Description
This is the Healing is an album by the American alternative rock band Lifesavers Underground (a.k.a. L.S.U.), released on Blonde Vinyl Records in 1991. The album was recorded by Chris Colbert at Casbah Studio in Fullerton, California; with band member Michael Knott producing.
Mike Knott, leader of Lifesavers and L.S.U. (Lifesavers Underground), and now the owner of his own Blonde Vinyl label, is one of the great unsung heroes of alternative Christian music. ‘Us Kids‘, Lifesavors’ (sic.) debut, came at a time when undercover, DA, and only a few others were in position to make a relevant musical statement of the Gospel to the punk music scene of the early ’80s. After a couple of records, Knott & Co. took a break, only to come back stronger than ever on two complementary releases, a warm, up-tempo Lifesavers pop record, ‘A Kiss of Life‘ (’86), and a dark, aggressive L.S.U. effort ‘Shaded Pain‘ (’87), that many consider a classic of the genre. ‘Wakin’ up the Dead‘ (ascribed to L.S.U.) was released on Blonde Vinyl in ’89, but with no distribution the cassette-only release was enjoyed by hard-core fans but barely noticed by the general public.
In 1991, Mike Knott returns with Spectra distribution for his label, hoping to put an end to obscurity. Two sibling releases express the two sides of his musical personality: Lifesavers’ ‘Poplife‘ and ‘This is the Healing’, from L.S.U., but side by side the distinctions aren’t great enough to warrant two separate identities. For instance, «Queen of the Captive» and «It’s a Crazy Thing» would have fit into my perception of L.S.U., while «Not a Cuss Word» fits more with the light hearted positivism I would tend to associate with Lifesavers. Further, nothing on ‘Healing’ or ‘Poplife’ matches the depth of emotion from ‘Shaded Pain’s «Bye Bye Colour» or «Plague of Flies». What we have here is two really good albums, that without some of the more peripheral tracks – «Skate», «G-G-G», and «Jet Plane» come to mind – could have been a great one. But, given Knott’s absence for the last four years, for once quantity may just make up for quality.
Other than Knott, the only consistent support comes from new Choir bassist Mike Sauerbrey, who plays on both projects. Knott takes advantage of what has become a seasoned rhythm section for the more aggressive pop of Lifesavers, using Sauerbrey and Choir drummer Steve Hindalong. The power trio prove an engaging combination, as they give substance and energy to Knott’s songs, «Surf With God», the one track with other players, only lacks a solo from Paul Johnson to establish its surf music authenticity. Other highlights are «Coming Up Roses», «I Don’t Know (Sister, Sister)» and «Queen of the Captive».
‘This is the Healing’ appears to be a solo studio effort by Knott, with some lead guitar parts by Jeff Sebens and bass by Sauerbrey. Live L.S.U. uses long-time drummer Kevin Lee instead of the programmed drums heard here. «War» is topical and extremely timely, but with the operatic voice od Bridget Knott, it becomes somewhat of a novelty piece compared to more effective tracks like «Miracle», «Suicide», «Chucky» and the title track. All in all, it’s just great to have Mike Knott available with significant distribution. Now, if we could just hear that promised CD re-issue of ‘Shaded Pain’, I could die a happy man. [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, May 1991]
It’s been a long, dry spell since Mike Knott and L.S.U. brought us ‘Wakin’ Up The Dead‘. Since then, Mike has expanded the Blonde Vinyl roster, secured major distribution, and re-launched the enterprise in a big way, with six initial releases. Among the first batch are two from the L.S.U./Lifesavers consortium.
Knott distinguishes between the bands by funnelling the pop-oriented numbers (as the title would suggest) toward Lifesavers, while keeping the more somber material for L.S.U. Here, Lifesavers operates as a power trio, with Knott on guitar, joined by the rhythm section from The Choir, Michael Sauerbrey on bass and Steve Hindalong. Hindalong, whose precise percussion is a trademark of The Choir’s sound, plays the heck out of his kit on ‘Pop Life‘, with what one might call joyful abandon. The operative word is fun, fun, fun. But among the grins, Knott makes his point, as on «It’s A Crazy Thing» where he’s “got some poor overworked sick and tired angel beggin’ not to have to help me.” Even the frivolous «Surf With God» and «Skate» have their hearts in the right place. What seems a bit of a lark actually ends up being one of Lifesavers’ best records.
Likewise, ‘This Is The Healing’ can take its place alongside the classic ‘Shaded Pain’ in Knott’s oeuvre. Sauerbrey remains in the bass chair, while Kevin Lee pounds the skins and Jeff Sebens moves into the lead guitar slot. Here, the sound is of the Mission UK/Sisters of Mercy/The The school. Knott’s lyrics for L.S.U. focus on the “flip side” of Christianity; live in turmoil, searching for the comfort that only the Holy Spirit can offer.
