You might know this band by the name “Fear Not” or “Reaction” as apparently they had difficulty with names. I will admit again that I don’t look forward to Metal albums and it was the same for this one. However for some reason I really enjoyed this one. Most likely this is due to it’s very heavy commercial feel and sound. This is an album that would have done well in the secular market and quite frankly I could hear “Girl Gone Bad” on any 80’s station to this day. Signed by tiny label Blonde Vinyl Records I doubt they got much promotion which is a pity because I believe they found a real diamond here. Even if you don’t care for metal albums I would urge you to give this one a listen, I suspect you might like it. At the very least give their cover of The Beatles “A Hard Day’s Night”, it’s a pretty good cover.
Tracklist 1 – Real Love – 2:52 2 – Do You Love Me – 3:37 3 – Hearts On Fire – 4:05 4 – When Loneliness Comes Knockin’ – 4:27 5 – Girl Gone Bad – 3:32 6 – Fill ‘er Up – 0:13 7 – Goodbye Lady Jane – 3:48 8 – In Blue Again – 5:01 9 – 1000 Reasons – 4:56 10 – A Hard Day’s Night (Beatles Cover) – 2:33 11 – Do You Believe In Love – 3:22
Credits Art Direction, Design – Brian Ray Bass, Backing Vocals – Rod Romero Drums, Backing Vocals – Gary Hanson Engineer – Doug Beiden Engineer, Mixed By, Backing Vocals [Additional] – Brian Davis Executive-Producer – Michael G. Knott Guitar – Darin Eby Mastered By – Doug Doyle Photography By [Cover] – Nigel Skeet Producer, Mixed By – Christopher Colbert, Larry Worley Vocals, Guitar, Backing Vocals [Additional] – Larry Worley
This was Idle Cure’s 4th album and it pretty well picked up where 2nd Avenue left off. The style is very similar. That style being highly polished hard rock / light metal. The band lineup essentially remained the same and if you didn’t know better you might have thought they recorded this album at the same time as the previous, it’s that similar. From what I understand this album did not sell as well as 2nd Avenue but who knows. Christian record companies weren’t well known for releasing sales numbers. So if you like your metal light or your rock hard and polished this is an album you will enjoy.
Tracklist 1 – We’ve Lost Ground – 4:03 2 – Who Cries For Me – 4:13 3 – Holy Mountain – 4:26 4 – Mind Games – 3:51 5 – Redline – 4:18 6 – Innocent Again – 4:44 7 – I Will Hold On – 3:47 8 – Where Is The Love – 3:39 9 – The Higher We Climb – 4:01 10 – Tear Down The Walls – 3:19
Credits Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Coordinator – Beth Jahnsen Design – Brian Godawa Drums – Clark Edmond Engineer – Bill Baumgart, Dave Jahnsen Guitar [Additional] – Glen Pierce Guitar, Vocals – Mark Ambrose Illustration – Steve Firchow Keyboards [Additional] – Tim Heintz Keyboards, Vocals – Pete Lomakin Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen Photography By – Wayne Armstrong Producer – Bill Baumgart Vocals – Steve Shannon Vocals [Additional] – Bob Carlisle
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records Copyright (c) – Frontline Records Record Company – Frontline Music Group Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia Produced For – Asylomar Recorded At – The Mixing Lab Mixed At – Mixing Lab A Mixed At – Front Page Studios
This Live Darrell Mansfield album was recorded live at the 1990 Flevo Totaal Music Festival. Darrell really should be listened to live to appreciate. I enjoy all his studio work don’t get me wrong but really his work is best live. Most these tracks will come up again and again on Darrell’s many live albums but these are earlier versions so some of them are done differently than he would do later.
Tracklist 1 – You Got To Move – 2:00 2 – No More Blues – 3:25 3 – Million Dollar Feelin’ – 7:40 4 – I Was Running – 2:43 5 – Thunder & Lightning – 4:57 6 – Jesus Coming Soon – 6:31 7 – Stand By Me – 5:30 8 – Biblestudy – 8:07
Credits Bass, Vocals – Eric Turner Design – Gransch Bakker Design Drums, Vocals – Greg Eckler Engineer – Roel Toering Guitar [Lead], Vocals – Bob Anglin Harmonica, Lead Vocals – Darrell Mansfield Mixed By – Charles Everaars, Gerrit aan ‘t Goor Photography By – Datafoto
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Asaph Records Copyright (c) – Asaph Records
Dreamer was a metal band from Toronto Canada formed by vocalist Dan McCabe of Daniel Band. This was their only release and it was on tiny label Image Records. You can definitely hear the Daniel Band influences but it is still a distinctly new sounding album. It has a great commercial Metal sound and in my opinion is even better than Daniel Band’s last release. I’m a little confused how these guys got lost in the shuffle of early 90’s metal bands especially with Daniel Band’s lead singer fronting the group. That said I did not follow the Metal scene in the early 90’s so I am no expert on the topic. All I can say is that this is an excellent album and they deserved a deal to give us more.
