Usually my favorite music comes from regular people, people who put more effort into their music than their appearance. Skillet's first record was made by regular people, however their fourth studio release, Alien Youth, was made by four individuals who look ready to board their space craft and blast off to the planet Xerf. If you think I'm joking, check out InvincibleWear, where lead singer John Cooper markets his own line of clothing, "helping people dress like rock stars since 2001." You can't go wrong with a $50 pair of shiny pants!
As easy as it is to make fun of Skillet's appearance, it is obvious that at the core, Skillet is a worship band. Yet with the band's heavy, industrial rock sound, straight ahead Jesus-lyrics seem forced. Skillet's first single from Alien Youth is the title track, which sports the lyrics, "Worldwide Jesus domination / Love conquers all / Rise like a chosen generation / There's no stopping it all / Come on freaks let's go." While the CD is straightforward and seeks to glorify God, it is far from poetic.
The best songs on the album are the slower, more pensive songs. 'You are my Hope' is a great worship song whose goal is not to be as heavy as possible. It takes advantage of the "less is more" philosophy instead of the "I'm going to rock your socks off if it's the last thing I do" philosophy. The last two songs on the album also slow things down and turn out to be great, worshipful tunes.
I really like the way this album was recorded. It manages to have a thick, heavy sound, like a live recording with outstanding quality. There are some cool drum loops on Alien Youth, and while the real drums laid overtop sound good, Skillet's drummer just isn't very skilled. The drums sound jerky and stilted. If Skillet's writing could match their recording, they would make a great album. Instead, many of the songs are repetitive. 'Thirst is Taking Over' builds really well, adding layer after layer in the middle of the song, but this is the exception to the rule.
If you like what Skillet did with Hey, You, I Love Your Soul and Invincible, then you will probably like this record. If you only liked a few select songs from their previous techo-industrial rock releases, then this album will be the same way. If you already know you don't like Skillet, Alien Youth won't change your mind about them.
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2002Reviewed by Josh HurstU2 singer Bono once observed that, "Music is like a sacrament. It's not about airplay or chart position." In other words, we should create music just for the sake of being creative. Music does not need to justify itself- music is music. It's the purest, most excellent form of creativity that we as humans can take part in. Ideally, music is all about creative expression, not propaganda or some…The Rebel Base 2002Reviewed by NathanI have long regarded Skillet as one of the more talented bands around that had not yet produced an album that is truly representative of their potential. Now they have. Alien Youth is a truly stellar release, showing dramatic improvement in every facet of the band's musical performance. It is also, by a substantial margin, the hardest, most musically reaching of Skillet's four releases to date.…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Trae CadenheadSkillet has experienced a musical evolution like very few bands have undergone. All signs point to the fact that Alien Youth is where this evolution has been heading to and the changes were all worthwhile. Releasing their first album in the fall of 1996, Skillet quickly became a Christian rock favorite with their edgy hard rock sound. The sound was raw and unpolished, yet powerful. Still, it was…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Josh HurstRecently, Christian music has been fairly disappointing. Christian record labels have been too preoccupied with teen pop and praise and worship music to turn out many great new bands. Christian radio has become more and more saturated with Christian cliches and "bumper sticker" lyrics. I have been hoping that Skillet's new record, Alien Youth, would help to renew my faith in the Christian music…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Kerry MaffeoWith the August release of the band's fifth album, Skillet once again returns to its rock roots while still maintaining the more electronically modified elements for which the band has been recognized since Skillet's self-titled debut. Fans of Skillet will find the marriage between the harder elements and the more trendy dance vibe unique, but still true to the overall sound with which the band…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Brian A. SmithSkillet rocks hard with their latest album Alien Youth. Produced by vocalist John Cooper, the quartet has delivered a mix of hardcore rock and industrial sounds that comes closer to a live performance than any of their previous offerings. Alien Youth is the idea that a generation of young Christians has risen up to radically change the world. The title track gives light to this concept: Worldwide…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Olin JenkinsThe best thing Skillet did between Invincible and Alien Youth was to include itself in the Ardent praise and worship series. That project had a great impact on the band and has tightened the band's focus on its message: The Great Commission to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. I'm impressed with Skillet's best recording to date. I've always liked Skillet and saw an excellent concert right…Similar sounding releases
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