Do I Stand Alone

Description

Do I Stand Alone is the solo debut album by the American singer and songwriter Mike Stand of Altar Boys fame, released on Alarma Records in October 1988, a division of Frontline Music Group, distributed by The Benson Company. The album was recorded by Dave Hackbarth at Neverland Studios in Los Alamitos, California; with Rob Watson of Daniel Amos fame producing. Mixed by Gene Eugene of Adam Again at Neverland.

Albums like ‘Against the Grain‘ and ‘Gut Level Music‘ have not done a lot to convince the broad Christian audience that Altar Boys’ leader Mike Stand was a sensitive, reflective type. Characterized by the Frontline ad where Stand is pictured in a close-up of his full-mouthed scream, his music tended to draw the comparisons of The Clash and The Who, and even with a growing consciousness The Boys’ were more often than not thought of as sloganeering yelps, with little need for nuance and subtlety. That may have been just fine with their audience, but Stand had a more personal side to express and he does it on ‘Do I Stand Alone?’.

Here, relying predominantly on an acoustic guitar and supported by the backing band for Tonio K and others (Tim Chandler, David Raven, Jack Sherman and producer Rob Watson), Stand makes an attempt at a softer sound, but this is not ‘Nebraska’ or ‘Lonesome Jubilee’. Watson and crew give more space to Stand’s vocals and allow for a different kind of expression, but ‘Do I Stand Alone?’ remains a rock album, given the ballads and acoustic lament, «Simple Truth».

Stand’s limitations as a poetic lyricist and singer are front and center without the commotion of the Altar Boys to create a balance, but it is the honest simplicity of his words and the expressive, heart-felt quality of his voice that makes ‘Do I Stand Alone?’ more than a curiosity.

“I’m just the same as you,” Stand pleads in «I’m Only Human», an attempt to get down off the pedestal of Christian music stardom. The reality he owns in «I’ve Seen Gray» is one where, at times, the answers to the important questions are not easily found, but the “challenge is to know a faithful God is there.” Finally, Stand notes that shattered lives are strengthened by «Simple Truth». Admitting perplexity, frailty and vulnerability can leave an artist feeling isolated and anxious, but the issues and music of Mike Stand find a common denominator in the human condition. No, we’re not alone. [Brian Quincy Newcomb, CCM, October 1988]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/do-i-stand-alone/389801347)

CD tracklist:

01. The Way I Want To Be – 4:16
02. Do I Stand Alone – 4:35
03. What’s Goin’ On – 3:32
04. Dear God – 3:49
05. I Walk The Wall – 4:07
06. A Freedom’s Worth Fighting For – 3:20
07. I’m Only Human – 2:46
08. I’ve Seen Gray – 3:39
09. To Give All Is Everything – 3:36
10. Simple Truth – 3:10

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Alarma Records. The album tracks “Dear God” and “A Freedom’s Worth Fighting For” were released as a two-sided 7-inch vinyl single by Frontline Records. Mike Stand’s two solo albums, Do I Stand Alone and Simple Expression, were later re-issued on one CD as a part of KMG’s Classic Archives Music Value Pak series.

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CREDITS. Produced by Rob Watson. Recorded at Neverland, Los Alamitos, CA. Engineered by Dave Hackbarth with additional engineering by Bill Pearson, Dave Jahnsen, Rob Watson, Scott Macklin, and Thom Roy. Mixed by Gene Eugene at Neverland. Art Direction by Ed McTaggart. Photography by Michael Seeley. Music by Mike Stand and Ric Alba. Words by Mike Stand.

Musicians: Mike Stand (Lead Vocals, Harmonica, Acoustic and Electric Guitar), Rob Watson (Steinway Piano, Organ, Synthesizer), Jack Sherman (Acoustic and Electric Guitar), Tim Chandler (Bass, Fretless Bass), David Raven (Drums, Drum Programming – Linn 9000 and Akai S-900), Alex MacDougall (Percussion). Backing Vocals: Mike Stand, Ric Alba.