Description
…Let the Truth Run Wild is the third album by the American rock band Jacob’s Trouble, released on Alarma Records in March 1992, an alternative imprint of Frontline Music Group, distributed by The Benson Company. The album was produced and recorded by Mark Heard at Triclops Sound Studios in Atlanta, Georgia; December 1991, assisted by Mark Richardson. Mixed by Heard at his studio Fingerprint Recorders in Montrose, California; January 1992.
Let the Truth Run Wild was a transitional album which retained the band’s intrinsic tunefulness while trading their previous Britpop jangle for an earthier, yet equally upbeat, folk-meets-rockabilly groove. The album features a cover of the Daniel Amos classic “Walls of Doubt“.
When Jacob’s Trouble debuted back in ’89 with ‘Door Into Summer‘, the band sent salutations out to the Fab Four (Gospel scribes Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) and the Pre-Fab Four (Monkees, Mickey, Mike, Peter & Davey), and now, three years and two albums later, those initial influences remain as strong as ever.
On ‘…Let the Truth Run Wild’ the Jakesters present their most solid and serious collection of songs yet, but don’t think they’ve lost their sense of humor. It’s just that, while the appeal of working with producer, mentor and major influence Terry Taylor had its up side, it was hard to enjoy Jacob’s Trouble as anything more than a latter-day Daniel Amos tribute band. Mutual admiration societies are great fun, but don’t always make great albums, and even though songs like «Wind and Wave», «Awefully Familiar», «Dreammaker», «Islands, Buildings & Freeways» and «There Goes My Heart Again» still stand up, Taylor’s shadow overwhelms the band and the otherwise fine discs.
With Mark Heard at the controls and a stronger band presence than on either of the first two, Jacob’s Trouble continues to wear its influences on the balloon sleeves of its tie-dyed shirt, but in these nostalgic days it’s nearly chic to be retro. That the Trouble-meisters manage to maintain a band sound and identity amid tributes to Taylor, the Monkees, the Byrds, etc. reveals just how ingrained their predecessors have become. Live, Jacob’s Trouble has managed to create an authentic and enjoyable mix of past and present, and for the first time it translate to tape.
‘…Truth Run Wild’, a record aimed at encouraging, challenging and entertaining the saints, speaks to the heart of the Gospel teaching in songs that are memorable and fun. «Something Good Happens», «Never Would Have Known», «Love Me Today», «Love is the Reason We Live», «Icicle Face» and «You Scare The Hell Outta Me» are the best songs this band has produced yet. They are composed and sung by a variety of band members, yet sound distinctly JT-ish; a testimony to the growth of the band, and Heard’s respect for the band’s intent. Covers of «I’d Rather Have Jesus» and «Walls of Doubt», originally by two of my favorites, George Beverly Shea and Daniel Amos, provide a traditional gospel appeal.
No one-hit wonder, Jacob’s Trouble is a band in the making, growing with each new outing. They seem to be getting more fun as they go, which may say something about the value of maturity, the value of mixing it up with people in the live setting and the discipline of artistic effort. Or maybe they’ve found a way to make playful and strange a commercial commodity. Whatever, it’s a welcome sound to these sore ears. [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, May 1992]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/let-the-truth-run-wild/387906747)
CD tracklist:
01. Something Good Happens – 4:19
02. Mornin’ Light – 4:24
03. Never Would Have Known – 3:18
04. Days That Passed Me By – 2:13
05. Love Me Today – 3:10
06. Walls Of Doubt – 3:55
07. I’d Rather Have Jesus – 4:18
08. Just Like You – 5:11
09. O.N.F.S. – 3:40
10. Icicle Face – 3:49
11. Love Is The Reason We Live – 5:05
12. You Scare The Hell Outta Me – 4:22
13. Hope To See You There – 3:04
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Alarma Records.
