From the time I was born until about 1989 I primarily listened to my parents’ records of Christian stuff from the 60’s-80’s - Steve Camp, Dallas Holm, The Archers, etc. In the early 90’s when I was developing a musical identity apart from my parents, I discovered Metallica, which really reflected the inner energy I had as a junior high boy - sometimes I just had to get outside and chop a bunch of wood or something just to get that energy out. Grunge happened for a bit (Nirvana, Veruca Salt, Stone Temple Pilots, Silverchair), then in high school everything was punk rock - NOFX, Bad Religion, Vandals, etc. I developed a bit of a “if it’s on the radio it sucks” mentality, which was more rooted in my pride and wanting to be cool than the actual quality of the music. Later in college I got a few lectures on pride from some spiritual mentors and I began to enjoy other genres - heavier stuff such as hardcore, with some other random things thrown in such as Sarah Maclaughlin, Weezer, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Sigur Ros, and more recently Feist and Imogen Heap. And believe it or not, in the last year or so I’ve actually been enjoying a lot of top 40 stuff as well.

A little sidenote on the pop stuff - as worship leaders, while we should strive to stay original and different from the norm, we also have to approach our congregations where they are at. 80% of them listen to top 40 radio, if they listen to music at all. There’s a ton of good stuff to be found in the pop and even shudder the country music world! I’m so grateful to my wife for pushing me on this. Don’t get so prideful and self centered that you ignore good music that the rest of your congregation is identifying with, like I did. Go listen to some Timbaland stuff and see what you think.

Anyway, here are a few albums that have influenced me over the years:

Steve Camp - “After God’s Own Heart” - From 1985, a lot of really intense theology and some great (for the 80’s) energetic epic music. This was the first album I really connected with after I was saved, and helped to build a lot of convictions in my life. Many of these songs’s lyrics still come to my mind in pressure situations.

Veruca Salt - “American Thighs” - two lead vocalists, interesting harmonies, and incredible melodies, with a raw garage band quality. This was around the junior high/early high school introverted yet full of energy faze of my life, and I think a lot of these songs really reflect that aspect of my life.

Smashing Pumpkins - “Siamese Dream” - I love this album for the distortion and thick layered guitars. Especially on “Rocket.” “Cherub Rock” has some amazing energy. Another inner rage “expression.”

Toad The Wet Sprocket - “Dulcinea” - I love this album for Glen Philips’ melodies. “Fly From Heaven” has a great melody and the guitar tone is incredible. “Crowing” and “Something’s Always Wrong” are the other two standout tracks on this cd.

Killswitch Engage - “Alive Or Just Breathing” - A secular band, but with spiritual overtones - metalcore, quite heavy, with an interesting combination of screaming vocals with melodic choruses. My favorite aspect of this album is the desperate energy - there’s a sense of urgency that is communicated, basically a “what are you doing with this life - does your life count?” type of thing. Favorite tracks are “My Last Serenade” and “Rise Inside.”

Skillet - “Ardent Worship” - I saw Skillet live right around this time. John Cooper’s ability to draw his audience in from the first note of the first song blew me away. This was a turning point in my stage presence, worship song arrangements and overall stage setup for my worship teams. “Angels Fall Down” live was absolutely incredible. I like the use of semi-instrumental tracks on this CD to facilitate contemplation as well as build energy, such as on “We’re Thirsty” and the instrumental in the middle of “Sing To The Lord.”