The 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 after John Cooper enlisted his wife Korey (on keyboards) on the Hey You I Love Your Soul tour. The band was just including a bit more electronica, which led to the overall sound of Invincible. The best bits of it remain intact, merging Invincible with Hey You, I Love Your Soul.
Simply, the band has solidified its trademark music style -- going back to "Gasoline" -- a simple intro which moves into a heavy bed of guitars, solid bass, drums, and John Cooper's slightly gritty yet loud and clear vocal quality. It's music that does well for the mosh pit and/or jumping up and down in worship.
There are outstanding moments from Skillet's first three projects ("Saturn," "More Faithful," and "Best Kept Secret" come to mind), and the band seems to have made a "concept" album here. The refrain from the title track, "We're takin' over the world; we're the alien youth, we're takin' over!" sets the pace for this project marvelously. It's loud and proud that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, no holds barred. I like this very much. In a nutshell, this is the best "Jesus record" I've heard in many years, with a conviction I haven't heard since Keith Green and Larry Norman.
Examples? "Kill Me Heal Me" is definitely about dying to self and living for Christ. "Thirst is Taking Over" is along the same theme as "More Faithful" (a rock and roll praise and worship anthem). "Rippin' Me Off" reminds me of the frenetic pace and message of Jesus Music's "3D" (directly combatting those who ponder the thought: "God is dead").
"You Are My Hope" and "Will You Be There" are two of the best rock praise and worship songs that match anything from the seasoned teams at Vineyard, PDI, or Maranatha! Music. Youth groups should plug these songs into their praise and worship time. They are both incredibly beautiful. Ditto for the closing track, "Come My Way."
There's still a small range of room for improvement for Skillet. The band should vary its style slightly for only two arrangements. "Earth Invasion" and "Stronger" sound too much like re-workings of "Hey You, I Love Your Soul." These tunes work so well with the theme of the title track that I'm already forgetting about this parallel.
Skillet obviously took great time -- and possibly pain -- in prayer and in the studio to produce a project which is a testament to Jesus' saving grace. If you have ever heard of Skillet and like the band's style, Alien Youth is a must-have addition to your collection. Important closing note: Alien Youth can also be an important witnessing tool. Listen to it, and you'll see why.
4.5 tocks
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.…ReAL Magazine 2001Reviewed by Jesse N.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…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…Similar sounding releases
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