I’ve been listening to a lot of Matt Maher lately. The catchy melodies and faith-filled truths are a great combination. They strike a chord with others too, since he won “Artist of the Year” at the United Catholic Music and Video Association’s Unity Awards 2010. (He also took top prize for “Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year” for “Alive Again” and “Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year” for his “Alive Again” album.)
Haven’t heard Maher before? Danielle Bean highlighted a video of his “Litany of the Saints” in a recent post.
(For Maher’s thoughts on songwriting, see this article of mine.)
Which Catholic musicians are your favorites? What Catholic music are you listening to?
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Thank you for this post!! I’ve never heard of Matt Maher, but am so wonderfully surprised and excited to learn of his ministry! What a gift!
I will pass this on to my family and friends.
W. Keith Moore! Saw him on Life on the Rock on EWTN and loved his music. www.wkeithmoore.com
Oh Matt Maher is wonderful, wonderful. Also, Audrey Assad is a new-ish Catholic singer, and she is just such a beautiful singer. :)
Yay! Finally an article about music. You wonder why NCRegister hasn’t brought on a regular music blogger by now (hint, hint).
Brian Flynn! I highly recommend his 3rd and most recent album, Beyond the Veil. Excellent lyrics and musical talent to spare. Also has appeared on EWTN’s “Life on the Rock” and is a Michigan-based musician. His website is www.brianflynnmusic.com.
Popple remains my favorite Catholic band. Stupid silly (in a good way) one moment (check out their song Peanut Butter Sandwiches) and then soul-piercingly beautiful the next. They’ve struck just the right balance and they’re impacting youth and adults alike. www.Popple.us is their website. The recently made their song about St. Francis available for free on their website here: http://www.popple.us/web/2010/10/memorial-of-saint-francis-of-assisi/
Why should Catholics try to emulate the “CCM” glurge that makes most evangelical services look like Yes concerts?
Critical Mass is a good Catholic rock band.
I have continued to enjoy music by The Innocence Mission. The group produces music with an ethereal, simple sense of grace as you leave your cares behind and enter their world; their latest album, My Room in the Trees, is no exception!
Why should Catholics try to emulate the “CCM” glurge that makes most evangelical services look like Yes concerts?
If only they were as good as Yes concerts! CCM glurge looks more like one of those generic “Celtic” concerts on PBS.
As to Catholic musicians, Katie Rose and Russ Rentler are good. I second W. Keith Moore.
Stay tuned for an upcoming article on Russ Rentler. And see a recent feature on Catholic musicians.
I recently attended a Life Teen Liturgy and Music conference and heard Ike Ndolo and his band. They are fantastic. His song, “At the Sound” Is very catchy.
Hi Amy…You may want to consider a feature on Audrey Assad as well. Here’s an excerpt from an interview I did in which she discusses her conversion:
http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/God-Has-Been-a-Relentless-Pursuer-of-My-Heart.html
Audrey’s song “Restless” is absolutely beautiful.
Audrey Assad, Mike Mangione (AMAZING) and check out After Mass Records (a play on Dr.Dre’ label Aftermath Records). Their artists are all Catholic who offer rock, hip-hop, rap etc. David Theis is a missionary musician from Texas similar to Matt Maher.
I first heard of Matt Maher when EWTN’s Life on the Rock used his music to accompany its coverage of the WYD 2008 celebrations in Sydney, and I’ve been listening to his music on my iPod ever since. He’s a great evangelist for the faith - keep up the great work.
Top on my playlist is Matt Maher and Tenth Avenue North. Not only do they have quality musicianship, but the lyrics reach deep into the heart. Matt Maher is Catholic and many of his songs, if not all, draw from Catholic teachings. In fact, he uses “transubstantiation” in one of his songs: that is impressive.
Tenth Avenue isn’t Catholic, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have great songs! I’d recommend “The Truth is Who You Are,” “Beloved,” and “Empty My Hands” to start.
He is the music leader for the 1500+ parish strong LIfeTeen program. We had the pleasure of following his career from the first time he sang at mass at St. Tim’s in MEsa, AZ. He is amazing and humble. His music is great.
I can name a few (besides those monks and nuns singing chants).
Joe Feeney (Lawrence Welk) is a good one. So aren’t the Lennon Sisters (remember them?)
Surely, there must be many more that us middle-aged people can think of.
My personal favorite is The John Hancock Band but he seems to have taken his website down.
The best Catholic Rack Group i’ve found is Last Day
I’m looking over this site at the moment. Most of the bands listed are in spanish, but if you they are worth checking out.
http://www.catolicos.org/bandas.htm
There is a guy in Southern California who is becoming very popular. He is a HS Campus Minister and worship leader. His name is Pasquale Talarico. Very upbeat, jam music! His website is www.pasqualetalarico.com. Take a listen!
If u’ve evr listened to Rexband (India), u’d wanna see them live. I’ve attended a few of their concerts. They’re awesome! They performed @ WYD 2005 & WYD 2008.
Be sure to read this insightful interview with Audrey Assad (also in the Jan. 16 print edition).
your wish is my command ;-) http://catholictunes.com
Matt Maher is excellent for lighter pop/rock sounds. Has anyone ever heard of the more high-energy rocking Catholics bands like Critical Mass and Katholicus? Wow! These guys really rock and are uncompromising in their Catholic faith. Someone should write an article on these real rockers.
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