Will McFarlane self released his 3rd album though his previous label Refuge Records did take care of distribution. Because it was self released it was virtually guaranteed not to have a charting single. This is too bad because the album definitely had a couple tracks that could have singled. It has a bit of an Imperials sound and feel. The album is not my preferred genre but I actually quite liked the album. If you missed this one in the 80’s you should give it a listen now.
Tracklist 1 – I Can Depend On You – 3:44 2 – Can’t Go Back – 5:07 3 – Who Can Separate Us – 3:54 4 – The End Of Me – 5:44 5 – Only The Heart – 3:45 6 – Don’t Be Fooled – 5:33 7 – Come Unto Me – 5:24 8 – Blessed Jesus – 5:35
The eighth studio album from Kansas was a pretty important one. Lead singer Steve Walsh wasn’t cool with the direction of the band so John Elefante was brought in to take on the role. This album also marked the departure of Robby Steinhardt who finished out the tour for the album but that was it. The album was not overtly Christian but instead touched on Christian topics. The album made it to # 15 on the US Billboard 200 chart and the single “Play the Game Tonight” made it to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. CCM Magazine even chose Vinyl Confessions as the No. 1 CCM album of 1982 which I think disappointed many Christian artists who wanted that “award” to go to a Christian album.
Tracklist 1 – Play The Game Tonight – 3:24 2 – Right Away – 4:03 3 – Fair Exchange – 4:56 4 – Chasing Shadows – 3:17 5 – Diamonds And Pearls – 4:47 6 – Face It – 4:15 7 – Windows – 3:29 8 – Borderline – 3:57 9 – Play On – 3:39 10 – Crossfire – 6:35
Credits Alto Saxophone – Bill Bergman Art Direction, Design, Design Concept – Tom Drennon Backing Vocals – David Pack, Donna Williams Baritone Saxophone – Greg Smith Bass – Dave Hope Bassoon – Bev Dahlke Design [Additional], Other [Additional Art] – Andrew Barnum Drums – Phil Ehart Engineer – Ken Scott Engineer [Assistant] – Brian Leshon, David Spritz, Philip Jost, Ralph Sutton Guitar – Rich Williams Harmonica – Warren Ham Keyboards, Guitar – Kerry Livgren Keyboards, Vocals – John Elefante Management [Budd Carr] – The Carr Company Mastered By – Stan Ricker Photography – Glen Wexler Producer – Kansas, Ken Scott Tenor Saxophone – Jim Coile Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Bill Bergman Trumpet – John Berry, Lee Thornburg Violin, Vocals – Robby Steinhardt
This was the last real studio album from Altar Boys though they did come together in 2018 to release an album. At this point they simply weren’t the punk powerhouse they once were. If anything at this point they were more new wave than punk. That said I missed this one in the 80’s and was pleasantly surprised how much I liked it. The band were super tight at this point and Steve Griffith was an excellent choice as producer. Though I preferred their commercial punk sound this album is good too.
Tracklist 1 – Forever Mercy – 4:20 2 – Listen Up – 4:28 3 – Faith! – 4:03 4 – The Meaning Of Life – 4:26 5 – Ride This Train – 4:26 6 – World Burning – 4:00 7 – Here Ends The Night – 3:53 8 – Love Eternal – 3:55 9 – More Than Words – 3:48 10 – Silent Night – 4:13
Credits Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Bass – Ric Alba Drums – Jeff Crandall Drums [Additional] – Steve Griffith Engineer – Steve Griffith Engineer [Additional] – Dave Jahnsen Guitar – Mike Stand, Ric Alba Guitar [Additional] – Steve Griffith Harmonica – Mike Stand Lead Guitar – Mike Stand, Steve Pannier Lead Vocals – Mike Stand Percussion – Jeff Crandall Performer [Altar Boys Is] – Jeff Crandall, Mike Stand, Ric Alba Photography – David Dobson Producer – Steve Griffith Vocals – Jeff Crandall, Ric Alba Vocals [Additional] – Steve Griffith
Brothers Larry and Tim Melby are back with their second album and in my opinion it picks up where the first one left off. Others however feel it has a heavier feel but everyone hears things a little different. Bill Baumgart is back in the producers seat but also gets credited as the keyboard player for the album. The album did well with 2 radio hits, “Free Will” made it to #9 and “Friend To The World” to #14. All in all it’s a great album but I feel it might have been a little late in 1991 but as I love all things eighties I don’t care.
