Gut Level Music

Description

Gut Level Music is the third album by the American alternative rock band Altar Boys, released on Frontline Records in June 1986. The album was recorded and mixed by Rob Watson at 3-D Studios in Costa Mesa, California; with Watson and Terry Taylor of Daniel Amos fame producing. Featuring a cover of “Unconditional Love”, a song co-written by Donna Summer and Michael Omartian and originally featured on Summer’s 1983-album, She Works Hard for the Money.

The Altar Boys were a seminal punk rock trio from California who from their formation in 1982 until their last album in 1989 (they briefly reformed in 2000) were pioneers in wedding evangelistic lyrics to careering punk rhythms. Producer Terry Taylor summed up the Altar Boys in one word: passionate. From «You Are Loved» through to the «Life Begins At The Cross» there is no let up. These guys have got a message and we are going to hear it. «I’m Not Talking About Religion» reminds us that following Jesus is about a relationship and «I Question It» makes it clear that lifestyle matters. This is, as the song says, «Gut Level Music» and demands a response of «Unconditional Love» (and yes, that is the Donna Summer song and yes, it rocks). The Boys have a lot to say – most of it well worth hearing – but the format of the short, loud rock song does not always fit with the verbose lyrics. Imagine if you like The Clash belting out something by Springsteen and you might see the problem. Having said that, the Boys have a message and they know how to rock. Jeff Crandall gives his drums a pounding, Ric Alba holds things together on bass and Mike Stand delivers the passion with vocals and guitar. Play loud! [Steven Whitehead, Cross Rhythms, February 2007]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/gut-level-music-remastered/385026012)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “You Are Loved” – 4:12
A2. “G.L.M.” – 4:04
A3. “I’m Not Talking About Religion” – 3:58
A4. “I Question It” – 2:45
A5. “You Found Me” – 3:42

Side Two
B1. “Unconditional Love” – 3:33
B2. “There Is A Love” – 4:18
B3. “Calling To You” – 3:12
B4. “Final Hour” – 2:56
B5. “Life Begins At The Cross” – 4:09

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Frontline Records. Re-issued on CD (together with Against the Grain) by KMG Records in 1998, as a part of the label’s Classic Archives Series – Music Value Pak. A remastered version was released as a Limited Collector’s Edition CD by Girder Records in 2015, featuring the previously unreleased song, “I Just Can’t Let Go.”