Between Christian Rock And A Hard Place

Good Clean Fun | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 24, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Equal Vision Records
• ASIN: B000CPH9R0
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,229 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #42 in Music > Alternative Rock > Hardcore & Punk > Straight Edge

Editorial Reviews

In 1997 the hardcore scene was in dire need of a sense of humor. Four Vegan Straightedge dudes from Washington, D.C. (where it all began) stepped up to the challenge. Good Clean Fun was formed. They set out on a three-year non-stop tour to spread positivism to the whole planet as only hardcore band can do. Two 7”s and two full-lengths later and shows in 35 countries, from Austria to Australia, from New England to England, from the beaches of Hawaii to the fjords of Norway (and so on) the message was delivered. In 2002, the band returned home and released a Discography CD on Equal Vision Records. In 2004 the band stayed true to its word and did a reunion tour. It went so well that Good Clean Fun was inspired to release another album. Equal Vision Records heard it and was behind it 100%. Staying true to form, the band has released their greatest album yet. Between Christian Rock And A Hard Placewill once again put the emphasis on positive hardcore and controversy. Be forewarned and catch the band on tour at a city near you in 2006.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars POSI HARDCORE - not christian music!, February 1, 2006

By 

Elizabeth Jane Holloway "ejh" (the south) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Between Christian Rock And A Hard Place (Audio CD)

Don't even listen to the guy above me. He's obviously a bit ignorant when it comes to hardcore music. Who on earth would buy this record thinking it could POSSIBLY be heart filled Jesus jams? NO ONE! because IT'S NOT!

anyway, that being said: if you like DC posi hardcore that will make you giggle and sing-a-long at the same time, then this record is for you! issa's ability to take underground pop culture themes and turn them into short catchy songs is uncanny and no one else can do it quite like GCF.

this record will pull you up from the depths of despair where current trustkill and victory bands have led you. it's totally positive, totally catchy, totally punk, and totally sincere (except for the part about JESUS...IDIOTS!).

thank God (and the holy ghost, and Jesus, and the Bible - that's a joke kids!), for these guy. at least someone out there still has a sense of humor and wants to have fun!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Catchiest album ever, December 17, 2010

By 

carl - See all my reviews

This review is from: Between Christian Rock And A Hard Place (Audio CD)

This is like the catchiest album ever. After two listens in my car I was already singing along to most of the songs.

I completely disagree that the songs "blend together," and this is one of the albums I'll listen to when I feel like crap to get my spirits up. Also big lols to the kid who thought this was a Christian album..

I really don't think there's a bad song on this album. It's hilarious. My girlfriend hates it, so you know it's good! 5/5

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Clean Fun - Between Christian Rock And A Hard Place, February 10, 2006

By 

Drew Beringer "Reviewer at AbsolutePunk.net" (Muncie, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Between Christian Rock And A Hard Place (Audio CD)

Warning: If you do not have a sense of humor, I would advise you to stop reading this review, because you will not enjoy Good Clean Fun. If you prefer a little fun with your music, then do we have an album for you! Singer/songwriter Mr. Issa always had the idea of Good Clean Fun back in 1985 and how he would make a perfect hardcore band, but never acted on it. After bands like Crucial Youth and Gorilla Biscuits broke up, hardcore began to lose the main reason Issa got into hardcore way back then, and that was fun. Finally feeling the timing was right, Issa took his idea of GCF and turned into an actual band, and thus they hit the road, playing thousands of shows all over the world and preaching their message of positive hardcore. After a short break from playing, Good Clean Fun is back with "Between Christian Rock And A Hard Place," a refreshing hardcore disc that touches on everything from MySpace to vampires. With 12 songs in place, Mr. Issa and crew-bassist Justin Ingstrup, guitarists Kelly Green and Aaron Mason, and drummer Danny McClure-are bound to bring out a few chuckles from their listeners.

The album begins with "A Little Bit Emo, A Little Bit Hardcore," an upbeat chunky song about a strange romance between an emo boy and a hardcore girl. "Positive Hardcore" is more of an introduction song of the band and their beliefs. Fast and to the point, this track will echo in your brain all day. "Between Christian Rock And A Hard Place" is a song that questions how Christianity got mixed in punk rock. Upbeat and in your face, this track will be a fan favorite. "Drop The Knife" begins with crushing guitars, only to slow down to pick up the pace and break your neck. "Punk Rock Love" is another fast song with fun lyrics like "He makes me feel alive/we protest side by side/I love how those tear-gas tears bring out his eyes." "Ex-Straightedge-Ex" is a quick song about breaking up with your Vegan or straightedge girlfriend. "...Except For All The Goths" begins with a funny interlude with a Dracula-sounding voice speaking over spooky techno music, which then leads into Issa's gruff vocals over pounding guitars and a bouncy beat. Finally, the album ends with the hilarious "The MySpace Song" which begins slowly with Issa swooning over an acoustic guitar about meeting your true love and then getting dumped on the wildly-popular website. This song also incorporates my favorite lyrics from the entire album, an example being "I know that websites don't kill/but sometimes they will break hearts/I know that I'm an adult/but Tom it's your fault you created a monster." This song will seriously have you laughing your ass off, especially if you dislike MySpace like I do. Also, after the last track is over, fast-forward a bit to hear a hilarious yet serious skit about being straightedge.


After a very successful 2005, Equal Vision Records is on the right track again in 2006 with the release of Good Clean Fun's "Between Christian Rock And A Hard Place." Now, while all the songs are funny and the music is solid, this album does not possess a lot of staying power and a lot of songs tend to blend together. But, even if the lyrics aren't very thought provoking and the music is nothing groundbreaking, this is still a good, catchy as herpes album that'll have you moshing and laughing at the same time. So, if the winter blues have you down, go pick up Good Clean Fun's "Between Christian Rock And A Hard Place," it'll definitely leave you in good spirits.

Read this review and more at www.absolutepunk.net