  |
|
|
|
If you like your music straight-up pop-punk in-your-face Jesus, you're gonna want to pick up Three Cord Wonder's "The Jesus Rock Show." Especially if you're younger.
A band made up of former youth workers, they like to have fun; and they want you to have a good time, too. With a sly mix of wit and challenge, they call listeners up to higher ground, seeing their music only as “a vehicle for the message.” And the message is definitely, unapologetically Christ. Three Cord Wonder, wildly popular in the Midwest, is your youth group or summer camp’s dream team, with their simply-crafted anthemic songs and straight-up Biblical worldview. Geared toward teens, “tweens,” and young adults, think early Green Day or a cleaned-up Blink 182. “The Jesus Rock Show” starts off with the uptempo “Who I Am Today (Take a Look),” a rhythmic pop track with the brightest of choruses, asking if our new lives should not look different. It is followed by a series of bouncy punk-pop tracks, some more successful than others. Three Cord Wonder is so focused on their message that at times they force the lyric, a dangerous practice. “Get Up!” is a firm call to action, “The Best I Have to Offer” a bouncy display of humility, and I enjoyed the encouragement to dream found in “This Is Life.” But these tracks lose some of their power when the lyrics don’t fit within the measure. It’s the age-old struggle to balance art and message, but excellence must be our standard to enhance the effectiveness and power of both. The title track gets in the face of other Christian acts less overt or direct in their presentation of Christ. Told from the point of view of a seeker, it is an interesting perspective, and should expand the discussion. Things slow down a bit for the acoustic “You Always Do,” declaring faith in God’s omniscience even as we wonder. It showcases Joe’s true vocal talents, not as obvious in the electric tracks. [No last names for Three Cord Wonder: simply Joe (guitar, vox), Ben (drums, BGV), & Josh (bass)]. It’s back to the good fight on the slightly caustic “The Way That You Thought,” all splashy drums, poppin’ bass, and confrontational lyrics: “I knew this man loved across the land/to be a hero to his family wasn’t part of the plan/ Oh he’s a hero cuz he went off to fight the war/ But he’s not cuz he came back and filed for divorce/ And he wonders why they don’t accept his ministry.” But I’m right there with ‘em; these kinds of truthful up-front warnings can be life-savers. Things wind down nicely with acoustic worship (“You Sang”) and an honest break-up song (“I Hate Not Being With You”). The 25-minute bonus track contains the band’s thank-yous, and a hidden song dedicated to a child. Let your youth group experience “The Jesus Rock Show” to shake things up, in the good way, with Three Cord Wonder.
The copyright of the article Three Cord Wonder: Jesus Rock Show in Christian Music is owned by Kevan Breitinger. Permission to republish Three Cord Wonder: Jesus Rock Show in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
