Search - Petra :: Never Say Die / Washes Whiter Than Snow

Classic Petra!! Great guitar work!!!!

11/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"[MY RATING: 4 1/2 STARS]This was the album that finally brought this pioneering Christian rock band to a level of musical and lyrical sophistication that could compete with the best of the secular rock bands. Many listeners will be familiar with some of these songs from later hits compilations such as "Rock Block," but you should really get the original album to hear the songs in context with lesser-known songs."The Coloring Song" opens the album with a beautiful and poetic devotion, which makes allusions and allegories inspired by colors. The vocals, organ, acoustic guitar, and mixolydian mode give the song a refreshing, folklike flavor.The next two tracks "Chameleon" and "Angel of Light" showcase some outstanding electric guitar work and fierce vocal performances by Greg X Volz, whose voice has a more gospel / soul orientation than his successor John Schlitt, who has more of a hard-rock voice."Killing My Old Man" was a controversial song because on the surface, many people took it as a horrible ode to patricide (instead of a song about the biblical admonition to crucify our old selves), and Petra's label actually didn't let them release this song for a few albums. It's a catchy tune."Without Him We can do Nothing" closes out side one with a powerful, rocking praise number. Exhortation at its best.Side 2 is a little weaker than Side 1. "I Can Be Friends with You," and "Father of Lights" are okay, but nothing special. The same could be said of the title cut, although its lyrics are very encouraging and positive, and the guitar hook is admirable. "[Too Late] For Annie" is a well-known song about a girl who commits suicide because she feels that nobody cares (the message being that Christians could have told her that Jesus loves her, cares for her, etc., and her untimely death could have been averted.) Whether or not people liked the song or its message, it challenged listeners- and with unsentimental realism- in a way that CCM had seldom done before or since."Praise Ye the Lord" closes out the side with the same rock-solid praise of "Without Him We Can Do Nothing."I heartily recommend this album to any fan of Petra (or Kansas, or 70s progressive rock for that matter). You'll enjoy it."

Vastly underrated

K. Willey | Orrington, ME USA | 04/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you can stomach the sounds of the 70s, then you will like this disc. A bit disco-like? Yes. A bit outdated? Yes. However, I can't help but to thoroughly enjoy the winners, such as "Yahweh Love," "Morning Star," "Praise Ye the Lord," "Father of Lights..." This CD kicks up plenty of nostalgic old-time feeling.



If you're not a rabid Petra fan, then maybe you can afford to miss this album. I personally find it irresistible, and though I already have 16 Petra albums, these two stand out."