Angelica – Rock, Stock & Barrel – 1991

This is probably the first and maybe the only Christian album better known for a music video than the album itself. The band put together a music video for the single “Cover Me” and it was probably the best Christian music video up to the point. At least that’s what their fans said. I watched it and it’s definitely good for the genre but I certainly don’t believe it was all that great. Anyway this was their 3rd album and their best up to this point. It also strangely had yet a different vocalist than their previous 2. Three albums with 3 different vocalists was certainly something a little different. The album toned down the metal a little bit which probably helped it reach a wider audience. Strangely the band added a metal version of the Canadian national anthem on the end of the album. As they were Canadian this wasn’t overly surprising but personally I found it a bit pointless.

Tracklist
1 – The Fire Inside – 4:23
2 – Someone To Believe In Me – 4:46
3 – Cover Me – 4:54
4 – Home Sweet Heaven – 4:55
5 – A Little Love – 3:57
6 – Sail Away – 4:11
7 – Keep Pushin’ On – 4:46
8 – Bumble Boob Groove – 1:52
9 – Rhyme & Reason – 3:52
10 – Without Words – 4:26
11 – Oh Canada – 1:46

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Bass, Backing Vocals [BGV’s] – Robert Pallen
Co-producer – Daro
Design – Joe Potter
Drums – Bobby Lawrence
Engineer – Daryl Wickes, Dennis Cameron, Doug Drury, Scott Seehawer
Guitar, Backing Vocals [BGV’s] – Dennis Cameron
Illustration – Steve Firchow
Keyboards – Christophe Marchand, Daro
Lead Vocals – Drew Baca
Liner Notes – Marie Nishimori
Management [Japan Representation] – MJM Artists
Mixed By – Daryl Wickes
Other [Hair By] – Peter McLaren
Photography By [Photos] – Gary Sweetman
Producer – Dennis Cameron
Words By, Music By – Dennis Cameron

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Intense Records
Copyright © – Intense Records
Licensed From – MJM Entertainment Group Inc.
Manufactured By – Pony Canyon Inc.
Recorded At – Charico Studios
Published By – Broken Songs

Glass Canoe – Glass Canoe – 1991

Australian band, Glass Canoe’s one & only self-titled album was released by 2 different record labels – Australian label Nightlight Records in 1991 and South African label Transistor Music in 1992. The song order varies considerably, with the South African release (which we have uploaded) having 2 extra tracks – The Tempest and She Heals Me. Peter Beveridge, who is an artist in his own right, was at the production helm and it shows. Lead vocalist, Tony Williams, released his own self-titled EP back in 1987. Acoustic and electric guitarist, David Holmes, released his debut solo album, Taking Ground, in 1991. Bass guitarist, Andrew James, was one of the original members of Australian mainstream band Midnight Oil. Other band members were Phil Saddleton on drums, and Colin Webber on keyboard. Give this album a listen if you like the pub/club rock of bands like Priority Paid and Surprise. The album has some great rock anthems (Kingdom of Nothing) and rock ballads (She Heals Me). Recommended tracks: Violence of Love and Days of our Youth.

Tracklist
1 – Fierce – 4:03
2 – Violence Of Love – 3:40
3 – Days Of Our Youth – 3:44
4 – The Tempest – 3:21
5 – Fire – 4:18
6 – Dancing In The Teeth Of Catastrophe – 4:05
7 – Kingdom Of Nothing – 3:38
8 – Still The Night – 3:43
9 – World Gone Crazy – 3:36
10 – She Heals Me – 4:10
11 – Umbrella – 3:36
12 – Wayfarers – 4:38

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – David Holmes
Arranged By [Brass], Keyboards, Sequenced By – Colin Webber
Bass Guitar – Andrew James
Blues Harp – Jim Conway
Co-producer – Glass Canoe
Drums, Drum Programming – Phil Saddleton
Engineer – Colin Webber
Engineer, Mixed By – Guy Gray
Harmony Vocals – Shauna Jensen
Harmony Vocals, Saxophone, Flute, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Sequenced By, Arranged By – David Butts
Keyboards, Sequenced By, Arranged By – Peter Beveridge
Mandolin, Violin – Wayne Goodwin
Mastered By – Don Bartley
Producer – Peter Beveridge
Written-By, Lead Vocals, Piano, Keyboards – Tony Williams

