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Stryper - Reborn
 
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RELEASED: 2005
PRODUCER:Michael Sweet & Kenny Lewis
LABEL:MTM MUSIC
BAND:
Michael Sweet
Oz Fox
Tracy Ferrie
Robert Sweet |
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New sound, Production
Melodies, Vocals
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Lack of guitar solos, Rehashed Songs
Older Fans May Be Dissapointed |
TRACKS:
1.Open your eyes 2. Reborn 3. When did I see you cry?
4. Make you mine 5. Passion 6. Live again 7. If I die
8. Wait for you 9. Rain 10. 10,000 years 11. I.G.W.T
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OVERVIEW
Christian hard rock band Stryper have had been absent for over ten years now and their past albums were inconsistent at best. From their Priest style debut to their polished cheesy pop/rock of In God We Trust, Stryper never quite hit the mark with mainstream rock fans.Old time fans and critics were both excited but sceptical at a bull blown, new original album. Lucky for Stryper they came up trumps.Reborn turned out to be the bands strongest overall album to date, with barely any filler in sight. At first listen its hard to judge. Until it kicks into the title track and suddenly your thinking, why didn’t I ever get into these guys? The answer is simple - Stryper never sounded so strong! Stryper have succeeded where most other 80’s rock outfits have failed. With dropped D guitar tuning’s holding up the bottom end, and Michael Sweets great, heartfelt vocal melodies. They’ve managed to pull off a modern, yet classic melodic rock sound.
SONGS
The first song has a great melodic chorus, as do all the songs. But things don't get going until the 2nd track Reborn. With heavy chugging riffs and droning vocals in the verse, it sounds as if Stryper really have been born again. That's until it kicks into the chorus and a classic sing-a-long chorus proves Stryper haven't lost anything. This is easily the standout track, but far from the only good one. When did I see you cry? Lightens things up just a little, complete with a Queen style vocal bridge. Make you mine is a first of several feel good mid paced ballads, which are all great. Live again gets down to more gritty Against The Law style. Rain is a rehash from his solo album Truth, but has improved. 10,000 years is a modern take on Amazing grace. With great licks and a completely original melody, this would have faired better with Sweet's own lyrics. Finishing the album off is a new beefed up rendition of their classic - In God we trust or I.G.W.T as its called here (though didn't need to be redone).
CONCLUSION
I was never a Stryper fan, but this album has completely won me over. They have successfully updated their sound without alienating old fans and without sounding stale and contrived. There's no doubt they've won new fans over, if only other bands would follow their lead. You won't find any Michael Sweet falsetto here, which most would say is appropriate these days, but he did write all of the songs and is singing better than ever. Every song on this album is great, and the more you listen to it, the more you will come to love it. The only problems with this album are the lack of guitar solos! I.G.W.T is the only full blown solo. That, plus the Amazing Grace cover, may leave a bitter taste by the end of the album. Add the re-hash of Rain that leaves the album track list at a thin 8. But a very strong 8. All in all, I think this is one of the best hard rock albums I've heard for a while. Give it a go; chances are you'll grow to love it also.
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