Rock-A My Soul: An Invitation to Rock Your Religion
A tension between the worldly and the spiritual has existed in rock ™n™ roll since its foundations in African-American spirituals, gospel, and blues music. But for Catholic drummer (and PW reviewer) Nantais, the very music often feared by religious folk has served as both balm and outlet to help him understand God. In this short, first-person musing, Nantais argues that œtheology can be done through music, encouraging Christians to see rock ™n™ roll as a œmode of theological expression. Setting aside contemporary Christian music (which he says is not the only way to marry rock and religion), he argues that mainstream rock has many virtues: community building and transcendent elements, meditative qualities, expression of emotion. Nantais admits to some less edifying aspects of rock (e.g., segregated crowds at rock music venues, ties to consumerism). He also chooses not to address a major sticking point for some—offensive lyrics—and so may not be able to convince every reader of rock™s merits. Despite that, his enthusiasm for mix tapes and chord progressions is infectious. Christians will learn to find God in a rock concert, and lovers of all things drum and guitar will find spiritual validation. (Feb.)(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC.  All rights reserved.