The Rock of Our Salvation

Christian crossover artists--be they pop, heavy metal, or gospel--are currently experiencing an upsurge in popularity. Some are doing quite well financially, thank you very much. Although those who weave an alternative cultural message into their music are somewhat less known, their contributions enliven and deepen our lives, as well as our worship, nonetheless. So let's get to know them a bit.

The Rock of Our Salvation

Tom Prasada-Rao offers a heartening mix of astute political critique and subtle biblical imagery on his debut recording, Incoming (Crossroads Records, 3905 National Dr., Suite 300, Burtonsville, MD 20866; 1991). Ethiopian-born to Indian parents, Prasada-Rao combines upbeat rhythms with tight melodies and insightful lyrics to create songs that are both penetrating and encouraging.

Prasada-Rao opens the recording with "Talking Blues," a colorful anthem to the trappings of capitalism without democracy. He sings:

talk about the war on poverty
Uncle Sam's got a dollar for you and me
living in the land of liberty
we got an eye on the man in need
we're handing out enough just to watch him bleed
hail to the flag, red white and greed...
if God's in heaven can he hear you now

It's an early indication of the commentary that will follow.

"The Needle's Eye" continues this critique with another catchy tune. After laying out the temptations and entanglements of gold and glitter in our society, Prasada-Rao offers in the chorus: "Cast your bread upon the sea/make a new man out of me, out of me/take my hand and lift it high/pull me through the needle's eye/Adonai."

Ever a storyteller, Prasada-Rao puts to music all-too-recognizable street images in "Driftwood." He describes watching from the window of a fancy office building the way folks from the project are treated...as if they are driftwood. And he leaves no room for mistake; he takes his stand amongst the driftwood.

Lest it sound like Prasada-Rao is just another politically correct folk singer, it is important to know he includes a remarkable tribute to his father, with images so palpable that listeners who have a good relationship with their own father will be moved to make a phone call ("Leave a Light on for Me"). And "Everyday People" (a cover of Sly and the Family Stone's song) includes a familiar kid's taunt - with words reworked - warning of the dangers of intolerance, presaging Rodney King's plea: "We got to live together."

A few guitar licks, especially on "I Got a Feeling" and the title track, are simple but refreshing in an age of rock-and-roll excess. This longer-than-average recording blends a balanced dependence upon lyrics, rhythms, and melody to create a pleasing and fulfilling sound.

Bryan Sirchio is an artist who falls even more squarely in the category of Christian folk-rock. And he is good, to boot. With a traditional rock sound, Sirchio puts scriptures to music. The liner notes include biblical references, sometimes as many as six in a single tune.

As with Prasada-Rao, the analysis is as developed as the music. On the cassette cover Sirchio explains that Wise as $erpents (Crosswind Music, Three Lakes, WI 54562; 1990) is a necessary followup to his earlier Gentle As a Dove: " 'Gentle As a Dove,' as the title suggests, is a collection of songs which are primarily gentle and encouraging. 'Wise as $erpents,' however, is intentionally quite different. It represents what I often refer to as the 'flip side of the gentle gospel' - the part of the gospel message which firmly challenges the powers of sin and death."

And also as with Prasada-Rao, a number of these tunes would be nice additions in a worship setting, if recorded music is an option. The instrumentation and production further this effort, with such things as a nice, albeit short, flute solo on "Strands in the Web."

The opening of side two is especially memorable as it is for me the appropriate sequel, both stylistically and lyrically, to Jesus Christ Superstar. "Wise as Serpents" and "Staring at My Overflowing Plate" represent the logical musical extension of a theology that allows itself to be concerned with the gritty underside of oppressive systems and structures.

Other tunes also stick. "Things the Lord Requires" is a tune that you will catch yourself humming, then singing along with, and finally being moved by. These are powerful words that we dare only sing with humility.

Wake up in the morning
See what the anchorwoman's got to say
A coup d'etat down south somewhere
And bundle up it's cold outside today
And there're meltdowns and machine guns
Right in my living room
These satellites have shrunk the world
What am I supposed to do?

I'll try to be a doer of justice
I'll try to be a person who's kind
I'll try to be somebody who's humble
'Cause these are the things the Lord requires

All those who are trying to change the world and their lives by boycotting the most corrupt industries and living simply with regard to resources will feel encouraged by this tune.

Sirchio follows this up with "Straight and Narrow Road," a song in which he makes a strong linkage between personal and political behavior as his chorus answers to one verse that deals with a call from an old girlfriend and to another that deals with an inside tip from a friend on Wall Street. In both instances he says, "I'll be keepin' my eyes on this straight and narrow road."

But lest we think he is advocating withdrawal from the world, Sirchio follows with a driving tune called "Looser Chains." Referring to the valiant souls who have struggled long and hard in South Africa, he sings, "We won't settle for your looser chains/We won't stop until that system's changed/We will struggle until justice reigns/We won't settle for your looser chains."

Even in light of recent events in South Africa, "Looser Chains" and several other tunes on this recording can't help offering hope for the power of the human spirit to endure and co-create the new reign of God.

Bob Hulteen was the Under Review editor at Sojourners when this article appeared.