Stockholm Syndrome
For the last two days I’ve been listening to Derek Webb’s ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ off and on. In between phone calls and the crowded bus, I’ve been able to catch the ‘gist’ of the record, but haven’t really dove into it yet. My initial thoughts? ”Dang. He stepped up his musical game for sure.” Now, it’s not that Derek’s stuff has ever been musically sub-par or anything like that, but this record is a new level of Derek Webb. The loops are cool, the beats are cool, and the melodies are some of the best I’ve heard come from him. That alone is worth getting the record. And that’s not even mentioning the amazing sixty minute video of the making of the record.
Now, I know there’s plenty of controversy about ‘the cussing song’ and I’ve read a lot of different opinions of people expressing their now “loss of respect” or “gain of respect” for Derek Webb. So I’m curious. What’s the crowd here’s consensus? He cusses in a song. Yep. The big ol’ ‘SH’ word. I’ve seen things written from parents saying they won’t let their kids listen to it because he’s supposed to be a ‘Christian’ and there’s nothing Christian about cussing. I’m curious though. How many of those parents allowed their kids to see any of the latest ‘big movies’ this summer? Any cussing in those movies? Any sexual references? Any “explicit” content? I’m guessing there was. And I’m not saying that just because you let your kids see Transformers, you should let them say whatever they want, but I’m curious about the folks that are so quick to throw Derek under the bus because he says one word that might offend you. We’re you not offended in those movies? Or is it because he’s a Christian and only sinners talk that way?
Here’s what I don’t want to come out of this post. I don’t want to start a fight between the ‘Webb-heads’ and the ‘Christian-Christians’. I know there are plenty of folks out there who live and breathe anything Derek says and I think that’s fine, but let’s do our best to keep it civil. So what do we think? Who’s heard the record, and what are your thoughts on it musically, lyrically and (since the conversation will go this way anyway) what do you think of the ‘cuss word that shook CCM’?
Always Thinking
friends-
i haven’t sent many personal emails to this email list but we’re in a situation that has gotten a little out of control and it’s time to fill you in. as some of you may know, i’ve been working for months on my new record, ‘stockholm syndrome’, which i’ve recently finished and turned in to the record label. they’ve been very supportive over the years, but this time we didn’t get the response we expected. it seems i’ve finally found the line beyond which my label can support me, and apparently i’ve crossed it.i consider this my most important record and am adamant about all of you hearing it. we had originally hoped to have ‘stockholm syndrome’ out this month (next week even), but at this point we’re not sure when the record will come out and in what form. the majority of the controversy is surrounding one song, which i consider to be among the most important songs on the record. so we’ve decided it’s an appropriate time to break the rules.
but because of various legal/publishing issues we’re having to be rather careful with how we do what we’re going to do next. that’s really all i can say for now and i’ve probably said too much.
we have a plan and we’re moving ahead, but we’re not sure what kind of trouble we might be getting into. we’ll let you know as soon as we know our next move-
derek
Like I’m sure many of you did, I woke up to this email this morning explaining the delay on the new Derek Webb record. I’ve seen several blog posts about it, heard conversations about it, and have even done some very limited research on it myself. Now, in that very limited research, I’ve come to find out that the ‘controversy’ may or may not have something to do with a specific word not found in any church hymnals and if uttered by a child would result in a good soapy mouth washing out. Fair enough. But I think there’s more to it.
I’ve had some time to hang out with Derek and one thing that I know for sure is that he is a brilliant guy. He’s always thinking, he’s always planning and he’s always ‘outside the box’. Interesting that there are so many conversations, articles and blog posts (including this one) about a controversial record that isn’t even out yet, don’t you think? Controversial or not, we are all talking about “Stockholm Syndrome’ already. And you better believe Derek knows that.
As someone who loves to create a buzz about something, and loves the idea of viral marketing, Derek is one of the best I have seen and I respect that. I think he’s a great guy, with great ideas, and I’m not so sure this isn’t one of those great ideas. I could be wrong, but I’m guessing I’m not.
What are your thoughts?
