Pete's Pick: Derek Webb

Derek Webb – Stockholm Syndrome

One of my favorite singer/songwriters of all time has a new album out entitled Stockholm Syndrome. This is a release that was preceded by a fun and long process of a scavenger hunt mainly around the southern portion of the US. Actually a good friend of mine took place in the hunt and received a free album, concert tickets and other goodies. So, there was a lot of anticipation in the Smith household for this new release from Webb.

Derek Webb used to sing in a Christian group called Caedmon’s Call, but left back in the early 2000s to pursue a solo career. He has released 5 albums so far, but he went a different way in his 5th album than he has in the previous 4. Some of these songs you just want to dance to, there is a more of a dance beat and electronics than in previous albums. And yet, this singer/songwriter, who seems most comfortable strumming chords behind an acoustic guitar, pulls it off.

Most of Webb’s albums have some sort of theme and meaning. His first was about the church, his fourth about politics and the most current one deals with the most current issue of pulling down the “normal” barriers of Christians and loving as Christ loved. Some have called Webb a prophet for this generation, which I believe to some extent as well.

The new album did receive some problems from the record label. One song, "What Matters More," covers a very ‘hot’ topic of the day and is one that the record label did not feel right releasing, but I think it is poignant to the message that Webb is trying to portray.

His music is available on iTunes and at some Christian/Big Box retail stores. But to get the What Matters More song you will need to go to his website, http://www.derekwebb.com/ , and I believe it is available for a free download. I highly recommend any of Webb’s albums… he is a must have in your music collection!

-- pete