Wilco?

[Josh]

Any Wilco fans out there? I just got their new album and really like it a lot (Nate- it has the duet with Feist I mistakenly thought was on the new M Ward album)

The new album is called (the Album). The only other one I have is Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, which I like a lot but don't totally love. This new one, though, is far better imo.

[ryan]

I have heard a couple of tracks from the new album on KINK and have been wanting to check out the rest. Thanks to your glowing review I now have to check it out.

[ryan]

I was much struck recently by Billy Bragg and Wilco's "Airline to Heaven". Are these guys kind of pseudo-Christian artists like U2 or Mr. Mister?

[ryan]

Here are the lyrics to "Airline to Heaven" (sorry if it's a little long)

"Airline To Heaven"

There's an airline plane
Flies to heaven everyday
Past the pearly gates

If you want to ride this train
Have your ticket in your hand
Before it is too late

If the world looks wrong
And your money's spent and gone
And your friend has turned away

You can get away to heaven
On this aeroplane
Just bow your head and pray

Them's got ears, let them hear
Them's got eyes, let them see
Turn your eyes to the lord of the skies

Take this airline plane
It'll take you home again
To your home behind the skies

Well a lot of people guess
Some say no and some say yes
Will it take some and leave some behind?

But you will surely know
When to the airport go
To leave this world behind

Oh a lot of speakers speak
A lot of preachers preach
When you lay their salary on the line

You can hold your head and pray
It's the only earthly way
You can fly to heaven on time
Fly to heaven on time

Them's got ears, let them hear
Them's got eyes, let them see
Turn your eyes to the lord of the skies

Take that airline plane
It'll take you home again
To your home behind the skies

Your ticket you obtain
On this heavenly airline plane
You leave your sins behind

You've got to take this flight
It may be daytime, might be night
But you can't see your way if you're blind

Them's got ears, let them hear
Them's got eyes, let them see
Turn your eyes to the lord of the skies

Take that airline plane
It'll take you home again
To your home behind the skies

[Josh]

pseudo-Christian artists like U2

Hey wait a minute. Why do you consider U2 pseudo-Christian?

[ryan]

They are Christians in a band (not a Christian band) (minus Adam Clayton). Their faith is sometimes present in their music. This is the same with several other high profile secular bands that are composed of Christians: Kings X, Mr. Mister, Midnight Oil, Kansas, and others.

I am not commenting on the devotion or faith of the members of the band, I just don't think of them as a CCM.

[Josh]

Sept 17, 2009 8:00:58 GMT -8 ryan said:

They are Christians in a band (not a Christian band) (minus Adam Clayton). Their faith is sometimes present in their music. This is the same with several other high profile secular bands that are composed of Christians: Kings X, Mr. Mister, Midnight Oil, Kansas, and others.

I am not commenting on the devotion or faith of the members of the band, I just don't think of them as a CCM.

After reading Conversations with Bono, I'm pretty sure Adam has joined the fold now.

OK, this is going to be really nitpicky but, don't you think a persons faith (or lack of it) must always be present in whatever they do?

Just playing hardball here a bit cuz I know you can take it

[Josh]

But back to Wilco, yeah, I don't really know where they are in relation to the Christian faith. Certainly some of their songs fit well with a Christain worldview, but they're not very overt about their beliefs. I haven't heard the song you posted, but it seems more overt than any of their other songs I am familiar with.

[ryan]

I really can't say too much about U2. I used to follow them until they became too political, then I got a little annoyed and really didn't want to hear from Bono, in particular, for a while. (I know that this is blasphemy to a group of die-hard U2 fans, but I am being honest) That said, there have been times where their faith has been very apparent, and others where I was left scratching my head in confusion. (I am sure that there are those who could say the same about me)

I really didn't think of my "pseudo- Christian" comment would raise an eyebrow, but I have grown up putting musicians in two categories: CCM and secular. Occasionally the CCM artist (Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith) would crossover, and occasionally the secular artist would have a Christian message in one or more of their songs. (Collective Soul) Again, I am not denying their faith (though some public and private actions make me question the sincerity of their faith - however that can be said of any believer) I simply do not label them as CCM. Which is perhaps how I should have referred to U2: as a non-CCM artist.