Companies, etc.
Marketed By – Transistor Music
Distributed By – Tusk Music
Licensed From – Jewel Music (Australia) Pty. Limited
Printed By – Interpak
Recorded At – Nightlight Studios
Recorded At – EMI Studios 301
Recorded At – Rich Studios
Mastered At – EMI Studios 301

David Payton – I Got Wise – 1991

After Mylon LeFevre & Broken Heart called it quits most of the band seemed to disappear. Guitarist David Payton however did release one solo album. It looks like this was a from scratch project as not one of his previous bandmates seemed to be involved. The album is a little scattered with pop, rock, blues, and even a country oriented song. Annoyingly all of these styles are very well done and I think David could have done a whole album in any of these styles. Unfortunately because of all the differing styles the album really doesn’t flow which is an absolute pity because there is some real talent here. Anyway this was all we got from David but it’s well worth listening to, I for one would have liked to hear some more from him.

Tracklist
1 – He Can – 3:36
2 – I Got Wise – 3:41
3 – Preacherman – 3:21
4 – Oh Where Is The Love – 3:52
5 – Where Do I Go From Here – 4:48
6 – For All That You’ve Done – 3:26
7 – Heaven Is Where I’ll Go – 2:58
8 – Great To Be Alive (Feeling) – 4:14
9 – Gospel Light – 4:40
10 – Fire And Brimstone Blues – 5:12

Novella – One Big Sky – 1991

This is the introductory album from Novella. We were first introduced to them on the 1988 Pure Metal sampler, The Axemen. I knew when I heard their track I wanted to hear more. Unfortunately we had to wait until 1991 for that album. It looks like they couldn’t come to a deal with Pure Metal as this album was on Star Song. If you were waiting for this album you weren’t disappointed. It is a solid Rock offering with just a few hints of Metal. I can’t find any info on the origins of the band so we will just have to be happy with listening to the album. My takeaway track is “Lay It On Me”, it’s on my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Do We Just Surrender – 4:37
2 – Running Home – 5:00
3 – Fire Eyes – 6:05
4 – I Need You – 5:16
5 – Whispers In The Night – 4:24
6 – Give Me Love – 4:51
7 – Lay It On Me (Intro) – 0:39
8 – Lay It On Me – 3:49
9 – Who Are We To Say – 4:04
10 – Sweet Rising Sun – 5:08
11 – Big Sky – 5:28

Credits
A&R [A&R Support] – Dez Dickerson
Backing Vocals – Arlene Kinsey, Darlene Haynes, Diedre James
Backing Vocals [Additional], Backing Vocals [Gang “Whoooos”] – Suzanne Pagano
Backing Vocals [Gang “Whoooos”] – Novella
Bass, Vocals – Jon Spinola
Co-producer, Mixed By [Assistant] – Jonathan Pagano
Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Adam Gibson
Guitar [On Almost Every Song], Backing Vocals [Gang “Whoooos”] – Steve Paul
Illustration, Artwork [Sculpture], Artwork [Logos] – David DeVries
Keyboards – Plinky Giglio
Layout – Jeff Spencer
Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards – Jonathan Pagano
Mastered By – Dennis Ferrante
Photography – Michael Berry
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Plinky Giglio
Vocals [Intro Vocal], Backing Vocals – Henry “Solo” Gilliam
Written-By – John Citorelli, Jonathan Pagano, Steve Paul

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Trax East
Mixed At – Trax East
Recorded At – Omega Mix Recording Studios
Mastered At – BMG Studios, NY
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Star Song
Copyright © – Star Song
Record Company – Star Song Communications
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia

Daniel Amos – Kalhoun – 1991

Kalhoun is the ninth album from Daniel Amos but it was actually released under their moniker dä. The band had taken a break for 4 years while working on other projects. The album was perceived as being rather anti government in the aftermath of the Gulf War but it’s not in your face, it’s rather subtle. Strangely the track “If You Want To” was later rerecorded by the Lost Dogs for their 2004 album MUTT. The album is true to their earlier rock sound and we don’t hear much new wave sounds on the album. I think that makes this album probably the best of their 90’s work.

