It came to me as a pretty big surprise that the Bowling Green, KY’s Foxhole is frequently grouped in with the Christian genre. There is a certain level of quality we are used to with music of the “Christian” variety, and objectively, it has definitely been a limiting factor for some bands, who are immediately dismissed (for whatever reason) simply due to the fact that their music has a spiritual side. My experience with Foxhole’s 2004 LP (Reisued: Burnt Toast 2008), We The Wintering Tree, has led me to believe they are an intelligent and multi-faceted group of individuals with the ability to create well-layered rock music–in any scene. Moreover, almost all of the songs on the LP are, for the most part, vocal-free. Perhaps it’s just their prerogative.
Whatever connotations you associate with the Christian scene or otherwise, there are great moments to be had. Channeling epic sounds that remind me of Explosions in the Sky, Maps or I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness, Foxhole has a firm grasp on moving a song along and getting the most out of a particular motif or concept. There is a good deal to find in their music, although it can feel dry or played out at times. Most of the pleasure I’ve found in this album is rooted in its production and harmony. The album feels like it has glue holding it together. That is to say, the album is coherent. As an instrumental endeavor, guitarist and co-foudner Adam Moore has helped create a polyrhythmic sound–through use of horns, strings, sequencers and delay–that is as formidable as it is ethereal, as tasteful as it is an overload. Check it out:
MP3: Foxhole – “A Children’s Canto”
MP3: Foxhole – “The End of Dying”
MP3: Foxhole – “Forgiving Monarch” from the new Push/Pull EP
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Foxhole are currently working on a new album, slated to drop Summer ’09.
Whats wrong with Christianity? hhmm
You may be missing the point here. I am making no statement about Christianity itself, but rather the slew of connotations associated with Christian music as a genre. It has its own MO and its own prefabricated bands and its own politics just like any other industry and if someone has an opinion on the type of music that comes from a particular scene, I see no reason to link ideas about a certain type of music and concepts of religious bias together. There’s not enough information to make that distinction.
In short, there is nothing wrong with Christianity (duh.), but there is a problem for bands who straddle the line between Spiritual and otherwise, that in many cases ends up limiting them to a certain critical appeal.
Love,
Akhil
First off, let me say that I am sorry if my comment seemed hostile in any way, I simply misunderstood the original wording and took offense. I thank you for clarifying the issue and for editing your article.
with much Love,
David