The Distance

Description

The Distance is the third album by the American singer and songwriter Geoff Moore, released on Power Discs in 1987. The album was produced by Billy Smiley of White Heart fame. Featuring a cover of “Didn’t He”, a song written by Randy Matthews and recorded on his 1973 album classic Son of Dust.

With ‘The Distance’, Geoff Moore establishes himself as a major contender in Christian rock. In a metal-edged, populist rock style – a cross between John Mellencamp and Van Halen – Moore presents a strong case for redemption through Christ-centered rock and roll. Producer Billy Smiley capably balances totally-outside rockers with imaginatively-orchestrated ballads, and he never falls prey to the “house divided” syndrome which has plagued other artists who tried to cover the bases in rock and CHR/Top 40.

In «Face the Music», Moore speaks to those who seek only superficial solace in music: “Don’t you know what we’re saying?/ There’s so much more than just singing along.” «Trouble Tonight» portrays a Christian rock concert as an arena of combat between forces of good and evil; musicians and audience alike are seen as gladiators battling the devil and mainstream values. Dann Huff contributes a frenzied guitar break, but Moore’s voice more than holds its own in the midst of Guitar Maelstrom. Breathtaking rock and roll.

It’s a fast-paced record with lots of breaks and hairpin turns to keep the proceedings unpredictable. Mellower ballads like «Obey» give the listener a much-needed rest between the ubiquitous Mr. Huff’s gonzo-guitar onslaughts. Even so, the pace never slackens as pulsing keyboards drive the arrangements forward.

«Inside Out» takes on critics who judge only by appearances, pointing to Christ’s example: “He’s looking inside out/ Working on the things that really count.” «Tomorrow» chides the procrastinator in all of us, saying, “So far to go and so little time/ Keep the priorities in line/ Cause some things just won’t wait until tomorrow.” Check out the great Huey Lewis-style vocal chorus!

Moore’s sense of Christian rock history remains intact from his previous album, ‘Over the Edge’, which was probably best-known for its jumpin’ remake of Larry Norman’s «Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?» Moore continues the tradition here with his cover of Randy Matthews’ classic, «Didn’t He». The arrangement looks back to Matthews’ original 1973 recording for Myrrh which was produced by Billy Ray Hearn.

On this album, Geoff Moore proves he’s got the chops, the commitment, and the power to go the distance – he’s hit this one out of the ballpark! [Mark Eischer, CCM, April 1987]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Winning Back The Rock” – 3:19
A2. “Never Wanna Go Back” – 3:44
A3. “Familiar Stranger” – 3:17
A4. “Tomorrow” – 4:00
A5. “Didn’t He” – 5:47

Side Two
B1. “Face The Music” – 4:31
B2. “Trouble Tonight” – 3:46
B3. “Sooner Or Later” – 3:27
B4. “Obey” – 4:42
B5. “Inside Out” – 3:55

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Power Discs. Remastered and re-issued on CD by Girder Records ‎in 2020 as a part of the label’s Legends of Rock Series.

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Gospel Lectern by Bob Darden
Billboard Magazine, August 15, 1987

It’s tough out there for guys like Geoff Moore. The affable Power Discs artist is a rocker of the first order. Trouble is, few Christian radio stations will play Christian rock music. Most stick to a carefully sanitized, inoffensive pop sound, ca 1974.

Consequently, Moore’s first two albums, ‘Where Are The Other Nine’ and ‘Over The Edge‘, simply didn’t sell all that well. His latest is ‘The Distance’, and it could change all of that. To be fair, his first two albums didn’t have the fuller sound of ‘The Distance’. Also helpful is the fact that he’s been on tour with the likes of Petra and DeGarmo & Key.

‘Over The Edge’ is best known as the source of Moore’s rollicking remake of Larry Norman’s «Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music», which also became a popular video featuring Moore and Norman. ‘The Distance’ has a savvy cover tune of its own: Randy Matthew’s haunting «Didn’t He». It’s one of the pivotal tunes from the early days of Jesus rock (as it was called back then), and Moore has imbued it with a dramatic, anthemic, passionate performance that brings shivers to these old shell-like ears.

“I grew up in the Midwest hooked on the high energy rock of Detroit,” Moore says. “But I’d never been much of a singer until I went to college. One day my roommate Arlin Troyer [now the bassist in his band] brought in a stack of old Christian rock albums. One of the songs was «Didn’t He».”

“That particular song had a profound impact on me. I was a normal teenager, going to a normal conservative Christian church. The hymns we sang didn’t have much impact on me then – they do now, of course. But «Didn’t He» began the process of worship in my life. It was a good church for teaching, but singing a pure worship song was a new experience for me. You need the teaching, but you never get over the need to fall on your face before Him.”

Troyer and Moore put together a band that also included their current guitarist Dale Oliver. The first two songs they performed were, naturally, «Why Should The Devil» and «Didn’t He».

We’d quit playing it until we put it on ‘The Distance,’ ” Moore says. “I use the word ‘annointed’ sparingly, but «Didn’t He» is exactly that. If our version is successful it is because it still moves me.

“Session guitarist Dann Huff went through it with me the first time – he knew it from his teenage years as well. And the band just followed us in the studio. We got it on the second take. After it was finished everybody looked up and said, ‘Wow. That’s it. We don’t need another.'”

Moore’s Motown roots crop up throughout the album. «Winning Back The Rock» has a beat right out of Ted Nugent and sly references to a number of particularly excessive heavy metal bands. «Face The Music» ends with a Bob Seger-ish fade that Moore admits is a tribute to Detroit rock music.

In a little more adventurous vein is «Familiar Stranger», an urgent synthesizer track with more than a tinge of melancholy. It was co-written by producer Billy Smiley. It is also too contemporary for many religious radio stations.

“Well, I liked it immediately, and I liked the melody,” Moore says. “The lyrics struck a chord with me as well, regardless if it is ever released as a single. I want all of my albums to have songs like this one that emphasize a clear gospel message, and this song has one.”

Also interesting are «Sooner Or Later» (written by Moore, Troyer, and Oliver) and «Tomorrow» (written by Steven Chapman).

“Dale had had the guitar riff to «Sooner Or Later» since high school and waited all this time to write a song around it,” Moore says. “I loved the shuffle beat. It goes right back to the roots of rockabilly, the blues, and rock’n’roll. I’d always wanted to do a song like that, and the lyrics are a little tongue-in-cheek. But then they have to be with a song like this one.”

(This is the first installment of a two-part interview with Geoff Moore.)