The Top 10 Albums of 2009 -- #5 Stockholm Syndrome by Derek Webb

Derek Webb’s newest album isn’t for everyone. Stockholm Syndrome is the former Caedmon’s Call singer/songwriter’s fifth solo studio album, and, musically, it is a stark departure from his previous efforts. After my first couple listens, I couldn’t decide if I liked the new, techno-fied Derek Webb. However, Stockholm is an album that grows on you—if you’ll let it—and I’ve since been won over by the thumping beats paired with Webb’s gorgeous vocals.

One of the great things about Webb is his ability to surprise listeners—each of his solo albums has had a distinctly different feel, from the simple acoustic sound of She Must and Shall Go Free to the more experimental sounds of I See Things Upside Down. Stockholm is the first album that reflects a heavy electronic influence, and, while it doesn’t work perfectly on every track, overall, I think Webb pulls it off well, especially when violas mix with heavy bass on “Cobra Con” and with Bollywood-esque flutes on “I Love/Hate You.”

Aside from the new sound, one thing about Stockholm isn’t new to Webb—controversy. An open Christian, Webb’s lyrics are filled with religious references and marketed primarily within the Christian music market. However, since his first solo release, Webb has faced resistance in that market. Some Christian retailers refused to stock Go Free because of its “strong language.”

Over Stockholm, Webb and his label disagreed sharply, especially over one song in particular, “What Matters More.” The song is a strong criticism of the church’s condemnation of homosexuals, and opens with the lines, “You say you always treat people like you’d like to be. I guess you love being hated for your sexuality.” Apparently, Webb crossed the line by including two expletives in the song. Eventually, he and his label reached an agreement—they released a censored version of the album, while the full version was available only through download on Webb’s site (You can download the controversial track for free here: http://www.derekwebb.com/).

The rest of the album is filled with Webb’s usual mix of introspective, political, and honest lyrics. Both lyrically and sonically, Stockholm is a daring attempt, and Webb deserves accolades for that, even if the album doesn’t gain him any new fans.