Defend Your Joy

Description

Defend Your Joy is the debut album by the American synth-pop band The Echoing Green, released on Myx Records in 1994, a division of the Frontline Music Group, distributed by Diamante Distribution. The album was recorded by Drew Aldridge at Bergamont Studio, Desert Moon, The Green Room in Huntington Beach, and The Mixing Lab in Garden Grove, California; with band member Joey Belville and Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric fame producing. Mixed by Michael Sean Black and Thom Roy (tracks: 2, 6 to 9) and Aldridge (tracks: 1, 3 to 5, 10) at The Mixing Lab. Featuring (uncredited) background vocals by Riki Michele of Adam Again fame. All songs written by Joey Belville except a cover of Underworld’s “Pray”.

Now that (most of) Myx Records’ output is being properly distributed this side of the water it’s good to see a band like pop/dance crossover team The Echoing Green getting a couple of releases over here recently, ‘Defend Your Joy’ being an album of original works from ’94. The style is a little hard to explain, but a drum machine-driven beat and Moog-like basslines overlaid with analogue synth sounds and drony vocals reminiscent of early Code Of Ethics is a fairly good description (!). The lyrics are basically in the subtle evangelism/ encouragement mode and despite singer Joey Belville’s fairly nasal voice; an uplifting effect is achieved due to the reliance on major chords throughout. This also makes it great to, ahem, bop around to. There aren’t any exceptional standout tracks but they’re all well written and anyhow, the album holds together best as a whole. There are some minus points though. The mix is a little harsh in the treble and the production isn’t up to the standard that many Christian releases reached in 1995, the two “CD Bonus Remixes” don’t exist (very annoying, not to mention misleading) and those involved in the front cover disaster should be sacked without delay. Negative bits aside though, a highly pleasing, if not particularly refined set of songs. [Dave Drodge, Cross Rhythms, February 1996]

> Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/04KLPQ9rPgRqGggJsmPxht)

CD tracklist:

01. Ocean Chorus – 1:21
02. 2nd Chance – 4:10
03. Son In My Eyes – 4:21
04. Terra Firma (Stand) – 4:56
05. Enter Love – 4:18
06. Defend Your Joy – 4:24
07. Pray – 5:08
08. Brand New Day – 3:29
09. Arrival – 3:53
10. Stay Awake – 4:21
Bonus Tracks:
11. Deep Inside Your Heart (Remyx) – 4:34
12. Terra Firma (Stand) (Remyx) – 6:17

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