Description
Escape from the Fallen Planet! is the sophomore album by the American synthpop band Crumbächer, released on Frontline Records in May 1986, distributed by The Benson Company. The album was recorded and mixed by Bill Baumgart at Asylomar Studios in Los Angeles, California; with band member Stephen Crumbächer producing.
Escape from the Fallen Planet! features the band’s biggest hit on CCM radio, “Interstellar Satellite.” It also tempers its Europop impersonation with more influence from American eighties pop (although the big hairdos of its band members on the album cover use just as much hairspray as a-ha or Wham). The cover design is an inspired touch: it’s a movie poster for a faux sci-fi flick entitled Escape From the Fallen Planet!, playing on the theological concept of mankind’s fall from Eden. Cover design and illustration by Kernie Erickson.
The years 1984 and 1985 marked the ascent of Amy Grant, and ’85 and ’86 have seen Steve Taylor catapult to success. Perhaps this year and next will mark the rise of Crumbächer. It’s easy to imagine these talented folks quickly penetrating the crowded teen market. Good looks and catchy songs, for instance, certainly don’t hurt. Yet their melodies and, most importantly, their lyrics have enough subtleties and intricacies to appeal to college and even post-grad listeners.
‘Escape from the Fallen Planet’, while not a concept LP as such, contains several tracks that allude to Christians as aliens on this planet, trapped on a world where they don’t quite fit. The cover, styled after a scene from a sci-fi serial like ‘Flash Gordon’, makes that statement quite clearly and humorously.
The LP begins in grand style with an overture befitting the album’s “movieish” concept. «Crashlanded (In Another Time Zone)» then reinforces the aliens theme. It’s a peppy, danceable mix of synths and rhythm machines that doesn’t get too cute to make its serious point. «Identical Twins» addresses Paul’s struggle – and ours – with two opposing forces vying for control of one’s life. The band varies tempo, length of musical phrases, and verses to escape the sound of pre-programmed, beat-box “muzak.” «Name Droppers» opens with a neo-classical keyboard phrase over some rap-style “cutting” of voices as it speaks of those who “drop” every name in the book to achieve popularity while denying the Name above all names.
Side one’s closer, «Royal Command Performance», blasts in with a throbbing synth bass and a vocal blend reminiscent of – would you believe? – Abba. Crumbächer mixes pop sensibilities with dance/rock hooks as they celebrate the chance to give their talents and gifts back to the Lord.
Continuing the aliens motif on the second side, «Tourist Trap» speaks of taking a permanent holiday from the world’s troubles. A «Footloose»-type beat buoys «Life of the Party», and some biting lead guitar heralds an invitation to one and all to be the life of a heavenly party. Then, «Alma Mater», an instrumental with a «Pomp and Circumstance» air, introduces «Graduating Class». This sentimental song refers to those who have learned their lessons of faith and are ready to apply them in the real world. The album’s only weak moment lyrically is the final track, «Interstellar Satellite». The words read like bad Carl Sagan, but the tune is beautifully constructed both vocally and instrumentally. It may, in fact, be the only song tame enough to garner much airplay.
Crumbächer just may be the next group capable of crossing over. They certainly have the image, the musical smarts, and the lyrical ideas to do so. Their ‘Escape’ is an intriguing mixture of the atmospheric rock of Mike and the Mechanics and the synth wizardry of Thomas Dolby and Howard Jones – a “radio ready” record to be sure! Crumbächer uses synthesizers extensively without sounding like they are being played by the machines! But Crumbächer’s most effective outreach may be in helping young Christians realize that it’s not uncool to be a believer. Would that all Christian rock bands were as artful and concise as Crumbächer in making that statement. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, September 1986]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/escape-from-the-fallen-planet-remastered/385371751)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Solo Flight” – 3:30
A2. “Crashlanded (In Another Time Zone)” – 4:20
A3. “Identical Twins” – 5:13
A4. “Name Droppers” – 3:50
A5. “Royal Command Performance” – 4:45
Side Two
B1. “Tourist Trap” – 4:40
B2. “Life Of The Party” – 3:56
B3. “Alma Mater” – 1:39
B4. “Graduating Class” – 4:40
B5. “Interstellar Satellite” – 4:58
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Frontline Records. Remastered and re-issued on CD in 2010 entitled Escape From the Fallen Planet – 25th Anniversary Edition.
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