Mockingbird

I finally did. Conformed to the culture. Got a tattoo. It's a mockingbird on my right shoulder, about the size of a fist.

Okay, so not really (j/k mom). But if my love/obsession for Derek Webb's latest CD doesn't die out anytime soon, it may actually happen.

There are a number of Christian artist who have great lyrics, but unfortunately they don't know how to write good music. In a sense, this music becomes an "acquired taste." And these lyrics are also palatable. Challenging at times (such as Ross King), but are difficult to be construed as offensive.

Derek Webb blows this all out of the water. Mockingbird is not a CD I would carelessly recommend. Well yeah it is, because he sings about things that need to be talked about. Other artist, even with their challenging songs, keep everything within the Church. Webb on the other hand is pushing the church to go into the world. In a nutshell, he is an advocate for social justice. He questions why we live so well while "the least of these" are in poverty, going to bed hungry.
He reminds us that our enemies are people just like us. Our apathy and un-loving selves are laid out on the table for all to see.

Not all the songs are protest though, two songs written to his wife give the listener a brief but beautiful glimpse of his love for her.

And on top of that he can write good music! The guitar is simple but driven. The piano is poignant, adding a mood of melancholy to each song it is in. The bells...well the fact that it's there makes me excited.

I have had this CD for less than a week and I've lost count of how many times I have listened to it.
Buy a copy. Be affected. Then let me hitch a ride with you to the inner city.