Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

If you're a fan of '80s rock, this is definitely one to check out! Originally released in 1982 on vinyl (hey kids remember vinyl?), this release marked the moment that Servant embraced synthesisers to widen out their sound. They also embraced a few new wave influences to change from the blues-based rock of their first two releases. The band occupied a similar platform to Petra and Rez Band creating rock music that ministered and along the way they hit the same snags of people making judgments about their style of rock. On "Jungle Music" they hit back at their critics with this comical song that sends up the ideas of those who think rock music is.ahem."of the devil". Elsewhere they're not afraid to critique name-it-and-claim-it wealth heresies on new wavey "Two Masters" which features a great squeaky vocal from Sandie Brock. "Cheap Talk" is another satirical song encouraging the listener to walk the talk. Most moving track on this CD reissue is "Sudden Death" which tells the story of three members of the band's church community who died in a horrendous car wreck. 25 years after it was released, these songs still feel relevant and it made me wonder why on today's scene there aren't more bands like Servant who used their music to say something spiritually challenging?

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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