Description
Hard Hitter is the third album by the American hard rock/arena rock band Liaison, released on Frontline Records in 1992. The album was recorded by Mike Mierau at Shelter Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma; at Front Page Recording in Glendale, California; at The Mixing Lab in Garden Grove, California; and at John Andrew Schreiner Studio; and was produced by Liaison’s Tim and Lary Melby. Mixed by Mierau at The Mixing Lab. Featuring John Andrew Schreiner on keyboards and guest appearances by guitarists Oz Fox of Stryper, Tony Palacios of Guardian, as well as Lanny Cordola.
“I coulda been a contenduh…” To borrow a phrase from Marlon Brandon, Tim and Lary Melby have spent two albums plying their trade as sparring partners for bands like Holy Solider, Bride and Whitecross, not to mention serving as punching bags for critics. But ‘Hard Hitter’ finally puts Liaison in the heavyweight class. Well, enough with the boxing metaphors already! (Even though that is the theme of the latest and best release from Liaison).
The disc fades in on the sound of an arena-sized crowd cheering, along with the convincing “OOOFS” and “KAPOWS” of punches being thrown. Indeed, the Melbys come out swinging in two-fisted style with the title track and its aggressive chorus “Hard hitter/ Humble in heart, but never a quitter.” As demonstrated on their previous disc, ‘Urgency’, the Melbys have “eyes with a vision” and they’re “[men] on a mission,” encouraging believers to “persist and go the distance” («Attitude»), warning them that the “kingdom of all thieves” is out to «Steal, Kill and Destroy» but insuring them that “God is a rock/ There’s nobody stronger” («My God is a Rock»). The strength to endure the tests that the enemy throws at you comes through the «Violent Burning» (“The yield of this refining… wil bring to light what has been sown”) say the Melbys, and those that would ignore the opportunities God gives one to come to faith are duly warned that “the wages of sin are getting harder to pay” («Whatsoever U Sow»). However, if one is willing til renounce his «Wicked Ways» God will remove his sins «As Far as the East is From the West».
Liaison pummels home its message with the assistance of a number of celebrated axe-whackers – Oz Fox, Tony Palacios and Lanny Cordola – while Lary Melby’s thumping bass and the rhythmic wallop of drummer Greg Bissonette give your eardrums a good pasting. With the emphasis of ‘Hard Hitter’ on near-metallic rock, I could criticize the inclusion of two ballads, but since they’re both very good, that would be hitting below the belt. And for once, the ballads don’t seem like calculated radio fluff; the layered harmonies and crisply strummed acoustic guitars on «As Far as the East is From the West» make that track especially satisfying.
With strong songwriting, muscular performances and Golden Gloves production, the Melby brothers have brought Liaison one step closer to the “sweet science” of perfection on ‘Hard Hitter’. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, January 1993]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/hard-hitter-remastered/388280190)
CD tracklist:
01. Hard Hitter
02. Attitude
03. Up At Night
04. Steal, Kill And Destroy
05. Who Can Heal The Pain
06. Whatsoever U Sow
07. Wicked Ways
08. Violent Burning
09. As Far As The East Is From The West
10. My God Is A Rock
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Frontline Records.
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