Audio Adrenaline was originally known as A-180 and traces
their origins to Kentucky Christian University.
Their self-titled major label debut came out in 1992. Their next album DON’T CENSOR ME (1993)
contained the song ‘Big House’ which would become the most loved song of their
career. LIFT is the band’s sixth studio
album. It came out on ForeFront Records
in 2001. The group’s roster on LIFT is:
Mark Stuart, Will McGinniss, Ben Cissel, and Tyler Burkum. Bob Herdman, no longer touring with the
group, assisted with the songwriting.
LIFT is the first album where Tyler Burkum contributes significantly to
the lead vocals, assisting Mark Stuart.
‘You Still Amaze Me’ is a Christian rock song of wonder:
“Once I was excited for the things the world could give/But no more/I’m only
thrilled by You, and You/You, You, You still amaze me/You, You still amaze
me/Bigger than the sky/Brighter than the sun/You’re the One.../You’re the
reason for the stars that decorate my night/So I sing, yeah I sing/You’re the
Maker”. ‘I’m Alive’ conveys enthusiasm
to the band’s audience: “The sun is always bright and the skies are always so
blue/There must be something bigger that makes me feel like I do/So if you come
to the show, then I want you to know/I’m alive/The moment I let go brought
passion to my soul/I’m alive/My heart’s been re-arranged and never be the
same/I’m alive (2X)”.
‘Beautiful’ is a lovely pop song of praise: “When I lift You
up they come running/When I sing Your song the world’s turning to You/Just the
sound of Your Name is a beautiful thing/And I love You, I love You, I love
You/Your Name is beautiful/It drips off of my lips like drops of gold/It makes
me wanna dance/You’re my treasure/My deliverance”. ‘Ocean Floor’ is one of the best CCM songs of
this millennium! It deals with regret
and redemption: “The mistakes I’ve made that caused pain/I could have done
without/All my selfish thoughts, all my pride/The things I hide/You have forgot
about/They’re all behind you, they’ll never find you/They’re on the ocean floor/Your
sins are forgotten/They’re on the bottom of the ocean floor”.
‘Rejoice’ is a celebratory rock and roll tune: “You’ve got
to tell everyone in the land/Come on, come on/Tell every girl, boy, woman, and
man/Rejoice, rejoice/That God’s been good, yeah, good to me/Come on, come
on/I’ve been forgiven and it feels so free/It’s a beautiful thing when I sing
to You Jesus/The days are a joy/The nights are all bright”. ‘Speak to Me’ is a quieter song that finds
the band conversing openly with God: “Speak to me/Tell me all the things I need
to know/I want to hear You now/Can You speak to me?/I’ve opened up Your Word to
free me/I want to hear You now/It’s amazing/How I forget/Can’t live my life for
lack of it/But the light of day I’ve always known/It’s in my heart, I’m not
alone”.
‘Glory’ is a modern and pretty love song to God: “I long to
walk hand in hand down a golden road with Father/Where choirs of angels praise
His Name and I want to learn/To sing ‘Glory!’/To sing ‘Glory!’/And I can’t find
the words to say/Life gets in the way/Lord, You know my heart’s desire/When it
all comes down/To who You are/Words cannot convey/When it all comes down/To who
You are/Words get in the way”.
‘Summertime’ is a fun, carefree rock song that looks ahead to Heaven: “I
know You’ve got a place/Designed for me someday/I’ve got a mansion there/A
royal getaway/And when my work is done/You’ll fly me there at last/A place that
doesn’t take credit cards/Or lots and lots of cash”.
‘This is Everything’ is a
song of total surrender to God: “With ambitions put aside/I crawl in
Your arms to hide/I have given everything up to You/This is all, this is
everything (2X)/Everything I’ve got/The good things and the bad things are in
Your hands”. The title track ‘Lift’ is a
terrific, original worship song: “Lord, I love You/You’re a Father’s hand at
night/You’re the sunshine in the day/And I long to be with You/All my days/In
old age if I’m still hanging ‘round/I’ll be found around with You.../I love to
lift You up”.
‘Tremble’ is a quiet worship song that runs over seven
minutes long: “Shaking like a leaf/Afraid to lift my eyes/Afraid of all Your
glory/Ashamed of all my pride/Then You call me in to Your holy place/I fall
down/Down on my face/And I beckon You for mercy/And I beckon You to forget
everything that I’ve ever done/And I, I, I tremble (2X)”. Two bonus tracks complete the album. A radio remix of ‘Beautiful’ is first
up. Second is ‘Lonely Man’ from the demo
sessions. It is a meaty rock number that
includes the rap stylings of T-Bone. It
is sung from the viewpoint of one who is hurting and searching for purpose.
LIFT is a great Christian rock record that includes themes
of worship and great joy. Many of the
songs are infectious and will soon have you singing along. This is one of my favourite Audio A
albums! It clearly points out that God
is alive and well and wants to be involved on a daily basis in our individual
lives. God is not some far off, aloof
force. The photos of the group included
in the CD booklet are cool. I’m
recommending LIFT to fans of Aerosmith and Newsboys and rating it 96%. For more info visit: www.audioa.com.