You’re A Storm. So Emotional.

Most of my favorite bands follow a certain profile. They’re usually introduced to me by a friend, and I most always hate them at first. My love for a band that’s destined to become a favorite is grown slow. The Black Angels are no exception. When you first listen to them, it’s easy to dismiss them as cliché, or regurgitated. More than likely, you’ll compare them to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club or even The Doors, and maybe some variation between. The droning vibe of a 70s band combined with political, as well as emotional lyrics. The Black Angels, in my opinion, are history repeating itself. But I’ll get to that.

Slow, You Kept Me In That Storm

Unlike B.R.M.C., The Black Angels are relentless. Their songs are continuous thunderclaps of intense musical beauty. It may take you awhile, but you’ll soon find yourself caught up in the psychedelic spiritual wonder that comprise Passover. And Christian or not, this band drives me into spiritual awakenings. The crushing bass, the droning machine, the reverb…it’s all about the vibe, man. In the vein of Brian Jonestown Massacre, B.R.M.C., The Black Keys, The Warlocks, The Black Angels can’t help but grab you by the balls and convince you that yes, there is something wrong with the world. And yes, it is our job to do something about it.

They’re the frigging Pied Piper of Hamelin. They’re trying to lead us away from hell. A hell we’ve made for ourselves here on earth. Which brings me to my last point.

And You Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill. Anything You Want.

Last night was the second time I’ve had the pleasure, nay, the joy of seeing this band live in concert. Their music was permeating. It seeps into your skin and bones like a warm blanket. The way the music moves through the crowd both ignites and binds it together. It’s a church service for sinners.

Earlier in the post, I talked about how I thought The Black Angels, and thereby their music, was history repeating itself. Whether we want to admit it or not, the circumstances that gave rise to the Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jimi Hendrix and subsequently, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and so on and so forth has given rise to bands like The Black Angels. We’re on the brink of another Vietnam. And people are taking notice. Despite their niche style, The Black Angels have proved that they have drawing power. Every concert I’ve ever seen them play at has increasingly become more crowded. And despite the psychedelic stream that is imbibed in their music, their popularity has somehow touched on a more universal stream of various sects within the populace.

If it’s absolutely necessary that I tie my love for this band to Christianity, or spirituality in general, then let me say this. There is nothing about this band that is, in any way, overtly Christian. But they frigging move me. I can’t say that about most Christian music, even the most modern. There is a spiritual hunger contained within The Black Angels’ music that isn’t seen within the music of our own faith.

And that’s sad, I’m not going to lie about it.

I’ll leave you with the lyrics from their song, The First Vietnamese War and a simple request: just give them a chance.

You gave a gift to me
In my young age
You sent me oversea
And put the fear in me
And I ask what for now
Why me, why war?
And I ask what for now
Vietnam War?
Spend my time there by the shore

Oh we got off that boat
Charlies everywhere
A lotta killin’ and dyin’
And no one seems to care
I ask what for now
We say hell no
And I ask what for
Why me, why war?
And I spend my time there by the shore

Sixty thousand men died
While you were here
You came into our homes
And you took our kids
And you ask for more now
For this new war
And you ask for more now
Vietnam War
I spend my time there by the shore

Christian Culture Gestapo

I like to call them the CCG for short. The CCG is head up (honorarily, of course) by James Dobson, Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. These guys will tell you that rock music is an open door for demons to pass into your children, or that rock albums are really satanic spells, etc etc. I know this because my parents listened to the CCG triad and immediately applied everything they said to my life.

I don’t know what law was passed that legitimized the ordination of the CCG. Most die-hard Christians would point to John 17:14-15, where Jesus is praying for his followers, both in the present and the future:

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the evil one.

Most Christians view that verse as we should segregate ourselves from everything secular, when in reality, Jesus didn’t mean that at all. Look how Jesus lived. Look who hated him. The only people that hated Jesus in his day were the religious leaders. The Dobson’s, the Robertson’s, the Falwell’s of his day. Jesus’ friends? Whores, the IRS, the poor–these people came to Jesus and he changed their life. I don’t see the Church doing that in this day and age. Christians today are not accessible. We’re viewed as snobbish, egotistical hypocrites. Good job, CCG. Thanks for the Right-Wing as we know it.

Jesus Went To A Sigur Ros Concert

I’ve gotta tell you, the first time I heard Sigur Rós, I cried. I prayed. I felt like the Prodigal Son. Never had I heard music like that. And honestly, a lot of people aren’t going to get it. A lot of people aren’t going to see what I see.

I could probably make the assumption that if you’re reading this, you fall somewhere in between the lines of:

1. You’re a Christian and this whole discussion is appalling you.
2. You’re a Christian and this whole discussion is connecting with you.
3. You’re not a Christian and you’re curious what idiot Christians have to say

So let’s say that I’m writing this article for the benefit of Group 1. If you went out and did your own research, you would find that the lead singer of Sigur Rós is gay and blind in one eye. You would discover that they’re from Iceland, and all their songs are sung in either Icelandic or a made up language called “Hopelandic,” invented by the half-blinded homosexual singer.

I can just hear the arguments now: a made-up language? He could be reciting satanic spells! He could be cursing us with homosexuality!

And for all of you non-Christians out there, this scenario is real. A lot of Fundamentalist Christians do say that. This is an actual fear.

What I Really Meant

Maybe this whole time, I haven’t really been talking about the Spirituality of Sigur Rós, but rather, talking about fundamentalist spirituality–which isn’t really spirituality at all. Twila Paris and her 45th variation of a contemporary Christian song isn’t going to be what draws people to God. TBN isn’t going to do it. Benny Hinn isn’t going to do it.

At some point in the game, we’ve lost touch. Instead of digging deep inside of ourselves for the creativity to describe God as a living breathing thing, I am stuck making a metaphor. God is like a Sigur Rós song in all of its complexity, emotion, feeling, hope, thankfulness and wonder. I mentioned before that some of you aren’t going to understand this band or this music, but I think it’s safe to say that if you’re a spiritual person, you will.

We can’t describe love. We can’t describe hope. We can’t even describe faith. But music makes it possible for us to feel these things. And the more we feel these things, the more we can begin to understand them.

If you’re a Christian and you’re denying yourself the exposure to music like Sigur Rós or Joseph Arthur or any band that makes you feel, then it’s time to reconsider. Such a sheltered existence will most undeniably lead to lack of air. If God is nothing more than a list of rules to you, what are you accomplishing?

I can’t help but think that if Jesus were alive in this day and age, that he would not only buy Sigur Rós tickets, but that he would take you as well. He would tell you over and over again how this band would blow your mind. You might be disturbed by the fact that you don’t know what they’re saying. You might whisper in his ear that the lead singer is gay and homosexuality is against God’s laws.

I think he would just smile, put his finger to his lips and say: listen.