Member Reviews
Well, I may be a bit biased. Raised in a conservative Christian home and now leading a Christian family with predominantly those same values, and having attended Liberty Baptist College, now University at the time that Kevin, Michael and Toby did - having some interaction with at least one them .... well again, maybe a bit biased. I was expecting a book on the timing, musical direction and intricacies of this landmark album and how these guys I knew made it kind of big in the Christian world. I guess I got that basically with this book, but never expected it was written by authors who no longer share that faith and are not heterosexual, to the point, they somewhat flirt with the DC Talk guys (at least in thought) and even question their sexuality. True or not, and I think probably not, it was a bit uncomfortable for me given the context. I did appreciate reading about the sound of the album in context to the music of the day, in particular the grunge scene. With that said, it was an interesting read, and everyone can be who they are, but I just wasn't prepared for the authors' perspective.
This book took me back to my early days of Christianity. The authors critically consider this band and their music, with attention given to the culture that they initially worked in, as well as how the group developed over time. Interesting and well developed.
Definitely a must for all dc Talk fans who love the group's groundbreaking Jesus Freak album. Well researched and accessible for the more casual fan as well.
This is a detailed and intriguing study. Seen through the lens of the authors, it would be easy for their biases (they have them, like all of us do) to overpower the narrative, but it does not. It really is fascinating, so many years on to remember how easy it was to be certain that the lyrics of Jesus Freak were a call to arms that could not be bettered or even doubted. Some things do, mercifully, change with the passing of time!