Free at Last - DC Talk

Before I can start this review, we have to go back in time. Think back to 1992. If you're a white guy, you had lines shaved in the side of your head. My black friends had boxes. Ladies had that 6 inch poof ball in the front of their heads. Maybe you wore an IOU sweater with your Bugle Boy jeans. Maybe you're still wearing them, in which case, please update yourself.

If you were a young Christian who liked rap, then you listened to DC Talk. . . wait, no way. I most certainly did not. Dude, Dr. Dre's The Chronic came out that year. That's what I was listening to. Not that cheeseball stuff.

Alright, alright. I need to be less biased. I, also, need to remember that it was 1992.

For this music review I need to take off my "hard core hip hopper" hat and put on my "I like pop music that I can dance to" hat. It's a dirty, gross, stinky hat but sometimes a man has to take his lumps.

It's with that in mind that I present to you DC Talk's Free At Last. A pop/rap album that came out in 1992, when C+C Music Factory was giving you things to make you Mmmmm and Mark Walhberg was Markie Mark. And it's in that context that I review this CD.

Within those bounds, I have to say, it's not that bad. The beats are right on par with what Markie Mark was doing. You know, that rap mixed with R&B mixed with techno beats.

Check out their Jesus is Just Alright song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqCccV6Y31s
(they wouldn't let me embed it. Lame).

Musically, as I said, it's standard early 90's studio beats. That organ beat, the yelling voice samples, and the stock scratching sounds. The funny thing is that in that video shows a band playing. . .um, yeah, I don't hear any band playing here.

The lyrics aren't too bad. A little corny because they're "religious". But I challenge anyone to listen to any pop music from 1992 and tell me it's not completely lame flavored cheese. So I give them a pass on this.

I do want to point out that this Toby Mac guy is actually quite a good rapper. Remember, this is coming from a guy who listens to Jurassic 5. I think he's a solo artist now. I might have to check him out. Soon. . .

I also liked this track a little. I've always had soft spot for that neo-gospel sound:



They also do a cover of Lean on Me by Bill Withers that sounds a lot like that other version done by Club Nouveau. Personally, I hate all covers of this song. The original was too good. Oh well.

Would I ever in my life buy this album and play it? No, I would not. However, if you like 90's pop and you're looking for something Christian, well, I will point you here. You won't be disappointed.

Personally, my search continues. There has to be something out there for me.

Reverend