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    7ball #7
    7ball #7/John Schlitt
    John Schlitt — Unfit for Swine cover

    John Schlitt

    Unfit for Swine

    Reviewed by Chris Well

    Listen on Apple Music
    Label Word Records7ball #7July/August 1996
    modern rockhard rock

    Imagine you're John Schlitt: For years, you've been the voice of the official rock band of youth pastors everywhere, and then one day the band's final founding member stops touring and suddenly, it's not a band anymore, it's a "franchise." The next logical step is to open a Petra in every mall in America. Add the fact that the secular bands Petra has artistically competed against--Styx, Journey, REO Speedwagon--are only touring now on the Vegas circuit, that's brought Petra:Nashville (the home franchise, if you will) such a pristine shine. Unfit for Swine is actually pretty good, with whining, modern rock guitars and dark, angular chord changes. Oddly, the weakest link is Schlitt's voice--there's a lot of baggage to deal with, a lot of arena-rock posturing he needs to unlearn--but Unfit for Swine finds him working hard on that, too. Petra fans will be surprised. Those who'd written him off might want to give Schlitt a chance as well.

    Also in 7ball #7

    The Swirling Eddies — Sacred CowsAleixa — Honey LakeSarah Masen — Sarah MasenSeven Day Jesus — Seven Day JesusLost Dogs — Green Room Serenade, Part OneWonder in Blue — Rain and Other ThingsPoor Old Lu — A Picture of the Eighth WonderMichael Roe — The Boat AshoreYum Yum Children — Used to Would'veMary Said — Detergent