Guess I missed the part of the Bible that said the only acceptable religious music was written in hymnals accompanied by organ
While I understand the origin and tradition of the common church organ in Western Christianity it might have been a lot more interesting had that instrument been the bongos or an accordian. Cowbell anybody? Then again it could have been the xylophone.
I honestly think the reason I stopped attending church was because of the horrendous and monotonous organ music. Some years back while working for a local newspaper I attended a large, baptist revival at an inner city church and noticed I was the only white guy in the place. The music and singing was utterly incredible and the experience was for lack of a better term uplifting.
A large portion of popular Christian Rock sounds like just watered down pop rock with the artist just inserting a few different themes. I've even seen some Christian-Metal bands that would give Eyes of Noctum a run for their money until you listen real close to the lyrics. However, most of the better artists mentioned in this thread trancend that category by a significant degree and are seriously talented.
My thoughts are that good music is good music and bad music is annoying no matter what the theme. I do admit though that a lot of todays contemporary Christian music isn't much different than a lot of 70's album rock and folk singers.