Roaring Lambs

Home > 2000 > July/August

Martin Cockroft

Page 1 of 1

Proof That the Youth Are Revolting

In 1993, TV sports executive and author Bob Briner wrote a powerful little book with a funny name: Roaring Lambs (Zondervan). Though Briner died a year ago from cancer, his message—that most Christians have not truly been "salt and light" to the world at large— is receiving as much attention as ever. And a big reason for that attention is a new tribute album featuring artists who not only respect Briner's call for Christians to enter popular culture, but also try to live out that calling.

Sixpence None the Richer, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay—these are just a handful of more than a dozen artists who peform original songs on Roaring Lambs (Squint) the CD. The album leans in the pop/rock direction, so don't expect to find every Christian band that's made waves in secular music (Chevelle and P.O.D. are notably absent). You will find, however, "Kingdom Come," the first song in four years—and one of the best on the record—from the trio PFR. If actions speak louder than words/Then let me live loud enough to be heard the guys sing.

Other surprising additions to Roaring Lambs include Zulu group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, singing with Charlie Peacock, and mainstream folk-rockers Over the Rhine. You'll grow gray hair waiting for a Roaring Lambs tour, but you can experience more of the project online at www.roaringlambs.net.

GROUP/ARTIST	ALBUM (LABEL)	STYLE	COMPARE TO	NOTE THIS
Hangnail	Hangnail (BEC)	modern punk	Blink 182, Less Than Jake, MxPx	the members of this group became friends in junior high jazz band—they even dreamed up the name "Hangnail" then
Nicole C. Mullen Nicole C. Mullen	Nicole C. Mullen (Word)	r&b, funk, folk	Janet Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Tracy Chapman	Nicole co-wrote the Jaci Velasquez hit song, "On My Knees"
Andrew Peterson Andrew Peterson	Carried Along (Watershed)	folk	James Taylor, David Wilcox, Bebo Norman	Andrew's big break came when Caedmon's Call asked the then-unknown singer/songwriter to tour with them
Rhymes Monumental	A Lie in Science (Grapetree)	rap	Snoop Dogg, DMX, Dr. Dre	no CD liner thank-yous for Rhymes, who's a little paranoid: "What?! And reveal all my secret agents' identities so you can systematically kill them off? Transmission out … "
SHINEmk SHINEmk	Do It Right (Reunion)	dance/r&b	Spice Girls, B*Witched, Ace of Base	these "luminous" ladies reach out to teens in their native country, England, by performing in public high schools
Skillet Skillet	Invincible (ForeFront)	electronic/industrial rock	Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, Duran Duran	check out Skillet's kickin' home page at www.skillet.org, featuring a "daily log" from the band and links to cool Christian sites
Spoken	… what remains (Metrovox)	hardcore, rapcore	Korn, Machine Head, Coal Chamber	Spoken's first show was in a dust-filled, people-packed garage in Rogers, Arkansas, the band's hometown