Committed 2 Rock

"When dreaming I'm guided through another world/Time and time again/At sunrise I fight to stay asleep/'Cause I don't want to leave the comfort of this place/'Cause there's a hunger, a longing to escape/From the life I live when I'm awake/So let's go there, let's make our escape/Come on, let's go there, let's ask can we stay/Can you take me higher to a place where blind men see?/Can you take me higher to a place with golden streets?"
— from Creed's "Higher"

Committed 2 Rock is not typical Glimpse of God material. It does, at first glance, seem like the ultimate collection of Glimpse songs, acknowledging a renewed interest in spirituality found in today's mainstream rock. Actually, it's a collection of "upbeat and positive hits" from Time-Life, conceived and produced by David Pack (former frontman for classic symphonic rock band Ambrosia). The promotional tagline is "18 powerful hits that positively rock!"—kinda sounds like publicity for a Christian radio station, eh?

Make no mistake that Committed 2 Rock touches on matters of faith, depending on your interpretation, but it's primarily focused on positivism and encouragement. Props to Pack, however, for at least acknowledging that Christian artists can impact the world at large beyond their subculture. He's included Jars of Clay's desperate plea "Flood" as well as dc Talk's "Supernatural," an ode to spiritual warfare and the mysteries of God. Two great songs, but they're both a little past their prime—couldn't listeners be treated to more recent hits from Jars, Switchfoot, or Delirious?

C2R's best inclusions are from three of the most successful bands with Christian leanings from the last five years. P.O.D's "Alive" and Lifehouse's "Hanging by a Moment" are popular rock anthems that epitomize the mainstream's acceptance of spiritually inspired themes. Even more beloved is Creed's "Higher" (cited above), a utopian dream of heaven on earth that appears for the first time on a compilation album. Time-Life has also included Moby's African-American spiritual-derived "Natural Blues" and Fatboy Slim's "Praise You," which works on earthly and worshipful levels. Also, Barenaked Ladies' "Pinch Me" works as a metaphorical lament for the fallen world beyond our idyllic home life.

Beyond these, the songs of C2R dwell more on encouragement than spirituality. Too bad, since Dave Matthews Band has tackled subjects of faith in many of their songs; the take-no-prisoners approach to love in "I Did It"—included here—isn't really one of them. Same with Collective Soul; of all their faith-inspired songs, ther ambiguously worded "Heavy" was chosen for C2R: "Complicate this world you wrapped for me/I'm acquainted with your suffering … Hold me up to all whom you've deceived/Promises you break you still believe/And all your weight/It falls on me/It brings me down."

Mega-hits by Jimmy Eat World ("The Middle") and The Calling ("Wherever You Will Go") are shining examples of encouragement, and Trik Turner's "Friends && Family" is a beautiful alterna-rap expression of familial responsibility and unconditional love. There are also lesser-known songs by Nickelback ("Breathe") and Foo Fighters ("Learn to Fly") that express spiritual searching generically enough to apply to anyone. Among C2R's most questionable inclusions are Eve 6's farewell song "Here's to the Night," 311's new-age themed "Amber," and Lit's "My Own Worst Enemy," a pathetic example of contrition and forgiveness. All three seem completely out of step thematically with the other songs. (Note: While Lit's song has been edited for profanity, the remaining "sh" leaves little room for interpretation.)

Christian music fans shouldn't expect this album to be a shining example of spiritual themes found in mainstream music. In a November 2003 article in USA Today (scroll down to "Music" after clicking it), Pack acknowledges that C2R intentionally avoids overt religious references (except for "Supernatural") in favor of spiritual and optimistic generalities: "I didn't want the project to be saddled with the stigma that's attached to Christian rock."

Committed 2 Rock offers an impressive collection of rock artists and could be characterized as a "seeker's soundtrack." Unfortunately, unlike like many other mainstream albums today, this barely scratches the surface to deeper truth and meaning. Hopefully, it will remind Christian pop/rock listeners that there needs to be more to faith-based music and good art than simply "a positive message."

Unless specified clearly, we are not implying whether this artist is or is not a Christian. The views expressed are simply the author's. For a more complete description of our Glimpses of God articles, click here.