Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out

Description

Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out is the first praise album – and the eleventh studio album overall – by the American rock band Petra, released on DaySpring Records in October 1989, a division of Word. Also distributed by Epic Records. The album was recorded at Pakaderm Studios in Los Alamitos, California; and at The Pond in Franklin and Recording Arts in Nashville, Tennessee, with band members Bob Hartman and John Lawry producing and arranging. The music is mostly a collection of traditional praise songs with a rock style. However, there are two original songs (tracks 1 and 7), both written by band founder Bob Hartman.

The idea to do the album came as a result of discussions with youth pastors, and the response was overwhelming. Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out became Petra’s first album certified Gold (500,000 copies sold, January 1998) by the RIAA, and was as well later released in a Spanish version, Petra en Alabanza.

For 17 years now Petra has in one way or another been ministering to the church. Recent endeavors have the band involved with youth ministries; setting up a 24-hour Prayer Warrior Hotline, endorsing the Thomas Nelson Student Bible, and most recently creating a video packaged event for Church youth groups. Petra is meeting a need in the church for youth. The next step is the first-ever rock/praise album, ‘Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out’. I wish my church would do these worship songs in a style like this. «King Of Kings», «I Will Call Upon The Lord», «We Exalt Thee», these are just a few of the praise tunes that jive for the kids and at the same time hold a sense of awe that envelopes the worshiper.

It must be noted however that this is not an album for the standard rock ‘n’ roll listener, who thought Petra hit their apex with ‘On Fire!‘ The choral arrangements and sing-songy melodies will not pacify the kid whos idea of a sing along is «Judas Kiss». On the whole, Petra succeeds, but not everyone will appreciate the change.

Produced and arranged by Hartman and John Lawry, ‘Petra Praise’ stands out (along with ‘Our Hymns‘) as a landmark in contemporary Chnstian music today. Sure, other bands have done the traditional worship song in their own unique style, but not an entire disc specifically made for the listener to worship and praise the Lord. For the first time in years I’ve discovered a rock recording that’s made me lift my arms unto my Creator. [Steve Greenfield, Harvest Rock Syndicate, No. 4, 1989 (Volume 4)]

[Warren Anderson, CCM, March 1990]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/petra-praise-the-rock-cries-out/1167724627)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “I Love The Lord” – 3:35
A2. “King Of Kings” – 1:47
A3. “Jesus, Jesus, Glorious One” – 2:18
A4. “The Battle Belongs To The Lord” – 3:04
A5. “Take Me In” – 4:11
A6. “Salvation Belongs To Our God” – 2:56
A7. “The King Of Glory Shall Come In” – 3:10

Side Two
B1. “No Weapon Formed Against Us” – 1:44
B2. “I Will Celebrate/When The Spirit Of The Lord” – 4:15
B3. “I Will Sing Praise” – 2:45
B4. “Hallowed Be Thy Name” – 4:12
B5. “Friends (All In The Family Of God)” – 4:20
B6. “I Will Call Upon The Lord” – 3:48
B7. “We Exalt Thee” – 3:46

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by DaySpring Records. Also released as a Spanish language version in 1992, entitled Petra en Alabanza. Track 8 from the original version (“No Weapon Formed Against Us”) is not included. Only the vocals were re-recorded for this album.

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