Search - Larry Norman :: Stranded In Babylon - The American Re-Mix

Every 15th Album...

Don Boring | Houston, Texas United States | 02/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since the mid-1970s Larry Norman appears to have pulled out the stops and released a fully produced album only once in seven or eight years. Though he has churned out the products for sale at a steady clip (in spite of, or maybe because of his ailing health...got to pay those bills) the bulk of those products rely on heavy doses of revisiting the past. This album does not contain yet another version of I Wish We'd All Been Ready, in fact, this album comes across as fresh and well produced (at least it did ten years ago when it came out) as In Another Land did when it hit the public like an orange surprise back in the mid 70s. This album is worth repeated listening simply because it was made for that... and Larry is back in his old groove of releasing a slick product with well-crafted songs. In an extensive catalogue of material, this may be the last Norman album truly up to the standard of the capabilities we have seen too rarely in the past 20 years."

A Surprisingly Strong Album

Michael Lodahl | San Diego, CA United States | 06/30/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD has held up reasonably well over the decade-plus since its release. It is an all-too-rare occasion when Brother Norman releases an album that is composed entirely of new material, and much of this is quite well written. The production (and probably most if not all of the arrangement work) can be attributed to the musical maturing of Norman's little brother Charly, whose "signature" feels heavily present throughout the album. But that, thankfully, is a good thing -- because, in all honesty (and this from an admirer of Larry Norman's music), big brother Larry's fount of inspiration appears to have been barely trickling for a good three decades now.It is difficult to speculate precisely regarding the sudden cessation of the kind of music that Norman proved capable of writing and performing in the late 60s and early 70s. He has not been hesitant to offer his own (often quite varied -- and hackneyed) explanations over the years, in print, for his dramatic falloff in the mid-70s after "Upon This Rock" (still a very fun late 60s "period piece"), "Only Visiting This Planet" (oh my goodness -- classic, truly classic early 70s "Jesus Rock" that addresses the gamut of social issues with sanctified-but-cynical wit), and "So Long Ago the Garden" (crafty songwriting and some great blues). In fact, Norman has offered more "spins" on his tailspin than one could possibly keep straight: often it's those nasty music companies who keep screwing him over one way or another(i.e., "The Man"); or else he spent so many long and thankless years selflessly producing other people's albums (i.e., "my so-called 'friends' stabbed me in the back"); or else he was emotionally spent by a ruined marriage (though in fact much of his best work appears to have been animated by lost love); or else it was that really serious head injury in a plane accident . . . and many more. Come on, Larry -- you were just getting old! (I should know; I'm creakin' along not far behind.)I know I've strayed from the issue, which is to review "Stranded in Babylon." Forgive the venting . . . and suffice it to say that this album certainly stands up reasonably well alongside Norman's finest work. His lyrics can still be biting and prophetic (especially in the excellent rant "Step into the Madness," where he warns against "a kinder, gentler World War Three" and proclaims America to be the "land of the free [where] everyone gets liberty -- if you've got the money").For the most part, though, the kind of truly wicked (in the best sense of the word) humor that once characterized Norman's writing has almost entirely vanished, at least on this album. (I have yet to hear his most recent, and possibly his final, studio album, "Tourniquet," but I have heard good things about it.) And "Stranded" also provides evidence aplenty that his capacity for crafting a tune that is actually attractive and catchy has diminished considerably. If I could, I'd probably have actually given this 3 and 1/2 stars, rather than 4. (I'd have reserved 4 stars for "So Long Ago the Garden" and, I suppose, "In Another Land.") Nonetheless, the album is / was a solid effort by the single most important figure in the history of Christian rock music -- at a time when few could really have expected something so fresh and alive from an aging-before-his-time, apparently burned-out musician."

Any Larry is good Larry. . .

Carl Kincaid | Kansas City | 10/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know how much space one has for a review here at Amazon.com, but however much I have, it's not enough to even start saying how much Larry's music and ministry have meant to me, from the early 70's to today.



First, for this record, it's really good. What a pleasant surprise to see a completely original set from Larry. These songs, like most of his stuff from the early 70's (the impecable (sp?) trilogy) to early 80's (Something New Under the Son)will stand the test of time. Larry's two-way influences such as Bob Dylan are so evident in his songs. A great storyteller who molds amazing songs from the truths of scripture and his personal faith. Favorites from this record are Let the Rain Fall Down, Step Into the Madness, All the Way Home, and God Part III. But there's nary a bad song on the record (OK, "Oh Lydia is a weird few seconds, but it's pretty funny and consistent with his dry sense of humor. And I'm sure there's some significance to it or it's a great inside joke.).



Now to defend Larry and his "spins." I don't want to come across as some militant Larry defender, but hey, the guy is a great artist, and he can do pretty much what he wants as far as I'm concerned.



Check out (...) for lots of awesome things, it's been great to have a way to add to my collection!



Carl Kincaid

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