Tenth Avenue North and Self-conscious Rock Bands

Amidst the glut of mediocrity that goes under the heading of Contemporary Christian Music, there aren't many voices that blend raw honesty and real talent. (I know I say that a lot, but it's true: usually you have to pick one or the other.)

Tenth Avenue North is one of those voices.

I need Your strength to feel this weak
I need Your touch to fill my need
I need Your strong hands to carry me
Take me, break me, set me free...

I think the best way to describe Tenth Avenue North is as a less self-conscious version of Kutless. I don't know about you, but in every Kutless song I seem to hear them saying "We're Kutless! This is our sound! Don't you like it... don't you like it?!"

Frankly, that's annoying, and, I think, juvenile.

It's refreshing to hear a band that isn't so interested in their own stardom and just wants to share truth and encourage others. Vocalist Mike Donehey's statement about the band's purpose is worth quoting at length:

At present,
We're just trying to find our way in the Christian music industry
"dodging traffic at the intersection of art, faith, and commerce,"
as Jon Foreman once put it.
We all come from church backgrounds and families, and therefore,
are not satisfied saying the same old things in the same old ways.
What we're hoping for with this music that we're making is to not just entertain people.
I think it's safe to say that we already have plenty of that.
What we're wanting is to see people encounter truth.
Remember, we all worked at a church for some time,
and there we saw plenty of emotion. We saw plenty of people having a good time,
but it wasn't long until we realized that if emotion isn't being evoked by truth,
well, then it just doesn't last. And we want this love in hearts to last.
I guess you could say we're done just trying to get emotional from blast beats
and hip guitar lyrics. Instead, we desire to be cut to the heart.
To be honest, genuine, and faithful to what we believe is truth.

Nobody said it would be easy,
but if easy isn't true, then who wants it?

The songs are passionate, honest, and artistic, with clean, strong melodies and solid instrumentation. These guys can rock the house ("Break Me Down"), but they also aren't afraid to do some quieter songs ("Times"). They have a vision for the Kingdom alive here and now, ("Love Is Here") and a burden for the purity of the Church ("Beloved").

Give a listen; I think you'll be blessed and challenged.


Go here to download Tenth Avenue North's full-length album Over and Underneath for $6.99.

Image courtesy of ignitechicago.com