Sep 06, 2001 11:42 AM
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If you think that DC Talk's claim to fame was just Supernatural and Jesus Freak, you're wrong. While Jesus Freak has a few whiffs of rapping and Supernatural absolutely none. Now that's quite unbelievable for a band that started out as a hip-hop rappin' trio in the 80s. If you want to get a solid taste of their early years this album is for you! Free at Last was released at a time when Christian music was still isolated from mainstream music. It was bands like DC Talk that brought Christian music to the forefront and Free at Last was a breakthrough, award winning album! The Music:Hip-hop, great melodies and harmonies in the middleand some superb rapping!There are great guitars all through, the bass guitar is breathtaking and the drumming is solid!
The Message:
Straight forward and 100% Christian. It reflects a lot of DC Talks's personal commitment(I don't care what they may say Jesus is still alright), their struggles(Some people gotta learn the hardway I guess I'm the kinda guy That has to find out for myself), their determination in various areas of life(But the kinda girl you meet Behind the doors of a church Ya see, God will bring her to me So I don't have to search) and some sincere adice(So just wait for the mate that's straight from God Don't have sex 'til you tie the knot)There's a good touch of humor(We're just two honks, and a negro Singin' our song) and lots of the 80s slang thrown in(And comin' straight so you best give me latitude). There's a lot of Here we go, everybody Let's go, check it out : Kick it, T!][Yo man DC's in the house!]
Luv Is A Verb Take this... for a ride.... and that's how the album takes off. This song starts off with a rap narration of a look into the Bible to look up Love and then the rest of the song falls into place. A hard message about the fact that love is a verb that requires some action to show it. Also hits out at how it's sense is changing in today's world. Solid beginning to the album
Simple and plain, L-O-V-E Ain't all that junk that ya see on TV
That Kinda Girl
A brilliant song stressing that casual relationships with the opposite sex ends up badly. The lyrics are a masterpiece and the music is hard. The bass guitars has some beautiful runs in the background.
Well I'm lookin' for a girl who virtuous
Cause God laid it on my heart to search for this
Jesus is Still Alright
A very brave expression of their Faith in Christ, these kind of song titles have become DCT's hallmark . The lyrics use a lot of the 80s kinda language and are cool. They helped to reach out. There's a great electric guitar theme throughout the song. The fast rapping on the bridge is phenomenol.
Back in place,
and I'm all up in your face
With a rhyme that I embrace,
like a mother to her child I'm kickin' it Jesus style
To the ones that think they heard
I did use the ''J'' word
Say The Words
A slow number with a haunting melody urges you to speak out in love
Silence is golden but these are the words
That the world needs to hear
Terms of compassion will cause a reaction
As love drives them near
Socially Acceptable
They harmonize well on the acappella beginning that breaks out into this soft rapping number that God is the only way out of society's evils. This song was released at a time when the American youth was slipping into drugs, sex and violence. The social concern reflected in this song is striking.
We gotta back to the principles found in the Word
A little G-O-D could be society's cure
From the state that we're in cause again we're slipping
So pray for America cause time is ticking
Free at Last
Brace yourself for some hardcore stuff!! This song has a cool beginning with a few partially harmonised drab vocalists singing a few drab lines.... and then the song hits you hard! A great drummer and an outstanding bass guitarist complement each other perfectly as DCT rocks and raps. They don't 'scream' out... but the power will getcha.
Out of the darkness, the Father has sparked this
The spirit's alive while the flesh is a carcass
If you're seriously curious about my past
Well I once was lost but I'm free at last!
Time is
I dunno why this song isn't on my tape. I've listened to it somewhere else and all I know is it's quite heavy.
We got a mission while we're on this earth
We need to tell people 'bout our second birth
Get busy like a school boy makin' an ''A''
Cause time my brother is tickin' away
The Hardway
The slowest song in the album it shows off DCT's solo vocal talent.. they can sing as well as they rap! Again ther drums and the bass complement each other. The song is very personal and speaks about DCT's struggle which everyone goes thru'. The lyrics and the music are gripping
The warning signs are like flares in the night
Still I proceed my greed is in spite of the fire I know
that's bound to burn
Why is it that I always gotta learn.
The hardway,
Lean on Me
Yes... you read right. It's LEAN ON ME.Starting off with the 'two honks and a negro jingle', there's the usual piano chord sequence ringing in the song. Te rest of the song is redone, revamped, recooked and served hot! It starts off with a rap (like most other songs!) that then leads off to the familiar number and then somewhere towards the end they break out into a funky bit again. This is the BEST version of Lean on Me I've heard. Michael Bolton's version is nothing compared to this!! They harmonize well on the chorus and the verse of this lively number.
Don't dog a brother out when he stumbles and falls
Just be there to lean on y'all
I Don't Want It
Again a song that speaks out a bold and true message! Expect DCT to say the message straight with no candy coating. This song addresses the issue of pre-marital sex and is very, very applicable in today's world.
I don't want your sex for now
Until we take the vows
Even if they dog me out
I don't want your sex
Word To The Father
A really innovative song with plenty of variation, the highlight of the song is the artful introduction of a lot of DCT song titles into the https://lyrics. This is very entertaining and really rocks. These guys are definitely great songwriters and come up with such creative ideas! The bridge I've mentioned is as follows
When dc Talks, He Works like this I Luv Rap Music--Can I Get a Witness? He's doin Nu Thangs so the Children Can Live Without the Things of This World that only He can give We need to Talk it Out, stop Spinnin' Around So let's Take It To the Lord if we're Heavenbound Ya see Time is tickin' away so we gotta come harder We're tearin' down Walls with a Word 2 the Father
Recognize the DCT titles??!! The album gives you lot more than what you ask for. It's got plenty of fillers between songs, This makes the album very entertaining and has your attention throughout. If you want the original DCT hip-hop.... this album's for you!
