Description
Brand New Start is the debut album by the American rock band Mylon LeFevre & Broken Heart, released on MCA Songbird in 1982. The album was produced by Mylon LeFevre, Joe Hardy, and Dean Harrington for Broken Heart Productions.
Brand New Start was included among the Best Albums of 1982 by CCM Magazine, voted number five on a list featuring thirteen albums. – For the long-time, veteran, contemporary Christian music fans, Mylon LeFevre’s Brand New Start was a reunion. It was his first notable album of Christian statement since his classic 1970 Mylon album. For the younger ccm fans and followers, it was an exciting introduction to a dynamic Christian performer. In the May 1982 CCM review of Brand New Start, Paul Baker described it as “a classic example of early Jesus rock at its finest. This collection of soul-baring songs, ” he continued, “contains some of the most reverent and edifying compositions in recent contemporary Christian music… Heavy in excellent lyrical content… Every songs is a standout in its own right.” In spite of its definitie strength, Brand New Start suffered a gross lack of efficient and effective promotion. Part of a fairly short-lived MCA experiment in gospel/secular co-releasing called Songbird Records, the LP may have survived at all only because of Sparrow Records’ distribution of most Songbird product. Had that not happened, Mylon may have been relegated to being a truly unsung hero of early Jesus music. We are grateful to Songbird, though, for allowing Mylon to produce a work which is both memorable and valuable.
Mylon LeFevre fans – and I’m sure there are a few of you still out there – it’s time to rejoice. For those of you who don’t recognize the name, it’s time you were introduced. ‘Brand New Start’ (MCA/Songbird MCA-5276) is Mylon’s re-entry into a field where he excelled – musically – more than a decade ago. His album, ‘Mylon‘, is a classic example of early Jesus rock at its finest.
This new album brings us a new Mylon – no longer the rebellious, flashy-dressing, stoned rock ‘n’ roller he was a few short years ago, but rather a Broken Heart who has had a Brand New Start. That’s where the names of his band and album come in. Following his spiritual renewal in 1980, Mylon pulled together the band, and the songs on this first recorded outing by Mylon and Broken Heart are clearly autobiographical or biographical, as in the case of «Waitin’ on Heaven», which Pat Terry wrote for Mylon when Mylon couldn’t put a song down on paper.
Ed DeGarmo and Dana Key, who reportedly became Christians as the result of a Mylon concert around the time of his 1970 album, lent their songwriting talents on «You Comfort Me». DeGarmo also played organ and synthesizers on portions of the album. Mylon’s voice lends itself well to DeGarmo & Key’s music; indeed, their vocals are similar. Co-producer and engineer Joe Hardy worked on this album as well as DeGarmo & Key’s ‘This Ain’t Hollywood‘, so the resemblance is understandable and welcome. Dean Harrington, lead guitarist for Broken Heart, also co-produced the LP and co-wrote many of the songs with Mylon.
Mylon is capable of rocking much more than he does on this album, but I’m thankful he didn’t. That can come later. This collection of soul-baring songs contains some of the most reverent and edifying compositions I have heard in recent contemporary Christian music. For instance, Mike Rogers‘ «Child of the Father», which appeared on the ‘Back to the Rock‘ sampler from Maranatha! Music’s A&S label recently, is a melodic, harmonic and tender invitation to accept the Father’s inheritance: “When you’re a Child of the Father, Christ becomes your life.”
Two other standouts on the album are the rocking opener, «Stranger to Danger», and the concluding testimonial/confessional with mesmerizing acoustic guitar work, «Brand New Start».
But every song is a standout in its own right. ‘Brand New Start’ is heavy on excellent lyrical content. Hint: highly recommended for stereos with repeating tonearms. [Paul Baker, CCM, May 1982]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Stranger to Danger” – 4:46
A2. “Child of the Father” – 3:33
A3. “You Comfort Me” – 2:47
A4. “Waitin’ On Heaven” – 3:25
A5. “Broken Heart” – 4:30
Side Two
B1. “The Light” – 3:58
B2. “Our Desire” – 3:35
B3. “To Be Real” – 3:03
B4. “Inner Mission/A Brand New Start” – 5:03
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by MCA Songbird.
“Stranger to Danger” (VIDEO)
Mylon LeFevre & the 77s, Concert from November 6, 1982. Warehouse Ministries, Sacramento, California.
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