Alive, Only for those who have actually listened to it please! Options

[SinfulEyes]

Tell me.

[FishOutaWater]

I wonder how long this will last. As in genuinely wondering if it's an album you'd still be spinning a year from now, or 5 years from now. Even I can admit the thing it has going for it most is that it's catchy, but I think that would wear after time.

I find it funny you can look beyond the christian themes given the insight and views you've given on it. Like I said once before, if the music was just as is, but the lyrics wern't so god/jesus/bread/wine/gospel/lord/child etc.. I'd probably be able to enjoy it slightly more.

I don't dislike pop as a genre which is what this is. But most of the pop I like isn't trying to say anything too deep or tackle anything too serious. Even though Ed is not being serious about it in a serious tone, it's still obviously a serious subject, more so than a lot of pop out there. But because of that, because he's trying to say something, I can't ignore it. I can ignore Gaga singing about disco sticks because, well it's just not demanding my attention away from the song like Ed's lyrics are.

I also find it funny that you had the thought about "is there actually something to it to make Ed so happy?" ... maybe I'm just so much more cynical, that thought just doesn't compute with me. Ed has money and an easier life than me, makes sense he'd be singing happier songs than I would if I was still writing now. Then there is also the voice inside my head going "it wouldn't even surprise me if Ed didn't give a damn about becoming a christian because he's using it to tap into a market for easy cash" ... I know it's not as black and white as that and it's not what he's doing .. but to me, Ed's character in my eyes has just taken such a nose dive over the years, such a fall from grace (lol pun) that these are my automatic thoughts compared to your less cynical ones.

Just interesting to hear someone's views I guess
haha I think it's all good, if Nick had your attitude towards it he'd not half as much annoy me. It's Nick's steadfast refusal to see that Ed could ever possibly do anything wrong ever and that the music is the absolute peak of what music can be after hundreds or thousands of years humans have been making music. He's ignorant about it, you're not.

If I start to dislike this album, I'll be the first to tell everyone (who else would or could? ).

One thing about why I like this album is this. It sounds a lot like SFBM and BoP. For one thing, Ed really did just plagarize some of his own previous lyrics and repeat themes and he even uses some of the same or similar music and production techniques. So if you heard a new band come out with an album that sounds almost exactly like the last 2 albums of your favorite band, and the lead singer (who's vocals you love) is actually the same lead singer of your favorite band - there is a good chance that you'll enjoy the familiar sound.

As for "is there actually something to it to make Ed so happy?". I am actually coming at that from the perspective of the meditative, contemplative prayer philosophy of Father Thomas Keating, which I believe is where Ed is coming from. I don't think he has gone evangelical. I think he is following a non-literalistic, non-exclusivistic approach, somewhat based in mysticism and meditation. Christianity is a familiar framework or structure for many people. And even with its shortcomings (in my view), if there is a way to gain awakening or enlightenment from a philosophy that is grounded in Christian-centric terminology and stories and myths, then perhaps that makes the spiritual path a little more accessible. You're right, based on my views (as expressed) I wouldn't give credence to a literal, exclusive, belief-requiring, salvation-oriented Christianity.