Description
Conspiracy No. 5 is the sophomore album by the American rock band Third Day, released on Reunion Records in August 1997, manufactured and distributed in the US by Provident Music Distribution. Also distributed by BMG Distribution. The album was recorded by Steve Ames at AudioArt Studios in Atlanta, Georgia; with Sam Taylor producing (well known for his production work with hard rock bands like King’s X, Galactic Cowboys, and Atomic Opera). Mixed at Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood, California, and at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Mixed by Jack Joseph Puig and Sam Taylor (track 13).
The story so far. A couple of years back a bunch of young hopefuls from Atlanta, Georgia got turned down by all the major Christian record companies. So the guys, who played an intriguing pick’n’mix brand of rock, fusing elements of alternative, Southern boogie and grunge, went and recorded and released an album themselves. That album ‘Third Day‘ became a Christian underground radio hit and soon Reunion were signing the band and re-releasing/remastering their debut which went on to sell 200,000 copies plus (yep, you heard me right!). Not surprising for their follow up Zomba (Reunion’s new mainstream owner) have thrown a whole heap of money/studio time at the second album and the result is a breathtaking set with the genuine potential to be considered a Christian rock classic in the years to come. The sonic values of the production are stunning (layers of grunge-style guitars don’t so much roar as reach out of the speakers and give you a good shaking) while in Mac Powell they have one of the most distinctive new voices in Christendom, a gritty, gnarled, rasping, emotionally charged thing able to squeeze maximum passion from the compelling songs here. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, October 1997]
‘Conspiracy No. 5’ is quite a departure from Third Day’s earthy, rootsy debut. With healthy doses of full-on, noisy rock ‘n’ roll riffing, these Southern boys have served listeners a completely different dish to nosh – albeit the kind you have to chew on carefully before swallowing.
This release is one that could become one of your favorites if you take time to get into its intricacies. (And history buffs would be remiss in not studying the cover art, which gives some insight into the album’s title – but that’s all I’m sayin’!) Because underneath the noise and volume are some very good lyrics, flawless playing, cleanly executed vocals, catchy melodies, and spot-on harmonies.
Some of the more interesting cuts are the opener «Peace», which rocks over a wild, vibrato-drenched guitar; «How’s Your Head», an odd love song with lyrics that read like a hurriedly-scrawled note; and «This Song Was Meant for You», which showcases a vocal melody you’ll wish you never heard – because it’ll never leave your head!
But believe it or not, the most moving cut for my money is the finale, «Your Love Endures» – an understated, plaintive cry to God, married to a simple acoustic melody (with a charming false start included).
And strangely enough, passion is the one area where ‘Conspiracy No. 5’ seems to fall a little short. With the wellspring of strong individual performances – especially the stunning pipes of singer/lyricist Mac Powell – the overall sound lacks a bit of the roughness and abandon one would expect from a band that rocks as hard as Third Day does now.
Reasons? It could be their studio-perfect chops, which detract a bit from a band “feel”; or Powell’s vocals, which could have benefited from stray jaunts outside his trademark lower-register baritone; and the instrumentation – which is quite interesting in and of itself (vibrato and distorted guitars melding nicely with mandolin, lap steel, organ and electric piano) – often is a bit too much, and contributes to a somewhat homogenous album sound.
The verdict? ‘Conspiracy No. 5’ is an intense album with some wonderful moments, and Third Day is an excellent young band that’s growing fast and has everything going for it. And while they may not have locked onto their “sound” yet, ‘Conspiracy No. 5’ shows this group will be around for a long time because they’re willing to take big risks. [Dave Urbanski, CCM, September 1997]
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/conspiracy-5/284998859)
CD tracklist:
01. Peace – 3:29
02. You Make Me Mad – 4:02
03. How’s Your Head – 3:47
04. Alien – 4:34
05. I Deserve? – 5:20
06. Have Mercy – 2:56
07. My Hope Is You – 4:20
08. More To This – 4:13
09. This Song Was Meant For You – 4:22
10. Who I Am – 3:55
11. Give Me A Reason – 3:40
12. Gomer’s Theme – 5:05
13. Your Love Endures – 4:04
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Reunion Records.
A full-page advertisement for Third Day’s Alien CD single was featured in the July 1997 issues of CCM Magazine.
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