But even though there’s darkness on ‘This Is The Healing’, it makes the light all the more revelatory. «Suicide», for instance, explores that subject in a compassionate way, as the Lord implores, “give some time for the rose to bloom . . . don’t die, don’t give me that suicide/ I want you for my love.” «G-G-G» offers a grim reminder that we’re often worse than the sinner we criticize – “One day I’d like to kill the KKK/ hang them on the cross they burned today/ Would the killing of a bigot let me win/ Sometimes I’m as sick as him,” but then adds, “Jesus give me love, Jesus give me understanding.” The title track, which closes the album, again looks at the deep pain life can send – “You’ve tried to philosophize your pain/ but the hurt’s in your heart, not in your brain . . . This is the healing/ give me tears from all your bitter years/ Salt the wounds, the healing will come soon.”
Taken together, ‘Pop Life’ and ‘This Is The Healing’ are as well-rounded an exploration of contemporary Christianity as you are likely to find. [Bruce A. Brown, Harvest Rock Syndicate, Issue 2, 1991 (Volume 6)]
Re-issue, Young Earth Records 2022
Originally released in 1991 by the late, great Blonde Vinyl Records, L.S.U.‘s This Is the Healing is one of those albums. I was introduced to it when I was a college sophomore, several years after its release, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. With its stripped down approach – some songs are little more than guitar, stark drum machine, and Michael Knott’s inimitable voice – and searing lyrics, This Is the Healing is one of my favorite Michael Knott-related releases.
Opening track «Miracle» immediately grabs you with its stories of broken, fearful people in sore need of divine intervention. However, the ambiguity and anxiety in Knott’s lyrics - “Connie can’t stop crying/ It’s almost two years now/ She prays and prays and weeps to wail/ Yet God has given to no avail” - were a far cry from the CCM stuff I grew up on, but they resonated with my own doubts and fears in a way that DC Talk and other youth group staples never could.
I’ve written about «G.G.G.» before, but suffice to say, its stunning, even potentially offensive plea for love and understanding has lost none of its power. And the title track, with its blunt-yet-poetic lyrics (“You’ve tried to philosophize your pain/ But the hurt’s in your heart and not in your brain”), is the sort of “inspirational” that I wish more Christian music would strive to be.
Of course, this being a Michael Knott album, there’s plenty of weirdness, too, that might turn off even longtime Knott fans. «War» employs churning/slashing guitars and operatic vocals (courtesy of Bridget Knott) while Michael Knott sings/raps lyrics that reference Saddam Hussein (this was during the Gulf War, mind you) alongside Cain and Abel. Those operatic vocals return on «Hummingbird», singing in Italian, French, and German alongside droning guitars and industrial beats in what has to be one of the strangest moments in the entire Michael Knott discography (and that’s saying something).
For better or worse, This Is the Healing often feels like several different albums smashed together. There are the poignant, emotional songs («Miracle», «G.G.G.»), the more experimental ones where Knott lets his concepts run wild («Hummingbird»), and some roiling post-punk («Loved One», «Shallow») thrown in for good measure. In sum, This Is the Healing works as both a fascinating slice of history from the fringes of Christian music as well as an emotional work that, in its best moments, is thought-provoking, insightful, and yes… even healing.
(This Is the Healing was recently remastered and reissued on vinyl by Young Earth Records, which has previously reissued other Michael Knott-related albums, including Wakin’ Up the Dead and Heaven High.) [Jason Morehead, Opus, August 6, 2022]
CD tracklist:
01. Miracle – 4:56
02. War – 5:03
03. Suicide – 3:54
04. Not a Cuss Word – 5:20
05. Hummingbird – 3:19
06. Loved One – 2:28
07. Shallow – 5:12
08. Chucky – 3:33
09. G.G.G. – 5:07
10. This is the Healing – 4:36
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Blonde Vinyl Records. Re-issued on CD by M8 Distribution in 1999, including three bonus tracks; “G.G.G.” Remix (4:55), “She Lies” (4:27), and “I Can’t Wait” (3:57). Re-issued on 12-inch vinyl LP by Blonde Vinyl Records in 2023 (distributed by Interwebs), remastered for vinyl at Steinhaus and pressed on both Green, Orange, and Purple Vinyl. Available at Bandcamp: https://lsunderground.bandcamp.com/album/this-is-the-healing
https://blondevinyl.bandcamp.com/album/this-is-the-healing-remastered
An advertisement for various new releases on Blonde Vinyl Records, including the L.S.U. album This is the Healing, was featured in ACM Journal, Issue #6, 1991.
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