The cool thing about this band is that each record has significant differences from the previous discography. Some fans gladly moshed when Jesus Freak came out, learning every word to every song; others stood in the corner with arms folded, muttering "Sellouts" under their breath; still others, like me, for instance, enjoyed the new music, realizing that Toby, Mike, & Kevin know their own hearts more than any other human. This issue is actually addressed in "My Friend (So Long)," but with the tongue in the cheek. Never let it be said that dc Talk lacks variety. With Supernatural, gone is the rap that began to disappear with the last record. Still here, though, are the guitars - some heavy, some not - all played with great skill. Some light dance electronics make an appearance among the distortion in "Dive." A modern pop spin is plugged into the 70's Motown funk in "We All Wanna Be Loved." The song "Red Letters" could be an early Petra ballad, but with awesome rock guitar in the background and a sudden orchestral transformation into Kansas. The band starts bearing a little resemblance to labelmates with two tracks: "Since I Met You" could almost be Audio A or Bleach in a Southern California setting, and the title track reminds me a lot of Grammatrain's passion. Tracks like "Consume Me" and "God Send" were disappointing, but I guess that's distaste for radio schmaltz talking. "The Truth (is Out There)" made me search the universe to figure out which TV series' popularity the band is cashing in on, with this song. My first listen to the entire record was somewhat unsatisfactory, but once a few more listens were afforded, a few standout songs seeped out but I don't hear another hit like "Jesus Freak" to send it over the top.
Other coverage for this album
Exit Zine 1999Reviewed by Laura DawkinsIt's growing on me. If you're even going to claim to be a hard-core, Jesus Freak, Tobymikeandkevin fan, you just can't pop their new CD in your player and expect the spinning to produce even close to the same sounds as it did with their last album. This talented trio has changed drastically with each release. Don't believe me? Check out "I Luv Rap Music" on Nu Thang. Although this ability to…The Lighthouse Unsorted 1998Reviewed by Paul Michael CarhartSince the release of their second album, Nu Thang, in 1990, dc Talk has continuously and consistently reinvented themselves with each subsequent project. The threesome threw both fans and industry insiders for a loop when "that Christian rap group" released Jesus Freak in 1995 with nothing more than vestigial rap influences evident on the recording. With Supernatural, perhaps the most anticipated…ReAL Magazine 1998Reviewed by Josh L!Supernatural is dc Talks' fifth release. Of the fourteen tracks, twelve are what most would call regular rock songs, while the first and last tracks create an incredible bookend effect. If you're not a lyric-reader, or if you buy albums for background music, the album's diversity may yield little glue to hold it together. I encourage you to drop the bad habit of never studying the meaning behind…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by James StewartYet another history making record for DC Talk, Supernatural entered the Billboard top 200 at number 4. Given their previous success, this was perhaps inevitable. It is sure to be a big seller for a while to come in the Christian music marketplace; maybe beyond. Unfortunately, the album follows something of a tested and tried formula: slightly more restrained than the title track of Jesus Freak,…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Joe RockstrohWhat is quite possibly the most hyped and anticipated album of 1998 is out. Does it deliver? I have to say "Yes." I've been following dc Talk for a long time, having purchased every album in succession of release. Stylistically, each record has been a deviation, however dramatic, from the previous one: from Beastie Boys hip hop, to Fresh Prince style rap, to a more refined urban hip hop, to the…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Steven S. BaldwinAn album as consistently strong, accessible, and fun as Jesus Freak comes along so rarely that it is not fair to expect dc Talk to follow it up with an album that exceeds such high fans' expectations. Nevertheless, they have very nearly accomplished that task with Supernatural, an album that is considerable in its own right. Supernatural is to Seal's second self-titled album of "Kiss from a Rose"…Similar sounding releases
1996NewsboysTake Me To Your Leader
1998WilshireWilshire
1997PFRThe Late Great PFR
2000The JayhawksSmile
2000Luna HaloShimmer
2001Mick JaggerGoddess in the DoorwayMore from DC Talk
1997Welcome to the Freak Show
1995Jesus Freak The Single
2000Intermission
1994Narrow is the Road (Video)
1995Jesus Freak
1997Welcome to the Freak Show (Video)
