(my first look at a freaky rotating cabinet!)-equipped organist at a cafe in Newport beach sometime in 1995, I think. I had no interest in the blues at the time, so I just listened to his lyrics and kinda "tolerated" the music, but it was nonetheless a very powerful experience from this gifted singer/songwriter. I doubt the Nashville/Word CCM bunch would want to try promoting his kind of stuff to the young Christian masses, it was simply too honest, to brutal for the non-offensive Wonder Bread airways. I don't know if he's still recording, but he might be worth a listen anyhow.

My favorite R&B group(beforeI lost the two CDs of theirs I had...UGGG!) was Spiritual Pieces. Two guys, two girls, a little Ragga rapping and some fabulous singing.

[wilkat1]

Originally Posted by BB

Coming from a blues background, the lack of R&B and blues flavored christian music is sad. I'm sure there has to be some good christian music out there.....can anyone point me in the right direction?

Two incredible albums have been released this year: Universal United House of Prayer by Buddy Miller, and There Will Be A Light by Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama.

In fact, a blues fan should check out the last several albums released by the Blind Boys of Alabama. They are fantastic, and the albums feature guest shots by Harper, David Lindley, Robert Randolph, and other great musicians.

The Fairfield Four have done some absolutely stunning a cappella work - check out "Wreckin' the House," a live album from a church.

[emisilly]

You know, this is a tough one. Hey Harrison...you have guts to post your feelings. this subject always can get a little tricky with some folks. I really cannot agree with you more. I have played for 20 years now. I have only been a Christian for the past 3. So, my musical background is not rooted in The Bill Gaither Trio or Sandi Patti, etc. I was an alternative music guy in the 80's and still am for the most part. I love experimental or "challenging" music. I also deeply love music which is "heavy" in lyrical content, with messages that provoke deep reflection. I dont mean political music, rather music that touches the heart. think maybe Peter Gabriel for example, or David Sylvian. Usually heavy stuff. For years I always dismissed Christian music as a joke. not for its content, but its chessiness. Lets not kid ourselves guys...alot of it has never been better than second-rate REO Speedwagon/Peter Cetara fluff. Now, that being said...I understand you have to make it simple to sell. However, alot of Christians have been VERY closed minded to change , i.e. Christian bands that sound or look "secular" get looked down upon for not being "Christian" enough. What???? We forgot one important and crucial fact....Jesus spent his time mostly with sinners, not the faithful. He turned down no one based on apperance or status. Remeber, lets not just "preach to the choir" here.
There is no point in that when you think about it. Does Kutless or Pillar look like the worship band at your church? Heck no. Are they bathed in the blood of Christ serving him though their musical ministry. You bet!!!! The bottom line is a lot more of our youth will be saved by these bands out there laying it down than what Steve Curtis Chapman will ever do. He's a real gift to the genre, however he is not going to touch many kids who dont already have a relationship with God, thats just a simple fact. Worship music for the most part is wonderful, and it continues to become more diverse and accepting of other influences. I think it can be evidenced when you really look around at how many Christian artists are out there and the number is growing. The influx of more and more youth revival has created a wellspring of Christian bands of every possible musical genre, so thankfully there is a little something for everyone.....even you kid with the weird tatoo and nose ring. I think that is just great! In the end, that pleases God and afterall isn't that the point?

[DADGAD]

There's a lot of angles to this. For one, CCM is pretty commercial and a few "labels" and stations are dictating what is acceptable to play and distribute. I refuse to watch the DOVE awards anymore. When big business controls art, look out. Of three local stations, only one plays decent stuff.

As an alternative, check out Deltawave. Here are unsigned artists that you won't hear elsewhere. There is a LOT of good contemporary talent in this world. That one radio station is playing some great, undiscovered, talent. SoundClick is another resource. Tell your friends to check these folks out.

Hymns are great. I wish more would get dusted off and given new arrangements of their timeless messages. However, "New Song" is mentioned nine times in The Book. "Old Song" is not mentioned once. (If I am wrong on that statistic, please enlighten me.) Perhaps it's you and I that need to make a difference in today's music. With new mercies every morning, there is unlimited inspiration available.

