Skillet

Item: Alien Youth
Author: Josh Hurst

Alien Youth

(2001)

Reviewed by Josh Hurst

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Label Ardent RecordsThe Rebel Base2002

alternative metal alternative rock hard rock industrial rock

U2 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 kind of agenda.

Or at least that's what I think. Apparently, though, there are those that disagree with me.

Take Skillet, for example. When I first got their fourth album, Alien Youth, in the mail, I liked it a lot. It was in my CD player almost non-stop for a few weeks. I gradually lost interest in it, but I came back to it a week or two ago and decided to give it another listen. Listen I did, and, to be totally honest, I don't know why I ever liked it.

Alien Youth is not a work of art. It's religious propaganda! It's the kind of thing one might hear at a Nazi rally, only it's Christian. These guys aren't here to make a poetic statement or create a lasting piece of art just for the sake of being creative. Skillet just wants to evangelize (that's Christianese for "to shove one's beliefs down another's throat, using as much obnoxiousness as possible").

Ok, ok, I guess I'm being a little unfair. For one thing, I really do think the men and women of Skillet have good hearts. I've heard a couple of radio interviews with them, and they seem to be good people with hearts for sharing the Message. There's nothing wrong with that, is there? Well, no. But do they really have to be so irritating about it?

Before I get into the bad apples in the bunch, let me describe a couple of the good songs. Hidden in the middle of the album is "The Thirst is Taking Over." Wow. This is easily one of the most impressive worship songs I've ever heard. It's truly chilling, and the passion flows from Skillet in such a powerful way that it puts most other "Christian music" to shame. It's that good. The song is a fiery, moody expression of yearning for God. Singer/bassist John Cooper and his wife, keys player Korey, are highly emotional here, and their enthusiasm is contagious. The band poured their heart and soul into this song, and it pays off. I'll say it again...wow.

Skillet has never made such an outstanding impression on me as they did with "Thirst is Taking Over," but that's not to say that it is the only worthwhile track on the record. Other notable songs include "Vapor," a quirky little rock song that seems to have been inspired by Ecclesiastes, and a beautiful duet between John and Korey, "Will You Be There." This song is easily my second favorite by Skillet- it's a gorgeous contemplation of faith and doubt, driven mostly by the piano.

There is a clever techno trick here and a mildly impressive guitar solo there, but, for the most part, the rest of Alien Youth is outrageously annoying. Like I said before, I think Skillet had good intentions, and it's hard for me to criticize such a passionate band, but these songs are just the kind of music that turns many non-Christians (and me) away from the CCM industry. This stuff is not the sacrament that Bono was referring to. This is cheesy, Christian, "you could use a strong dose of Jesus" cheerleading.

You want an example? Allow me to quote the chorus of "Stronger," for you: "Cause I'm stronger, yeah/ Than the devil, yeah, yeah!" Yep. I'm serious. It sounds like something out of a low-budget Christian end-times B-movie, but it's a real song. Congratulations, Skillet- you've just reduced the beautiful message of the Gospel to an irritating T-shirt slogan, not to mention bug the heck out of me and totally blow your chances of any non-Christian ever listening to you.

"Stronger" is definitely the worst case of blatant Christian propagandizing on the album, but there are others. The sad thing is, Skillet is obviously capable of making great music. Just look at "Thirst is Taking Over," or "Come My Way." So why does such a talented band have to stoop so low as to record such a lame, offensively mindless song? It's frustrating. What could have been a great album was ruined by a handful of horrid songs. Oh well... maybe next time...

Josh's Score: 2/5

Mark's Score: 3.5/5