1990 – Page 5 – Real 80s CCM

Eddie DeGarmo – Phase II (Afterlife Guarantee) – 1990

This was the second solo album from Eddie DeGarmo. I remember listening to his first one which was OK but didn’t strike me as any special but this album is different. This is a great rock/pop album with some rhythm and blues overtones and it is much better than his first effort. As I dug through the credits I discovered some pretty big names. Larry Howard contributed on guitar, and Russ Taff and Mark Farner contributed some back up vocals. The title track is the standout track in my opinion and I think this may be the closest CCM track ever to a ZZ-Top sound and it isn’t just good because of the imitation, it’s because this is a great track. Definitely going into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Fragile Heart – 4:15
2 – Can’t Stand Still – 4:09
3 – My Way Home – 3:58
4 – Phase II – 4:59
5 – There’s Something About That Name – 3:54
6 – Prayed For A Woman Like You – 4:45
7 – Make It Count – 4:17
8 – Profession Of Faith – 4:13
9 – Shoreline – 5:03
10 – Forgive Me For Doubting You – 4:06
11 – Beyond The Tears – 5:09

Credits
Dan Brock – Executive Producer
Commissioned – Background Vocals
Eddie DeGarmo – Producer, Engineer, Songwriter, Keyboards, Vocals
The Duncan Sisters – Background Vocals
Michael English – Background Vocals
Mark Farner – Vocals
Gloria Gaither – Songwriter
William Gaither – Songwriter, Piano
Joy Gardner – Background Vocals
Ron W. Griffin – Producer, Engineer, Mixed
Chris Harris – Background Vocals
Mark Heimermann – Background Vocals
Larry Howard – Guitars
Tom Laune – Additional Engineer, Mixed
Dennis Lolorriere – Background Vocals
Willy Lucius – Drums
Carl Marsh – Orchestra Arrangements, Keyboards
Rusty McFarland – Additional Engineer
Jerry McPherson – Guitars
Marty Paoletta – Saxophone
Warren Pease – Bass
Russ Taff – Vocals
Michael Tait – Background Vocals
Hank Williams – Mastered

Believer – Sanity Obscure – 1990

This is the second album from Believer and in my opinion shows some real maturity in the band. Now normally I’m not too quick to praise a thrash album but this one is actually pretty good. I mean musically it’s very good and in fact I think I would really like it with normal vocals. BUT this is not what the band is so I will evaluate the album for what it is. I will say this is the first Thrash album I have ever listened to more than once, yea really, it’s that good. The band claims they recorded the whole album in 2 weeks which I find quite surprising as the production is very good. Oh well if your not a thrash kind of person hey try listening to “Like A Song”, it’s actually a pretty cool cover of U2.

Tracklist
1 – Sanity Obscure – 6:08
2 – Wisdom’s Call – 3:44
3 – Nonpoint – 5:14
4 – Idols Of Ignorance – 4:39
5 – Stop The Madness – 3:56
6 – Dies Irae (Day Of Wrath) – 5:41
7 – Dust To Dust – 5:02
8 – Like A Song – 3:27

Credits
Art Direction – Jeff Spencer, Sudden Images
Artwork [Cover Art By] – David DeVries
Band – D. Baddorf, J. Daub, K. Bachman, W. Robertson
Composed By [Dies Irae Band Section Composed By] – Kurt Bachman
Composed By [Dies Irae Orchestration Composed By] – Scott Laird
Concept By [Dies Irae Concept And General Chaotic Madness] – Doug Mann
Crew [Crew Chief] – Eric “Cecil” Greenwalt
Engineer [Engineered By] – Paul Krueger, Ted Hermanson
Film Technician [Video Tech] – Robert Baddorf
Management [Managed By] – PGM Management
Management [Road Manager] – Deana Baddorf
Photography [Photos By] – Tom Storm
Producer [Produced By] – Doug Mann, Paul Krueger
Soprano Vocals [Dies Irae Soprano] – Julianne Laird Hoge
Written-By [All Songs Written By] – D. Baddorf, J. Daub, K. Bachman, W. Robertson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – R.E.X. Records
Copyright © – R.E.X. Records
Copyright © – Jambox Music
Copyright © – Blue Mountain Music Ltd.
Published By – Island Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Morningstar Studios
Recorded At – HMS Productions
Mixed At – Morningstar Studios
Mastered At – The Hit Factory
Pressed By – DADC
Glass Mastered at – DADC – DIDX-009462

Crystavox – Crystavox – 1990

Formed in 1989 in San Diego, California Crystavox was quick into the studio to get this album out to us. Now keep in mind I’m not the biggest fan of Metal but this is an album I can listen to. Now it’s probably due to the commercial feel but this really is a good album and is probably one of my favourite metal albums. Of particular note is “It’s All Right (To Rock N’ Roll)”. There are so many bands that have done a song exactly along these lines but this is probably one of the best. It comes off as a real song and doesn’t have a cliché feel to it at all. It’s a great Rock & Roll track and made it right into my regular rotation. Given the quality of this album I can’t wait to hear their next one.

