What 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 grunge bandwagon, to now.
While I could try to explain all of the musical influences that this record has incorporated, the best explanation I can give is that this record sounds very 1998. Their last two albums, Free at Last and Jesus Freak, were somewhat behind the times when released, but this album, in my opinion, is their best record in terms of keeping up with current music trends.
Another rumor going around is that because dc Talk has signed to Virgin, they would be "selling out" and watering down their lyrics. Nothing could be further from the truth. The chorus to "into Jesus" is a good counter:
Hey you, I'm into Jesus
Hey you, I'm into Jesus, oh yeah
Hey you, I'm into Jesus
Hey you, I've seen the truth
And I believe
There are a lot of solid songs on this album, though I doubt any of them will do well on secular radio due to their structure and content. From songs like "My Friend, So Long" with its sad lyrics contrasting with its peppy hum-along tune, to the highly dramatic, piano-driven "red letters," to the guitar driven modern rock "fearless", with its Beatlesque vocal harmonies, there is a plethora of solid songs on this album.
If you're one of the many long-time dc Talk fans, this album will definitely please. This is easily the most accessible of all their albums, and easily their best yet. The highly personal lyrics combined with the slick pop music is an instant winner. The most anticipated CCM album of 1998 is now out. So go buy it, because the hype is right on.
5 tocks
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…HM Magazine #74Reviewed by Brian Vincent McGovernThe 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…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 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
2001Solo
1997Welcome to the Freak Show (Video)
1994Narrow is the Road (Video)
2000Intermission
1995Jesus Freak
1994Free At Last Extended Play Remixes
