"The Greater Cause" - John's New CD

[sue d.]

Here's a full review.... by a Crew member. Yes, I'm sure he's a little biased.... but that's OK!

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http://kbd-thinkingoutloud.blogspot.com ... cause.html

John Schlitt The Greater Cause
I'm a long time fan of John Schlitt. I was listening to his unique voice as far back as 1979 when I bought the Head East Live album. That was on 8-Track Tape folks, so it's been awhile.


In the early 80s I got interested in Christian Rock. I came across an album in my local Christian bookstore by a band named Petra. It had a star ship on the cover of the futuristic themed album, reminiscent of some of my other favorite Rock Bands, Boston and Journey, so I gave it a shot, and have never regretted it. Now this was before John Schlitt joined Petra, but it was not long afterward that John took up Petra's vocals, and I had no problem listening to that great familiar voice from Head East.

Petra was hands down my favorite Christian Rock band. They helped launch the entire Christian Rock scene leading the pack and making Christian Rock cool. I was listening to Christian Rock before it was cool.

In the 1990s Christian Rock thrived, and Petra was constantly putting out great albums, one of their most popular albums was Beyond Belief.


I've spent many hours over the years listening to Petra, loving both the sound and Bible-centered lyrics of their songs. But let's get to The Greater Cause.

Some time back I got on the John Schlitt mailing list, then followed him on Facebook and Twitter, curious to see where life would take him after Petra retired a few years ago. I had no idea that I would be joining with other fans to help him launch an album.

Last year John Schlitt set up a Kickstarter plan to gather pledges to fund a new album. I'd never heard of Kickstarter until John launched his pledge drive to gather funds for this new fan funded project. With the help of his fans John was able to get enough pledges to finance his album. I loved the idea, and hoped it would allow him the freedom to make the sort of album he wanted and would also please his fans. I've now listened to the album over and over, being among those lucky supporters who received an early download of his album just a few days after Christmas. It is an epic success in my view, and I predict it will sell very well this Spring when it is released to the public.

The Greater Cause is very much a Christian Rock album. It has a couple of mellow songs at the end that are a great conclusion to a solid Rock album. The first song is "Live It Loud" and it loudly grabs you and draws you right into the album. The beat is excellent, nice rhythm, and John's strong voice launches this first song. Very reminiscent of 1990s Petra, and I love it. Next comes "Take Me Home" very solid guitar licks start this song and and chant-like lyrics move this song along nicely. The third song on the album is "Love Won't Leave Me Alone" it has a wonderful rhythm and John's strong voice once again drives this one home with catchy lyrics. The next song is "One Of These Days" I really like the guitar and melody of this song, the whole song just flows well, then jumps up a notch to become harder hitting, very nice. The fifth song is "Faith & Freedom", a very powerful song that drives home the title theme of the song, it reminds you of the 'pull no punches' kind of songs we heard throughout the 90s from Petra, excellent song and one that stood out to me the first time I listened through all the songs on the album. The sixth song is "End of Fear", and this might be a good place to point out that this album does not skimp on music, neither are there any lame songs, usually on an album you expect one or two lame tracks, but not on The Greater Cause, all eleven tracks are winners. The "End of Fear" drops the intensity down a notch, probably a good place on the album to catch your breath, and still enjoy a smooth Rock song. "Where I Wanna Be" is another smooth Rock song that carries you along with a great rhythm and gradually increases in tempo and intensity. The next song is "Hope That Saves The World" which takes us full on back into a harder Rock song, with a hard, steady beat. John's voice is authoritative and the song is very catchy, I really like this one. It reminds you of Who this is all about. Now we come to my favorite song on the album, and it is no easy choice with so many great songs. Number nine on this album is titled simply "Run". Great guitar licks start the song, John's powerful voice drives it forward, it is one of the hardest Rock songs which is one thing that appeals to me, but everything just seems to mesh perfectly on this song, my favorite. The last two mellow songs bring the album to a relaxing finale. "The Gift (Dorla's Song)" has a nice acoustic guitar beginning and the acoustic is great throughout the song, and John shows he can not only belt out Rock songs but carry a lovely tune on mellow ones. The last but not least song is "The Cross Remains" a perfect finish, once again reminding us of the One who gives meaning to any Christian song and every Christian life. Though a mellow song it has some highs and lows, going quiet at one time, then solid percussion driving the tune up and closer to a stronger Rock sound. It is a great finish to a wonderful album.

I'm excited for those Christian Rock fans who are yet to hear this wonderful album. I can not imagine any way that the album could be better, it has exceeded all my expectations, which were none too low considering the talent of John Schlitt. You will be doing yourself a big favor by getting this album when it is released.

