The fine print on the back tells it all: Produced by Michael Sweet and Kenny Lewis for Michael Sweet Productions. This is not really a new Stryper album. It should probably be labeled: “Michael Sweet, featuring members of Stryper.” The rocked up rendition of “Amazing Grace,” called “10,000 Years,” and the remake of “In God We Trust,” which appear as the last two tracks, are the only tunes reminiscent of the Stryper sound (and the only thing remotely heavy or metal on the album). “I.G.W.T.” benefits from the guitars and drums intro, which gives a much tougher sound than the original keyboard-rich opening notes. The short bursts of chiming guitar responses are a nice touch, too. The vast remainder features melodic vocals upfront and mid-tempo to slow but rock-solid accompaniment. Think Creed on one hand and maybe Scar material Dashboard (“As Lovers Go”) on the other. “Make You Mine” has the hooks that’ll make you want to sing along. If you’ve heard Sweet’s three solo albums or the two bonus cuts on Seven (“Something” and “For You”), you’ll feel familiar with the vibe here. Is this the big Stryper reunion/comeback album we’ve been waiting for? Not this one. I love you guys; but you’re not giving me much to believe in here.
2/5
Similar sounding releases
1998TeramazeTears to Dust
2005Dream TheaterOctavarium
2003PetraJekyll and Hyde
2004Poor Man's RichesEnergy
2003MustardElectra Glide
2003OutspokenBitter ShovelMore from Stryper
1988In God We Trust
1987Honestly
1986To Hell With the Devil
1986Yellow and Black Attack
1990Against the Law
1991Can't Stop the Rock: The Stryper Collection 1984-1991
