Revival Review

I first heard PETRA - Revival (the pre-released version) on October 9, 2001.  My first initial reaction is... something's missing.  I want to say I completely loved it, but I just want to be real with you guys. It could be because I heard it for the first time and it hasn't been mastered yet.  But there are still some great tunes on it.  It's just certain things I think INPOP should remove from the album.  My compliments:  the album rocks pretty good, lots of great guitar.  My complaints: mostly vocal problem.

Here is a list of all of them

Compliments:  Petra is not afraid to rock out!  That's always good, and I'm glad they didn't hold back on that.  I like how the songs don't all sound the same like with some artists and I like the new, fresh sound with added guitar.

Complaints: On some songs, come on, you gotta admit... John sings too darn low.  And please, choose one, high or low... don't harmonize both on every song like you did on Double Take, it just takes away from the overall vocal sound.  I am also not too excited on the choruses of "Jesus, Friend of Sinners" and "Meet with Me".  I think John should go up and down on certain notes.

Here is the whole song list critique:

Send Revival: No complaints... all good here, which I am thankful for. RATING: GREAT!

The Noise We Make: Beside the first part, this song rocks! Great guitar and lyrics. RATING: AWESOME!

Oasis: Possibly the best song on the CD (soundwise), great lyrics! RATING: SWEET!

The Prodigal's Song: The best ballad on the CD. I like the song. No complaints here. RATING: AWESOME

Amazing Grace: Different but appealing. I like the part where John sings "and you're love came down." RATING: HMMM... WHAT'S THIS?

Jesus, Friend of Sinners:  I like the guitar and lyrics.  But I think they should redo the chorus (vocal wise). RATING: NICE

Better is one day:  Other than the drum kits inserted into the song (which I personally think aren't appropriate for this ballad), this song is very good and I like the ending where John sings both parts (note: this is the only song I think harmonizing with both high and low is good) RATING: YOU'RE GETTING THE IDEA

Meet with Me: Probably the "worst of the best" on the CD.  I think the song was killed in the chorus when John seems to be stuck on one note during half the chorus. RATING: YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT

We Want to See Jesus Lifted High: Not bad, rocks really good.  Except for the harmonizing parts, it good.  Advice: let John sing higher on the chorus at least one time around. (or at least let the higher voice dominate the lower like they did on Send Revival) RATING: BORDERLINE HIT!!

How Long: Pretty good, but that's all I have for now. RATING: PLAIN GOOD

My overall rating is:  It isn't the best thing I've heard, but it's a lot better rock than I've heard lately.