Petra Means Rock

Description

Petra Means Rock, sub-titled 17 Thundering Rock Classics, is a compilation album by the American rock band Petra, released on StarSong Records in 1989.

Petra has a long history in contemporary Christian music dating all the way to the Jesus Movement of the early 70s. Songwriter and guitarist Bob Hartman is the only original member, and not many except for a few CCM historians remember the pre-Greg X. Volz days. Neither did Star Song since this greatest hits package consists of material dating from ’81s ‘Never Say Die‘ through ’88s ‘On Fire!‘ ‘Petra Means Rock’ is the disc and it contains many favorites from the Greg X. Volz days plus cuts from the John Schlitt period.

Available on CD, ‘Petra Means Rock’ has a distinctive two-part feeling. When John Schlitt came along in ’86 and producers Dino & John Elefante took over from Jonathan David Brown, Petra developed more of an 80s radio-style rock similar to Van Halen. Listen to songs like «All Fired Up» and «Hit You Where You Live» and you’ll get my drift. Honestly, Petra’s best stuff came during the Volz period. Tunes like «Praise Ye The Lord» and «Without Him We Can Do Nothing» display more of a get down rock ‘n’ roll feel with layered organ and gritty guitar work . Schlitt and the Elefante brothers just offer us gritty vocals and blaring, screeching guitars. Too commercial for me, but the very thing that established Petra as the Christian rock mega-stars of the 80s.

Best on the CD format, the production stands out beautifully, and sound quality up to par with these old analog tracks transferred digitally. ‘Petra Means Rock’ is a must for any ccm rock fan, Petra themselves stands out as a pioneer in today’s Christian market. Unfortunately, Hartman and company have stretched the boundaries. There’re just so many hooks and “messages” Petra can lay on their audience. Petra has nothing new to offer, the old war horse that it is. Or do they? …. The next step is the first-ever rock/praise album, ‘Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out‘… [Steve Greenfield, Harvest Rock Syndicate, No. 4, 1989 (Volume 4)]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/petra-means-rock/724245524)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Stand Up” – 3:33
A2. “Get On Your Knees And Fight Like A Man” – 4:32
A3. “Hit You Where You Live” – 4:20
A4. “Killing My Old Man” – 3:46
A5. “Shakin’ The House” – 4:26
A6. “Second Wind” – 4:32
A7. “Clean” – 3:01
A8. “Not By Sight” – 3:20

Side Two
B1. “All Fired Up” – 4:30
B2. “Praise Ye The Lord” – 3:18
B3. “He Came, He Saw, He Conquered” – 4:10
B4. “Without Him We Can Do Nothing” – 2:36
B5. “Angel Of Light” – 4:21
B6. “Judas’ Kiss” – 4:43
B7. “Let Everything That Hath Breath” – 4:21
B8. “Counsel Of The Holy” – 3:37
B9. “God Gave Rock And Roll To You” – 3:01

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by StarSong Records.