Search - Code of Ethics :: Lost in Egypt

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Mark Bumgardner | Concord, NC United States | 06/18/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'll be honest, I wasn't even aware that Barry Blaze had put out a new Code Of Ethics album until I came across it at a local CD shop. I hadn't purchased anything by COE in almost a decade (Blaze from 1999), and going by that album, my expectations weren't all that great. When last heard, COE had evolved (no offense intended) from a synth-driven techno/dance style into more guitar centered rock. While this was all good and well - there were still splashes of popish dance on Blaze - it was somewhat of a letdown for those of us who enjoyed their earlier efforts.



Lost In Egypt is a welcome return to the techno/dance (for lack of a better phrase) side of the "band". The opener, "Smile" is a pure pop groove that should please church youth groups from coast to coast. Christian radio will never play it, but it's worthy of being a true hit.



A cover of Depeche Mode's "People Are People" follows, and Blaze is successful in drawing out the song's somewhat spiritual message that hate is a complete waste of time. Makes me wonder why the song hasn't been covered more often.



Other highlights include "Beautiful Lamb", a rare combination of praise song/floor filling dance tune, the title track, which is here in both the album version and a remix which closes things out. There's also a fine updated version of "Something Real", originally on the 1993 Code of Ethics album.



All in all, this is killer from start to finish. Not a bum tune to be found here. A more than welcome return to the Code of the early 90s that helped start the genre of Christian dance music."