Tracklist 1 – Full Metal Racket – 5:13 2 – Cryin’ – 3:25 3 – Don’t Stop Now – 3:43 4 – Someone Cares for You – 3:51 5 – She’s My Angel – 4:47 6 – Heartache – 4:08 7 – Never Alone – 3:56 8 – Shake the Dust – 3:32 9 – Love from Above – 3:42 10 – Take It Away – 6:06 11 – Thank You Lord – 3:13
Credits Dan McCabe – Vocals (lead, backing), Bass, Keyboards Troy Cole – Drums, Vocals (backing) Daniel McAffee – Guitars (lead) Neil Charter – Guitars (rhythm) Bill Davidson – Bass
With Ten Stories Rick Elias is “Confession-less” and he stands alone with 10 brilliantly conceived, performed and recorded songs that should have made Elias a major name in CCM. But alas, it would be a few years later as a member of Rich Mullins’ Ragamuffin Band that Rick would garner what celebrity he has. But it is his first two releases that will be noted on this list with the debut being presented MUCH later. Frontline Records held no expense in trying to break Rick Elias into the mainstream of CCM with a major marketing and promotional push. I remember selling the album to stores with a huge cardboard cutout display and securing end-caps for even more exposure. But Christian radio was not ready (ever ready?) for gritty, earthy, Americana rock and roll without the easy Christianeze answers to life’s bigger questions. Or maybe the fact that Elias would not limit his musical export to three minute ditties for CCM consumption also played a role. The fact the album was a brilliant was not lost, though, on fans and critics alike. Despite never achieving the retail success the album deserved the critical and fan base response was huge. And for good reason. the album is filled with brilliance from the first power chord of “I Wouldn’t Need You Like I Do” to the last fading strain of “Leave One Light On.” Elias continues many of the themes from the debut including some stunning and difficult stories of those struggling with their faith, lives and doubts. No easy believism allowed here. There are pictures of frustration, loss, anger and rejection painted here. John Doe discusses the struggles of a man beaten up by his father as a child and beaten up by life as an adult. “Don’t Rain On Me” explores the one who refuses the love and grace of God. Despite looking at the gift, the subject refuses the basic common graces of God and refuses outright, through a heart of selfishness and doubt, the unique grace that comes through faith. Elias makes his characters so believable that it is hard not to imagine you or someone you know as the subjects. “My Very Own Hero” would have been a mainstream radio success story if the name on the single was Springsteen, Petty or Mellencamp. Great groove, killer melody and impressively passionate performance. “When You Lose Someone You Love” has Elias accompanied by acoustic guitar and harmonica, possessing a melody from something akin to Springsteen’s “Nebraska.” Though beautiful and brilliant, the haunting lyrical content would never allow it to be heard on Christian radio. The list of brilliant description could go throughout the entire project. Maybe it should!
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – I Wouldn’t Need You (Like I Do) – 5:18 2 – John Doe – 4:32 3 – Don’t Rain On Me – 5:19 4 – My Very Own Hero – 5:05 5 – When You Lose Someone You Love – 4:28 6 – Steps – 4:30 7 – Wondering Why – 4:10 8 – Pray For The Day – 5:15 9 – Only Your Love – 4:31 10 – Leave One Light On – 5:53
Credits Acoustic Bass – Glen Holmen (tracks: 5) Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Backing Vocals – Dave Jahnsen (tracks: 2,6), Kenny Hicks (tracks: 7), Linda Elias, Pete Shambrook* (tracks: 7), Rick Elias Bass – Kelly Burns Design – Brian Godawa Drums – Doug Mathews Electric Guitar – Glenn Pearce (tracks: 8) Engineer – Dave Jahnsen Engineer [Additional] – Bill Baumgart, Rick Elias Guitar – Rick Elias Keyboards – Linda Elias, Rick Elias Keyboards [Additional] – Jay York Lead Vocals – Rick Elias Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen, Rick Elias Percussion – Linda Elias Photography By – Wayne Armstrong Producer – Rick Elias Producer [Additional Production] – Dave Jahnsen, Linda Elias Written-By – Rick Elias
Companies, etc. Distributed By – FMG Distribution Record Company – Frontline Music Group – FLD9246
Siloam was brought together by drummer Brian Lutes. Brian had a checkered past and upon becoming born again wanted to use his life experience and music skills to minister. He brought together an international collection of musicians. Brian was from Canada, Lee Guthrie and Chad Everett hailed from Boston, Ken Maris from Vermont, and Tim Laroche from Iceland. I must say that Lutes did an excellent job of picking band members as they came together very quickly and this album (their first) is very very well done. The band is tight and the songs are great. This album has a very commercial metal sound and in my opinion was as good as anything on secular radio at the time. A copy of the original release is rare so hang on to yours . Luckily for those who hadn’t found a copy Retroactive Records re-issued the CD in 2020.
