Audio Adrenaline (album)
Encyclopedia
Audio Adrenaline is the first full-length album by the Christian rock
band of the same name
. "My God" was one of the first songs recorded by the band, which caught the attention of ForeFront Records
.
. The band, which was known as A-180 at the time, had been playing and touring for some time already. Herdman approached them to record a song he had written called "My God" which mixed metal and rap. After they did, they asked Herdman to join the band as their keyboardist. Herdman also suggested they change their name, which they did to Audio Adrenaline.
Producer and singer Toby McKeehan
(from dc Talk
) stumbled upon the recording of "My God", and they met after a dc Talk concert in 1989. McKeehan then brought the tape to the people at Forefront Records
and they decided to sign the band. They then started writing and recording songs in the same vein as "My God", combining pop/rock elements with rap.
, gave the album 3 stars out of 5. Portell wrote that the album "showed early on that you can be in a Christian band with positive lyrics and still have fun all in the same." However, he pointed out that "the album does have a few flaws". John DiBiase, of Jesus Freak Hideout too, wrote that the album "has a few memorable tunes". The album features the hit single "DC-10", which would later be featured in several compilations of the band.
In later interviews, band members have expressed their dislike for the album. Guitarist Barry Blair said in an interview with CCM Magazine
about the album "If it was up to me, I would burn them all, make them disappear... There is nothing personal about that record." Despite this, the song "DC-10" was remade for their fifth studio album, Underdog
, albeit with a swing rhythm.
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
band of the same name
Audio Adrenaline
Audio Adrenaline was a Christian rock band that formed in the late 1980s at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky. During the band's 17-year existence, they were awarded two Grammy awards, multiple Dove Awards and they released 17 number one singles. They were regular performers at the...
. "My God" was one of the first songs recorded by the band, which caught the attention of ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records is a Christian Music record label founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI in 1996 from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group.In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD...
.
Development
According to the band, the album came to be when they met Bob HerdmanBob Herdman
Bob Mortimer Herdman is a Christian musician, songwriter and producer more known for being a member of the band Audio Adrenaline.-Biography:...
. The band, which was known as A-180 at the time, had been playing and touring for some time already. Herdman approached them to record a song he had written called "My God" which mixed metal and rap. After they did, they asked Herdman to join the band as their keyboardist. Herdman also suggested they change their name, which they did to Audio Adrenaline.
Producer and singer Toby McKeehan
Toby McKeehan
Toby McKeehan , better known by his stage name TobyMac , is a Christian recording artist, music producer, hip-hop/pop artist, singer-songwriter, and author....
(from dc Talk
Dc Talk
DC Talk , is a Grammy-winning Christian rock music trio. The group was formed in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987 by Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith. They have released five major studio albums together: DC Talk , Nu Thang , Free at Last , Jesus Freak , and Supernatural...
) stumbled upon the recording of "My God", and they met after a dc Talk concert in 1989. McKeehan then brought the tape to the people at Forefront Records
ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records is a Christian Music record label founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI in 1996 from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group.In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD...
and they decided to sign the band. They then started writing and recording songs in the same vein as "My God", combining pop/rock elements with rap.
Track listing
All songs written by Barry Blair, Bob Herdman, and Mark Stuart, except where noted.- "One Step Hyper" (Blair, Herdman, Stuart, Will McGinniss) — 4:20
- "What You Need" — 4:26
- "Who Do You Love" (Herdman, Stuart) — 3:49
- "PDA" — 4:08
- "The Most Excellent Way" — 4:25
- "J-E-S-U-S Is Right" (Blair, Herdman) — 4:30
- "Revolution" (Blair, Stuart) — 5:15
- "Audio World" — 4:33
- "DC-10" — 3:12
- "My God" — 3:38
- "Life" (Blair, Herdman, Stuart, McGinniss, Steve Griffith) — 4:21
- appears on Hit ParadeHit Parade (Audio Adrenaline album)Hit Parade is Audio Adrenaline's first greatest hits album. It features fifteen hits from the band's previous albums, plus two new songs: "Will Not Fade" and "One Like You".-Track listing:#"Will Not Fade"* - 3:49#"I'm Not the King" - 3:52...
- appears on UnderdogUnderdog (Audio Adrenaline album)Underdog is the fifth full-length album released by Audio Adrenaline. The album's lyrics are a slight departure from Some Kind of Zombie, as they focus more on missions and the word of God being spread, as shown in "Hands and Feet" and "Jesus Movement"; a theme that would reappear in Worldwide...
Band members
- Mark StuartMark Stuart (musician)Mark Allen Stuart is a Christian rock musician, and is best known for being the vocalist for the now-retired Christian rock band Audio Adrenaline.-Early life:...
— lead vocals - Barry Blair — guitars, vocals
- Will McGinniss — bass, vocals
- Bob HerdmanBob HerdmanBob Mortimer Herdman is a Christian musician, songwriter and producer more known for being a member of the band Audio Adrenaline.-Biography:...
— keyboards, vocals
Reception
Audio Adrenaline was generally well received by the audience selling 75,000 copies. Thom Granger, of AllMusic, gave the album 3 stars out of 5 and called it a "decent debut". Paul Portell, of Jesus Freak HideoutJesus Freak Hideout
Jesus Freak Hideout is a Christian music website. The website specializes in reviewing, previewing, and selling Christian albums. The website is known for its album reviews, independent music, artist interviews, concert dates and ministry through devotionals and prayer...
, gave the album 3 stars out of 5. Portell wrote that the album "showed early on that you can be in a Christian band with positive lyrics and still have fun all in the same." However, he pointed out that "the album does have a few flaws". John DiBiase, of Jesus Freak Hideout too, wrote that the album "has a few memorable tunes". The album features the hit single "DC-10", which would later be featured in several compilations of the band.
In later interviews, band members have expressed their dislike for the album. Guitarist Barry Blair said in an interview with CCM Magazine
CCM Magazine
CCM Magazine was a monthly magazine published by Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications. It was first published in July 1978, and it has always been a Christian music magazine. On January 16, 2008, Salem announced that the April 2008 issue would be the final printed issue of the...
about the album "If it was up to me, I would burn them all, make them disappear... There is nothing personal about that record." Despite this, the song "DC-10" was remade for their fifth studio album, Underdog
Underdog (Audio Adrenaline album)
Underdog is the fifth full-length album released by Audio Adrenaline. The album's lyrics are a slight departure from Some Kind of Zombie, as they focus more on missions and the word of God being spread, as shown in "Hands and Feet" and "Jesus Movement"; a theme that would reappear in Worldwide...
, albeit with a swing rhythm.
External links
- Audio Adrenaline on AmazonAmazon.comAmazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...