Benny Hester
MYRRH RECORDS
This features some excellent songwriting, with Benny using his most Benny vocal stylings … gritty, heartfelt, forceful and gentle. “Underground River” was the song I played most on Resurrection Rock at WKNC, a song about the emotional and spiritual currents that we possess… or, perhaps, that possess us. Followed by “Cat”, a song like no other, the lamentations of a 2000-hp heavy equipment operator who wonders why he’s in this dirty seat, rather than preaching or something more spiritually meaningful. The ballad “Remember Me” relates a human relationship to that of the thief on the cross, and included some very Lauper-like backing vocals from Julie Miller. The other best song on Side 2 is “Nothing Will Ever Be The Same Again”, a driving tune that will stick in your head long after you’ve unplugged and moved on.
Idle Cure
FRONTLINE RECORDS
Idle Cure's self-titled 1986/1987 debut is celebrated as a premier example of 80s Christian arena rock, often compared to Def Leppard and Foreigner for its polished, melodic hard rock sound. Driven by hits like "Breakaway" and the ballad "Take It," the album is praised for its high-energy, guitar-driven anthems.
Key Aspects of the Album:
- Sound: A blend of melodic rock, AOR, and arena anthems with strong, melodic choruses.
- Highlights: "Breakaway" (energetic rocker), "Take It" (ballad), and "Feeling The Heat".
- Reception: While sometimes criticized at the time for being derivative of mainstream acts, it is now considered a classic, highly melodic Christian rock album.
- Impact: The album reached No. 27 on Billboard's Top Inspirational Albums chart in 1987.
It is widely regarded as a solid, "essential" 80s CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) album that has aged well for fans of melodic rock.
Stryper
ENIGMA RECORDS
The year of 1986 was often declared as the International Year of Peace. On that same year, four young believers with yellow and black spandex took over the radio waves with their multi-platinum breakthrough hit To Hell With The Devil. Michael Sweet, Oz Fox, Robert Sweet, and Timothy Gaines opened the eyes and ears of many with their third and defining studio album. Many devout fans might remember Stryper turning a lot of heads while performing "Soldiers Under Command" at the 1985 Dove Awards or seeing their music videos on MTV at that time. Often stated as one of the best Christian metal albums of all time, To Hell With The Devil still remains to this day a masterpiece that shaped Stryper's career and Christian music in general.
The album starts off with the song "The Abyss," a dark instrumental track composed of synthesizers and sound effects, which could have also worked well with an old horror film such as The Thing or Hellraiser. Stryper quickly kicks it into high gear with the heavy metal we have come to know and love on the second track. Before Vengeance Rising's Burn and Petra's This Means War, Stryper paved the way for Christian metal anthems specifically about mocking the devil with their title track. Michael Sweet's lyrics are still as powerful today as they were over 20 years ago and his high pitch voice and screaming adds a lot. Stryper continues to rock out with other singles such as "Calling On You" and "Free."
The band quickly brings it down a notch with the "Honestly," a memorable ballad that was briefly mentioned on the recent VH1's 100 Most Awesomely Bad Songs. Often classified as a friendship song, "Honestly" was originally meant to stand as a testament of God's love and mercy towards each of us, "Through the years, I will be a friend for always and forever, Call on me and I'll be there for you, I'm a friend who always will be true, And I love you can't you see, That I love you honestly." Other tracks such as "The Way," "Sing-Along Song," and "Holding On" all make the list as some of Stryper's best material. The album closes with the rock anthem "More Than A Man," which closes the album beautifully while stating the prayer of salvation to listeners.
Philip Bailey
WORD RECORDS
Released in 1986 on Word Records, Philip Bailey's Triumph is a acclaimed gospel album that earned a Grammy for Best Male Gospel Performance. While featuring high-quality, polished production, some critics view it as a slightly flawed follow-up to his earlier, more iconic gospel work, though it remains a respected entry in his solo, faith-based catalog.
Key Details and Reception:
- Genre: Gospel / Soul.
- Charts: Reached No. 18 on Billboard Top Christian Albums and No. 33 on Top Gospel Albums.
- Key Tracks/Style: The album features a "glitzy soul music" style, containing strong vocal performances, though it is sometimes considered less cohesive than his earlier *The Wonders Of His Love* album.
- Critical Standing: While The Best Of Philip Bailey: A Gospel Collection notes that Triumph (along with Family Affair) is "decidedly flawed" compared to his 1984 work, it still contains high-quality, soulful gospel material.
- Overall Rating: The album holds a respectable rating of around 3.5 to 4 out of 5 stars based on various Discogs user data and community rating metrics.
Look Up
CBS INC
Based on the 1986 context, "Look Up" appears to be an independent, slick 80s pop-rock/AOR Christian band, described in, and reviewed by, the Christian Tape Underground blog as a "healthy recording budget" independent release.
