Rainbow’s End

Description

Rainbow’s End is the sophomore studio album by the American hard rock outfit Resurrection Band, released on StarSong Records in 1979. The album was recorded during April and May 1979 at Pumpkin Studios in Chicago, Illinois; with the band producing. (Just two months after Resurrection Band finished their sessions at Pumpkin, Styx entered the studio to record their classic album Cornerstone, a title similar to the magazine published by Resurrection Band’s fellowship JPUSA, which Resurrection Band had left some copies of in the studio after finishing their album…)

On Rainbow’s End Resurrection Band continued in the Led Zeppelin-inspired rock vein. Rainbow’s End is significant from a historical point of view for the inclusion of the track “Afrikaans” (“God makes the color/ But the color doesn’t make you God…”). It was the first ever anti-apartheid song released by an American rock band, one full year before the British artist Peter Gabriel brought the issue to listeners’ attention worldwide with his song “Biko”.

RAINBOW’S END – RESURRECTION BAND – Star Song SSR 0015

The Resurrection Band opened a few eyes and ears with their debut “Awaiting Your Reply,” and this album is another solid dose of “heavy metal gospel.” The majority of the selections are high energy, but the pace slows on «Concert For A Queen». «Paint A Picture» is the most effective cut. [Record World (Gospel Album Picks), September 29, 1979]

Rainbow’s End is basically Awaiting Your Reply Vol. 2, which is by no means a bad thing. The high standards continue on this superb release, guitar-heavy tracks like «Midnight Son», «Strongman», «Sacrifice Of Love» and «The Wolfsong» all hitting the mark with the group’s signature hard-edged classic rock sound. «Skyline» inserts some mean harmonica among the sizzling guitar riffs, while prog-edged synths return briefly for the powerful title track. «Afrikaans» steps into the political arena for a hard-hitting indictment of apartheid. The climactic «Paint A Picture» shows the band equally strong in the power ballad arena. The mood softens slightly for «Concert For A Queen», which is framed in stirring acoustic-guitar textures. The ballad «Every Time It Rains» is the album’s other quiet track, closing out the album with wisps of jazz-laced saxophone. Brilliant deluxe cover art that includes a pair of die-cut windows. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

Building on the success and impact of their debut album the Chicago-based team who were to establish Jesus People USA continued to unleash a pile of hard rock but on this album showed more of their softer melodic side. The band were always committed to feeding the poor and speaking out against injustices and their lyrics left the listener in no doubt that they were unashamed of the Gospel. In an era where rock music was preached against and youth were encouraged to listen to “holier” music, Resurrection Band faced a great deal of flak for releasing this. They certainly spread their musical wings here including the African drums that opens up «Afrikaans» which made a strong statement against apartheid. Not the usual subject matter covered by Christian music. The band’s concern for the issue predates even Peter Gabriel who first sung about it on «Biko». Other songs include «Skyline» which is a return to Zep style riffing whilst «Paint A Picture» once again gives Glenn Kaiser the opportunity to let his passionate vocals loose. The album incorporates a broader sound which demonstrates the band’s development but somehow lacks the powerful punch of their Star Song debut. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, October 2016]

Girder Music Promo, 2022 (CD), 2023 (vinyl)

Resurrection Band was not only one of the early founders of Christian rock and early Jesus people music, they also were the leaders behind the Jesus People USA Cornerstone Festival, which so many of us came to love and appreciate, not to mention attend every single year. Those years were magical and nothing was greater than watching Rez play on the main stage over the 4th of July weekend. It’s something we all looked forward to every single year. They just might be the most influential band in Christian music history. Rarely do you hear Resurrection Band get compared to any other band. They clearly founded their own sound and didn’t worry about following in the footsteps of anyone else. Glenn and Wendi Kaiser, along with Stu Heiss, Jim Denton, and John Herrin simply knew what they were after: to spread God’s love through music and ministry. Pure unadulterated Jesus Rock at its finest. Over the years, they put out one stunningly great album after another, 18 to be exact, if you count their 1973 and 1974 early promos and their 1976 Demo.

Two of their greatest albums that they ever released IMO were their first two full length albums on the Star Song label: Awaiting Your Reply (1978) and Rainbow’s End (1979). These late 70s albums were a pivotal point in Christian rock music as they define a message and address topics that no one else would touch such as apartheid in South Africa. Their music resonated with fans all over the world. Some of their greatest songs («Broken Promises», «Waves», «Awaiting Your Reply», «The Return», «Afrikaans», «Paint a Picture», and «Skyline») came from these two early albums, which if I had to choose only two albums to take to an island alone and listen to them for the rest of my life, it would be these two. Yep, that’s correct, these are my absolutely favorite albums of anything and everything that’s ever come out in the Christian rock scene. If you have not experienced these albums before, you’re in for a real treat. If you do have history with these albums, then I don’t need to say anything because if you know, you know. There is nothing quite like them in the Christian market. You don’t want to miss this chance to grab these two remastered releases on vinyl. They’ve been completely remastered and faithfully restored. It’s such an honor to be able to re-issue these albums because of how much they meant to me. Thank you, Capitol CMG. Anyone who has experienced and understands what we do will know that these were done right. We even are releasing Rainbow’s End with the original die-cut windows just like the first pressing. Rainbow’s End comes in Skyline Orange and Awaiting Your Reply comes in Sapphire Purple. Limited to just 300 units each.

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/rainbows-end/715568332)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Midnight Son” – 3:18
A2. “Strongman” – 3:14
A3. “Afrikaans” – 3:32
A4. “Skyline” – 3:06
A5. “Paint A Picture” – 4:48

Side Two
B1. “Rainbow’s End” – 2:04
B2. “Concert For A Queen” – 3:02
B3. “Sacrifice Of Love” – 3:14
B4. “The Wolfsong” – 3:10
B5. “Everytime It Rains” – 4:46

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by StarSong Records. (The vinyl edition features a die cut cover with interchangeable cardboard album sleeve.) Later re-issued on CD. Remastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound and re-issued by Girder Music (through Limited Run Music/Limited Run Vinyl) on both CD (May 2022) and 12-inch vinyl LP (February 2023, 300 units pressed on Skyline Orange Vinyl) featuring die-cut album jacket.

LP Back and (Die Cut) Front Cover Artwork