In The Silence – Things To Come – 1988

Things To Come is the debut album from Sydney band In The Silence. It was the first Australian album in a long time to be released by Word Australia. When asked what the band name means, John Dickson replied: ‘In The Silence was a little phrase we worked out because we’re really into the Second Coming….It’s a theme we’re really excited about. A lot of our songs are about the times we are in. While we never get up on stage and say He will be coming back on the third of March, we do believe it is biblical to preach Christ in the light of His return. We see the times we are in as the calm before the storm. We are in the silence.’ (p. 36, On Being, July 1988)
The band got their break at Australian Christian music festival JAM ’88. Winners of the JAM ’88 talent quest, the band were recipients of the first prize – recording time at Melbourne’s Timbertop Studio. Things To Come was the result of this recording time. The band’s musical style has been described as ‘guitar-based urban rock, a la U2’. Music reviewer Kirsten Hill states: ‘There is a passionate intensity to all their music. John’s vocals are emotional, breathy pleas, vaguely reminiscent of Bono. In fact, the band at times can sound like a very young U2…But they refuse to join the ranks of the U2 clones – they do cite other influences and do have a sound uniquely their own.’ (p. 36, On Being, July 1988) Music reviewer, promoter and musician Martin Fawkes mentions these ‘other influences’ as ‘bands like Echo and The Bunnymen, The Cure and other ‘alternative’ musics.’ (p.37, On being, April 1988) The album opens with the explosive ‘City Walk’. The band even dabbles in some blues on the track ‘Steamboat’. The album’s final track ‘Why’d You Never Tell Me?’ appeared on the band’s previous 7-track cassette-only release ‘It’s Only Time’. (Does anyone have this? Would LOVE to hear it!) Kirsten Hill says the song ‘echoes the thoughts of non-Christians as they meet up with their Christian friends on Judgment Day. It is a sober reminder of responsibility.’ (p. 36, On Being, July 1988)

Contributor – Frank Axel Rasenberger

Tracklist
1 – City Walk – 3:55
2 – Waiting Here – 4:17
3 – If Only You – 3:34
4 – Like I’m Home – 4:45
5 – Easter Song – 5:27
6 – In The Silence – 2:22
7 – Storm Inside – 3:09
8 – Steam Boat – 3:35
9 – Help Help – 3:39
10 – Very Long Time – 2:47
11 – Why’d You Never Tell Me – 5:31

Credits
Bass – Angus McLeay
Drums – Jacques Zeelie
Engineer – Peter Maclean
Engineer, Mixed By – Jeff Todd
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Ben Shaw
Lead Vocals – John Dickson
Mixed By – In The Silence, Phil Lake
Producer – David Gilmour, In The Silence

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word Australia
Distributed By – Word Australia
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – June Corp. Pty. Ltd.
Copyright © – June Corp. Pty. Ltd.
Recorded At – Timbertop Studios
Mixed At – Rich Studios