Audio X has carved out a unique niche in the Christian music scene by combining parts of sermons with various sub-genres of dance music. Electronica '98 is the second title released by the unnamed performers, the first being a decent ska album. The second outing is reminiscent of a much earlier album, My King, by the Raving Lunatics in that My King uses full messages from the likes of Billy Graham and E.V. Hill with mostly rave-style music underneath. Though Electronica lacks the big-name talent of My King, Audio X does a good job of placing the right music with the right message to bring a message of hope and salvation to the listener. It is surprising how well the unlikely combination of sermons and electric music works. It makes one wonder if there is a possibility of an underground church-planting movement similar to the Sanctuary Church's, using dance music as its hook. The song "Dumptruck" is a particularly stirring example of this sort of musical experiment at work, as it utilizes a sermon by Pastor Steve Fatow, father of Knoxville rocker Deborah Fatow. The music and message flow together so nicely that I wondered if the music was playing in Pastor Fatow's church at the time he delivered the following message:
There is no difference between secular and religious.
That is a lie from the pit of hell.
That is why the devil has kept people religious.....
God does not dwell in places.
He now manifests His glory and presence in us and He wants us to release His
presence to the world.
Some songs are just simple truths of God's word, rather than excerpts from sermons, like in "Pray Not Hate": "Pray for your enemies, Love your enemies, Pray for those who hate you, Love your brother."
I would suggest you take the time to listen to Electronica '98 on your next visit to your local Christian bookstore if you are interested in something different from the norm or if you need a four-minute pick-me-up sermon.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #72Reviewed by Brian Vincent McGovernI thought this to be a compilation of some up & coming electronica artists, or the start of a per-year "best of the genre" type thing. Actually, it's a collection of 10 songs, all programmed and produced by Wysh Productions. Track one, "Free," features Nailed's Justin Bolli on vocals, and some of the other tracks feature samples of profound sermon excerpts by pastors like Jim Greer, Doug Seayger,…