Gary

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[TheViking]

……. What is “Christian Music”?
Ok I mean some of it is obvious. You can hear it immediately by the choice of words, by a certain style or even through direct quotes from the Bible. When I write songs, I don’t sit down and separate what is a “Christian” song and what’s not. I write the music and the lyrics because I feel I have something to say or something to contribute with. Our faith is or should at least be a huge part of who we are, but we are not all faith all the time. We are people who relate to other people. Sometimes I write stuff from my everyday life. Sometimes it is brutally honest and “naked”. We all go through different phases in life and have good and bad experiences. Some days our faith might be strong, other days faith can be a fragile thing.
From time to time I write about these things you know, I might not even mention God or Jesus, I might not quote passage from the Bible or talk about faith by a single word. The principles however are Biblical. Like love, forgiveness and so on. Would you guys view songs like these as “Christian songs”? Or is it a “Christian song” only if we use the typical Christian terms and language.

[ravindave_3600]

Originally Posted by TheViking

…….Some days our faith might be strong, other days faith can be a fragile thing.
From time to time I write about these things you know, I might not even mention God or Jesus, I might not quote passage from the Bible or talk about faith by a single word. The principles however are Biblical. Like love, forgiveness and so on. Would you guys view songs like these as “Christian songs”? Or is it a “Christian song” only if we use the typical Christian terms and language.

So true! My Savior's love informs and purifies my love for my wife. When I sing a love song to her, even without mentioning Him, it gives Him glory.

Again, something like Psalm 88 has little hope, no "feel good" message, and no answers. It's an inspired cry of pain - "You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend." And it's entirely Biblical (even if we're not sure why).

Christian music doesn't need to be sweet. It must be true, reflecting what God does in the heart of one who loves Him.

** Oddly enough, that means that some of the babyfood we've been talking about may be just what some people need. If the average American Christian listens to average American radio, then perhaps we shouldn't criticize them for not being as deep as we are (since we're all so mature in here ) but lovingly encourage them toward deeper reflection. And that's part of what art is about.

[PraiseCaster]

Originally Posted by ravindave_3600

Christian music doesn't need to be sweet. It must be true, reflecting what God does in the heart of one who loves Him.

Some of David's Psalms (songs) are dark:

1) "Oh God, Why hast thaou cast us off for ever? Why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?" (Ps. 74:1)

2) I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs on mine head: they thaqt would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away." (Ps. 69:3-4)

Why not write about those difficult times? As long as there is a reminder in the midst of all this, He is our deliverer, He is the giver of Life, I wouldnt have a problem at all about writing about whats happening in our lives.

So, I dont know why anyone would say: you cant call that a Christain song! it aint all sunshiney, and bubbly! Its too dark!"

[fat paul]

I think most of the modern p&w music is preaching to the converted. There is very little chance of this stuff reaching the unsaved. My wife and I play a little guessing game when a song comes on christian radio, Is it going to be a breathy boy singer, a breathy girl singer or an over ernest guy that sounds constapated?. Generaly fits one of the above catagories

[reverbbb]

Fat Paul:

I think you are correct for the most part. I know that my wife tried desperately to get me to listen to CCM songs for years. I just wrote it off as 'we were different in that way'. But eventually, I began to listen more, especially when the song leader of our church kept begging me to join them on the praise team.

It took me a while, but I started letting down the barriers that I had put up against CCM and modern Praise music. I can easily see that the unreached will be difficult to reach with a lot of the Clear Channel music programming of Christian music stations.

But if you look around a little bit more, you will find that some of it can appeal to the unreached.

I think a lot of the music also attempts to "keep" the youth audience. In other words, many of the youth will stray away from church due to the lack of something they can relate with. There are many attempts at generating music that keeps their attention focused toward living right, yet they can enjoy and relate to the music style.

[fat paul]

Hi Reverbbb
I guess that I just dont like the smugness that is most CCM, I hear a lot of people proclaming that Jesus is everything to them, but I dont see a lot of works. Least you think me preachy on this subject I count myself cheif among those that need to do better serving my fellow man.

[bek]

Harrison, et al -- I agree for the most part. My wife loves P&W, but it lacks what I think of as guts, conviction and individuality. While she prefers those things as well, she still likes standard P&W. When I got started with the Lord I was listening mostly to Andrae Crouch, who was often passionate and powerful. I got used to that and found little I liked otherwise. Many years later, Russ Taff came along and I really liked his first (self-titled) album and the first several Amy Grant albums. Paul's observation about the types of singers mostly heard on radio is dead-on. Most of the stuff I hear on radio either sound like all the other P&W or like they are trying to sound like secular radio. I like Carman's black-gospel approach and I like Jennifer Knapp and some Kaiser/Mansfield, a few others I can't think of now. One of my favorite songs was done by the Band many years back -- Daniel and the Sacred Harp. One of these days I going to get up and just do that song for the congregation.