Tracklist 1 – Urgency – 4:17 2 – Ocean View – 3:47 3 – Luwenda – 4:26 4 – Listen Up – 3:44 5 – The Hardest Part’s The Waiting – 4:59 6 – He Smiled – 4:34 7 – Lay Our Weapons Down – 4:48 8 – Free Will – 4:06 9 – All I Have To Offer You – 3:56 10 – Friend To The World – 4:28
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Tim Melby Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangement], Keyboards – Tim Heintz Art Direction, Design – Ed Mc Taggart, Joe Potter Bass – Kelly Burns Drums – Doug Matthews, Vinnie Colaiuta Engineer – Dave Jahnsen Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Glenn Pearce Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar – Lary Melby Photography – Michael Seeley Producer, Engineer, Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangemen], Arranged By [Vocal Arrangement], Keyboards – Bill Baumgart Production Manager [Production Coordinator] – Beth Wisner Vocals [Additional Vocals], Acoustic Guitar – Rick Elias
Companies, etc. Recorded At – The Mixing Lab Mixed At – Front Page Recording Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Modest Attraction Featured Christian Liljegren (Narnia) and Mick Nordstrom (Leviticus) and rose from the ashes of Swedish band Borderline. This album is actually their first 2 Demos put together. These may have been demos but the production is fantastic. Mick Nordström is credited with production and this was one of the first albums he produced and he nailed it. This was only released in Sweden until 2021 when Retroactive Records did a U.S. re-release so you may have missed this one. This is without a doubt one of my favourite Metal albums I’ve reviewed yet. Everyone knows that Metal is not my preferred genre but wow this album is just so good it doesn’t matter. If you like hard rock I think you’ll like this one as its well produced and the guitar is decipherable so give it a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Action – 3:30 2 – King Of Rock ‘N’ Roll – 3:47 3 – Get Ready! – 4:31 4 – Come On! – 4:08 5 – Unfailing Love – 3:25 6 – Be Your Child – 2:40 7 – Love Shot Me Down – 4:08 8 – Calm Before The Storm – 4:47 9 – Shake The World – 3:29 10 – Down On My Knees – 4:11
Credits Arranged By – Modest Attraction Artwork [Album Cover By] – Jonatan Samuelsson Bass, Vocals – Simeon Liljegren Drums, Keyboards [Keys], Vocals – Mick Nordström Engineer [Engineered By] – Mick Nordström, Peter Jingsäter Executive-Producer – Matthew B. Hunt Guitar [All Guitar Parts on Side A Played By] – Stefan Selvander Guitar [All Guitars] – Stephan Mohlin Layout, Design – Scott Waters Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Christian Liljegren Liner Notes – Christian Liljegren Producer [Produced By] – Mick Nordström
Mark Heard started the 90’s by starting his own record company, Fingerprint Records, with Dan Russell and Chuck Long. This was the first album on the label and they started out with a bang. Mark invited several guests for this album and they included Jerry Chamberlain, Sam Phillips, and Michael Been. Many Heard fans believe this is his best album and personally I must concur. I can put this one on repeat. When Mark started recording for his own label he made sure people were getting their moneys worth with his album having 14 tracks. We would only get a few more albums from Mark before his untimely death and I’m glad we got this one.
Tracklist 1 – Rise From The Ruins – 3:02 2 – The Dry Bones Dance – 3:46 3 – House Of Broken Dreams – 4:11 4 – Our Restless Hearts – 3:42 5 – Nobody’s Looking – 3:26 6 – All She Wanted Was Love – 4:19 7 – Strong Hand Of Love – 3:03 8 – How Many Tears – 2:58 9 – Lonely Road – 4:12 10 – Waiting For A Reason – 3:30 11 – Everything Is Alright – 4:24 12 – Awake In The Nightime – 3:29 13 – Mercy Of The Flame – 4:58 14 – Fire – 7:13
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Accordion, Harmonica, Kalimba, Backing Vocals [Assorted] – Mark Heard Backing Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain, Pam Dwinell, Sam Phillips, Sharon McCall Chapman Stick – Fergus Marsh Co-producer [Associate Producer] – Dan Russell Drums – David Birmingham Dulcimer [Hammered Dulcimer] – Doug Berch Engineer [Second Engineer] – Dan Reed, David Miner, Richard Tiegen Executive-Producer [Executive-At-Large] – Chuck Long Fiddle, Mandolin – Byron Berline Graphics [Graphic Art] – Tim Alderson, Tom Goosmann Mastered By – Dennis Bouch Other [Occasional Back-Seat Driving], Engineer [Second Engineer] – Tom Willett Other [Wagonmaster], Engineer [Second Engineer], Photography By – Joel Russell Producer – Mark Heard Soloist [Guitar Solo] – Michael Been Viola – Novi Novog
The Swoon started out as a group of four kids who played D&D together. Only one of them had any formal music training but this didn’t stop them from forming a band and playing in a church that was Pastored by one of their fathers. After a few demo’s, name changes, and new members the band played at Cornerstone in 1988. They actually cut a deal with Wonderland records but it never worked out. The band moved to California and recorded this album in Neverland studios. It was produced by Charlie Peacock though there seems to be some debate as to his level of involvement. After the record came out Refuge agreed to help with distribution. This however would be it for the band. It was already 1990 so I’m not surprised that this was their only album as it has a pretty strong 80s feel. Anyway it’s really really good and is one you should definitely give a listen to.
