My Top 40 Albums - #38

#38
Geoff Moore and the Distance - "Threads"

Year: 1997
Label: Forefront
Favorite songs: Scattering, The In Betweens, I'm Free, Declaration, Running to You, No Need to Explain, Desperate Men
Lyric sample: "You don't wanna push a desperate man / Ain't not tellin' what he might do / You don't wanna corner a passionate heart / It may run right over top of you / Passionate desperation / Is a volatile combination // We are desperate men / Rebels and fools who've been rescued / We are desperate men / Desperate for the good news "

The final album from Christian music's most under appreciated rock band is easily their best. Putting off the synths and chorus effects that had stayed with their previous efforts far too long past the 80's, Geoff and the boys (including a few new additions) have surfaced with a much more mature sound that was hinted at with the two new tracks on their Greatest Hits project a year earlier. Less pop and more grunge, Threads benefits from gritty guitars and breathy, passionate vocal performances from the always solid Moore. Roscoe Meek's licks are missed a bit, replaced by newcomer Joel McCreight's whines and squeals, but this record's in-your-face blast is appropriately real and down-to-earth. It is surprisingly heavy for a Distance record, easily the loudest they've ever done, and that's definitely a good thing. At times in the past it seemed like GMD dressed like a rock band but sang like a pop group (A Friend Like You, I'm looking at you). Now we've got a real rock sound tearing at the edges of our speakers, and what a beautiful thing it is.

Progression is everywhere. Sure, the lead off track is a cover of "I'm Free," but I guarantee you've never heard it like this before. GMD's "I'm Free" is a searing, grinding guitar attack that pauses just briefly for another fun The Who reference. All the uptempo songs have gone up a notch. "Desperate Men," "Running to You" and "Scattering" all roar with an intensity never before heard from this group, and it draws from Moore some of his best vocals to date. Interestingly, it is the ballads that benefit most from this new sound. The soft rock songs plod with a contemplative beauty. "Only A Fool," "No Need to Explain" and the title track provide some of the album's best moments and messages. The record closes with "The Letter," a tender plea to hold on to life from someone who intends to commit suicide. I almost always like songs like this and "The Letter" is no exception.

It's certainly atypical for Geoff Moore and the Distance, but as I said, I consider it their strongest effort and I would recommend that 90's rock fans specifically take a listen. The rougher edge does nothing to diminish the always clear lyrics. Indeed, his passion for Christ and for today's youth comes through loud and clear amidst the noise. At very least, I've thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Threads as I write this review.