Illustrator

Description

The self-titled debut album by the American pop/rock band Illustrator was released on Ocean Records in 1987, manufactured and distributed by Word. The album was recorded by Wes McGuire and Steven Ford, assisted by band member Nathan Gaub, at Nick’s Place in West Covina, California; with the band producing. Additional recording at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California. Mixed by Win Kutz at Eagle Mountain Studios in Fort Worth, Texas.

Illustrator features Nathan Gaub on keyboards and vocals (as well as synth and computer programming), Dawndee Gaub on keyboards and vocals, Dan Gaub (March 12, 1959 – May 4, 2012) on guitars, keyboards, percussion, and vocals, Mark Matthews on bass, keyboards, and vocals, and Kirk Allen on drums and electronic percussion. The album also features additional keyboards by Kenny Smith, additional drums by Daryl Sutherland, and additional background vocals by Debby Smith, with Dennis Agajanian providing “acoustic guitar pickin'” and Dann Huff of White Heart fame providing “lead guitar and monster noises”.

As part of evangelist Ken Gaub’s revival ministry, Eternity Express was known for its extensive touring. By now, the “secret” is out – Eternity Express has become Illustrator. The touring group has traded its ’70s metal-punk image for a more refined upper-demo sound and look. With the release of this album under a new corporate name, the Gaub family has successfully launched its transformation from a band of evangelistic road warriors to slick, bluesy popsters.

It must have been a rough and rocky road at times, judging from this unsentimental collection of songs with its assortment of hard-bitten characters: several prostitutes (one dead on arrival), a bitter divorce, and an abused child.

The unflinching subject matter is balanced by the musical treatment, however. Production is excellent througout. Streetwise guitar work perfectly complements tough-love lyrics with gritty rock counterpoint. Drum sounds are fat and fashionably gated; the keyboards shimmer and smoke.

On such songs as «Lonely Hearts for Sale» and «Love’s Not Your Enemy», Illustrator proves adept at a mature pop style somewhere between late Doobie Brothers and Steve Camp midswing, trying to decide whether the lead vocals should be Robert Palmer-ish or Wheaton’s answer to Julio Iglesias.

Now, a word about that cover art. You’ve seen the ad, right? – the plexiglas booth, the blindfold, the tantalizing key dangling just within reach. It implies that the prisoner will eventually free himself provided he gropes around long enough.

Well, friends, that ain’t the way it is.

The allegory would be more accurate were the key outside of the box; the prisoner not only blinfolded, but bound, gagged, and hamstrung. The good news of Christ is not that we found “it” on our own, but that Mercy found us.

Get the picture? [Mark Eischer, CCM, December 1987]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Lonely Hearts For Sale” – 4:21
A2. “Love’s Not Your Enemy” – 4:15
A3. “Hidden Pain” – 4:04
A4. “Let It Go” – 3:20
A5. “Out Of Time” – 3:28

Side Two
B1. “Don’t Change Your Heart” – 4:46
B2. “Gina” – 4:37
B3. “Holding On” – 4:25
B4. “End Of The Line” – 4:53

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Ocean Records. Remastered and re-issued on CD by Retrocross Records in 2009 featuring both of Illustrator’s ’80s albums.