Description
Sanctified is the sophomore album – as well as the first major effort – by the Canadian pop/rock band The Awakening, released on Reunion Records in 1987, distributed by Word. The album was recorded by Richard J. Hutt, Andrew Horrocks, and Lloyd Walker at Ceadertree Recording Studios in Kitchener, Canada; with Hutt producing.
The Awakening features Ian Tanner on keyboards and lead vocals, Andrew Horrocks on guitar, and a rhythm section consisting of and brothers Allan and Mike Powell on bass and drums respectively.
The major label debut from Canada’s The Awakening is not exceptionally different from the band’s 1985 independent release, ‘Two Worlds‘. Produced and updated with the help of producer Richard Hutt, who had worked on a couple of tracks with Tom Cochrane and the Red Riders, The Awakening delivers a bright, pop formulation of the artsy rock of bands like Yes, A.D., and Mr. Mister. «My Only Hope» and «Distant Light», two songs that did not appear on their custom effort, exhibit the strongest ability of the band to assimilate the past in palatable and fashionable forms. The remainder are interesting and successful, while not as commercially polished.
«You Can’t Hide», «The Only Way», «Turn Them Away», and «All You Need to Know» stand out from the remaining tracks. lan Tanner has mastered the Jon Anderson vocal technique while adding subtle keyboard flourishes to the solid downbeat of rhythm brothers Allan and Mike Powell, on bass and drums respectively. Andrew Horrocks adds his soulful guitar solos and staccato rhythm riffs, fleshing out a sound that is remarkably mature and confident for a debut effort.
Lyrically, The Awakening is more direct in Christian expression than its sister Canadian/Reunion band élim Hall, which does not detract from the artistic value of its work. This strong debut will capture a significant following for these guys due to the strength of their sound, the polish of the product, and the quality of their message. [Brian Quincy Newcomb, CCM, September 1987]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “You Can’t Hide” – 4:06
A2. “All You Need To Know” – 3:33
A3. “My Only Hope” – 2:49
A4. “Two Worlds” – 5:04
A5. “Distant Light” – 4:09
Side Two
B1. “Turn Them Away” – 3:28
B2. “Fireside” – 5:16
B3. “The Only Way” – 4:33
B4. “The Forest” – 5:32
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Reunion Records. Available at Bandcamp: https://iantanner.bandcamp.com/album/the-awakening-sanctified
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