PFR - Them

Sunday 1st December 1996
PFR - Them
PFR - Them

STYLE: Rock
RATING 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 5104-931
LABEL: Sparrow SPD1550
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RELEASE DATE: 1996-10-01
RRP: £9.99

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

PFR, having completed their journey from fluffy popsters to modern rock contenders, have called it a day and leave us with their best yet. PFR's lyrics may wax poetic but explore a range of themes and truths that are provocative - dying to self, blame culture, God's unending love for us, the influence of the media, etc, etc. Wearing their influences on their (album) sleeves, it's still possible to trace the ghosts of other bands also resting in peace - The Beatles, Crowded House, Badfinger, etc, but this time they have married some solid rocky moments with enough interesting frills to bury critics who accuse them of being mere copyists. 'Them' opens with a barrage of incisive rockers "Pour Me Out", "Daddy Never Cried" and the mellower "Anything" before the tender and beautiful "Fight" takes centre stage. This poetic ballad paints a picture of hurt and encourages us to support the crushed and point them towards the Son of Man. The title song is a sad song attacking the cynical media whose irresponsibility damages both the subject as well as those who watch and read what is produced. The melodic rocker "Line Of Love" contains a wonderful quirky piano solo which stopped me in my tracks but nothing prepared me for "Face To Face". This atmospheric song addresses the undeserved grace we receive from God and it also contains the most sublime violin solo which adds emotional intensity. There's an entertainment adage which suggests that you should always leave your audience wanting more. PFR's excellent swan-song leaves me sad knowing there is no more. Ho hum, I'll miss them!

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Sample Track Listing:
1. Pour Me Out [Listen]
2. Daddy Never Cried [Listen]
3. Anything [Listen]

This track data is supplied by the Cross Rhythms CD/DVD review library. Please note that CD tracks may vary according to release region or product version.

Reader Comments

Posted by reo in Santa Cruz, Bolivia @ 07:19 on Dec 27 2006

I was looking for the band that made this beatiful song that I heard one morning (Anything). Thanks for your help. PFR... what a extravagant name. I donĀ“t know why many christian bands admire The Beatles (arrogant black and white band... they are not more notorius than Jesus as they said)


Reply by Don in U.S.A. @ 18:15 on Sep 29 2011

Hi Reo, first off, the Beatles were not a black & white band; they were a 4 white man band ( yes, at one time r & b artist billy preston joined them). Secondly, I don't believe that the word "notorious" is a proper word to describe JESUS: the first definition of the word notorious is "widely but "unfavorably" known.
JESUS IS FAVORABLY AND WIDELY KNOWN!! You also state that "they" (i.e. the Beatles)as a group had said, that they were more notorious than JESUS. The word notorious was never used, the word used was "popular": THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT WORDS! John Lennon is the only member of the Beatles that said the statement; not the whole group; and John Lennon later recanted his statement, yes, he said it was wrong to say what he said and didn't mean to offend. BTW, like it or not, the Beatles were a very talented and successful group; I am glad top ccm vet and great guitarist Phil Keaggy learned from them.
There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

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