Tracklist 1 – Here I Am Again – 3:01 2 – Miss Lizzy – 3:36 3 – Child Of Mine – 3:53 4 – Chemical King (Big Fight) – 3:35 5 – Eastern Skies – 6:37 6 – Deceiver – 3:16 7 – After The Fire – 4:54 8 – Lethal Lady – 5:03 9 – Sweet Destiny – 4:28 10 – Decent Souls – 4:12
Credits Arranged By – Frank Levin, Siloam (2), Tom Saidak (tracks: 1, 3-5, 7-10) Bass, Backing Vocals – Chad Everett Cover, Layout – Richard A. Yaeger Drums, Percussion, Executive-Producer – Brian Lutes Guitar – Rob Durbano Guitar, Bass – Tom Saidak Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Ken Maris Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals – Tim Laroche Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Lee Guthrie Photography By – Paul Couvretta Producer, Engineer, Mixed By, Keyboards – Frank Levin
Companies, etc. Record Company – Image 7 Records Inc Phonographic Copyright (p) – Image 7 Music Inc. Copyright (c) – Image 7 Music Inc. Manufactured By – Image 7 Music Inc. Distributed By – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Distortion Studios Recorded At – Mama Jo’s Mastered At – Future Disc
As the story goes Mike Stand was resting after a surgery and decided to break out his Tascam 4 track and listen to some recordings the band made in 91 & 93. For some reason back in the day the boys were unable to release these recordings. Mike decided to see if he could get these recordings released so he ran a kickstarter to raise funds for the album. They successfully raised over $23,000 so we are blessed with a new, old album. The sound of this album is classic Altar boys so any fan of them back then will be a fan of this album. It’s not that often a situation likes this comes so I found it to be a real treat.
Tracklist 1 – Rebel Rock – 4:37 2 – No Substitute – 4:00 3 – Let Me See Your Hands – 3:31 4 – Light Of Freedom – 4:01 5 – Outside In The Distance – 3:25 6 – History Comes Back – 5:18 7 – The Kids Cry – 3:58 8 – Surround Me – 4:33 9 – Thousand Miles – 4:27 10 – Devotion – 4:28 11 – Give Our Hearts – 4:16 12 – Revolution Of Love – 2:53
Credits Design [Artwork Design] – Ron Lara Mixed By, Mastered By – Keith Sorrells Performer [Altar Boys Are:] – Jeff Crandall, Mark Robertson, Mike Stand, Steve Pannier
Companies, etc. Mixed At – Project K Studios Copyright (c) – Lo-Fidelity Records Copyright (c) – Oh Oh Nancy Music
This is the album that wrapped it all up for The Archers after a twenty year run. It was also a return after a five year hiatus during which most of the band were working on solo projects. This albums appears to be a one album deal with Reunion Records and a part of me thinks there is a story behind this rather weird timeline. Furthermore the album only has 1 song written by Steve and Tim with the rest being penned by other songwriters. All in all this album has a rather odd story but I searched to find the story as it’s not out there so I’ll just be happy with the album, which brings me to the album. Most of the songs are standard Archers ware but there a couple good pop songs on the album if you prefer your music a little more upbeat. The album spawned 3 radio singles. “Be Our Guest” made it to #6, “I Love You Lord” made it to #10 as did “Run To You.”