Tracklist
1 – Sacrifice – 3:49
2 – Power Games – 4:22
3 – Wear It Out – 2:41
4 – Turn It On – 4:15
5 – Home Again – 4:53
6 – All The Way – 4:07
7 – It’s All Right – 4:13
8 – All Around The World – 3:18
9 – Never Give In – 4:15
10 – Tough Boys – 4:27

Credits
Bass Guitar – Leo Correla
Drums – Fred Helm
Keyboards – Loren Holmquist
Lead Guitar – Tony Lopez
Rhythm Guitar – Loren Holmquist
Vocals – Adam Lee Kemp

Sacred Warrior – Wicked Generation – 1990

This is the third album from Sacred Warrior and perhaps their strangest. Not strange in musical style as it’s pretty well your standard late 80’s metal album but instead it’s the structure and message of the album that’s different. The songs follow a story of child abuse from the eyes of the abused. The tracks are structured to tell a story of abuse until both the abused and the abuser come to God in the end. I’ll give them and their label, Intense Records, credit. This is a touchy issue today never mind in 1990 so it was a pretty gutsy idea. That said the album should be listened to in the proper order of the tracks. The band obviously worked on this whole concept very hard but I feel they may not have worked as hard on the music. There isn’t really a standout track and they all kind of meld together. Then again that might be a good thing as it causes you to concentrate a little harder on the message.

Tracklist
1 – No Happy Endings – 5:09
2 – Little Secrets – 6:18
3 – Standing Free – 5:00
4 – Are You Ready – 3:05
5 – Minister By Night – 3:35
6 – Miss Linda – 4:51
7 – In The Night – 5:58
8 – Warriors – 3:13
9 – Wicked Generation – 4:44
10 – War Torn Hero – 4:57

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Bass – Steve Watkins
Drums – Tony Velazquez
Engineer [ADD] – Steve Weeder
Engineer, Mixed By – Harry Witz
Guitar – Bruce Swift
Keyboards – Rick Macias
Layout – Joe Potter
Photography By – Basement Art Inc.
Producer – Jim Homan
Vocals – Ray Parra
Vocals [Additional] – Alysha Villareal, Bruce Swift, Jim Homan, Kristi Pollock, Rey Parra, Steve Watkins, Steve Weeder
Written-By – Bruce Swift, Rey Parra, Rick Macias, Steve Watkins, Tony Velasquez

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Intense Records (10)
Copyright © – Intense Records (10)
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Recorded At – River North Studios
Published By – Broken Songs
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia

Daniel Amos – Live Bootleg ’82 – 1990

There are several recordings of DA live in the 80’s but this should be the definitive one. You can tell from the mix that they intended for this to be a recorded concert. Apparently we can attribute that excellent mix to Bruce Brown who is an obscure engineer from Australia but his work is excellent. Anyway, setting out to record a live album can be a complicated thing as you need to convert visual to audio. DA nailed it on this one and this may actually be one of the best concerts I have ever heard. Definitely top 10. Of real interest are 3 unreleased songs on the album “I’m On Your Team”, “Everyone’s Fallen Down”, and “Love Has Open Arms”. All 3 are excellent tunes. The album also has a version of their concert famous “Surf Suite” which is absolutely excellent. Think Devo meets the Beach Boys. No really. Apparently there was an “Uncut” version of the album released with additional tracks. We’re on the lookout for it already. This a is a top notch release and should be given the time it deserves for a listen.

Tracklist
1 – I Love You #19 – 3:15
2 – I’m On Your Team – 2:27
3 – Faces To The Window – 2:23
4 – Mall All Over The World – 3:05
5 – Everyone’s Fallen Down – 3:25
6 – Baby Game – 2:34
7 – Through The Speakers – 2:43
8 – ¡Alarma! – 2:41
9 – Love Has Open Arms – 3:25
10 – Hit Them (With Love) – 2:37
11 – Hound Of Heaven – 3:50
12 – Ghost Of The Heart – 2:32
13 – The Surf Suite – 8:37