Tracklist
1 – Big, Warm, Sweet, Interior Glowing – 3:36
2 – If You Want To – 3:58
3 – Kalhoun – 3:20
4 – I Will Return – 4:18
5 – Tracking The Amorous Man – 3:08
6 – Virgin Falls – 4:14
7 – Gloryhound – 4:40
8 – Prayer Wheel – 3:39
9 – Note To Anna – 2:41
10 – Father Explains – 4:32
11 – Gate Of The World – 4:11

Credits
Art Direction – Court Patton, Terry Taylor, Tom Gulot
Bass, Guitar [Additional] – Tim Chandler
Cello – Miles Tackett
Design, Layout – Patton Brothers Design
Drums, Percussion – Ed McTaggart
Engineer – G. Eugene
Film Technician [Film Imaging] – Ed McTaggart
Guitar, Accordion, Organ [B-3], Violin – Greg Flesch
Illustration [Illustrations] – Court Patton
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Terry Taylor
Mastered By – John Matousek
Mixed By – G. Eugene, Terry Taylor
Other [Organ Donor] – Travis Sheets
Pedal Steel Guitar – Greg Kellogg
Photography – Brian K. Tong
Producer – Daniel Amos, Terry Taylor
Technician [Drums] – Dave Raven
Trumpet – Dave Hackbarth

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Brainstorm Artists International
Copyright © – Brainstorm Artists International
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Produced For – Stunt Productions
Recorded At – The Mixing Lab (2)
Recorded At – Neverland Studios
Mixed At – Neverland Studios
Mastered At – Sound Works West
Published By – Twitchen Vibes Music
Published By – Brainstorm Artists International

DeGarmo & Key – Go To The Top – 1991

This 1991 offering from D&K pretty well followed along form their previous studio album. I have a strange opinion of this album. I think It’s a really good album but I think it was hurt with poor production. Ron W. Griffin mixed and produced the album. He is a very good producer and has produced several excellent D&K albums but I think I actually dislike his mix. Several tracks fade in which is rather odd. I don’t think I know of ay other album that has this many tracks that fade in. All that aside the album was nominated for a Grammy but lost to Russ Taff. Like I said I think this is a great album but not Grammy nomination good. Perhaps if the production had been better I would think different. That said I rarely agree with Grammy decisions so my opinion is tainted. All that aside the best track on the album is no doubt “Ultimate Ruler”. The ZZTopish intro and great riffs make it a favorite rock tune that is on my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – I Believe – 1:20
2 – Go To The Top (At The Top Reprise) – 4:09
3 – Against The Night – 5:12
4 – Ultimate Ruler – 5:00
5 – Soul Mender – 4:06
6 – Family Reunion – 4:06
7 – Still At Work – 3:12
8 – Stand, Fight, Win – 3:51
9 – Victory – 4:16
10 – March On – 5:11
11 – The Rest Of My Life – 4:00

Credits
Tommy Cathey – Bass, Bass Arranger, Background Vocals
Eddie DeGarmo – Songwriter, Keyboards, Organ, Lead and Background Vocals
Ron W. Griffin – Producer, Engineer, Mixed
Howard Irving – Assistant Engineer
Dana Key – Songwriter, Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals
Carl Marsh – Orchestral Arranger, Keyboards, Programming
Roscoe Meek – Rhythm and Lead Guitars, Acoustic Guitar
Doug Nightwine – Assistant Engineer
Ken Pennell – Executive Producer
Mark Pogue – Background Vocals
Kevin Rodell – Drum Arranger

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Benson Music Group
Produced For – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.
Copyright © – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.
Copyright © – DKB Music
Published By – DKB Music
Recorded At – Quad Studios
Recorded At – Three Alarm Studios
Mastered At – Mastermix

Tourniquet – Psycho Surgery – 1991

This is the second album from Tourniquet. Now everyone should know by now I don’t care for Metal and or Thrash and I often get bashed for saying I don’t like a metal album. Now that said even though I don’t like the style I can still tell if an album is good or not. This album is good, not just a little good either, it is probably one of the best Thrash albums I have ever heard. It was produced by Bill Metoyer who has been producing some of the best secular music bands as well as the metal version of Deliverance. Anyway the album was very well received including two GMA Dove Award nominations for Metal Album of the Year and Metal Recorded Song of the Year. HM Magazine ranked Psycho Surgery #18 on its list of Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time and the #2 album on its list of Top 100 Christian Metal Albums of All Time. I might agree with the Metal album spot but I think their being a little over the top on the #18 ranking on its list of Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time. Anyway this is a great album and even if you’re not a big fan of Metal you should probably give it a listen at least once.

