MTV News rock writer James Montgomery felt the need to suggest some songs for the newly announced Christian music interpretation of "Guitar Hero."
Here is his post:
Hey, do you love to rock, but think those pesky devil horns are an affront to the Lord?
Do you uphold the Sabbath but abhor Black Sabbath?
Well, you're in luck … because Digital Praise--"the leader in Christian-themed, family-friendly entertainment software"--have developed a pious-yet-fret-shredding game just for you: "Guitar Praise," a new "inspirational PC guitar game that lets anyone live their rock dreams." Provided those dreams involve Flyleaf and/or Hawk Nelson, of course.
"Praise," which could generously be described as "Guitar Hero" for the Godly (even the box looks rather familiar), is currently available for pre-order through DP's web site--retail price: $99.95--and features more than 50 Christ-approved tunes from acts like Newsboys, Family Force Five and James Clay (but strangely, no Jars of Clay), plus perhaps the only Christian song I can readily identify, dcTalk's massive "Jesus Freak "(I mean, it even got played on real radio).
And while there's plenty strange about the entire thing--the idea of Christians "rocking" being chief among them (please Lord don't smite me)--what has me thoroughly perplexed is that tracklisting. Because while 52 songs is an awful lot of Christian rock, there's tons missing from the list … and though I'm not exactly sure if the game will allowed players to download new tracks, I've gone ahead and made a list of some potential songs that Digital Praise would be wise to include if they're looking to expand the digital Hymn book.
**Sufjan Stevens' "The Lord God Bird" (yeah, this is about a woodpecker in Arkansas, so what.)
**Um, hello … Stryper?!?!
**Selections from the Flaming Lips' Oh My Gawd!!! album
**Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" (pfffffffffft!)
**The entirety of Porno For Pyros' Good God's Urge album
**The musical stylings of Senator Orrin Hatch
**Anything from Holy F--- (get it?!?!)
**Kanye West's "Jesus Walks"
**Spiritualized's "No God Only Religion"
**The Doobie Brothers' "Jesus Is Just Alright"
Anything I'm missing? I'd love to hear your suggestions below. Go now, in peace, to love and serve the Lord.
--James Montgomery, MTV News
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