Monsignor Pope Ping!
Most liturgical music heard at mass sounds as if it were written to appeal to 10-year-old girls.
Jesus was NOT a wimp. But for too long since the 1960s the seminaries were turning out priests and ministers who took the view that Jesus was a ‘nice guy’ who would never offend anyone and would never stand up for anything; i.e. he was a wimp. I do not see Jesus as a wimp and wish he were not portrayed as such. Perhaps then, more men would find a role model in Him and return to attending church and growing in their faith.
For example: Were John Wayne’s western characters manly? Yes. Was he compassionate when required and sometimes not required, yes. But was he a wimp in doing so? No, he portrayed a man who knew what was important and had rules to live by. Thus I make the comparison on how to have a manly Jesus without the ‘wimpishness’ that some clergy have preached to ever shrinking in numbers of men attending congregations.
That doesn’t answer your mention of preferring ‘solemn, formal liturgies’ but there may be a link in there somewhere.
This is a problem that infects all denominations. Far too often the Church (Catholic and Protestant) is run like a woman’s spa. It’s all lovey and warm and squishy but has nothing for men.
Do I love Jesus? You bet. Am I comfortable singing about it every service all the time? No.
This is one reason why so many men are abandoning the church and practicing their faith in private. And why so many churches are having to have women fill roles men should be in (Elders, deacons etc.)