Media Alert

Description

Media Alert is the solo debut album by the American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist John Lawry of Petra and Joe English Band fame, released on StarSong Records in 1990. The album was produced and arranged by John Lawry.

Petra‘s keyboardist chalks up a winning debut as a solo artist. While there is enough of the familiar Petra sound for immediate accessibility to fans of the veteran band, Lawry brings his own personality to the record by infusing his music with a strong progressive rock flavor, that makes for compelling listening.

As might be suspected, the emphasis is on keyboards, and Lawry flashes impressive chops when called for. However, this is not a collection of self-indulgent solos. Lawry is a capable songwriter able to weave some memorable melodies with a lyrical bent for cautioning believers against the influence of the secular media, as well as warm gutsy singer. The album’s best song, «Time Will Tell (Changing of the Guards)», is a prime example of all of his strengths, with its establishment of a gentle melody that abruptly gives way to some adventuresome synthesizer work before returning to the melody. If you like Petra, you’ll like this record. If you don’t, you just might surprise yourself and like it anyway. [Jerry Wilson, CCM, June 1990]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Media Alert” – 3:48
A2. “Video Logic” – 4:36
A3. “The Whole World Is Crying Tonight” – 4:20
A4. “Stars In The Night” – 4:33
A5. “Time Will Tell” – 5:09

Side Two
B1. “Radio – ology” – 4:07
B2. “Decalogue” – 3:45
B3. “Can’t Break A Broken Heart” – 4:52
B4. “Ice Walls” – 4:08
B5. “Something Wonderful” – 5:16

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by StarSong Records.