[tom grossheider]

A good friend now works in A&R for Sony scouting new and fresh Christian artists. Lets see what he comes up with.

[Harrison]

Here's how I view it, TheViking. Music, like language, is a gift from God, music in itself is pure and holy. What makes some of it wrong or sinful are the words people may add to it. Unless it is contradicting God it is praising him because we are using our God given ability in a Godly gift. I haven't written any music that mentions anything about God or Jesus, I want to though, but I want to do it in a tasteful way. I find it's hard to write music that I actually like a lot, because, as the saying goes, my toughest critic is myself.

[ravindave_3600]

Originally Posted by tom grossheider

A good friend now works in A&R for Sony scouting new and fresh Christian artists. Lets see what he comes up with.

I'd love to get his take on this thread. Can you ask him to sit in, Tom?

[wilkat1]

Originally Posted by bek

... and I like Jennifer Knapp ....

Thank you for mentioning her. Jennifer is undoubtedly my favorite of the CCM songwriters and she seems intent upon following her own musical vision. Her songwriting is sometimes brutal in its honesty and passion.

No wonder she's not as popular!

[bek]

I saw her once years ago, touring with DC Talk. She greatly impressed me with her directness. She write what she thinks and sings like she means it. No pretenses, no working at being pretty-sounding, played a Tele. Dang good.

[Reno Sepulveda]

My problem with CCM is how it sounds. Just all hyped up and over produced. Sometimes I think all those obnoxious boy bands spawned back in the late 90's were the result of the success of the Newboys and DC Talk. Some producer took note and said, "man if these guys could dance and sing about sex they'd make gazillions!!!!"

I have to force myself to listen to CCM radio because I play in a praise team but I don't buy any of it. Now some of the songs are really good and I've been in worship settings that were awesome musical and spiritual events. But the way they are recording most of the stuff doesn't appeal to me at all. I like my music to sound more organic.

I like hymns but I hate it when I have to play Amazing Grace to the tune of Peaceful Easy Feeling just because it's Rodeo weekend. I like simple, sparse arrangements that give the people room to sing.

[TheViking]

Hymns and traditional Christian songs usually teach something about who Gods is, who Jesus is or what God has done or can do. To me it looks like some of these songs are the musical way to teach people biblical truths.

More recent Praise & Worship music focuses on giving God praise, or strengthening faith and so on. To me P&W serves a purpose in the congregation joining people in praising God.

Then you have the CCM kind of thing. To me this is more entertainment with a twist of encouraging messages, testimonies and so on. It’s like listening to any kind of country, pop, r&b or rock, but with a message compatible with the Christian faith.

I believe that all three forms serve their purposes. I also believe there are room for all kinds of music in the house of the Lord. This means that it’s up to us to make music we can live with when it comes to style or genre. If you think CCM sucks, sit down and write some new CCM songs that doesn’t. If you think P&W music lacks a dimension, go ahead and add it. If hymns make you fall asleep, write a modern hymn teaching the biblical truths in an everyday language. There isn’t any global Christian music police telling u what you can’t do. There might be some ole geezer in your local congregation who’ll put you down, but you can’t let grumpy people stop you from praising God in your way.

I would like to see one or more of these statements applying to Christian music:
Christian music should:
1) Praise God
2) Spread the good news about salvation.
3) Teach Biblical truths
4) Encourage people in their everyday lives.
5) Entertain people as well as giving them a good message.

[noodle_world]

i started doing secular music couple years ago and i was troubled with it.

my pastor told me at the time. that eventhough the song wasnt about God or any references to it, he still considered it a christian song. because it was written by a christian who walks with the Lord and eventhough i didnt intentionally write the song for His glory, he still gets blessed.

that was major morale booster. with everything from your job to your music, do it for the Glory of God.

[Matt Plescher]

Originally Posted by TheViking

If you think CCM sucks, sit down and write some new CCM songs that doesn’t. If you think P&W music lacks a dimension, go ahead and add it. If hymns make you fall asleep, write a modern hymn teaching the biblical truths in an everyday language. There isn’t any global Christian music police telling u what you can’t do.

