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Published Tuesday 14th September 2010
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Posted by Quick Sketch in Surrey @ 13:31 on Sep 30 2010
I stand by what said. Your first duty is to be entertaining. If you fail at that all you are doing is making a noise. Sing to God's glory in the shower by all means, but on stage, in front of a paying, or invited audience, you had better be exciting, dynamic and creative or you do more harm than good. I've sat through enough Christian arts performances where the performers have mistaken enthusiasm for the message as being sufficient. It isn't. You need a natural, albeit, God given, talent to perform in public. If you don't have it you are just an X-Factor type delusional. Fortunately there are many who do combine ability with an enthusiasm for the faith. They are the ones who do not cause your heart to sink when they say "and here's another song the Lord inspired me to write."
I'm certainly not saying that the arts are not a valid way of sharing the faith, of course they are. I'm also not saying that people shouldn't sit at home and sing and write psalms and poems and stories about the joy they get from their beliefs to their heart's content. Go for it. But - don't inflict them on innocent members of the public unless you are confidant in their quality. If I take a non-Christian friend to see a Christian band, I want at the very least, that they be entertained. They may, or may not, say they agree with the message but if they come away saying "Wow! I enjoyed the show," then the artiste has done their job.
Do you agree?
I stand by what said. Your first duty is to be entertaining. If you fail at that all you are doing is making a noise. Sing to God's glory in the shower by all means, but on stage, in front of a paying, or invited audience, you had better be exciting, dynamic and creative or you do more harm than good. I've sat through enough Christian arts performances where the performers have mistaken enthusiasm for the message as being sufficient. It isn't. You need a natural, albeit, God given, talent to perform in public. If you don't have it you are just an X-Factor type delusional. Fortunately there are many who do combine ability with an enthusiasm for the faith. They are the ones who do not cause your heart to sink when they say "and here's another song the Lord inspired me to write."
I'm certainly not saying that the arts are not a valid way of sharing the faith, of course they are. I'm also not saying that people shouldn't sit at home and sing and write psalms and poems and stories about the joy they get from their beliefs to their heart's content. Go for it. But - don't inflict them on innocent members of the public unless you are confidant in their quality. If I take a non-Christian friend to see a Christian band, I want at the very least, that they be entertained. They may, or may not, say they agree with the message but if they come away saying "Wow! I enjoyed the show," then the artiste has done their job.
Do you agree?
Reply by Dave Brackenridge in Glasgow @ 16:13 on Oct 5 2010
Of Coarse I agree that you need to be entertaining. We have a platinum selling musician in the band and our drummer has endorsments based on his quality. When we play we get a great response. We have sold many albums and get several possitive fan messages every day. However we give God the Glory for that. People wont listen if you arent good. However that does not take away from the fact that the message is THE most important thing and the reason we do what we do. If we had no message we would not do it.
On that basis I totally disagree with your "rant" and feel it was totally un merited.
If we had 100 quality bands with Christians in them but no message nothing would be achieved.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, all though there are ways to put it accross especially as Christians, However my opinion is that the message is paramount and we are proud to speak it and sing it as much as God allows us to.
Your second comment was put accross a bit better in my opinion. I beleive it is extremely important that when you represent God you have quality. I do beleive that that is secondary to the message however.
I hope if you listen to the tracks you will see where we are coming from.
God Bless
Of Coarse I agree that you need to be entertaining. We have a platinum selling musician in the band and our drummer has endorsments based on his quality. When we play we get a great response. We have sold many albums and get several possitive fan messages every day. However we give God the Glory for that. People wont listen if you arent good. However that does not take away from the fact that the message is THE most important thing and the reason we do what we do. If we had no message we would not do it.
On that basis I totally disagree with your "rant" and feel it was totally un merited.
If we had 100 quality bands with Christians in them but no message nothing would be achieved.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, all though there are ways to put it accross especially as Christians, However my opinion is that the message is paramount and we are proud to speak it and sing it as much as God allows us to.
