Customer Reviews

Yellow & Black Attack

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

While some may think of Christian Rock as limited to Michael W. Smith & De Garmo & Key, some of us remember a band that was set apart from those groups, that came out & shocked Jimmy Swaggert and the Christian music world in general. Before DC Talk, before Circle of Dust & DigHayZoose, there was Stryper. In their debut album "The Yellow & Black Attack" Stryper speaks boldly of their faith in Christ through songs like "Loud & Clear" & "From Wrong to Right" with lines such as..."Why lose when you can win? Give God a try, the devil's not your friend. The truth is not a lie!" Stryper truly opened the doors for MANY Christian rock bands to walk right onto the scene , from alternative bands like Dead Artists Syndrome to Grindcore bands like Vengeance & Mortification. So if you enjoy "80's-sounding" (kinda pop-y) & you'd like to hear the Christian band that actually beat-out Bon Jovi at #1 on MTV with "Honestly" (off To Hell With The Devil) buy this one & enjoy!

Those of you who had more strict parents might be able to relate to this. When I was about 10 and I was getting into metal for the first time, my parents were paranoid about the messages in metal and wouldn't let me buy other bands that I like (i.e; King Diamond, Motley Crue). But because of Stryer's reputation they allowed me to get this album. And what an album it turned out to be... The whole band is rock solid in every department. The songs are all classics, and there is a passable amount of hard stuff here. Admittedly, I would sometimes fast forward (we didn't have CD players back then) past some of the ballads, but it was worth it. I still bust this tape out from time to time and jam along with it on guitar. One of the best metal albums ever, says I.

The original release of Stryper's debut record "The Yellow & Black Attack" in 1984 contained only 6 songs. Two years later, "Yellow & Black" was reissued with new cover art, plus 2 added songs--the acoustic ballad "My Love I'll Always Show" & "Reason for the Season," the song that Stryper had previously released as a Christmas single (with "Winter Wonderland" as the B-Side). Some of my favorite songs from "Yellow & Black" include "Loud n' Clear," "You Know What to Do," "From Wrong to Right," "C'mon Rock," & "Loving You." This was the record that started it all for Stryper, and is a must-have for any Stryper fan.

Stryper showed on this record that they wanted to be taken seriously. The yellow and black colors they adopted were definitely proper as the yellow displayed the positive color and message they wanted to display while the black showed they are soldiers for God that that are in battle with evils of the world. The songs such as "Loud and Clear" and "Wrong to Right" showed this attitude and are mixed with positive, catchy ballads such as "You Won't be Lonely." Also includes one of the better Christmas songs of all times "Reason for the Season." I am glad I grew up a Stryper fan and try to catch them live this summer in California at StryperExpo or at Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, Illinois.

Although Styper broke up in the early 90's due to changes in the music industry, "The Yellow and Black Attack" still remains a favorite of Stryper fans around the world.If you like this cd, I recommend the others by Stryper, as well as more recent cd's by ex-members of the band.Ex-Lead singer Michael Sweet went on to release a self-titled debut solo album, Real, and Truth. For a more mellow sound, I recommend Real, but for the true Stryper fan, Truth is a must have. Ex-Bass player Tim Gaines, and Ex-Guitarist Oz Fox, formed Sin Dizzy after their departure from Stryper. Their debut album, He's Not Dead, keeps the Christian message, but adds a modern, hard rock feel.Totally worth listening to!Ex- Drummer Robert Sweet, is now working on a new album with Valediction.From what I hear, it promises to deliver great things.Give Stryper a try, they still have alot of great hard rock in them! Don't pass up these four very talented and inspirational musicians.

I will start off by saying that this is probably the rawest Stryper album made. That can happen with bands on their debut but this one sounds raw and crisp. While not my favorite release from the band this one does have essential Stryper songs so it is a must have for fans. Examples are "Loud'n'Clear" "You Know What To Do" "Reason For The Season" and "Loving You". The other songs are radio friendly (You Won't Be Lonely,My Love I'll Always Show) and there are some heavy ones also. Examples are "C'mon Rock" and "From Wrong To Right".

If "Soldiers Under Command" is one of your favorite albums then you will like this one as well. I put Stryper in the "Soldiers Under Command/Yellow And Black era or the To Hell With The Devil/In God We trust era. The biggest difference is they became more of a melodic, bigger sounding band with the newer ones. If you want raw,loud and the sound of a band about to make it big then pick up "The Yellow And Black Attack". It's the bands debut and is essential for your collection. I have reviews of the other albums if you want to check those out.

Stand Out songs: "You Know What To Do" "Loud'n'Clear" "Loving You" and "Reason For The Season"

Back in the day when Stryper was #1 on dial MTV. They were in the most popular style of misic at the time. The big differance was the message. To sing about God and to lift people up was not what the 80's were about. If you like the hard rock sound of the 80's and want to hear a message that will pick you up.Then pick this CD up.

back in the day stryper was the best band that ever rocked the stage and video industry. they had so many kids and adults following them including me i was just a kid in high school and to this day i wonder what ever happend to them. if they are out there you need to put out a new c.d. in the name of the man up above rock on.

This being Stryper's debut album is a must have! It reminds you why they were so well liked by all. Great harmonies and rippin' guitar solos!

THIS ONE WAS THE FIRST RECORD OF THE GREATEST CHRISTIAN HARD ROCK BAND.IT IS NOT THE BEST BUT IT WAS THE BEGINNING.