DC Talk, Christian, Music Review

SUPPLEMENT TO dc talk’s INTERMISSION: THE GREATEST HITS

By

KEITH JOHN PAUL HORCASITAS

Christmas, 2001

“Turn me on, Dead Man!” – how prophetic that was for me in my younger years playing a Beatles’ LP backwards to hear those words! Little did I know then that, eventually, in a more Christ centered way, He would truly come alive in my life – having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! Let me “Turn You On” now to the “Risen Man/Lord,” Jesus through a neat Christian Rock group that I really like: dc talk.

If you are anything like me – enjoying that rock style music but wanting the Truth and the Word to shine through, give dc talk a try; listen at least three times before passing judgment. This has been my new “Sgt. Peppers” LP! Here’s a little summary, from my perspective, of their songs:

1. Say The Words: we can never say “I love you,” enough to one another; one of my favorites; this has a “Byrds” sound to it;
2. Colored People: we are a “skin kaleidoscope” for God; love the harmonies like the Beach Boys and Beatles;
3. Jesus Is Just Alright: remake of the ZZ Top song; yes, JC is just alright with me; a Billy Preston (“5th Beatle”) keyboard sound to this one!
4. Between You & Me: a great song about forgiveness/repentance/confession; great acoustic number! – this reminds me of some “Yes” songs;
5. Mind’s Eye: sometimes, we can only see God . the Soul level – all about faith in the unseen; this song has a “Purple Haze” (Jimi Hendrix) tone to it; this also includes a great quote from Billy Graham;
6. Consume Me: God’s Love is all consuming and overflowing; we’re transcended per JC; echoes like a “Peter, Paul and Mary” tune;
7. My Will: a wonderful song about the “free will” that God gives us; a great acoustic tune reminds me of songs from “Rubber Soul” (Beatles) and “Flowers” (Stones);
8. In The Light: Jesus is the Light of the world – may we be transparent with His Love; it highlights the “battle within” noted by St. Paul (“I do what I shouldn’t and don’t do what I should”); this has some great harmonies like Simon and Garfunkel;
9. Mr. Morgan (Act I): “And who is my neighbor?” - why none other than Mr. And Mrs. Morgan! – listen to their everyday comments;
10. Socially Acceptable: we let society influence/dictate our decision making outright or subtlety; “Everybody’s doing it! Who’s doing it?” a little disco/rap sound to it;


11. Love is a Verb: not a “Noun!” A great rocker – one of my favorites; has a “Hey Bulldog” and “Revolution” (“Yellow Submarine,” former, and “Hey Jude,” latter - Beatles) sound to it;
12. Supernatural: God is beyond measure and certainly not magical, new age or whatever; God is Love; this tune has “Kinks” sound to it;
13. Jesus Freak: “What will people think if they hear that I’m a Jesus Freak?” Who cares? – another great rocker! You ought to see this video and others on www.dctalk.com or www.forefrontrecords.com/goldenticket; this has some elements of “The Who” in it;
14. Hardway: I’m stubborn and have to find out the Truth on my own many times – definitely a Stones musical influence (I’ve been high and I’ve been low …) on this one – but no longer “Sympathy For the devil,” but rather “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world,” or “I no longer live myself, but Christ in me;”
15. What If I Stumble: we all fall; may we be authentic, vulnerable Christians; love that beginning poetry – reminds me of the wisdom of “Breathe in deep …” by Moody Blues; this has a “Jars of Clay” sound to it;
16. I Wish We’d All Been Ready – a masterpiece with a “Yesterday” (Beatles) quality to it! How prepared are we for His Second Coming? A real beauty!
17. Chance: the present moment is “pregnant with the Presence of God!” Are we going to live and celebrate it or, like others, commit abortion by worrying about the past or the future? “The Kingdom of God is at hand!” Let us take the CHANCE to live NOW! This has a “Seals and Crofts” sound to it;
18. SugarCoat It: a great rocker – don’t pass this one up! The truth can’t be hidden. This song has a “Taxman” (Beatles) or “Batman” aspect to it. May we learn to listen to His “Still Small Voice Within…!” This is one of my favorites.
19. Mrs. Morgan (Act II) – neat witness from dc talk’s neighbors again.

By: Keith John Paul Horcasitas