Your second comment was put accross a bit better in my opinion. I beleive it is extremely important that when you represent God you have quality. I do beleive that that is secondary to the message however.
I hope if you listen to the tracks you will see where we are coming from.
God Bless
Posted by Paul Loader in Bristol @ 09:43 on Sep 30 2010
If my review caused you any offense or discouragement I really do apologise as this really was not my intention. As you will see by my review rating I felt that as a debut the album has merit and for the most part it was a solid and enjoyable offering with a fantastic message. However; I feel I must respond to your two main comments. Firstly I did not in anyway criticise your singing ( a singer myself I would never be that churlish or hurtful) I simply meant that at times the ‘style’ of your singing felt a little at odds with the heavy rock backing. The second point was more serious in its making. I agree with you whole heartedly when you say that we should never apologise for our faith. I also agree that sometimes we can be subtle to the point of ‘hiding’. My point was not the actual message content but the language used. At times the words that you used were very much ‘traditional church’ language and at moments I felt (and this is purely a personal opinion) that words and sentences were ‘made’ to fit for the sake of the message at the expense of the song. I was once chastised for doing the same thing myself by a producer who accused me of writing ‘bad English’. He made me write many of my lines again keeping the flow of the language I was using in mind and the songs were so much better for it and the message even more powerful. In terms of my comment about the studio I actually meant that your songs had so much going for them that a really experienced producer could have brought that out even more, as I said I have had personal experience of this myself. Please believe me when I say that I have much respect for your ministry and your heart for sharing the gospel and would hate to feel that my words have discouraged you in anyway.
If my review caused you any offense or discouragement I really do apologise as this really was not my intention. As you will see by my review rating I felt that as a debut the album has merit and for the most part it was a solid and enjoyable offering with a fantastic message. However; I feel I must respond to your two main comments. Firstly I did not in anyway criticise your singing ( a singer myself I would never be that churlish or hurtful) I simply meant that at times the ‘style’ of your singing felt a little at odds with the heavy rock backing. The second point was more serious in its making. I agree with you whole heartedly when you say that we should never apologise for our faith. I also agree that sometimes we can be subtle to the point of ‘hiding’. My point was not the actual message content but the language used. At times the words that you used were very much ‘traditional church’ language and at moments I felt (and this is purely a personal opinion) that words and sentences were ‘made’ to fit for the sake of the message at the expense of the song. I was once chastised for doing the same thing myself by a producer who accused me of writing ‘bad English’. He made me write many of my lines again keeping the flow of the language I was using in mind and the songs were so much better for it and the message even more powerful. In terms of my comment about the studio I actually meant that your songs had so much going for them that a really experienced producer could have brought that out even more, as I said I have had personal experience of this myself. Please believe me when I say that I have much respect for your ministry and your heart for sharing the gospel and would hate to feel that my words have discouraged you in anyway.
Posted by Gary Wilson in Isle of Skye @ 18:29 on Sep 25 2010
Royal Foundlings album is a wonderful album by a group of guys who are passionate about Jesus and spreading the word of God through the gifts God has given them. Foundations is a great mix of Rock, Ballad and Worship style songs, for me that is the great strength of this album. Having heard Royal Foundlings live there is no doubting what these guys stand for and that is so refreshing in comparison to some other christian artists who seem to hide their light under a bushel. I highly recommend listening to Foundations and pray that this will be used in part to bring many people back to the foundations of their faith. Let the Uk flourish through the preaching of the Word and the praising of His name. Thank you Royal Foundlings. keep on keeping on.
Royal Foundlings album is a wonderful album by a group of guys who are passionate about Jesus and spreading the word of God through the gifts God has given them. Foundations is a great mix of Rock, Ballad and Worship style songs, for me that is the great strength of this album. Having heard Royal Foundlings live there is no doubting what these guys stand for and that is so refreshing in comparison to some other christian artists who seem to hide their light under a bushel. I highly recommend listening to Foundations and pray that this will be used in part to bring many people back to the foundations of their faith. Let the Uk flourish through the preaching of the Word and the praising of His name. Thank you Royal Foundlings. keep on keeping on.
