Crumbacher, Altar Boys, Mad At The World & More
Of time machines and teleportation beams.
Hi Pal,
Retro Corner is a new reoccurring (monthly?, bi-monthly? I guess we’ll see) newsletter where we will visit some alternative music releases from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. But first, a little housekeeping…
I recently transitioned into creating paid content and although most of my other content is still free, I will be creating new content for paid subscribers. Retro Corner is remaining in the free section, but still, if you’re willing to support the work I’m doing here, please consider it.
In today’s edition, we have a wide spectrum to explore, ranging from synth-pop, blues rock and new wave to Post Punk, punk rock and more.
Straight On by DeGarmo & Key (1979) - Blues Rock
It would be difficult to not attach words like ‘ground-breaking’ or ‘pioneering’ to many of the albums on this list. DeGarmo & Key were one of the groups that paved the way for much of the Christian Contemporary Music we have today. This album is a blend of soothing blues-rock with infectious keyboards. A trend that only became more prevalent in the early ‘80s.
Singer Sower by 2nd Chapter Of Acts (1983) - Funk, Soul, Pop
Annie Herring, Nelly Greisen and Matthew Ward were one of the earliest sibling vocal trios in Christian Music and they were prominent among the Jesus Movement artists of the time. Although they had a tendency to sound quite monotonous in between records — in my opinion — on every album, there are gems that paved the way for some alternative sounds of today.
Escape From The Fallen Planet by Crumbacher (1986) - New Wave, Synth-Pop, Dance Pop
At a time when concept albums weren’t as prominent as they are today, Crumbacher released one of the most prominent new wave/pop albums of Christian music even today. With every song carefully crafted by Stephen Crumbacher and themed to represent different aspects of our exit from this world, and a matching album art; this is one of my favourite albums on this list.
Gut Level Music by Altar Boys (1986) - Punk Rock
Are Altar Boys the best Punk Rock Christian band of this era? Absolutely. Is Gut Level Music the best punk rock album of the last four decades? An argument could be made for that.
Altar Boys were ahead of their time and they were doing something that was quite rare in their time. With their explicit lyrics and expressions of faith, they were one of the most popular bands in the South Carolina rock scene.
Mad At The World by Mad At The World (1987) - Synth Pop, Post Punk
When speaking about debut albums, they do not come much better than MATW’s self-titled release. The brother duo — Roger and Randy Rose — dropped one of the most fascinating synth-pop albums of that era. Today, they have moved on to explore other sounds within the rock spectrum on multiple albums with moderate success. Nonetheless, their debut would always stand out among the rest.
Whirlpool (EP) by The Prayer Chain (1992) – Grunge, Alternative Rock
This EP was edgy and noisy, contributing significantly to what would become modern rock and alternative metal in the 2000s. The Prayer Chain was quite clear about what they wanted to contribute from the second they stepped on the scene and this EP is a testament to that.
That’s it for today. Save your favourite songs from the playlist and feel free to check out the albums and more.
Until next time.
Keep listening!
What's your favourite song on the playlist? Who are your favourite Christian artists from the '80s and ‘90s? Talk to me in the comments.
Fascinating.
I just listened to the playlist, and I think it's awesome! I am always excited for new music and I have discovered that new music inspires me to listen to music (both old and new). Also, I find it fascinating how far back Christian music has been in circulation. Thank you for all you do.