Here are the key details from that 1986 review and context:
- Musical Style: The album is described as slick 80s rock/AOR (Adult Oriented Rock) with an "ultra-preppy image," notes the Christian Tape Underground.
- Vocal Style: The band features a mix of male and female vocals, with songs alternating between the two.
- Production & Sound: It has a surprisingly polished sound for an independent release, suggesting a good recording budget for 1986.
- Recommendation: It is recommended for listeners who enjoy rock but find bands like Petra too heavy, or for those who enjoy pop-rock.
- Release Details: It was released on both cassette and CD in 1986, notes the Christian Tape Underground.
Farrell & Farrell
STAR SONG
Manifesto by husband-wife duo Bob and Jayne Farrell is a well-regarded 1980s Christian Pop/Rock album featuring, melodic, synth-heavy production. It is often praised alongside their other works for its upbeat, polished sound,, and is considered a solid, recommended album from the era.
Key Details & Themes:
- Style: 1980s Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), blending pop-rock with ballads.
- Reception: Considered a strong entry in their discography, often mentioned alongside Jump to Conclusions and Portrait of Us All.
- Vibe: Catchy 80s synth production combined with sincere lyrical content.
- Manifesto is a recommended listen for fans of 80s CCM and melodic pop-rock.
Rick Cua
SPARROW RECORDS
Released in 1986, Rick Cua’s Wear Your Colors is widely considered a top-tier CCM arena-rock album, praised for its high-energy, infectious melodies, and polished '80s production. It is characterized by driving basslines, anthemic rockers like the title track, and, despite some occasionally simple, "cheesy" lyrics, a strong, sincere, and musically solid performance.
Key Takeaways and Reviews:
- Sound and Style: The album delivers 1980s melodic rock/AOR with a polished, "stadium rock" feel, featuring strong, high-energy guitar work and resonant, sharp drums.
- Standout Tracks:
- "Wear Your Colors" (Title Track): A high-energy, anthemic opener that acts as a career highlight.
- "This Raging Fire": A popular, powerful radio hit from the album.
- "Flex": A driving, melodic, and "rambunctious" track.
- "Line of Fire": Noted for its catchy chorus and memorable guitar work.
Fletch Wiley
STAR SONG
Grammy award arranger, producer, trumpet player, flugal horn, and flute player are just some of the titles to describe mufti-talented Fletch Wiley! Starting back in the 1970's as band leader for Andre Crouch, Fletch has go on to record 13 solo instrumental records! He also has recorded, written, and arranged on numerous projects all over the globe! Fletch is presently freelancing (writing/arranging/producing/playing).
"The Art of Praise, Volume Two" (1987), Fletch Wiley "This album of just flute and guitar brings gospel to new age music." Billboard Magazine, January 24, 1987
"Whether you're a jazz aficianado, a member of the church choir, or just a lover of good music, is a wonderful album that you will enjoy. But more than that... as a musician myself, I just have to say how profoundly inspirational this recording is to me.
Paul Carrol Binkley
SHA LA VAH RECORDS
"Silent Serenade" é um álbum de violão solo de 1986 do compositor, guitarrista e produtor Paul Carrol Binkley, lançado pela Sha La Vah e frequentemente associado ao gênero folk gospel/instrumental. O álbum destaca composições originais de violão e foi relançado como parte da série "Impressions" em CD. Paul Carrol Binkley é reconhecido por suas contribuições como violonista e arranjador, com foco em gravações de violão acústico. Além de Silent Serenade, seus outros trabalhos incluem Closer to Home, Passages, Flying Colors e Do You Hear What I Hear.
Lari Goss, Cheryl Jones Rogers
SHA LA VAH RECORDS
O trabalho mais notável da dupla é o álbum "Reflections of Ivory", lançado originalmente em 1986 pela gravadora Sha La Vah Records. Aqui estão os principais pontos destacados em avaliações e perfis de colecionadores:
- Qualidade Técnica e Estética: O álbum "Reflections of Ivory" possui uma avaliação média de 5/5 em plataformas de colecionadores como o Discogs, onde é descrito como uma obra de destaque no estilo MOR (Middle of the Road) e Soft Pop instrumental.
- Sonoridade: A dupla é conhecida pelo uso magistral de teclados sintetizados, criando atmosferas relaxantes e meditativas, como visto também no álbum "Serenade For Spring".
- Trabalhos Temáticos: Eles também colaboraram em coletâneas sazonais, como o álbum de Natal "December's Retreat", onde suas interpretações de clássicos como "Angels We Have Heard On High" são elogiadas pela produção refinada de Goss.
- Legado: Lari Goss é frequentemente lembrado como um dos maiores arranjadores da música gospel, e suas parcerias com Cheryl Jones Rogers são vistas como exemplos de produção de alta fidelidade da era dos anos 80.
