D&K

Description

D&K is the eighth studio album by the American rock combo DeGarmo & Key Band, released on Power Discs in late October 1987 (in co-operation with ForeFront Records), distributed in the US by The Benson Company. The album was produced by John Hampton and the band for Mint Productions. A free cassette copy was offered with each one purchased to “give to a friend who needs to hear.” (Purchase the special gift box at a single cassette price, and you will receive an additional cassette to give away to someone who needs to hear… absolutely free!)

After three albums in pop pablum paradise – ‘Mission of Mercy‘, ‘Communication‘, and ‘Commander Sozo and the Charge of the Light Brigade‘ – DeGarmo & Key redeemed themselves with Christian rockers last year: ‘Street Light‘ was a return to the sound that made the early ‘Straight On‘ and the live ‘No Turning Back‘ the band’s best efforts. Now, D&K attempt to forge a sound that satisfies fans of their Christian airplay hits «Let the Whole World Sing», «Alleluia, Christ Is Coming», and «Destined to Win» without compromising the rock slant that makes them a potent concert act and more credible to rock fans who use the band as a tool in evangelism.

Where past attempts have failed, lacking the multiple tracks for Christian radio’s softer bent or the consistency and integrity to satisfy rock music fans, DeGarmo & Key have found an amicable balance that should please just about everyone, including this critic. D&K stands up to all the criteria necessary to rock kids, please programmers, and make for a great live show. Plus, an important link in today’s ministry-biased market, DeGarmo & Key’s focus in every aspect of this project appears to be the building up of youthful Christians, the encouragement of the Body, and the evangelizing of those outside the church.

Of course, the weight of any evangelistic effort relies on the ability of the words to communicate in meaningful ways to the lives of the unchurched. D&K show some understanding of the tensions in the lives of today’s youths in «Teenage Suicide», «Out of the Danger Zone», and «Rock Solid». «Under the Son», «Radical», and «Stand» bridge the gap between the troubled lives of young people in the ’80s and the gospel of Jesus, who understands. «Brother Against Brother» and the remaining tracks speak to and about the church in ways that make sense.

Back to the music: «Out of the Danger Zone», a REZ sound-alike with Key giving his best Glenn Kaiser vocal cop, kicks down the door on the way in while «Under the Son» and «Rock Solid» more accurately define the bluesy urban groove that is D&K’s turf. Key sings soulfully, but it is his hot, hot, hot guitar solos which continue to mesmerize listen after listen. DeGarmo, perhaps righting the laxity of keyboards on ‘Street Light’, has reclaimed his place at the heart of the tunes, and his organ riffs send chills up these rock ‘n’ roll bones. The unsung rhythm aces of D&K, bassist Tommy Cathey and drummer extraordinaire Greg Morrow, are not to be underestimated in their value to the sound. Fat, punchy drumfills keep the music danceable while bass lines often mimic and provoke the soloist. It’s a wonder to hear.

«Strength of Love», one of three extended mixes on the CD, is an excellent expression of D&K’s forward-thinking music, combining techno-pop tendencies – at their height on «Activate» and «Competition» – with a creative brand of authentic ’80s rock. «Stand» reflects a simpler, hymnic approach that has a sing-along warmth and a realistic feel – which is finally the point. D&K, more than anything since their double live LP in 1982, rings true. And that, more than anything else, means that people who hear it will dig into the music to find that which is finally and wholly true. [Brian Quincy Newcomb, CCM, November 1987]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/degarmo-and-key/715567659)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Out Of The Danger Zone” – 2:50
A2. “Under The Son” – 3:47
A3. “Rock Solid” – 4:29
A4. “Teenage Suicide” – 3:52
A5. “Strength Of Love” – 4:28

Side Two
B1. “Brother Against Brother (It’s Not Right)” – 5:05
B2. “War With The World” – 3:06
B3. “Stand” – 3:23
B4. “Radical” – 3:26
B5. “When The Son Begins To Reign” – 2:45

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, as a “Special Limited Edition” 12-inch vinyl LP (pressed in 10,000 copies, with Lyrics and Bible Studies enclosed), and CD (with 3 extended mixes) by Power Discs. Remastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound and re-issued on CD in 2022 by Girder Music, housed in a jewel case with expanded booklet featuring photos and lyrics.