Description
Worthless Pursuit of Things on the Earth is the sophomore solo album by the American singer and songwriter Chris Taylor of Love Coma fame, released on Rhythm House Records in May 2000, distributed by Diamante Music Group. The album was recorded and mixed by Jordan Richter with Mark Robertson producing. All songs written by Chris Taylor.
Chris Taylor (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica) is backed by a session band consisting of the members of A Ragamuffin Band: Rick Elias on acoustic and electric guitars as well as Hammond organ, Jimmy Abegg of Vector fame on acoustic and electric guitars as well as mandolin, Mark Robertson of This Train fame on bass, and Aaron Smith of The 77s fame on drums and percussion. Backing vocals provided by Kevin Max of dc Talk fame, Sarah Hoover, and Mark Robertson. Sarah Hoover is also sitting in on cello.
Chris Taylor had always the potential for something great. His lyrical bite was as hard hitting as the rock sound of his band Love Coma and his solo debut “down goes the day” was tasty if not commercially accessible. And so Rhythm Records have brought in Mark Robertson and Rick Elias to give Taylor the sound that would bring his poetic thoughtfulness to a much wider audience. No doubt economics was their driving force but sometimes economics can move in mysterious ways. And so with this. Taylor’s raucous and stunning vocals get the perfect foil with the sound that the Ragamuffins have found for Taylor. Indeed the band is the Ragamuffins and it has them able to be a little more hard hitting than on their own work. Of course they are up for it. Indeed this might be Robertson’s hello to a future of record production. We’ve heard his work before but something tells me that he’ll be an omnipresent name on the credits of Christian rock albums as the new millennium unfolds.
The packaging of this album is a fascinating collage of photos and lyrics and notes and what all else. It could keep you amazed for hours. And so the music it covers. This album hits you with an immediate one-two punch of a heavy weight champion but underneath the punches there are a whole load of nimble lyrical and musical intrigues to keep you coming back time and again. There is little doubt that Taylor is rooted in the U2 and Simple Minds kind of rock history. But though the phrasing, a melody gives hints of that lineage. Do not think for a moment that this album sits anymore out of date than whatever Bono and his mates are currently concocting in a Dublin studio. It’s rock but not antiquated. It’s right up to date and there are moments as in Bleeding Hearts Club when it is almost a 21st century southern boogie through a sweet treat of a Mississippi mud pie.
Worthwhile pursuit of things of heaven! [Steve Stockman, The Phantom Tollbooth, 5/29/2000]
Former Love Coma frontman Chris Taylor released the killer ‘Down Goes The Day‘ a couple of years ago and sadly, hardly anyone noticed that mini-masterpiece. This time he’s decided to write songs under 10 minutes long and go for the killer commercial punch. Let’s do a quick sightseeing tour of the highlights the title track attacks modern materialism and questions what kind of treasure we’re storing up, whilst «Wonderful Thing» has the kind of rootsy feel that made classic World Party records so special. «Bleeding Hearts Club» bristles with a swampy, spiky groove and some Bob Dylan-style harmonica and lyrical angst. «Thirty Three» is a vibey observation of Christ’s ministry and the need to be in the world making a difference. The overall effect is that this time Chris has kept all the atmosphere but packaged his songs in bite-sized chunks for those with a short attention span. So wake up! Here’s a guy with a voice reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, whose musical approach should appeal to you if you hate bubblegum CCM and want something with more substance! [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, August 2000]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/chris-taylors-worthless-pursuit-of-things-on-the-earth/1779202776)
CD tracklist:
01. The Worthless Pursuit Of Things On The Earth – 3:19
02. Accidental Charm – 4:00
03. Wonderful Thing – 3:45
04. Hole In My Head – 3:05
05. Bleeding Hearts Club – 5:01
06. Secret Of The Universe – 4:19
07. Thirty Three – 5:51
08. The River – 4:36
09. Sad Day In Heaven – 4:43
10. Higher Ground – 10:20
Note: Track 10 ends at 6:12. A hidden track begins at 6:43 (alternate version of “The Worthless Pursuit Of Things On The Earth”). Remastered by Bruce Neher and available at Bandcamp: https://christaylor.bandcamp.com/album/worthless-pursuit-of-things-on-the-earth-remastered
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.