Audio Adrenaline opens their latest release, Some Kind Of Zombie, with a deceptively martial-sounding snare drum cadence and almost acoustic-sounding guitar strum, so that unwary listeners might almost believe that they are about to hear a slightly more upbeat cover of a militant praise & worship number such as "Above All Else" or "Mighty Warrior." Then, at the critical moment when the listener's mind says, "here comes the vocal part," AA's new guitarist, Tyler Burkum, suddenly twists his volume knob waaaaaay past 10 and rips out a squealing guitar lick that begins "Chevette," as lead singer Mark Stuart begins to reminisce about the car that his father had twenty years ago. He describes it as having "no A/C, no FM, and no regrets" as they traveled down the sometimes bumpy road of life-an analogy for the peaks and valleys we encounter in our walk with Christ.
"New Body" looks forward to the promised rapture of the church:
The sky splits, I'm moving, I let it freely take me. This must be the moment God picked to rearrange me. You and I want a new body. You and I are gonna fly. You and I can get a new body. You and I will never, never die.
The title track describes the believer as obeying the Lord's commands unquestioningly, dead to sin, alive to Christ, and shrugging off every temptation:
Staring straight, I look through the haze. I begin to walk through the maze. Here they come, they're all upon me, But I'm dead to sin like some kind of zombie I hear you speak and I obey (some kind of zombie). I walked away from the grave (some kind of zombie). I will never be afraid (some kind of zombie). I gave my life away.
"Original Species" makes a play on words regarding Charles Darwin's book on evolution, calling mankind "an original species, more enlightened than Nietsche" (the German philosopher of the 19th century who claimed that "God is dead").
"People Like Me" bounces along with an upbeat rhythm and lead synthesizer line reminiscent of The Cars. "Blitz" features AA's special guests The Supertones with their rocking brass section.
The chorus of "Lighthouse" features the most traditional gospel lyric on the album, when Stuart sings:
If it wasn't for the lighthouse, Where would my life be? On a ship bound for nowhere On an unforgiving sea. I thank God for the light.
The final, tasty touch on "Lighthouse" is a feedback-laden backwards guitar solo by Burkum.
"Flicker" describes what it's like to be continually on the road and striving to maintain the Christian walk:
My old friends, Haven't seen them since I don't know when, But I can send them a signed 8 by 10. My sweetheart, she understands why I'm away, But still it gets harder everyday. But it's my delight, to sing all night Till the sun comes up again.
The last two songs, "God-Shaped Hole" and "Superfriend" make the point that no matter who you are or what your position in life might be, you need God in your life. Audio Adrenaline has succeeded in making an album that is both great to listen to and very thought-provoking spiritually.
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2002Reviewed by Josh HurstMy tastes in music have fluctuated quite a bit as I've grown older, so, naturally, some of the records that I was fond of a few years ago just don't connect with me much anymore. Still, it's fun to occasionally pull out some of those old, sentimental favorites, and to relive some of my favorite music moments from my younger days. Audio Adrenaline, unfortunately, is one of those bands that just…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Mark J. AylorThe boys from Audio Adrenaline are back to serve up their fifth album, the follow-up to Bloom. The same lineup returns, along with a little guitar help from Tyler Burkum in filling out the sound. Some Kind of Zombie, however, seems to be a case of should have been--it should have been great, but it wasn't. This was a bit of a disappointment for me. Technically, Some Kind of Zombie is as good as…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Josh SpencerThere are two directions I could go in reviewing this album. I could totally trash it as the annoyingly-overproduced, Christianese-filled, pre-packaged "safe" youth group rock that it is, and congratulate myself on my more sophisticated musical tastes. Or I could acknowledge the growth this band has undergone, their love for the Lord, and, well, the way this album finds itself in my stereo over…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Cathy CourtwrightWow! It had been so long since I heard from Audio Adrenaline that I forgot how great they sounded. This time, they've done what several other bands have done recently--borrow a bit from sounds of the past. The way they put it all together was quite nice. As I listened to the project, I couldn't help but hear echoes from bands I listened to while growing up in the late 70s and 80s. Their boldness…Similar sounding releases
2002Butch WalkerLeft of Self-Centered
1999Pete StewartPete Stewart
2002Mindset 7Blur
1997Seven Day JesusSeven Day Jesus
2003By The TreeRoot
2000FlickerstickWelcoming Home the AstronautsMore from Audio Adrenaline
1995Big House (Video)
1995Live Bootleg
2005Until My Heart Caves In
1994Don't Censor Me
1996Bloom
1994Don't Censor Me Extended Play Remixes