Tracklist 1 – All Things – 3:34 2 – I Love You Lord – 4:32 3 – All Because You Love Me – 4:52 4 – The Colors Of Your Love – 4:37 5 – Run To You – 4:04 6 – Music (All Around The World) – 4:53 7 – Back On Track – 4:49 8 – Be Our Guest – 4:34 9 – Beneath Your Blood – 4:09 10 – We Need Each Other – 4:58
Credits Arranged By – Smitty Price Arranged By [Vocals] – Jonathan David Brown, The Archers Art Direction – Buddy Jackson, D. Rhodes Bass – Gary Lunn, John Patitucci, Spencer Campbell Design – Sam Knight Drums – Keith Edwards, Mark Hammond Executive-Producer – Michael Blanton, Richard Headen, Terry Hemmings Guitar – Marty Walsh Guitar [Additional] – Jerry McPherson Keyboards – Smitty Price Keyboards [Additional] – Carl Marsh, Phil Kristianson Mastered By – Ken Love Percussion – Eric Darden, Johnny dB Photography By – Mark Tucker Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown Saxophone – Mark Douthit
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Reunion Records, Inc. Copyright (c) – Reunion Records, Inc. Manufactured By – Word, Inc. Distributed By – Word, Inc. Recorded At – 41B Studios Overdubbed At – Eagle Mountain Studios Overdubbed At – Digital Recorders Mixed At – Johnny dB’s Basement Mastered At – Mastermix Designed At – Jackson Design
Michael Bloodgood and the boys return for their final studio album until a 2013 reunion. This album deviated from their Metal style to a very commercial Hard Rock. The album did not do well and I believe I know why. Most Bloodgood fans liked Bloodgood because of their Heavy Metal sound so a commercial Hard Rock album is not what they wanted but because of their Heavy Metal history the album didn’t attract new fans who may have preferred the hard rock sound. The other problem with the album is that I believe it was a little dated for 1991. It sounded more like a mid to late 80’s album to me. All that said this is my favourite Bloodgood album. I love the Rock & Roll styling and quite frankly there are a few tracks on this album that easily could have got secular radio play. The lead track “S.O.S.” is an absolutely great Rock & Roll song and my favourite track. Final point of album trivia is that David Huff (White Heart) supplied the drum tracks.
Tracklist 1 – S.O.S. – 3:52 2 – All Stand Together – 4:19 3 – Escape From The Fire – 5:27 4 – Out Of Love – 2:39 5 – Say Goodbye – 3:41 6 – Kingdom Come – 4:12 7 – Fear No Evil – 3:47 8 – Help Me – 4:21 9 – Rounded Are The Rocks – 4:09 10 – Lies In The Dark – 4:50 11 – Streetlight Dancer – 3:49 12 – I Want To Live In Your Heart – 4:31
Credits Arranged By – Bloodgood Art Direction, Design – Robert Beeson Backing Vocals – Biff Vincent, Bret Pemelton, Darrell Devlin, Diana Meador, Joyce Carlsen, Meagan Cherry Bass, Backing Vocals – Michael Bloodgood Drums – David Huff Engineer, Backing Vocals – Charlie Watts Executive-Producer – Steve White Guitar – Paul Jackson Keyboards – Tim Heintz Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Les Carlsen Mastered By – Chris Bellman Photography By – Karen Moskowitz Producer, Arranged By – Phillip Biff Vincent
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Broken Records (7) Copyright (c) – Broken Records (7) Recorded At – Front Page Recorders Mixed At – Front Page Recorders Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering Published By – Dana Point Music Published By – Deolinda Music
The fourth album from Bride marked a rather abrupt change in style. I was told this was yet another metal album. As I listened to it I thought this is a Rock album not metal. As I read around the internet of peoples impression of this album and I kept reading the same thing. Metal fans who admitted they were metal fans who loved this album. From this I have deducted that Bride pulled off something very hard to do. They transitioned from metal to rock without losing their fan base. The band was still mainly Dale and Troy Thompson but they brought on a new drummer and bass player. I don’t know if this was because of the style change or was part of the design of the style change. It’s no secret that I’m not a huge fan of metal but I love hard rock and I loved this album. To my huge surprise Bride actually received a Dove award for the track “Everybody Knows My Name”. Apparently there used to be a category called “Hard Music Recorded Song Of The Year, who knew. Obviously I never followed the Dove Awards.
Tracklist 1 – Troubled Times – 4:29 2 – Hired Gun – 4:29 3 – Ever Fallen In Love – 4:36 4 – Mountain – 4:12 5 – Ski Mask – 4:31 6 – Everybody Knows My Name – 4:23 7 – Young Love – 3:31 8 – Kiss The Train – 3:58 9 – Crimes Against Humanity – 4:06 10 – Sweet Louise – 4:42
Credits Art Direction – Toni Thigpen Band [Bride Is], Bass – Rick Foley Band [Bride Is], Drums – Jerry McBroom Band [Bride Is], Guitar, Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar – Troy Thompson Band [Bride Is], Vocals, Backing Vocals – Dale Thompson Executive-Producer – Dez Dickerson Layout, Design – Tufts Design Studio Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar [Additional], Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar – Rob Johnson Mastered By – Roger Seibel Musical Assistance [Special Assistant] – Bobby Muldoon Photography By – Russ Harrington Producer [Produced By] – Steve Griffith Recorded By, Mixed By – Steve Griffith
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Pure Metal Copyright (c) – Pure Metal Record Company – Star Song Communications Produced For – Gaga Productions Recorded At – The Goldmine, Franklin, TN Mixed At – The Goldmine, Franklin, TN Mastered At – SAE Mastering Published By – Dawn Treader Music Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