Tracklist
1 – Psycho Surgery – 4:14
2 – A Dog’s Breakfast – 4:27
3 – Viento Borrascoso (Devastating Wind) – 3:06
4 – Vitals Fading – 2:46
5 – Spineless – 5:12
6 – Dysfunctional Domicile – 5:01
7 – Broken Chromosomes – 5:21
8 – Stereotaxic Atrocities – 4:21
9 – Officium Defunctorum – 6:26

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Bass, Vocals – Victor Macias
Concept By [Illustration Concept] – Jim Martin
Design – Joe Potter
Drums, Lead Guitar [Additional], Rhythm Guitar [Additional] – Ted Kirkpatrick
Engineer, Mixed By – Bill (G. Shumway) Metoyer
Illustration [Cover Illustration] – Ken Taufer
Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Effects, Engineer – Guy Ritter
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Erik Mendez
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals – Gary Lenaire
Lead Vocals [On Verse One Of Vitals Fading And All Verses Of “Psycho”] – Gary Lenaire
Musical Assistance [Theological Review] – George Bryson
Photography By – Jim Muth
Producer – Bill Metoyer
Producer, Concept By [Illustration Concept] – Tourniquet
Vocals [Spanish Vocals on Vitals Fading] – Victor Macias

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Broken Songs
Mixed At – Mixing Lab A
Recorded At – Mixing Lab B
Recorded At – Hammersound, Chatsworth
Recorded At – Asaph
Produced At – Downtown Rehearsal
Produced At – Eagle Rock Studios
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Intense Records
Copyright © – Intense Records
Distributed By – FMG Distribution
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia

Greg X Volz – The Exodus – 1991

Greg describes this album as “A loosely-bound concept album beckoning the listener ‘out of Egypt'”. I can hear that the album has a “concept” kind of flow but I struggled to hear the message he is trying to portray. I really have no idea how well this album was received but I’ll be honest, I’m just not feeling this album. I’m not saying it’s a bad album just not one of his best but maybe I’m just being picky. There are a couple really good tracks but I’m missing that Rock & Roll feel of his previous solo albums. But I’m just thinking now that perhaps that’s what Greg was aiming for. Anyway the album definitely does deserve to be listened to and individually there are some real good tracks.

Tracklist
1 – What Then – 5:24
2 – Set Up (To Take A Fall) – 4:08
3 – Man Overboard – 3:23
4 – In The Course Of Time – 5:48
5 – Marching On – 4:35
6 – Freedom Train – 4:41
7 – The Exodus – 4:38
8 – On Bended Knees – 5:07
9 – Come To Me – 4:37
10 – Standin’ – 3:51

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Chris Rodriguez
Arranged By – Carl Marsh
Backing Vocals – Dan Keen, GXV, John Hodge
Bass – Gary Lunn, Jimmy Lee Sloas
Co-producer – Greg X Volz
Design [Cover Design & Logo] – Jolly Design
Drums – Marvin Steinberg
Guitar – Chris Rodriguez, Jerry McPherson
Guitar [Guitar Solo] – J. R. McNeely
Keyboards – Carl Marsh, Gary Lunn
Layout – Becky Volz
Mastered By – Ken Love
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – River Records
Copyright © – River Records
Distributed By – Spectra, Inc.
Distributed By – Christian Marketing
Distributed By – Christian Marketing Limited
Distributed By – Maranatha Record Company
Recorded At – Johnny dB’s Basement
Recorded At – Scrimshaw Sound
Recorded At – Allies Recording Studio
Mixed At – Asaph Recording Studio
Mixed At – Duckworth Studio
Mastered At – Mastermix
Published By – Xavier Music
Published By – Scripture In Song
Published By – Maranatha Music
Published By – Meadowgreen Music
Published By – GIA Publications, Inc.
Published By – Dimension Music

Amy Grant – Heart In Motion – 1991

This may be the most successful CCM album of all time. It made it to #10 on the Billboard 200 chart and #1 on the Christian albums chart for 32 weeks. It also went 5 times platinum in the United States, selling over five million copies. Her biggest hit “Baby Baby” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also received a nomination for the Grammy Awards of Album of the Year but lost out to Unforgettable… with Love by Natalie Cole. I’m not the biggest Amy Grant fan but she was robbed of that Grammy and I personally feel there was some internal politics in play. But aside from maybe the numbers you knew this was a very successful album already. So as I struggle to write something about this album that others haven’t covered all I could find was some interesting names on the credits. Dann Huff played some guitar and as usual Michael Omartian was heavily involved in the album. The credits actually appear to include just about everyone in the Nashville music scene. Obviously Myrrh and A&M Records pulled out all the stops for this album and I shudder to think of the production costs. But as it went 5 times platinum and sure those costs were well covered.