Credits
Artwork, Layout – Court Patton, Tom Gulotta
Bass, Vocals – Tim Chandler
Coordinator [Project Coordinator] – Tom Gulotta
Drums, Vocals – Ed McTaggart
Engineer [Final Mix] – Gene Eugene
Lead Guitar, Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Terry Taylor
Mastered By – Doug Doyle
Producer – Terry Taylor
Producer [Live Concert Production] – Bruce Brown
Recorded By, Mixed By – Bruce Brown, Tom Brooks
Written-By [All Songs Written By] – Terry Taylor

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Stunt Records (2)
Distributed By – Spring Arbor Distribution – 0001502093
Recorded At – Neverland Studios
Mastered At – Digital Brothers
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia

77’s – Sticks And Stones – 1990

How great of a band is The 77’s? Well, how many bands could release a collection of rejects, B-sides, cast-offs, demos and throw-aways and still have it be one of the best album released for that year and one of the best albums of all time? Pretty much only The 77’s. After the dissolving of Exit Records and the greatest shame in the history of CCM rock music (the Island 77’s not becoming the biggest album at the time), Mike Roe and mates moved to Broken Records, headed by Ojo Taylor of Undercover, released a bunch of demos and rejects and made one of the most enjoyable and listenable albums in their storied career. It is actually one of the most commercially pleasing and accessible albums Roe has been involved with. Great alternative pop with killer hooks and a ton of memorable songs. In fact, the lead track (MT) made its way onto popular teen television show, Beverly Hills, 90210. But that was not the only hit song from the album. Christian rock radio jumped all over Nowhere Else and the reworked “This Is the Way Love Is.” But it is the more self-indulgent songs that became long standing concert favorites and true 77’s classics. Perfect Blues had been a long standing live favorite that finally saw the light of day on this album and shows Roe’s mastery of guitar in all styles. “Don’t, This Way” is one of the most haunting and beautiful songs of Roe’s career and is also one of the best live songs the band performs. Here, it’s Roe’s subtlety as a musician that shines. Just stunning and mesmerizing. God Sends Quails is anything but subtle and shows Roe’s appreciation for the 60’s and 70’s psychedelic blues, jam bands and would even appeal to fans of Glass Harp and Blind Faith.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – MT – 3:57
2 – Nowhere Else – 4:13
3 – This Is The Way Love Is – 5:11
4 – Perfect Blues – 6:10
5 – Don’t. This Way – 7:31
6 – You Walked In The Room – 4:23
7 – The Days To Come – 4:25
8 – The Loop – 3:54
9 – God Sends Quails – 6:34
10 – Love Without Dreams – 4:52
11 – Do It For Love – 3:14
12 – The Lust, The Flesh, The Eyes & The Pride Of Life – 3:23
13 – Pearls Before Swine – 8:18
14 – Bottom Line – 5:48

Credits
Bass – Jan Eric
Drums [Still More Pounding & Thrashing] – Aaron Smith
Guitar – Mark Toole, Michael Roe
Keyboards – Mark Toole
Mastered By – David Houston
Mixed By – Daryl Zachman, Steve Griffith
Producer – Michael Roe, Steve Griffith
Recorded By – Daryl Zachman, Steve Griffith
Voice – Jan Eric, Michael Roe

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Moon Studios, Sacramento
Distributed By – Word Australia
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – TT’s Ltd
Copyright © – TT’s Ltd
Recorded At – The Late Great Exit Studio
Mixed At – The Late Great Exit Studio
Recorded At – The Music Annex
Mixed At – The Music Annex

Creed – The Sign Of Victory – 1990

This Creed should not be confused with the mainstream Creed of the late 90’s. This Creed came out of Germany in the mid 80’s. They actually had a demo and 12″ in the mid 80’s both of which are very good. This however is the only proper album we got from them. I love that the opening track is a live cut that sets the pace for the whole album. I used to love back in the 80’s when bands would occasionally toss a live track onto an album. It always felt like a bonus. This album is quality metal and I am a little surprised we didn’t hear more from them. I understand they were not that well known in The U.S. but were very popular in Germany. For some reason the drumming on this album stands out to me as being above average. Drumming never really stands out to me on a Metal album but it did this time. This album deserves to be listened to and it deserved to be more popular when it came out.

Tracklist
1 – Sign Of Victory – 4:03
2 – Taken By Storm – 4:18
3 – Meet Again (Farewell) – 4:35
4 – Broken Heart – 4:23
5 – Child – 0:35
6 – Prayer Of Praise – 2:59
7 – Tonite – 3:56
8 – Break The Chainz – 4:15
9 – Forever On Fire – 4:01
10 – In The Dark – 3:53

Credits
Bass – Tichy Casni
Drums – Stefan Schütz
Engineer – Olaf Ritter
Guitar – Udo Libutzkij
Lead Vocals – Jessy Baron
Mixed By – Manfred Lohse, Olaf Ritter
Producer – Norman Barratt

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – CDT Berlin
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Pila Music
Copyright © – Pila Music
Recorded At – Tonstudio Leonberg

Holy Saint – Holy Saint – 1990

This is the second Demo from Holy Saint. The first was in 1988 entitled “Babylon”. Both were well received and the band developed a strong cult following. Strangely a couple of the band name used monikers and I can’t actually find any information on who they really were. Sadly information on them is lost to time as is so much info on these little known 80’s CCM bands. The album was finally reissued on CD in 2005 by Retrospect Records however they didn’t include the final track which is the band testifying to their listeners. Personally I think it should have been included as it’s a really well done testimony. That said this is a demo and the quality lacks a little bit but the quality of the band shines through and this is a much listen if you were a metal head in the day.

Tracklist
1 – Crying Out – 4:17
2 – Love Never Fails – 4:54
3 – Walking A Fine Line – 4:20
4 – 777 – 3:58
5 – Christ Is The Answer – 4:06
6 – Come Unto Me – 5:18
7 – Call On Your Name – 6:29
8 – Give Your Life Away – 4:45
9 – Message From The Band – 8:56

Credits
Chris Brooks – Lead Vocals
Radical Rad – Guitars
Pat Tharp – Bass
Bruce Atomic – Drums

Priority Paid – Sometimes We Scream – 1990

This was the second release from Priority Paid who were from Sydney Australia. I can’t really find much info on the band but I do know that their first album was very well received in Australia. This album appears to have been self released but was picked up by Round Music Group in the USA and was distributed in the US and Canada. That said the US and Canadian version included several tracks from their first release “Image” that I don’t believe was ever released in North America. This EP has that great late 80’s sound that came out of Australia. I really enjoyed this album and I’m sorry i missed it back in 1990.

Tracklist
1 – Back To The River – 3:29
2 – All Guns Blazing – 3:34
3 – Madame Trousseau – 3:11
4 – Counting The Gains – 5:03
5 – Footsteps In The Sand – 3:21
6 – Shine – 3:39

Credits
Bass, Vocals – O.M. Craig
Drums – R.E.S. Pye
Guitar – I.K.A. McDonald
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – P.D. Downey
Vocals, Keyboards, Harmonica – J.R. Burns

Breakfast With Amy – Everything Was Beautiful And Nothing Hurt – 1990/1995

Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt is the first studio album by Breakfast with Amy and was first released in 1990. I’m a little confused at the release of this album. The band claims it was an Independent release but I see it was released on Narrowpath Records which was a small but established label. Also strangely it was reissued in 1995 on Gray Dot Records which was a new label that year. Furthermore the original version was distributed by Refuge and had a Refuge catalog number assigned to it. Oh and by the way the 1995 version had 3 bonus tracks which are demo’s from their previous sessions. We have included those tracks. Breakfast with Amy is/was an alternative/punk band out of La Habra California. It’s said that the band formed as “Friends Of Amy” as an emergency fill in for a cancelled act for a church in California. You certainly wouldn’t have heard anything like this is my Church which makes me wish I grew up in these California Churches. Apparently this album sold very well and this was the reason for a reissue but the fact that the reissue is on a different label leaves me to believe there was probably more to the story.

Tracklist
1 – Icky – 4:31
2 – Power – 4:09
3 – Cavewoman – 6:04
4 – This Train – 4:18
5 – Mr. Ed – 2:46
6 – Funeral – 3:44
7 – Everything – 4:02
8 – Ferris Wheel – 3:32
9 – Abandoned Houses – 3:37
10 – Social Studies – 4:10
Bonus Tracks
11 – Ferris Wheel (Demo Version) – 9:07
12 – Love Song (Demo Version) – 4:43
13 – Funeral (Demo Version) – 5:32

Credits
Drums – Paul Pelligrin
Electric Bass – Bob Wholer, Tennesee Beans
Engineer [Engineered By] – Dan Bush
Guitar – Christopher Colbert
Guitar, Vocals – Caryn Colbert
Photography By [Cover Photo] – Jack A. Smith
Producer [Produced By] – Amy
Recorded By – Chaz Ramirez
Vocals, Guitar – David Koval
Written-By [All Songs] – Breakfast With Amy

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Narrowpath Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Gray Dot Records
Copyright (c) – Gray Dot Records
Distributed By – GDR Distribution
Distributed By – Refuge Records
Recorded At – Casbah Studio
Recorded At – Half Moon Studio
Published By – Doll Light Music, Inc.
Pressed By – American Multimedia, Inc.