Customer Reviews

Gospel Cola

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Amazing album. Amazing band. There is true creative and music genius behind this group and behind the concept of "Gospel Cola". Though Atomic Opera have a distinct sound all their own and sound like no one, if you need a comparison think the groove and crunch/sludge of King's X with the progressiveness of Galactic Cowboys...topped off with more varied instrumentation (cello, mandolin, dulcimer, recorder, ocrina, Chapman stick, etc.), more complex arrangements and some of the most amazing, insightful and intelligent lyrics to grace music in a long, long time. They pull no punches. Incisive, bold and inspired - just like their music.

I loved Penguin Dust, but felt the songs all had a "sameness" about them...not so here. Every song is distinct and stands alone in arrangement, rhythm and structure. There's a sense of artistry and musical vision here that was a bit lacking in their previous efforts - though they're all good. It seems like Frank and Kemper's vision for AO is finally coalescing!

Excellent album...you owe it to yourself to pick this up.

Comparable to Kings X and Galactic Cowboys stuff in many ways, I found myself enjoying this material perhaps even a little bit more. The prog characteristics of this album are not over-the-top, but the band does implement some odd time signatures and incorporates a lot of different instruments into their hard rock setup (cello, mandolin, dulcimer, ocarina, chapman stick, and organ, just to name a few). Best of all is the great sense of melody that permeates the album, with tasteful vocal harmonies and musicianship throughout. There is a bit of a modern/alternative rock flavor to the music, evidenced by the 12 short, catchy songs that make up the whole of the album, but I still found the song-writing to be quite interesting. Favorites include "Silence" and "Muse", with another handful of tracks being of near the same caliber. Fans of Kings X and Galactic Cowboys definitely need to add this to their list.

The lyrical content of this album is extremely deep. The songs all have a unique perspective on each's respective subject. A few previous reviewers have called this album preachy, and have given one star reviews based on that fact. The last thing on my mind when I hear lines like "Does my life suck as bad as yours?" is preachiness. The truth is, they can't stand bands that use words or phrases like "Jesus" or "Word of God", and they really hate anti-abortion songs. The lyrics obviously come from the heart and thus are not meant to be preachy; they are simply the writer's deepest thoughts on a particular subject. That's how great artists make great art, by putting their struggles and emotions into their work. But I guess that's only allowed if religion is left out. I applaud Frank Hart and company for boldly saying what's on their minds. In addition, some of the riffing is bone-crunchingly heavy. Malediction and Muse blow the doors off live. Check them out if you can.

From out of the bowels of the U.S. Southwest they came, like a pack of illegitimate Southern cousins...the Texas Triple Threat: "King's X", "Galactic Cowboys" and the lesser-known "Atomic Opera". All sporting the heavy riffage and Beatles-ish vocal harmonies that the Sam Taylor factory became known for in the mid-80's. Of course, King's X were most destined for stardom, but now sadly keep putting the same album out, relying more on the heavy-metal than the incredible song structuring of their masterpiece "Gretchen goes to Nebraska" album (although still a monster on stage! ). The Cowboys have long since faded after their excellent debut album, and are wisely calling it quits with their new CD. Only the "Opera" saw to experiment and progress, while keeping the rocking nature of their original sound. Kings X should take a cue from these guys next time around, and try to conjure up another album as awesome as "Gretchen". One word of "warning": the Opera wear their born-again-ness on their sleeve more than the other two bands, and are rather blatant in their lyrical religious leanings. That simply isn't my cup of tea, but the music is fantastic. One of my favorite albums of 2000 right here!

More like Gospel UNcola, the band opens with the tongue-in-cheek title song, and then gets down to the meat of actual artistic expression and honest spiritual integrity in music.

The band's lineup of Frank Hart, Kemper Crabb, John Simmons & Ryan Birsinger contains an apparent artistic compatibility that longtime fans of Atomic Opera & ArkAngel should find to be a mature and natural progression from their earlier works. Great vision and passion coupled with intelligent and accomplished vocals & musicianship - with enough heavy guitar & drums to please the headbanger over 20.

If you're looking for the same old tired "feelgood" clichès, look elsewhere. But if you'd like to hear high artistic expression and passionate spiritual lyrics in the form of great rock music, you will be pleasantly surprised with Gospel Cola.

Atomic Opera is one of those bands that has been around for awhile, but isn't very well known. Sadly, this is the case with most other great artists. And that is exactly what Atomic Opera is - a collection of artists.

Their sound is unique. But if you're one of those people who must have a comparison, then I'd say King's X. Gospel Cola is one of those rare albums where the lyrics are just as good (if not better than) as the music. They have an idea on how to improve this world. Rather than spending all of their time whining about society's problems without offering solutions like so many of today's bands do, Atomic Opera has ideas of their own on how to make this a better place.

The highlights of this album are "Malediction" and "Muse". Great vocals, thick and varied guitar tones, even a mandolin and dulcimer. If you like hard rock with brains, then have a sip of "Gospel Cola".

I must say I liked AO's first CD, "For Madmen Only" but the lyrics were sometimes too simple or too simple-minded and down through the years the band never really sounded like they had their own, unified sound. King's X and Galactic Cowboys had their own sounds and their own identities from the start, but Atomic Opera for me was always a great band still trying to discover itself.

On this CD, it's obvious that they HAVE discovered themselves. It's a little surprising that part of that discovery involves the incorporation of Kemper Crabb's songwriting and his mandolin, dulcimer, and various other medieval instruments, but whatever works. Pastor Crabb in a heavy metal band? You bet. And what he brings to the band, which they've sorely needed, is stronger songwriting and a better sense of direction, musically speaking.

Which is kind of a funny thing to say, because Frank Hart wrote most of my favorite songs on this CD. But his writing has improved, and my guess is Kemper had something to do with it. And the band, for the first time, sounds like a brilliant and original band with their own unique sound.

The band has never been more blatant about their beliefs, and that's Kemper's influence as well, I think. I can understand why that turns some people off, but trust me, these songs are deeper and more creative, both musically and lyrically, than much of what AO has done in the past. Mind you, there are songs that I love on their earlier CDs, but you won't find anything as vapid as "War Drums" on Gospel Cola, nor have you ever heard anything as beautiful and moving as "October" or "Winterland". And I'm exaggerating a little bit, but not much. And "Muse", which is probably my favorite song from this CD, is not only beautiful request for inspiration, but also kind of symbolic of the way the band has changed and grown and come into it's own sound.

"Gospel Cola" is not nearly as heavy as "For Madmen Only" and if that's all you're interested in then you probably won't like this CD so much. But, for those that can appreciate it, here is an Atomic Opera that has finally found it's own voice.

This is the best Atomic Opera CD yet.Every song has a strong spirtual meaning to it. Even Frank Hart, The lead vocalist says this CD is written for the truth. Who ever buys this CD will not regret it. GO FOR IT !

This is a very good album. If you're a fan of heavy music, well thought lyrical content, and like your head to be filled with caloric content--this is for you. "Jesus Junk"-is the perfect intro song and "Doxology" is the perfect ending to this album. These guys are more than just "King's X wannabees"(that have stuck with them since their beginning), they stand on their own with super heavy grooves, soulful singing and music to give your foot a reason to stomp. Do yourself a favor and enjoy the flavor of Gospel Cola.

Of all albums by the great bands with the Texas sound, this is the worst. I love King's X, Galactic Cowboys, and early Atomic Opera, but this album is preachy boring nonsense. This could be the worst album I own. So unlistenable, it makes me want to "stuff it" while exploring.