Description
Door into Summer is the debut album by the American rock band Jacob’s Trouble, released on Alarma Records in August 1989, a division of Frontline Music Group. (Though the band did self-release a cassette EP the year before.) The album was recorded by Gene Eugene of Adam Again with Terry Scott Taylor of Daniel Amos fame producing. Door Into Summer features a mixture of original numbers and cover versions of songs by The Beatles and The Monkees. As well, the cover artwork pays homage to the sleeve design of The Beatles’ 1964-album A Hard Day’s Night.
Remember the days when Daniel Amos could be described as a cross twixt the Beatles, the Beach Boys and new wave sensibilities? Well with Da and Swirling Eddies off into this funky thang all their own, Jacob’s Trouble appears to be the heir apparent. Ably produced by head “Ed” Terry Taylor, this Atlanta, GA trio brings wit, intelligence and charm to a set of 11 songs that feels retro without the attendant nostalgia or time capsule feel. If Keaggy’s ‘Sunday’s Child‘ recapped Beatles-era pop with a late ’80s sheen, ‘Door Into Summer’ leans on the influences of bands like the Choir and music of the New South represented by R.E.M., to shape their own fresh approach. What’s new is old again.
Lyrically, we can trace Jacob’s Trouble back to Daniel Amos and ‘Shotgun Angel‘ in its attempts to represent biblical themes and passage in language that is relevant, hip, and occasionally funny. «Awfully Familiar» and «Waiting for the Son» even take on the end times propehtic tenor of the latter.
While the music creates a sort of deja vu effect, it never feels oppressive or pretentious. Steve Atwell, Mark Blackburn and Jerry Davison create a warm, predominantly acoustic, combo feel. While Taylor and engineer Gene Eugene (of Adam Again) add bits and Da’s Gregg Flesch provides some guitar treatments, Jacob’s Trouble lacks the kind of rock ‘n’ roll energy and instrumental prowess that a Jerry Chamberlain (Da) or Peter Buck (R.E.M.) could bring to the proceedings. But hey, it’s their first effort, and a real good one, so let’s cut’em a break. [Brian Quincy Newcomb, CCM, September 1989]
Da meets American roots rock while hopping trains with three young guitar toting rascals somewhere in the State of Georgia. That’s sort of how ‘Door Into Summer’ sounds, the rollicking debut LP by Jacob’s Trouble, a new band from Atlanta.
Driven by producer Terry S. Taylor (of Da and Swirling Eddies infamy) and boosted by the contributions of ccm notables (Gene Eugene, Greg Flesch, Alex MacDougall, Jerry Chamberlain and Rick Alba) this record meshes the musical passions and idealism of a trio of just-starting-out Christian rockers with the chops and rock ‘n’ roll wisdom of well-travelled musicians.
Drawing inspiration from first the Good Book, then the Fab Four, U2, folk-tinged bands of the R.E.M. ilk, and a slew of Christian rock/pop sources, newcomers Steve Atwell, Mark Blackbur and Jerry Davison put nine zesty songs of conviction and two soul searching covers on their new record. The original tunes proselytize («If You Believe»), offer sacrifice («Million Miles»), admonish («Church of Do What You Want»), sing praise to God («Psalm 151») and anticipate the second coming («Waiting For The Son») in a propulsive roots rock dialect. Lennon and McCartney’s «Tell Me What You See» is interpreted by the band as a letter from Jesus to Everyman/woman.
Definitely a promising young trio, Jacob’s Trouble, together with the supporting musicians that were cleverly dubbed “The Troubling Jacobury’s,” have core out with a gutsy first record. Presumably the raw talent these three fresh young fellows possess will continue to be nurtured by talented folk with a knock for developing their kind of potential, and the next record will top this good one. [Sheree Marion, Harvest Rock Syndicate, Issue 3, 1989 (Volume 4)]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/door-into-summer/387815312)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Wind And Wave”
A2. “Tell Me What You See”
A3. “She Smiles At The Future”
A4. “Church Of Do What You Want To”
A5. “Awfully Familiar”
Side Two
B1. “Waiting For The Son”
B2. “Door Into Summer”
B3. “If You Believe”
B4. “Million Miles”
B5. “All For You”
B6. “Psalm 151”
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Alarma Records.
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