Beyond a Star

Description

Beyond a Star is the sophomore album by the American vocal group Glad, released on Myrrh Records in 1980, a division of Word. The album was produced by Brown Bannister and band member Ed Nalle.

BEYOND A STAR – Glad – Myrrh MSB-6634 – Producer: Brown Bannister and Ed Nalle – List: 7.98

A slick production encases these songs which feature a full wall of electronic sound over the Christian message. A little like ELO but with the eternal message. Best cuts include «Pierce My Ear», «Take A Stand» and «Sing A New Song». Radio and retailers will be glad to receive this album. [Cash Box Album Reviews / Gospel, CashBox, Vol. XLII – No. 2 / May 24, 1980]

Second albums generally show growth in confidence and an improvement in execution… thus is the story of Glad’s second effort, ‘Beyond A Star’.

Under the co-production of Glad member Ed Nalle and the always-busy Brown Bannister, we have an offering of vocals and instrumentation for which the word “tight” and “dynamic” are understatements.

Most of the material works very well in context, with «Lonely Love» and «Pierce My Ear» the only possible exceptions. The former deals with teenage pregnancy (a significant problem, but hard to convey believeably in any context) and the latter is a fine song that leans a little too far toward MOR to fit the rest of the LP.

These minor points aside, the album is challenging listening for the believer – dealing mostly in non-evangelistic concepts. «The Reason», an a cappela opener, is virtually stunning.

The promise of the first album is resoundingly fulfilled in ‘Beyond A Star’. We’ll ignore the obvious pun and say that Glad will make you… happy! [CCM, April 1980]

What was begun on their debut is perfected on Beyond A Star. Granted it’s primarily a pop-rock album, but it also happens to be a downright catchy one, from the soaring acappella opener «The Reason» to the jazz-laced title track to the sweeping classical arrangements of «Sing A New Song». «Iron Sharpens Iron» is another one of the standouts with its brassy infectious melding of jazz, rock and pop. One of my head-banging college roommates even found the rousing electric guitar solo on «It Is Good» kickin’ enough to justify keeping a copy. The jazz angle sometimes leaves mild impressions of artists like Michael Omartian and Steely Dan. I can’t speak for their subsequent albums (especially since I’ve never heard them), but on these first two Glad has proved itself to be a class act all around. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “The Reason” – 1:50
A2. “Take A Stand” – 3:32
A3. “Beyond A Star” – 3:49
A4. “Away” – 4:11
A5. “Sing A New Song” – 3:37

Side Two
B1. “Iron Sharpens Iron” – 3:36
B2. “Lying” – 3:25
B3. “Lonely Love” – 4:31
B4. “It Is Good” – 4:54
B5. “Pierce My Ear” – 3:19

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records.

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