Double Take

Description

Double Take is the eighteenth studio album by the American rock band Petra, released on Word Records/Word Entertainment in February 2000, a division of Word Music Group. Also manufactured and distributed by Epic Records, a division of Sony Music. The album was recorded by J.R. McNeely at the Sound Kitchen in Franklin, Tennessee; with John and Dino Elefante producing for Pakaderm Productions. (Vocals recorded by John Elefante at The Fish Bowl in Brentwood, Tennessee.) Mixed by David Hall and J.R. McNeely (tracks: 2, 4, 9, 10) at the Sound Kitchen. Strings by The Nashville String Machine, arranged and conducted by Russell Mauldin.

The album contains re-recorded versions of 10 classic Petra songs featuring acoustic rearrangements, as well as 2 new songs; “The Longing” and “Breathe In”. Double Take won a Grammy for Best Rock Gospel Album at the 43rd Grammy Awards in 2001.

Oh, brilliant I thought, another unplugged album – how original. I was right, and wrong. Like – only a wee bit like – the ‘Ampendectomy‘ album by Resurrection Band, this has its moments, only not as many as its peer. Whilst ‘Amp.’ works most of the time, this one doesn’t. It’s what Petra have done with the songs that’s the problem. To these ears, which have heard a LOT of Petra, they’ve got most of the arrangements wrong. Too negative in feel, too minor rather than major. The strings lend a depressive mood to the tracks they appear on. The only songs which really work are the two new ones, probably written with a “live in the studio sound” (quote, unquote) in mind; especially «The Longing» which is very good and reminiscent of the quieter feel on the ‘No Doubt’ album. I remember the songs «Beyond Belief», «He Came, He Saw», «Beat The System» and «Dance» the first time round; they were uplifting and inspiring. Now they’re flat and rather drab. «This Means War» was a battle cry, now it’s boring and repetitive. Even «Just Reach Out» is not quite what it once was. If they set out to redefine old songs, they’ve done it. If they set out to positively redefine old songs, they’ve failed. Sorry. [David Cranson, Cross Rhythms, April 2000]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/double-take/1165959493)

CD tracklist:

01. Judas’ Kiss – 4:05
02. The Coloring Song – 3:28
03. Dance – 3:39
04. Beyond Belief – 4:22
05. The Longing – 2:56
06. He Came, He Saw – 4:14
07. Beat the System – 4:34
08. This Means War – 5:40
09. Breathe In – 4:57
10. Creed – 4:49
11. Praying Man – 4:30
12. Just Reach Out – 4:36

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Word Records.

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