Tracklist
1 – Good For Me – 3:59
2 – Baby Baby – 3:57
3 – Every Heartbeat – 3:32
4 – That’s What Love Is For – 4:17
5 – Ask Me – 3:51
6 – Galileo – 4:19
7 – You’re Not Alone – 3:49
8 – Hats – 4:09
9 – I Will Remember You – 5:00
10 – How Can We See That Far – 4:26
11 – Hope Set High – 2:48

Credits
Amy Grant – Executive Producer, Songwriter, Vocals
David Ahlert – Engineer
Jeff Balding – Mixed
Brown Bannister – Producer
Steven Bishir – Engineer
Michael Blanton – Executive Producer
Robbie Buchanan – Keyboards
Gary Chapman – Songwriter, Background Vocals
Terry Christian – Engineer, Mixed
Simon Climie – Songwriter
Gardner Cole – Songwriter
Todd Culros – Engineer
Bill Deaton – Engineer
Diana DeWitt Hanna – Background Vocals
Mark Douthit – Saxophone
Chris Eaton – Songwriter, Background Vocals
Rob Fisher – Songwriter
Kim Fleming – Background Vocals
Barry Green – Trombone
Jay Gruska – Songwriter
Mark Hammond – Drums, Percussion Programming
Vicki Hampton – Background Vocals
Mike Haynes – Trumpet
Ron Hemby – Background Vocals
Tom Hemby – Songwriter, Background Vocals
Kurt Howell – Background Vocals
Dann Huff – Guitars
Gordon Kennedy – Guitars
Don Kirkpatrick – Guitars
Wayne Kirkpatrick – Songwriter
Sam Levine – Baritone Saxophone
Laura Livingston – Engineer
Bob Loftus – Engineer
Chris MacDonald – Horns Arranger
Pat MacDougall – Mixed
Brian Malouf – Mixed
Blair Masters – Keyboards
Chris McDonald – Horn Arranger
Donna McElroy – Background Vocals
Chris McHugh – Drums
Jerry McPherson – Guitars
Todd Moore – Production Assistance, Engineer
Dennis Morgan – Songwriter
Cliff Norrell – Mixed
Michael Omartian – Producer, Songwriter, Keyboards, Drum Sequencing
Charlie Peacock – Songwriter, Horns Arranger, Keyboards, Programming
Kelly Pribble – Engineer
David Raven – Drums
Chris Rodriguez – Background Vocals
Susanne Schwartz – Background Vocals
Tommy Sims – Bass
Tom Snow – Songwriter
Brian Tankersley – Synth Programming
Keith Thomas – Producer, Songwriter, Synthesizers, Bass, Drums, Percussion Programming, Background Vocals
Mimi Verner – Songwriter
Bill Whittington – Engineer
Rick Will – Engineer

Vengeance Rising – Destruction Comes – 1991

This is the third album from Vengeance Rising and at this point the only original member left in the band was Roger Martinez who apparently was very difficult to work with. Joining him on this album are Derek Sean who worked with Mortification, and Chris Hyde the former drummer of Deliverance and Holy Soldier. Neither of them made it onto the next album almost confirming that Martinez was in fact nuts. I will cover his bizarre behaviour in the late 90’sd when I review their next and last album. As for the album it’s a rather typical thrash album. Other reviewers have panned it as having poor production but I’ll be honest I have no idea how you can tell as it all sounds like screaming and strumming to me.

Tracklist
1 – You Can’t Stop It – 3:13
2 – The Rising – 5:11
3 – Before The Time – 2:57
4 – The Sword – 3:15
5 – He Don’t Own Nothing – 3:07
6 – Countless Corpses – 5:31
7 – Thanatos – 5:04
8 – You Will Bow – 4:09
9 – Hyde Under Pressure – 1:08
10 – Raegoul – 6:51

Credits
Bass – Roger Martinez
Drums – Chris Hyde
Engineer [Assistant] – Brandon Harris, Craig Brock
Engineer [Tracking] – Doug Beiden
Engineer, Mixed By – Gil Morales
Guitar – Derek Sean, Roger Martinez
Mastered By – Eddie Schryer
Producer, Mixed By – Roger Martinez
Synthesizer – Roger Martinez
Vocals – Roger Martinez

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Intense Records
Copyright © – Intense Records
Distributed By – FMG Distribution
Mixed At – Conway Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc
Engineered At – Mixing Lab B
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia