Post by Rekko on May 2, 2020 13:36:04 GMT
Petra (1974) 3½
- Their debut sounds almost like a demo. The production is bad and makes it sounds funny. Greg Hough and Bob Hartman are in lead vocals. "Lucas McGraw" is one of their strangest songs. The music is mixture of rock and country.
- Favorite songs: "Walkin' in the Light", "Lucas McGraw"
Come And Join Us (1977) 3½
- It is the second and last album with Greg Hough in lead vocals. It was also the first album with Greg X. Volz in vocals, he was a guest though. The album is better produced than the first one. The only well-known song is the cover "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You" which was originally released in 1973 by the British band Argent. There are no bad songs but it has not excellent songs besides that one song.
- Favorite songs: "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You"
Washes Whiter Than (1979) 3
- Greg X. Volz and Rob Frazier are in vocals. Frazier is also in guitars - and so is Bob Hartman who has written six of these songs. Frazier has written four. It was a major step for them, especially for the future. There isn't really big songs on this album but the next three would share the similar style and would have songs which they would play live even decades later.
- Favorite songs: "Mary's Song", "Why Should the Father Bother"
Never Say Die (1981) 4
- They use the same style they had with "Washes Whiter Than". Now there's few songs they actually included for the future concert setlists. "Angel of Light" is a hard rock song.
- Favorite songs: "For Annie", "Angel of Light", "The Coloring Song"
More Power To Ya (1982) 5
- It was their first classic album, and the best they ever did with Greg X Volz in vocals. It was their first with Louie Weaver as the official drummer. It is one of the two Petra albums CCM Magazine included on their "The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music" list. Even the least good songs "All Over me" and "Run for the Prize" are good.
- Favorite songs: "Road to Zion", "More Power to Ya", "Judas' Kiss", "Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows"
Not Of This World (1983) 4½
- I haven't listened to it much and it used to my one of my least favorite Petra albums. However, the recent years have made me like it more and more every time I hear it. The band didn't play many songs from it during John Schlitt years and did it only seldom. The first half is awesome. The opening track "Visions (Doxology)" is instrumental and it closes with reprise version of it. The title song is slow but it works well. The second half is not as great as the first but there are still good songs such as "Godpleaser" and "Not by Sight". Musically the album is similar to "More Power to Ya".
- Favorite songs: "Grave Robber", "Not of this World", "Bema Seat"
Beat The System (1984) 4
- It sounds very 80's - synth based "rock" music which sounds closer to Alphaville than Van Halen. The songs are overproduced and they sound plastic. I've heard live version from the title song by John Schlitt when I saw the band in Finland many years ago and it was way better. "It Is Finished" is actually a great song - the title track is too but could be better without being drowned in synth sounds. "Adonai" is a good closing song but it is still not making me wanna come back to it. "Witch Hunt" has a very good melody, unfortunately it has been destroyed by the end when we can hear Gollum doing random noises - because that's how witches sound, right? There are catchy melodies. The lyrics of songs such as "Hollow Eyes" and "Computer Brains" are still relevant. The message and words overall are not an issue for me - it is the production and use of synths. It was the last studio album with Greg X Volz in lead vocals. They also released a live album from the tour based on this album. I almost forgot and the band should have too: Why did they make another version of "God Gave Rock and Roll to You"? It is a cover and the version on "Come And Join Us" is much better.
- Favorite songs: "It Is Finished", "Beat the System", "Computer Brains"
Back To The Street (1986) 3½
- The first album with John Schlitt in lead vocals is one of Petra's least known albums for good reasons. There isn't big hits and the songs taken for the compilation albums have varied. "Thankful Heart" is the most popular songs of the album but it is a cheesy ballad and nothing special in the lyrics or melody - it is quite good but I wouldn't choose it. The first two songs are my favorites because they are good uptempo rockers. They were still using much synths but happily not as much as on "Beat the System".
- Favorite songs: "Back to the Street", "You Are I Am"
This Means War! (1987) 4½
- It was the beginning of their hard rock style. The two mellow songs "I Am Available" and "Don't Let Your Heart Be Hardened" are good but the albums is relying more on heavier songs. John & Dino Elefante produced the album and they had actually started with "Back to the Street". The title song and "He Came, He Saw, He Conquered" were almost stable in their concerts.
- Favorite songs: "This Means War!", "He Came, He Saw, He Conquered", "You Are My Rock"
On Fire (1988) 5
- It was almost like a sequel to "This Means War!" but with more great songs and none of the songs is bad or mediocre.
- Favorite songs: "Mine Field", "Somebody's Gonna Praise His Name", "All Fired Up", "Hit You Where You Live"
Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out (1989) 5+
- I cannot find any other praise album with this kind of power. The background vocalist are doing great work, and so does the band itself. It was actually a demo and the record company decided to release it that way and they even used the artwork the band had included. It sounds amazing and there is love for God and music. It rocks, it is happy, it's meant to praise God and make people join to praise Him. It is 46 minutes but the time feels flying while listening to this masterpiece. Time has made it even stronger. It is still the earliest Petra album which has ever reached gold in US. They got it in 1998.
- Favorite songs: "I Will Celebrate/When the Spirit of the Lord", "The Battle Belongs to the Lord", "King of Kings", "Jesus, Jesus, Glorious One", "I Love the Lord", "No Weapon Formed Against Us"
Beyond Belief (1990) 5
- They got they first gold record with this album in 1995. They also won a Grammy Award for the best rock gospel album in 1991 - it was the first time the award was included at the Grammy Awards. Eight of the songs are rock or even hard rock. It sounds very much like Def Leppard and Kiss but the tempo changed in most of the songs quite often, "I Am on the Rock", "Underground", and the title song are probably the best examples. The album includes the two best ballads they ever did with John Schlitt - "Love" and "Prayer". They've made very good ballads even after this album but there's none reaching those two. It is well-produced and the songs are as great as on "The Rock Cries Out" - it is not as unique as it though.
- Favorite songs: "Love", "Prayer", "Seen And Not Heard", "Last Daze", "Creed"
Unseen Power (1991) 4½
- The style of "arena rock" had been their way to success. So, "This Means War!", "On Fire!", "Beyond Belief" - and now "Unseen Power". "Hand on My Heart" sounds way too cheesy. The hard rock songs are very good though. "Dance" and "Sight Unseen" were played in their concerts very often.
- Favorite songs: "Dance", "I Need to Hear from You", "Who's on the Lord's Side"
Wake-Up Call (1993) 4
- They were still using the same format they had on "This Means War! and other albums after it, not counting "The Rock Cries Out". This album has more mellow songs though: The fourth song "He's Been in My Shoes" and the last three songs ("Believer in Deed", "Marks of the Cross", "Just Reach Out"). Some of the songs have a rawer sound "Midnight Oil" and "Strong Convictions" for example."Underneath the Blood" has a chorus which sounds quite creepy in my opinion.
- Favorite songs: "Midnight Oil", "Praying Man", "Sleeping Giant"
No Doubt (1995) 3½
- The band changed their style very much. The songs were not as heavy as on their previous albums. It is close to pop metal. There are few very uptempo songs, such as "Right Place" and "Heart of a Hero". The mellow songs are good and the title track is awesome. It is not really my style and it hasn't kept it status - it won Dove Award for Rock Album in 1996 but no one barely puts it among their greatest albums anymore.
- Favorite songs: "No Doubt"
Petra Praise 2 - We Need Jesus (1997) 4
- Their first praise album "The Rock Cries Out" was so successful that it was probably pretty obvious they would try another one later. "We Need Jesus" has both rock and traditional praise music elements. It was a very good decision to make it sound different than the first. "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" is actually their most popular song according to Spotify views and any other song isn't even close to it. Ancient of Days" is another fantastic song.
- Favorite songs: "Ancient of Days", "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High", "I Waited for the Lord"
God Fixation (1998) 1½
- Bob Hartman hadn't played in a band since "No Doubt" and it is easy to notice how their music had become more pop than rock. "God Fixation" has certain rock elements but it sounds radio-friendly stuff meant for teenage girls which is strange because the title of the album and the fact that they are known for being Christians leaves them out from the mainstream radio anyway.
Revival (2001) 3
- It is their third praise album. They covered two Matt Redman songs. This is the first Petra album featuring Bob Hartman in guitars since "Wake-Up Call" and also the only one not featuring any songs written by him.
- Favorite songs: The Noise We Make
Jekyll & Hyde (2003) 4
- They decided to make one hard rock album more. It is almost like "On Fire!" or "This Means War" but heavier. The songs are short. The album is only 31 minutes with 10 songs. The last two songs are slow: "Till Everything I Do" is my least favorite but "Sacred Trust" is one of my favorites. It is the last Petra album with only new material.
- Their debut sounds almost like a demo. The production is bad and makes it sounds funny. Greg Hough and Bob Hartman are in lead vocals. "Lucas McGraw" is one of their strangest songs. The music is mixture of rock and country.
- Favorite songs: "Walkin' in the Light", "Lucas McGraw"
Come And Join Us (1977) 3½
- It is the second and last album with Greg Hough in lead vocals. It was also the first album with Greg X. Volz in vocals, he was a guest though. The album is better produced than the first one. The only well-known song is the cover "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You" which was originally released in 1973 by the British band Argent. There are no bad songs but it has not excellent songs besides that one song.
- Favorite songs: "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You"
Washes Whiter Than (1979) 3
- Greg X. Volz and Rob Frazier are in vocals. Frazier is also in guitars - and so is Bob Hartman who has written six of these songs. Frazier has written four. It was a major step for them, especially for the future. There isn't really big songs on this album but the next three would share the similar style and would have songs which they would play live even decades later.
- Favorite songs: "Mary's Song", "Why Should the Father Bother"
Never Say Die (1981) 4
- They use the same style they had with "Washes Whiter Than". Now there's few songs they actually included for the future concert setlists. "Angel of Light" is a hard rock song.
- Favorite songs: "For Annie", "Angel of Light", "The Coloring Song"
More Power To Ya (1982) 5
- It was their first classic album, and the best they ever did with Greg X Volz in vocals. It was their first with Louie Weaver as the official drummer. It is one of the two Petra albums CCM Magazine included on their "The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music" list. Even the least good songs "All Over me" and "Run for the Prize" are good.
- Favorite songs: "Road to Zion", "More Power to Ya", "Judas' Kiss", "Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows"
Not Of This World (1983) 4½
- I haven't listened to it much and it used to my one of my least favorite Petra albums. However, the recent years have made me like it more and more every time I hear it. The band didn't play many songs from it during John Schlitt years and did it only seldom. The first half is awesome. The opening track "Visions (Doxology)" is instrumental and it closes with reprise version of it. The title song is slow but it works well. The second half is not as great as the first but there are still good songs such as "Godpleaser" and "Not by Sight". Musically the album is similar to "More Power to Ya".
- Favorite songs: "Grave Robber", "Not of this World", "Bema Seat"
Beat The System (1984) 4
- It sounds very 80's - synth based "rock" music which sounds closer to Alphaville than Van Halen. The songs are overproduced and they sound plastic. I've heard live version from the title song by John Schlitt when I saw the band in Finland many years ago and it was way better. "It Is Finished" is actually a great song - the title track is too but could be better without being drowned in synth sounds. "Adonai" is a good closing song but it is still not making me wanna come back to it. "Witch Hunt" has a very good melody, unfortunately it has been destroyed by the end when we can hear Gollum doing random noises - because that's how witches sound, right? There are catchy melodies. The lyrics of songs such as "Hollow Eyes" and "Computer Brains" are still relevant. The message and words overall are not an issue for me - it is the production and use of synths. It was the last studio album with Greg X Volz in lead vocals. They also released a live album from the tour based on this album. I almost forgot and the band should have too: Why did they make another version of "God Gave Rock and Roll to You"? It is a cover and the version on "Come And Join Us" is much better.
- Favorite songs: "It Is Finished", "Beat the System", "Computer Brains"
Back To The Street (1986) 3½
- The first album with John Schlitt in lead vocals is one of Petra's least known albums for good reasons. There isn't big hits and the songs taken for the compilation albums have varied. "Thankful Heart" is the most popular songs of the album but it is a cheesy ballad and nothing special in the lyrics or melody - it is quite good but I wouldn't choose it. The first two songs are my favorites because they are good uptempo rockers. They were still using much synths but happily not as much as on "Beat the System".
- Favorite songs: "Back to the Street", "You Are I Am"
This Means War! (1987) 4½
- It was the beginning of their hard rock style. The two mellow songs "I Am Available" and "Don't Let Your Heart Be Hardened" are good but the albums is relying more on heavier songs. John & Dino Elefante produced the album and they had actually started with "Back to the Street". The title song and "He Came, He Saw, He Conquered" were almost stable in their concerts.
- Favorite songs: "This Means War!", "He Came, He Saw, He Conquered", "You Are My Rock"
On Fire (1988) 5
- It was almost like a sequel to "This Means War!" but with more great songs and none of the songs is bad or mediocre.
- Favorite songs: "Mine Field", "Somebody's Gonna Praise His Name", "All Fired Up", "Hit You Where You Live"
Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out (1989) 5+
- I cannot find any other praise album with this kind of power. The background vocalist are doing great work, and so does the band itself. It was actually a demo and the record company decided to release it that way and they even used the artwork the band had included. It sounds amazing and there is love for God and music. It rocks, it is happy, it's meant to praise God and make people join to praise Him. It is 46 minutes but the time feels flying while listening to this masterpiece. Time has made it even stronger. It is still the earliest Petra album which has ever reached gold in US. They got it in 1998.
- Favorite songs: "I Will Celebrate/When the Spirit of the Lord", "The Battle Belongs to the Lord", "King of Kings", "Jesus, Jesus, Glorious One", "I Love the Lord", "No Weapon Formed Against Us"
Beyond Belief (1990) 5
- They got they first gold record with this album in 1995. They also won a Grammy Award for the best rock gospel album in 1991 - it was the first time the award was included at the Grammy Awards. Eight of the songs are rock or even hard rock. It sounds very much like Def Leppard and Kiss but the tempo changed in most of the songs quite often, "I Am on the Rock", "Underground", and the title song are probably the best examples. The album includes the two best ballads they ever did with John Schlitt - "Love" and "Prayer". They've made very good ballads even after this album but there's none reaching those two. It is well-produced and the songs are as great as on "The Rock Cries Out" - it is not as unique as it though.
- Favorite songs: "Love", "Prayer", "Seen And Not Heard", "Last Daze", "Creed"
Unseen Power (1991) 4½
- The style of "arena rock" had been their way to success. So, "This Means War!", "On Fire!", "Beyond Belief" - and now "Unseen Power". "Hand on My Heart" sounds way too cheesy. The hard rock songs are very good though. "Dance" and "Sight Unseen" were played in their concerts very often.
- Favorite songs: "Dance", "I Need to Hear from You", "Who's on the Lord's Side"
Wake-Up Call (1993) 4
- They were still using the same format they had on "This Means War! and other albums after it, not counting "The Rock Cries Out". This album has more mellow songs though: The fourth song "He's Been in My Shoes" and the last three songs ("Believer in Deed", "Marks of the Cross", "Just Reach Out"). Some of the songs have a rawer sound "Midnight Oil" and "Strong Convictions" for example."Underneath the Blood" has a chorus which sounds quite creepy in my opinion.
- Favorite songs: "Midnight Oil", "Praying Man", "Sleeping Giant"
No Doubt (1995) 3½
- The band changed their style very much. The songs were not as heavy as on their previous albums. It is close to pop metal. There are few very uptempo songs, such as "Right Place" and "Heart of a Hero". The mellow songs are good and the title track is awesome. It is not really my style and it hasn't kept it status - it won Dove Award for Rock Album in 1996 but no one barely puts it among their greatest albums anymore.
- Favorite songs: "No Doubt"
Petra Praise 2 - We Need Jesus (1997) 4
- Their first praise album "The Rock Cries Out" was so successful that it was probably pretty obvious they would try another one later. "We Need Jesus" has both rock and traditional praise music elements. It was a very good decision to make it sound different than the first. "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" is actually their most popular song according to Spotify views and any other song isn't even close to it. Ancient of Days" is another fantastic song.
- Favorite songs: "Ancient of Days", "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High", "I Waited for the Lord"
God Fixation (1998) 1½
- Bob Hartman hadn't played in a band since "No Doubt" and it is easy to notice how their music had become more pop than rock. "God Fixation" has certain rock elements but it sounds radio-friendly stuff meant for teenage girls which is strange because the title of the album and the fact that they are known for being Christians leaves them out from the mainstream radio anyway.
- Favorite songs: -
Double Take (2000) 3½
- Two new songs and ten new versions of the old Petra classics.
- Favorite songs: "Judas' Kiss", "The Coloring Song"
Revival (2001) 3
- It is their third praise album. They covered two Matt Redman songs. This is the first Petra album featuring Bob Hartman in guitars since "Wake-Up Call" and also the only one not featuring any songs written by him.
- Favorite songs: The Noise We Make
Jekyll & Hyde (2003) 4
- They decided to make one hard rock album more. It is almost like "On Fire!" or "This Means War" but heavier. The songs are short. The album is only 31 minutes with 10 songs. The last two songs are slow: "Till Everything I Do" is my least favorite but "Sacred Trust" is one of my favorites. It is the last Petra album with only new material.
- Favorite songs: "Jekyll & Hyde", "Sacred Trust", "All About Who You Know"
Back to the Rock (2010) 4
- With Greg X Volz in vocals. Two new songs, ten new versions of Petra classics.
- Favorite songs: "Grave Robber", Adonai", "Angel of Light"