Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia (CD - 2005)

If studios can earn a buck off of a collection of boring modern rock songs that are supposedly "inspired by" the largely secular world of Marvel Comics-derived films like Spiderman and Daredevil, then it seems entirely logical that the non-secular world of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia should be exploited as well. That the CCM community would jump at an opportunity to celebrate The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is no surprise, but the producers -- like those behind the aforementioned comic adaptations -- have missed a wonderful opportunity to create a mirrored work of "creativity" instead of a bullet to the wallet of the "videoless" MTV generation. With such an established book, why relegate a companion audio work to generic, midtempo CCM acts like Jars of Clay and Steven Curtis Chapman? There's a whole new generation of young faith-based indie rock bands, composers, and instrumentalists who not only take chances, but also would have jumped at the chance to provide Aslan (the Lion) with a thunderous roar. To be narrow is one thing, but to do it in the shape-shifting milieu of rock & roll is not only dull, it's spiritless. What's kept this popular series of books so clearly in the populace is the subtlety of its message; it's parable, not dogma. ~ James Christopher Monger

If studios can earn a buck off of a collection of boring modern rock songs that are supposedly "inspired by" the largely secular world of Marvel Comics-derived films like Spiderman and Daredevil, then it seems entirely logical that the non-secular world of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia should be exploited as well. That the CCM community would jump at an opportunity to celebrate The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is no surprise, but the producers -- like those behind the aforementioned comic adaptations -- have missed a wonderful opportunity to create a mirrored work of "creativity" instead of a bullet to the wallet of the "videoless" MTV generation. With such an established book, why relegate a companion audio work to generic, midtempo CCM acts like Jars of Clay and Steven Curtis Chapman? There's a whole new generation of young faith-based indie rock bands, composers, and instrumentalists who not only take chances, but also would have jumped at the chance to provide Aslan (the Lion) with a thunderous roar. To be narrow is one thing, but to do it in the shape-shifting milieu of rock & roll is not only dull, it's spiritless. What's kept this popular series of books so clearly in the populace is the subtlety of its message; it's parable, not dogma. ~ James Christopher Monger

As part of the broad marketing effort ramping up to the release of the first film in the Chronicles of Narnia series, MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA is one of the first merchandising tie-ins that makes plain the series' rooting in Christian theology. A collection of eleven new songs by popular Contemporary Christian Music artists like Stephen Curtis Chapman and Jars of Clay, the album is only tangentially related to the movie. Still, it contains previously unreleased material by many of the biggest stars in mainstream CCM, and is therefore essential to fans of the style, and perhaps even the film. minimize