Description
An Axe to Grind is the solo debut album by the American hard rock vocalist, songwriter, guitarist, and producer Ken Tamplin (on this album credited “Tamplin and Friends”), released on Intense Records in 1990, a division of Frontline Music Group, distributed by The Benson Company. The album was recorded by Roger Mielke and Ken Tamplin at Micronote Recording Studios in Pasadena, California; and was produced by Tamplin with Lanny Cordola co-producing. Mixed by Dave Jahnsen at The Mixing Lab A in Garden Grove, California.
Vocalist/songwriter/producer Ken Tamplin began working with the group Joshua, who debuted in 1982 with The Hand Is Quicker Than the Eye. Tamplin also appeared on 1985’s Surrender and 1987’s Intense Defense, but moved to the band Shout for 1988’s It Won’t Be Long. He worked as a producer for the band on the following year’s In Your Face. Ken Tamplin’s first solo album, An Axe to Grind (credited to Tamplin & Friends), was released in 1990. One year later, he issued Soul Survivor and followed up with another group work, Big Bang by Magdallan, in 1992. (Early on Tamplin actually also played in The Image Band with Mike Stand of Altar Boys fame.)
The songwriting machine by the name of Ken Tamplin is back with 14 tracks in the context of a solo album, giving him the chance to cut loose and experiment without the confines of a band. This diversity almost works against the album, keeping it from being as strong as it could be… but there’s enough good material to make the listener want to keep coming back for more.
Five short instrumental numbers season the album with class and technical prowess. «Music Box», the best example, includes some quick picking and a touch of reverb, topped by some melodic lead playing. Each of these acts as an intro to the full-length songs. The only other instrumental, «All The Things You Are», stands out like a jazz thumb on this predominantly pop/metal album. It’s a very tight performance of the classic jazz number, showing off the skills of the all-star players of the album.
The remaining eight songs are as lyrically upfront as Tamplin’s ever been, and musically range from the classic Shout sound («Holdin’ On») to genuine blues («Goin’ Home»). «(Ken’s Version of) Take ‘Em Back» is a more passionate and beefier version than that found on the ‘Power Team Soundtrack’. There are two strong ballads – «Never Give Up (A Wife’s Tribute)», which is Ken’s tip of the heart to his wife; and «I Hear Cryin’». The standout cut, «Believin’ is the Hardest Part», uses acoustic guitar to shuttle the rhythm along. This song shows the most growth in the direction Tamplin has been traveling thus far. Some Beatle-ish vocal experimentation is even used to add spice to an already great song.
A few of the remaining songs, like «Goin’ all the Way» and «Livin’ for my Lord» sound more like two formulas sewn together rather than a cohesive direction. The vocal lines also seem too high, not capitalizing on the strength of his gutsy low range.
Considering all 14 songs as a whole, this album wins another battle against mediocrity in the world of Christian metal. While not working with the same budgets as Foreigner or Def Leppard, Mr. Tamplin still shows that he can write with the best of ’em. [Doug Van Pelt, CCM, October 1990]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/an-axe-to-grind-remastered/390573557)
CD tracklist:
01. Livin’ For My Lord – 4:54
02. The Continuing Saga Of Screwtape & Wormwood – 0:30
03. Going All The Way – 4:08
04. Never Give Up – 5:16
05. Music Box – 0:58
06. Not Alone – 3:51
07. Goin’ Home – 5:27
08. Bouree In E Minor – 0:44
09. Straight Between The Eyes – 4:17
10. I Hear Cryin’ – 4:49
11. Armageddon – 1:03
12. Holdin’ On/The Chase – 3:44
13. Take ‘Em Back – 3:22
14. Believin’ (Is The Hardest Part) – 4:21
15. All The Things You Are – 7:18
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Intense Records. Remastered by Rob Colwell and re-issued by Girder Music on 12-inch color vinyl LP in 2020 (translucent blue with black/white splatter, 200 copies). Also available on Gold Disc CD.
A full-page advertisement for the Intense Records albums An Axe To Grind by Ken Tamplin and Walkin’ in Faith by Angelica was featured in the October 1990 issue of CCM Magazine.
“Livin For My Lord” (MUSIC VIDEO)
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