You all might find this interesting:
http://www.clba.org/resources/pdfs/O...er_McLaren.pdf

Cheers
Matt

[ravindave_3600]

Originally Posted by TheViking

Hymns and traditional Christian songs usually teach something about who Gods is, who Jesus is or what God has done or can do. To me it looks like some of these songs are the musical way to teach people biblical truths.

More recent Praise & Worship music focuses on giving God praise, or strengthening faith and so on. To me P&W serves a purpose in the congregation joining people in praising God.

Then you have the CCM kind of thing. To me this is more entertainment with a twist of encouraging messages, testimonies and so on. It’s like listening to any kind of country, pop, r&b or rock, but with a message compatible with the Christian faith.

I believe that all three forms serve their purposes. I also believe there are room for all kinds of music in the house of the Lord. This means that it’s up to us to make music we can live with when it comes to style or genre. If you think CCM sucks, sit down and write some new CCM songs that doesn’t. If you think P&W music lacks a dimension, go ahead and add it. If hymns make you fall asleep, write a modern hymn teaching the biblical truths in an everyday language. There isn’t any global Christian music police telling u what you can’t do. There might be some ole geezer in your local congregation who’ll put you down, but you can’t let grumpy people stop you from praising God in your way.

I would like to see one or more of these statements applying to Christian music:
Christian music should:
1) Praise God
2) Spread the good news about salvation.
3) Teach Biblical truths
4) Encourage people in their everyday lives.
5) Entertain people as well as giving them a good message.

Vike, if I ever get to your corner of the world I'm going to shake your hand. You often have great insights, and I appreciate your participation here.

[reverbbb]

Great article Matt. We need not agree with him 100%, but he sure makes us think. He also defines some of the issues in ways that I have not thought of. Definition the scope of the problem is an important step towards a solution.

I will take his comentary to heart and see what I come up with in my own writing style.

It has been suggested that my lyric writing style is of common language and departs mildy from the typical cliche lyrics. In some ways I might agree. In other ways, I feel that I have a long way to go.

[Harrison]

I think some music is definitely non-christian, but I don't think anyone can really put a very strong or definite description on what is "Christian Music." That's like saying there is Christian Language(I'm not refferring to what some people use as an illustration as to how we need to relate more to non-Christians by not talking "Christianese.")

[wilkat1]

I was just reading some of the Buddy Miller lyrics from Universal United House of Prayer last night and realizing that some of those songs are not explicitly "Christian" but are implicitly so. In other words, they are songs of deep personal honesty that grow out of a Christian worldview - which is why they make perfect sense on an explicitly Christian album.

[PraiseCaster]

Originally Posted by wilkat1

...................and realizing that some of those songs are not explicitly "Christian" but are implicitly so. In other words, they are songs of deep personal honesty that grow out of a Christian worldview - which is why they make perfect sense on an explicitly Christian album.

Very well said!

[Reno Sepulveda]

A Dream Like Mine by Bruce Cockburn (and it rocks)

Chorus: When you've got a dream like mine
Nobody can take you down
When you've got a dream like mine
Nobody can push you around

Today I dream of how it used to be
Things were different before
The picture shifts to how it's going to be
Balance restored

When you know even for a moment
That it's your time
Then you can walk with the power
Of a thousand generations

[Chorus]

Beautiful rocks -- beautiful grass
Beautiful soil where they both combine
Beautiful river -- covering sky
Never once thought of possession, but all this was mine

When you know even for a moment
That it's your time
Then you can walk with the power
Of a thousand generations

[Chorus]

See it can be done. It can even be played on secular radio and enjoyed by heathens. Probably won't sell too well at Berean though.

[Ptrallan01]

CCM, P&W, Hymns, Dr. Watts (metered hymns), Anthemns, Chants are all styles of music. The theme makes them Christian. As most of Christianity has been watered down over the last 30 years, so too has our musical focus.This goes beyond record labels and cookie cutter production houses. I think that a good thing for each of us to do would be to review Ephesians 5:18-21 to see the effect that this music should be having on us as believers. We should also understand that music is not the best forum for evangelism but is a portion of the tool set to be used.

Peter

I agree there's a lot of junk out there under the Christian music umbrella -- but let's face it, there's a lot of junk out there under all the umbrellas. Let's just find the good stuff, play it often, tell other musicians about it, and let the cream rise to the top.

We should be bold to experiment with all kinds of styles and have good friends who will tell us the truth about how bad our bad stuff really is. And who will help us sort out the goodies.