As the demise/takeover of Squint Records occurs, we are left to wonder what will become of Steve Taylor - what will be his legacy to the music world? Will it be the mainstream success of Sixpence None the Richer? The endless speculation of when his own next album will be released? The signing of such talents as Chevelle and L.A. Symphony? The Roaring Lambs CD?
While all of these achievements are notable and praiseworthy, I propose this as Taylor's legacy: the last release by Squint Records, Disappear by PFR. After a five year hiatus, Joel Hanson, Mark Nash, and Patrick Andrew are back with a gem of an album that makes it seem like they've never been gone.
The CD opens with "Amsterdam," a quest to return to a higher state of faith:
Now I run - Every one of my days has become
A pursuit of what I once had
Can I get it back? Can I get it back?
PFR has always used a mix of "power pop" guitars, combined with the occasional ballad. The result is a perfect mix of pop and rock, unrivalled anywhere in the CCM world. They use the standard verse-chorus-verse formula of songwriting - this allows the listener to enjoy singing along with every song, and you always remember the guitar hook. It is a simple, yet amazingly satisfying style - this is what The Elms and The Waiting should aspire to in their
careers.
"Gone" opens with a Better than Ezra-type guitar riff, and serves as an ironic breakup story. "I'm All Ready" is a longing look at Heaven. "Even a Whisper" is a tune that sounds like The Beatles combined with Squeeze. The guitar-driven "Falling" is another song that I can't get out of my head.
One complaint--ten songs in thirty-five minutes?!?!? Granted, there is no filler here, but I have a hard time believing in this day and age that there wasn't more material available for this CD--even including "Kingdom Come" from Roaring Lambs would have been welcome.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
ReAL Magazine 2001Reviewed by Adam L.After PFR went their separate ways back in 1997, many wondered who would fill the void left in the CCM scene by their departure. As a couple years went by, it became apparent that although artists like Jennifer Knapp, Caedmon's Call and others were becoming the industry's brightest new stars, there was no successor to the pop-rock position PFR had previously occupied. And from all accounts, the…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Trae CadenheadAfter a long four year absence from Christian music, PFR has finally returned. The band had forged a name for themselves as one of the best bands that Christian music has ever seen. However, it's never easy to return to what you have done in the past and do it even better than you did before, especially when you've won a large amount of acclaim with your music. I have followed PFR since I heard…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Alex KlagesPFR has come back! One of the best-loved bands of the Christian pop-rock realm has returned! The album sounds just like they had never left. This is both the good thing and the bad thing about this album. On one hand, considering that the band has been out of business for a few years, diehard fans are rejoicing that they've returned. But this album isn't likely to earn them many new fans, for the…Similar sounding releases
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