Description
Communication is the sixth studio album by the American rock combo DeGarmo & Key Band, released on Power Discs in October 1984, distributed by The Benson Company. The album was recorded and mixed by John Hampton at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee; with Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key producing for Mint Productions.
Featuring Dana Key on guitars and lead vocals, Eddie DeGarmo on keyboards (including Fairlight CMI) and vocals, and a rhythms section consisting of Tommy Cathey on bass and vocals and Greg Morrow on drums and vocals. Additional background vocals by Bob Farrell of Farrell and Farrell fame.
The ’80s caught up with DeGarmo & Key on last year’s ‘Mission of Mercy‘ and the duo handled themselves rather awkwardly. Ed and Dana didn’t seem entirely comfortable with the prominent role synthetic music and studio technology played in contemporary music, and their rhythm section was a bit stiff. Still, ‘Mission of Mercy’ was a step forward, and we awaited a 1984 release to confirm the band’s progress.
‘Communication’ begins with promise. The guys have remade «Are You Ready», a r&b hit from several years back, and have spiced up its subtle gospel lyrics. We hear a full, round bottom end and some tasty licks from Dana on the fade. «Rejoice» follows, again with a pleasant enough arrangement and worshipful lyrics.
On «It’s a Shame» DeGarmo & Key admonish us to reach the “Johnnys” and “Janies” of this world who put their loves and their MTV ahead of everything else in their lives. However, by this point in the album the music is so watered down and obviously tailored for the Christian market, it’s doubtful if those Johnnys could stomach it.
The next five tunes contain “one from column A and one from column B” praise-oriented music. If you erased Dana Key’s vocal track, the songs could’ve been cut by anyone from Andrus Blackwood & Co. to White Heart. There’s absolutely nothing distinctive about them.
«Six, Six, Six» (which, with «Alleluia! Christ Is Coming», has been filmed for video release) manages to breathe some life into side two. Songs about the Antichrist are often dreary and humorless, but Dana’s wry vocal delivery and a snappy beat easily makes this the album’s best track.
The disparity between Dana Key’s high-energy stage presentation and what’s in the grooves is such that ‘Communication’ is, unfortunately, a disappointment. For some time, there’s been talk of a secular release for DeGarmo & Key, so perhaps they’re saving their strongest material for that marketplace. If that’s the case, guys, leave the devotional material to the adult contemporary artists who sound more natural performing it. And give us the top-notch rock and incisive lyrics we’ve come to expect. [Bruce Brown, CCM, December 1984]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/communication/715551224)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Are You Ready” – 3:17
A2. “Rejoice” – 3:31
A3. “It’s A Shame” – 3:24
A4. “Alleluia, Christ Is Coming” – 2:43
A5. “Everyday’s A Celebration” – 2:42
Side Two
B1. “Blessed Messiah” – 3:46
B2. “Perfect Reflection” – 3:45
B3. “He Has Risen” – 2:48
B4. “Six, Six, Six” – 3:49
B5. “Man Of His Word” – 3:46
B6. “Dear Friend”
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Power Discs. (On the first pressing, the band name “DE GARMO & KEY” was printed in white letters on the front cover, while later pressings were in black.) Later re-issued on CD. Remastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound and re-issued on CD in 2022 by Girder Music, housed in a jewel case with expanded booklet featuring photos and lyrics.
“666” (MUSIC VIDEO)
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