Allies

Description

The self-titled debut album by the American rock band Allies was released on Light Records in ‎1985, a division of Lexicon Music. The album was recorded September 18 – October 18, 1984 at Pakaderm Studios in Los Alamitos, California; with Dino Elefante and band member Randy Thomas producing.

Lead vocalist Bob Carlisle was formerly of Good News, guitarist Randy Thomas was formerly of Sweet Comfort Band, while keyboardist Sam Scott and drummer Jimmy Erickson were both formerly of Psalm 150. (Actually, Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas also were former members of Psalm 150. Thomas was a member of Psalm 150 before joining Sweet Comfort Band, while Carlisle quit Good News to join Psalm 150.)

Despite an unfortunately hokey album cover, ‘Allies’ poses a legitimate musical threat to the hard-rock bases of groups like Kansas, Journey, and Yes. The best material matches those mainstream releases in production and performance values, delivering that rarest of all contemporary Christian music commodities – musical hooks.

«Surrender» is a bona fide hit, a hard-rock tune with a multi-faceted melody line and urgent Bible-based lyrics. «Don’t You Worry» is more techno-rock, spiced with high, piercing vocals and explicitly evangelical lyrics. «Pardon Me» starts as a true piano ballad and builds into a majestic rock anthem with a lovely lyrical sentiment.

Not all songs can match the power in those three cuts, especially the middle tunes on each side, where the writing falters. And a couple of songs, like «Send Me» and «Don’t Keep Him Waiting», have memorable choruses but only pedestrian verses. Still, ‘Allies’ is a remarkable cohesive, confident album, more than capable of slugging it out with mainstream artists in the marketplace. [Bob Darden, CCM, May 1985]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/allies/667631493)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Surrender” – 4:36
A2. “Second Chance” – 3:54
A3. “Don’t Run Away” – 3:28
A4. “Send Me” – 4:27
A5. “Don’t Keep Him Waiting” – 3:57

Side Two
B1. “Don’t You Worry” – 5:07
B2. “Morningstar” – 5:03
B3. “I’ll Be Your Brother” – 3:56
B4. “Pardon Me” – 4:22

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Light Records. Re-issued on CD by Light Records in 1991.

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“Surrender” (MUSIC VIDEO)

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CREDITS. Produced by Dino Elefante and Randy Thomas. Recorded by Dino Elefante at Pakaderm Studios, Los Alamitos, CA, September 18 – October 18, 1984. Mixed by Dino Elefante. Second Engineer: Mike Mierau. Mastered by Steve Hall Future Disc. Pressed by Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc. Design, Art Direction, Artwork By [Illustration] by Kurt Triffet. Design [Allies Emblem] by Coen Van De Poll. Photography by Ken Reece.

Musicians: Bob Carlisle (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Randy Thomas (Guitar, Solo Guitar, Bass, Vocals), Matthew Chapman (Bass), Jim Erickson (Drums). Additional Musicians: John Elefante (Vocals), Sam Scott (Acoustic & Electric Keyboards, Vocals). Syntheizer Sequenced by Tim Heintz.