Posted by Steph Macleod in Edinbuegh @ 13:13 on Sep 25 2010
I think its a fair yet critical review. I love the album. I know Dave and he loves the Lord with every fibre of his being. I'm sure the rest of the band stand with him.
I will reply to QS's comments separately.
S.
I think its a fair yet critical review. I love the album. I know Dave and he loves the Lord with every fibre of his being. I'm sure the rest of the band stand with him.
I will reply to QS's comments separately.
S.
Posted by QS in Surrey @ 10:58 on Sep 21 2010
Oh, don't get me started.
The biggest mistake a Christian band, theatre company, dance troupe etc can make is to think they exist to spread the Gospel. Rubbish. You exist for many reasons, chief among which is you enjoy it. Communicating the joy you get from performing supersedes any message you are trying to make your audience aware of. Your first responsibility is to be entertaining otherwise why not simply preach the good news? An evangelist is demonstrably the most efficient way of gaining converts. How many people can honestly say a song led them to Christ?
You might, for example, declare yourself a Christian plumber. Your plumbing is as good (you hope) as the best secular plumber but if you wish to proselytise then it is your attitude and integrity that counts. Scratching Jesus Loves You on some copper piping is unlikely to be affective. Equally, as a Christian band, it is your attitude, integrity and, yes, ability that really counts. Rhyming Glory with The Old Old Story or whatever is less important than taking joy and pleasure from performing. By all means sing about what is important to you but don't think that what you sing is anywhere near as important as how you sing it. If you fail to entertain then any message you might want to share will not be heard.
Rant over.
Oh, don't get me started.
The biggest mistake a Christian band, theatre company, dance troupe etc can make is to think they exist to spread the Gospel. Rubbish. You exist for many reasons, chief among which is you enjoy it. Communicating the joy you get from performing supersedes any message you are trying to make your audience aware of. Your first responsibility is to be entertaining otherwise why not simply preach the good news? An evangelist is demonstrably the most efficient way of gaining converts. How many people can honestly say a song led them to Christ?
You might, for example, declare yourself a Christian plumber. Your plumbing is as good (you hope) as the best secular plumber but if you wish to proselytise then it is your attitude and integrity that counts. Scratching Jesus Loves You on some copper piping is unlikely to be affective. Equally, as a Christian band, it is your attitude, integrity and, yes, ability that really counts. Rhyming Glory with The Old Old Story or whatever is less important than taking joy and pleasure from performing. By all means sing about what is important to you but don't think that what you sing is anywhere near as important as how you sing it. If you fail to entertain then any message you might want to share will not be heard.
Rant over.
Reply by Dave Brackenridge in Scotland @ 16:13 on Sep 25 2010
Sorry my friend. You could not be more wrong.
Sorry my friend. You could not be more wrong.
Reply by Steph Macleod in Edinburgh @ 13:44 on Sep 25 2010
I am sorry but I think your comment borders on the ridiculous not to mention potentially damaging to anyone who has a music ministry. Music, as it's own language, can break barriers, revive, uplift, and restore people's hope! To say that we should not be driven by our passion to spread the love of Christ is absolutely tragic. Have you never sang a worship song at Church, or anywhere, regardless of the quality, that reassured you of God's grace and love? Your comment stating that personal satisfaction with your performance is more important than the message in your music is, in my opinion, "rubbish"! I am a singer/songwriter and my songs are about the massive impact Jesus has had on my life. I'm afraid the analogy about the Christian plumber just doesn't make any sense! Plumbing is not a form of communication. To say that lyrics, or any other form of writing or composition, is less important than enjoying performance is idiocy. If that were true then the Bible would be irrelevant because, as you state, it's the attitude, integrity, and ability of the writer, that is important and not the message itself. To say that God can't humble the heart of the soul through music or song is limiting His power. If that were true then what's the point of being a worship leader, a Christian Songwriter, or a Christian author? Why even bother with websites like Cross Rhythms? As you said, if people want to preach the Gospel they have to preach it. But why must that be the only way? I've seen people come to know the Lord at concerts and gigs. God can speak to anyone in anyway he chooses. It might be through song, preaching, an act of kindness, love, or, and this is relevant for me, save someone from certain death. I am sorry you felt the need to rant about music's inability to reach out and bring people closer to Christ. Dave and the Royal Foundlings write, perform, and record in order to honour God and His Kingdom. I can't see anything wrong with that.
