Reviewed by Stephen Curry
From 1986 to 2005 John Schlitt was the voice of pioneering rockers Petra. Since his departure from the band John has pursued a spasmodic solo career. This 2012 fan-funded offering provides a classic rock sound with perhaps a slightly harder edge than Petra ever had but with a '90s feel. Dominated by the electric guitar "Live It Loud" proclaims actions speak louder than words and the melodic "One Of These Days" has an excellent grunge chorus "When will truth be the truth again?/When will hope not fade away?/When will change ever come to an end?/I wonder if today is one of these days?" The message of the cross is at the fulcrum of this project, such as on the stadium rocker "Hope That Saves The World". One quiet and sensitive moment is found in the stripped back acoustic ballad "The Gift (Dorla's Song)" about first and long-lasting love. Schlitt's high register voice still carries a lot of weight and emotion which is remarkable coming from a man now in his 60s.