OK John, I'm ready for the next album man, looking forward to getting that next notice of another Kickstarter album project by John Schlitt. I can already see this one is going to be a huge success. It is a great time to be alive when fans and their favorite artists can work together on projects that they both love. It's all for The Greater Cause.

[BriGuyPEI]

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned yet how much Hope That Saves The World sounds like that Nickelback song Burn it to the Ground. The verses are virtually identical, musically. I'd actually be a little scared of a lawsuit on this one.

Which all makes me kinda conflicted. I hate Nickelback, but like John Schlitt. Now I've got a John Schlitt song that sounds like Nickelback. What am I to do?

[Preacherman777]

My initial impressions are that the Songs Live it Loud, Take Me Home, Faith and Freedom, Hope That Saves the World and The Gift are my favorites so far. Faith and Freedom is easily the best for me. Very classic rock sounding and that's what I was looking for.

[executioner]

Here is my list of favorites

Take Me Home, Love Won't Leave Me, One of These Days, Hope Saves, Run, The Gift, & The Cross Remains. The Gift is awesome, John really makes you feel the song. The last four songs are IMO the best.

[pmal]

My faves in album order:

Live it Loud, Take Me Home, One of These Days, End of Fear, Hope that Saves the World, and The Cross Remains.

I like the rest also.

[sue d.]

Nickelback song Burn it to the Ground. The verses are virtually identical, musically

I wouldn't go THAT far... since the song was written by Dan & John, I can almost guarantee that John hasn't heard "Burn it to the Ground." Dan perhaps, but not John.

BriGuy - you just go ahead & listen and consider it a SCHLITT song -- forget about Nickelback..

[Shell]

I'm not familiar with Nickelback or Bieber's music, but I like some (not all of) Celine Dion's stuff. I think she has a good voice, but there is truth in the idea too much of even a good thing can be overkill.

[Dan]

As a Canadian I must apologize for Nickelback, Celine Dion (I like the Newsboys song My Friend Jesus with the lines: "And the music they're playing is the soundtrack of hell / You say two wrongs don't make a right /Just try listening to Celine Dion all night"), and of course Bieber.

That was actually an improvement... not a fan of Nickelback, not at all.

As an Australian, I must apologize for Russel Crowe and his band (yes he has one)

[Dan]

As a Canadian I must apologize for Nickelback, Celine Dion (I like the Newsboys song My Friend Jesus with the lines: "And the music they're playing is the soundtrack of hell / You say two wrongs don't make a right /Just try listening to Celine Dion all night"), and of course Bieber.

That was actually an improvement... not a fan of Nickelback, not at all.

As an Australian, I must apologize for Russel Crowe and his band (yes he has one)

[Tutor_23]

Can one of you tell me how to add my downloaded tgc songs to my iTunes music library? My computer seems to want me to install Windows Media Player as the default media conduit in order to burn to a CD, and I don't want to do that. I just want to put it in iTunes. Thanks for any help!
andy

[Dan]

I can't get enough of this album, this is what fans have been waiting for. Listening to this at work, my productivity has increased 100%

[pmal]

Can one of you tell me how to add my downloaded tgc songs to my iTunes music library? My computer seems to want me to install Windows Media Player as the default media conduit in order to burn to a CD, and I don't want to do that. I just want to put it in iTunes. Thanks for any help!
andy

Andy,

Here's a thread about getting them to show up in iTunes:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=56521&hilit=itunes

[brent]

Nickelback's songs are all about sex for the most part. I think their productions, aside from the Mutt record (he makes everything sound like Def Leppard - duh!) have some good tones, sounds, mixes, producing. Live, they completely suck. They just look silly and sound beefier than they are. They are second only to Creed in the suck category.

Canada has spawned some great bands, artists. Rush, Triumph, Bryan Adams, Aldo Nova, Saga, Loverboy, Sheriff, etc

[Tutor_23]

thank you, pmal. I had missed that thread. It's all good, now!
I'll offer feedback after I've had a chance to listen. I'm sure I'll love it!
andy

[BriGuyPEI]

Nickelback's songs are all about sex for the most part. I think their productions, aside from the Mutt record (he makes everything sound like Def Leppard - duh!) have some good tones, sounds, mixes, producing. Live, they completely suck. They just look silly and sound beefier than they are. They are second only to Creed in the suck category.

Canada has spawned some great bands, artists. Rush, Triumph, Bryan Adams, Aldo Nova, Saga, Loverboy, Sheriff, etc

The Guess Who, BTO, Sloan, The Tragically Hip and too many more to mention!