Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Underground Music Spotlight: brave Saint Saturn

As some of you have noted, I like music. In fact, I like it so much that I link to some of my favorite artists on my obscenely long sidebar. Now, I do not have any sort of a rule that the music I listen to must be Christian, but by and large, that's what it is. Christian. The only reason for this that I can think of is that I prefer my music to be clean, and I have a rather hard time finding clean music that isn't religious in nature. Not that that bothers me...

That's why my Underground Music Spotlight for this [insert period of time] is such an enigma to me. Indeed, brave Saint Saturn is one of the most intelligent and overtly Christian bands I have found, and they also are one of the most controversial.

Headed by the inordinately talented Reese Roper and composed of several other former members of the ska legend Five Iron Frenzy, BS2 has only released two albums, and does little if any touring. The reason for this? Well, they're really just a studio project, and they use so many unorthodox effects in their music (such as synths and xylophones) that it's easier just to record their music and sell it.

And please don't look at me like that. Yes, I did say they use synths and xylophones... and it sounds great! Don't take my word for it though... check out this (most likely fake) MySpace where you can listen to four songs from their latest album, The Light of Things Hoped For. What does it sound like? Well... I think the most apt description comes from the band itself; they often say their genre is "Astro rock" or "space pop"; fair enough, since both of their previous albums and their upcoming one follow the crew of the USS Gloria on its voyage through space. Creative use of previously mentioned unorthodox instruments helps communicate the feeling of the utter loneliness and desolation of space as well...

So, besides the unusual sound, what makes BS2 so controversial? Well, no one can be quite sure, but it most likely has something to do with the fact that this Christian band's most recent album was censored by Tooth and Nail Records, the Christian label who produced it.

I saw that double-take. But please, let me explain:

On the entire album, three words were censored. Twice, the word "H*ll," and once "P*ss." But wait, I can explain! Two of the words were used on the song "Heart Still Beats," one of the most jarring yet profound songs I have ever listened to. It was written about the pain and suffering of so many around us, from the strung-out harlot to the ex-convict with a grudge against the world, and the life that remains in them even when we choose to ignore it. In the second verse, the song speaks of an ex-convict answering the door:

He always looks P***ed off//
And his sunglasses stay on//
I think he got his biceps and tattoos while in prison//
And it doesn't seem to bother him//
When he says "go to H***"//

Harsh, and maybe a little crass? I think it paints a picture of the individual that could not be adequately portrayed otherwise. And why is "H***" considered a curseword anyway? I can understand why every other word is considered obscene, but why "H***?" Either way, it was censored on the cd.

The other instance of censorship comes in the song titled "Enamel." I have no good excuse for it, except that it was used as a literary device which even some of the great Christian authors recognize as legitimate.

The uncensored versions of their songs can be found here.

Controversy notwithstanding, BS2's lyrics are very nearly beyond compare. Consider the song "Under Bridges" from their first album "So Far from Home":

Verse 1:
Yesterday while walking//
Beneath an overpass//
I saw the figure of Jesus//
Standing barefoot on broken glass//
His beard was greying//
The smell of urine filled the air//
Asking if I had some change//
Anything that I could spare//

Bridge:
And all have hated//
Crucified, and walked away//
The Savior of the prostitutes//
Drunkards, rapists and the gays//

Of course, not every song is about this sort of thing, but it's always a breath of fresh air to find a Christian band that is not afraid to deal with real life issues that are too often ignored by the Church.

In conclusion, BS2 is a refreshing change from just about everything you thought you knew about Christian music. With compelling lyrics and a musical style that is... rather memorable... Brave Saint Saturn's newest album is the crown jewel of my cd collection. This underground side project with a mere two albums has succeeded in impressing me more than the vast majority of mainstream Christian artists, and I highly recommend that you check them out!

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6 Comments:

At Tue Apr 25, 09:45:00 PM, Blogger nate said...

You're musical tastes are very similar to mine (although horns have absolutely no place in rock music :P). I think that the Christian industry throws way to big a hissy-fit over words. A few years ago a hardcore Christian band called Blindside caught a lot of flack for using the word "d***ed" even though they used it in the context of condemnation, which is perfectly fine. Anyway, I haven't checked out BSS yet, but probably will sometime soon.

 
At Fri Apr 28, 01:54:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It is true that we are to refrain from "coarse jesting", and currently accepted standards of decency and decorum should be observed by thoughtful Christians.
That being said, the level of expressive slang used in these songs is simply a part of the modern vernacular. I think that people who are offended by the lyrics in these songs probably would have taken offense at the mannerisms of the apostles as well. Fishermen, tentmakers, and carpenters are often passionately expressive.
The same people who are offended at things like this seem to be the folks who most often miss the central message. Love your neighbors as you love yourself.
Two thumbs up for BSS!

 
At Mon May 01, 12:08:00 PM, Blogger Toad734 said...

Why is any word labeled as bad?

Its just a word.

 
At Thu May 11, 03:48:00 PM, Blogger Toad734 said...

So when are you going to start listening to Thrice; they are Christian.

 
At Thu May 11, 11:46:00 PM, Blogger jacob.thrasher said...

Ya know, I've only heard their name a few times... I'll check them out. Do you like them?

 
At Thu Nov 26, 06:40:00 AM, Blogger George said...

Hi,

Thanks for sharing the useful information.

Starting a competiton is a great way to start compiling the beginnings of your best indie bands email list. List all of your friends/family/anyone else that you want to include and their email addresses and compile them all into one mailing group. Send out an email outlining the competition and be ready for the suggestions to come flooding in.

 

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