I am sorry but I think your comment borders on the ridiculous not to mention potentially damaging to anyone who has a music ministry. Music, as it's own language, can break barriers, revive, uplift, and restore people's hope! To say that we should not be driven by our passion to spread the love of Christ is absolutely tragic. Have you never sang a worship song at Church, or anywhere, regardless of the quality, that reassured you of God's grace and love? Your comment stating that personal satisfaction with your performance is more important than the message in your music is, in my opinion, "rubbish"! I am a singer/songwriter and my songs are about the massive impact Jesus has had on my life. I'm afraid the analogy about the Christian plumber just doesn't make any sense! Plumbing is not a form of communication. To say that lyrics, or any other form of writing or composition, is less important than enjoying performance is idiocy. If that were true then the Bible would be irrelevant because, as you state, it's the attitude, integrity, and ability of the writer, that is important and not the message itself. To say that God can't humble the heart of the soul through music or song is limiting His power. If that were true then what's the point of being a worship leader, a Christian Songwriter, or a Christian author? Why even bother with websites like Cross Rhythms? As you said, if people want to preach the Gospel they have to preach it. But why must that be the only way? I've seen people come to know the Lord at concerts and gigs. God can speak to anyone in anyway he chooses. It might be through song, preaching, an act of kindness, love, or, and this is relevant for me, save someone from certain death. I am sorry you felt the need to rant about music's inability to reach out and bring people closer to Christ. Dave and the Royal Foundlings write, perform, and record in order to honour God and His Kingdom. I can't see anything wrong with that.
Posted by Dave Brackenridge in Glasgow @ 10:14 on Sep 17 2010
Royal Foundlings are a band that exist to spread the Gospel. We are not rich and therfore recorded the album ouirselves at home. We agree with most of this review. It would have been great to have been able to record in a top class studio with a great producer. Also I agree that I am not the best vocalist in the world. The one thing however that I do dissagree with is the opinion that our Gospel message is forced. We exist for one reason only. That is to spread the Salvation message through music. We will never make an appology for that. I have noticed that even Christians have been tricked into thinking we cant really talk about God or that is uncool to do so. Lets be subtle and people might notice. A warrior wouldnt go into battle with a Blunt sword and we wouldnt go into the world with a watered Down Message.
We love Jesus! and we want the world to know it.
Royal Foundlings are a band that exist to spread the Gospel. We are not rich and therfore recorded the album ouirselves at home. We agree with most of this review. It would have been great to have been able to record in a top class studio with a great producer. Also I agree that I am not the best vocalist in the world. The one thing however that I do dissagree with is the opinion that our Gospel message is forced. We exist for one reason only. That is to spread the Salvation message through music. We will never make an appology for that. I have noticed that even Christians have been tricked into thinking we cant really talk about God or that is uncool to do so. Lets be subtle and people might notice. A warrior wouldnt go into battle with a Blunt sword and we wouldnt go into the world with a watered Down Message.
We love Jesus! and we want the world to know it.
Posted by John Harding in Austin, TX @ 02:24 on Aug 10 2010
Great album!!!! Big improvement on the EP! Keep up the good work.
Great album!!!! Big improvement on the EP! Keep up the good work.
The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.
I played in a well known punk band and that band was mediocre in ability but had a strong message and the shows were anything but dull. a christian friend of mine told me strive for exellence but just remember if god can use an ass to carry out his work( balams ass) he can use you!! go on the rfoundlings.