It adds up to: 441

Spending some time this week on music from the eighties (the nineteen eighties that is)....

Anyway, I ran across a site from another favorite Christian band from the 80s, a band called 441.

I've found it difficult in years past to find the band's website, as search engines seemed to give me all kinds of information with the number "441" except for info. about the band. But I was able to find them this week!

Here's the link to their site: http://www.441online.com/


At the bottom of the main page on their website they have a control that you can click to listen to many of their songs for free. (The songs start with a recent live concert but you can scroll down to listen to older studio recordings).

The band's first album was the self-titled "441", released in 1984. A year later the band released "Mourning into Dancing", and in 1988 the band released their third (and seemingly final album) called "Sacrifice".

Over the years, I've enjoyed all three albums, but their first album is probably my favorite (which I think I first purchased in 1985).

Their "break out" hit from that album is the song "Break Out" (which reminds me a lot of the music by the Violent Femmes and the song "Rock this Town" by Brian Setzler and the Stray Cats).

The song speaks of conformity and breaking free from the negative influences of others:

Everybody tells you just what to do
Try this buy that
white teeth get you a girl
You always wonder how clothes make a man
All Jesus wants is you to take a stand
Break out! Break free, it’s your responsibility
(from the song Break Out)

Another song which is a sentimental favorite of mine is called, "Mom and Dad" which expresses a thankfulness and love for one's parents.

Another favorite from the album is the song, "In His Presence", which describes facing difficulty and living with the uncertainty of God's will and purposes:

When I find myself in times like these
I know I can be close to Him
But it’s a while before I can see
Why He’s got me in the state I’m in"
(from the song "In His Presence")

The song then reminds the listener that regardless of circumstances we are living in the presence of God:

In a while I’ll be through this
I’m waiting and I’m watching
And I’m going through a trail time
In His presence I am
In His presence I am
In His presence I am
(from the song "In His Presence")

The album ends with the wonderful song, "Looking at You", which describes the theological idea of sanctification - the process of growing in God's grace and being conformed more and more into the image of Christ. The song uses these words:

I can’t believe it when I look at you I see myself

(from the song Looking at You)

If you haven't heard of the band 441, I'd encourage you to give them a listen.

-d.

Sounds Like...Adam Again

For my birthday a few weeks ago I downloaded some old songs by a band called "Adam Again".

The cost was $7.90 for all of the songs from their first album, here's the link:
http://www.thechoirdownloads.com/artist.aspx?artistid=11



If you've never heard of "Adam Again" (which is likely) you're missing out on one of the best Christian bands from the eighties.

My two favorite albums are their first and second: "In a New World of Time" (released in 1986) and "Ten Songs" (released in 1988).

When I purchased their first album in 1987, I was absolutely amazed at their music...hearing an incredible mix of rock, soul and funk.

The group's sound featured electric guitarist Greg Lawless playing an excellent "Chenka guitar", with the rhythms of Paul Valdez on bass and Jon Knox on drums (although I think the first album may have used a drum machine for some songs).

The band's vocals were led Gene Eugene (Gene Andrusco), who was the group's founder, with his wife Riki Michele who sang a soulful backup.

Listening to Gene's singing now, I am reminded of how much he sounds like the vocalists of Counting Crows and REM.

(I bought their first album, even before I heard their music because their album cover was a painting by Howard Finster, which was similar to one he had done a year earlier for the Talking Heads' album "Little Creatures").

In addition to the music, I found the lyrics of Adam Again to be particularly poignant...a recurring theme in their first album "In a New World Of Time" is the goodness of God:

"When I think of the things I do
I need nothing more from you
Just to be forgiven is enough for me"
(from the song, Life in the First Degree)

"He was God and nothing less
He came to fill your emptiness
His love has stood the test of time
Now it can stand the test of your mind"
(You Can Fall in Love)

"Two thousand years of signs and wonders
All for you to see"
(Miracles)

There's also a heavy focus on loss and longing for something more (with a heavy emphasis on crying):

"I looked for a way for years
Alone in my bitter tears"
(Life in the First Degree)

"She says she'll never go home
But tonight she'll cry herself to sleep"
(She's Run)

"Late at night she cries in her bedroom
Wonders if anyone would care if she took her life"
(God Can Change Your World)

In addition, the album has a great focus on giving thanks to God:

"So I'll sing in the streets and dance in the aisles and celebrate what will be"
(Life in the First Degree)

"I try to find the words but I can't even speak except to say Hallelujah"
(Morning Song)

The album ends with a plea to accept God's forgiveness, with the words,

"Won't you listen to the Voice of God, as it whispers your forgiveness."

(Reason With Me)

...again a wonderful album.

In the summer of 1988 (a little over a year after their first album was released) I took a road trip with my buddy Billy to see Adam Again in concert at a Christian music festival in Kitchener, Ontario. Gene was on hand working the sound booth for a number of artists at the music festival called "The Freedom Festival".

A few hours before Adam Again was scheduled to play, a huge thunderstorm came through the area, and the band was forced to move inside to a nearby roller skating rink. It was a strange moment as the band warmed up, with a few fans hudled near the stage and skaters circling the rink.

The next day Billy and I had a chance to meet the band. They were all very friendly. I asked Gene about the bands next album.

As I recall he told me, "We're going to call it Sounds like Adam Again."

Gene went on to make a total of five albums with Adam Again and recorded countless other songs as a producer, engineer and musician with other bands in his Green Room Studio in Los Angeles. He died unexpectedly in 2000.

-d.