Tracklist Neverland 1 – Whose Hands Are These? – 4:17 2 – Sweet Ally – 4:38 3 – Gypsy Street Legacy – 4:09 4 – One Day The Passion – 3:45 5 – Speak Soft – 5:57 Ben Son Ben Son Beatrice 6 – I Cried Out – 5:22 7 – Let’s Talk About Love – 3:59 8 – Ben Son, Ben Son Beatrice – 5:13 9 – Square Dance Candle Light – 6:52 10 – Via Dolorosa – 2:35
Credits Backing Vocals, Bass Guitar – Troy Baartman Backing Vocals, Keyboards – Jeana Gillispie Bass Guitar – Daniel Thomas Composed By [Compositions] – Austin Dacey Drums – Emmett Dacey Engineer – Derri Daugherty Executive Producer – Charles Clark Executive Producer, Producer – Charlie Peacock Lead Vocals – Daniel Thomas Lyrics By – Daniel Thomas Mixed By, Engineer – Dave Hackbarth, Greg Sotebeer Music By – The Swoon Other [Guy Who Does Stuff] – Mark Derby Photography By [Cover Photo] – David Dobson Producer, Mixed By, Backing Vocals [Additional] – James Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards – Austin Dacey
Companies, etc. Distributed By – Refuge Records Distributed By – Spectra Distribution Distributed By – Mainroads Music Group
Australia’s Rosanna Palmer is on a par with other great female hard rock vocalists such Nancy Jo Mann (Barnabas), Wendy Kaiser (Resurrection Band), Sandie Brock (Servant), and Lisa Faxon (Ransom). Add to this her proficient guitar skills which are showcased on various tracks, especially ‘Crying in the Night’. Her husband, David Palmer, is a great bassist. Dave & Rosanna continue ministering through music and spoken word to this very day. They have performed as a duo at several of our Live at the Chapel live music events. Clothed In Fire is the band’s second album released on an American record label. Here’s a review of this particular album by Steve Rowe (Lightforce & Mortification): – ‘When Rosanna’s Raiders release an album, you can expect a message straight from the heart of God. This is definitely the case with their latest effort Clothed In Fire. The production is world-class thanks to US producer Joey Powers who worked with the band at Grand Slam Studios in New York. The additional keyboards and back-up harmonies enhance Rosanna’s already catchy songs, making the album very memorable even after only a few listens. The highlight track is Crying In The Night – a song addressing the helplessness of children who are abused by adults. The passion of the chorus in this song is strong enough to move the hardest heart. All the songs, especially the final five, display the Raisers’ punchy Aussie hard rock at its best ever.’ (p. 32, On Being, April 1990)
Contributor – Frank Axel Rasenberger
Tracklist 1 – He Is The King – 3:54 2 – Blind Eyes – 4:26 3 – You Are Special – 4:11 4 – Crying In The Night – 4:05 5 – Hell On Earth – 4:28 6 – I’m Ready – 3:17 7 – Crazy World – 3:45 8 – Do It Right – 4:04 9 – The Loser – 3:32 10 – Love The Lord Your God – 3:56
Credits Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Dave Palmer Booking – Vic Campbell Drums – Johno Zaffarese Engineer – Doug Oberkircher Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Dan Rudin Featuring, Backing Vocals – Carolyn Nieto, Gary Roz, Jo Clayton, Jonathan Pagano Featuring, Guitar [Additional Guitars] – Gary Roz Keyboards, Featuring – George Small Lead Vocals, Guitar – Rosanna Palmer Producer [Produced By] – Joey Powers
Randy Matthews may be the single most important artist in Christian music that the vast majority of CCM fans have never heard of. Even casual fans of the genre are familiar with randy Stonehill, Phil Keaggy, Larry Norman and Love Song, but few can name Randy Matthews. Yet, without Matthews and his early success and ground breaking, the industry that formed may have never stood a chance. After dabbling in Southern Gospel with his father Monty (a founding member of the Jordanaires), Matthews took to a more folk rock approach and began performing in coffee shops and small concert halls building a name for himself as a songwriter and performer. His infusion of dry and biting humor in concert was legendary. As a result, Matthews became the first “rock” act to be signed to a mainline Christian label. Word Record, a label known for spoken work and Southern Gospel acts, signed Matthews and he released his debut. For his next album Word would launch the Myrrh label to provide a platform for the new “Jesus Rock” that was beginning to break through. Matthews would be seen as the “rockiest” with his more blues influenced music and Joe Cocker like rough vocals. The rest of the movement was a little softer, employing a more folk and country driven sound. This would haunt Matthews and ultimately cause a disillusionment with Christian Music. In fact, while touring in support of Son of Dust, Matthews appeared at a large outdoor Christian music festival. The audience was more accustomed to the Love Song acoustic folk style and Randy’s raucous rock cause such an uproar that their instruments were unplugged and were chased off the stage by the crowd. With tongue firmly planted in cheek, Matthews would later release an album called “Plugged In” where that story would be recounted. Fans of The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker, Van Morrison and Larry Norman will find much to appreciate on this album that is now considered a true classic of Jesus Music. On Son of Dust Matthews addresses more political, spiritual and emotional issues than what his contemporaries were willing to look at. Relationships, sin, society and the whole of life are addressed with an honesty that would not be seen very often in the industry until the 1980’s. The album is also noteworthy for the studio version of Matthews most memorable and time tested classic. Didn’t He. The story of the crucifixion is, in this reviewers opinion, the very best contemporary song written on the subject. Matthews emotive and scratchy voice delivers an unforgettable emotional experience. Matthews pounds his acoustic guitar for every time the hammer hits the nail and that sound hits the heart. One cannot listen to this song without some sort of emotional connection. If there is ever a list to be done of the greatest songs in CCM history this must be among the Top 5! Amongst the great albums of Jesus Music history, this is a must have and an unquestionable AYSO!
Contributor – David Lowman https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Holy Band – 3:25 2 – The Bad Has Made It Better – 2:45 3 – It Ain’t Easy – 2:42 4 – Mighty Fine – 2:25 5 – Brown Eyed Woman – 4:46 6 – Here I Am – 3:22 7 – On The Road – 2:50 8 – Evacuation Day – 2:30 9 – Didn’t He – 5:40 10 – Pharaoh’s Hand – 3:17
Credits Arranged By – D. Bergen White Art Direction, Photography By – Bill Grine Banjo – Robert Thompson Bass – John Williams, Tommy Cogbill Drums – Jerry Carrigan, Kenny Buttrey Engineer – Rex Collier, Rick Horton, Tommy Semmes Guitar – Billy Sanford, Charlie McCoy, John Christopher, Randy Matthews, Reggie Young Keyboards – Bobby Wood, David Briggs Keyboards [Moog] – Rick Powell Mastered By – Tom Semmes Percussion – Farrell Morris, Jerry Carrigan Producer – Billy Ray Hearn Recorded By – David McKinley, John Brandon Saxophone – Bill Puett Steel Guitar – Lloyd Green Vocals – Bergen White, Billy Ray Hearn, Randy Matthews, Rick Powell Written-By – Randy Matthews
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Woodland Studios Mastered At – Woodland Studios
This was Per-Erik’s second album and as near as I can tell it was only released in Sweden. His first album had been released in Sweden, Europe, and the United States on Refuge Records. I don’t know why Refuge didn’t pick up this album because I think it’s even better than his first. It might have been because it had 3 tracks in Swedish but that’s only a guess. Anyway as I said this album is even better than his first. In fact the lead track “S O S” is as good if not better than anything on the radio at the time. It is a fantastic song that will be going into my regular rotation. The most interesting track is “The Glorious Outfit” in that he actually takes a stab at rap. While the rap is questionable the chorus is fantastic. To tell the truth I can’t decide if I hate or love the track, it’s one of the other.
Tracklist 1 – S O S – 4:32 2 – Morgonluft – 2:53 3 – Movin’ On – 3:54 4 – Cabbage Patch Kids – 3:32 5 – Att Vänta – 3:57 6 – Labyrint – 2:56 7 – Forgiven – 5:19 8 – Fågelsång – 3:45 9 – The Glorious Outfit – 5:27 10 – Open Up Your Heart – 3:11
Credits Arranged By [Horns] – Anders Neglin, Glen Myerscough, Lars Brandström Arranged By [Synthesizer], Arranged By [Cello] – Anders Neglin Engineer – Frank Von Dem Bottlenberg, Lennart Ström, Niklas Flyckt, Thomas Gertz Engineer, Mixed By – Peter In De Betou Graphics, Design – Camilla B. Tryck Other [Craving] – Peter Strindberg Painting [Oil] – Janeric Johansson Photography By – Lennart Dannstedt Producer, Arranged By, Written-By – Per-Erik Hallin
