There was in interesting article over at Pitchfork Media on Friday about Indie Rock and religion. The long held belief was that "almost no strain of music is as secular as indie rock," but lately there has been a few artists who are challenging this belief and the criticism has been coming from both sides: those who want "a little less God in [their] rock" and those who insufferably try to shoe horn music about religion into their own little ghettos.

If we shun the religious content of these works, we're missing their emotional and intellectual power.

You can disagree with the church of your choice, but to dismiss religion altogether-- and to write off the best ideas, the best people and of course, the best indie rockers-- that come out of it, seems pointless. Why shoot the messenger just because you're scared he has a message?

One of the artists that they talk about a fair bit, and who has prompted people to rethink the relationship between faith and music is Sufjan Stevens. I finally picked up his acclaimed 2005 release Illinois and it hasn't dissapointed.

The other album that I've been really into this week is another 2005 release that I belatedly picked up-- the Bloc Party Silent Alarm. This is a seriously catchy, thoroughly enjoyable pop rocker. I love it. Check out "Helicopter," as it's my song of the day.