Petra - Come Join Us (9 tracks) +Album Reviews

Guess You Had to Be There. . .

Joboo | 11/29/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Don't get me wrong . . . I prefer early Petra. I believe that they really began to hit their stride with "Never Say Die," and I never really dug what they produced after Greg X Volz left the band. (Nothing against John Schlitt.)HOWEVER . . . this album is an uneven release; the band clearly is still figuring out a lot of things- musically, lyrically, theologically. "Sally," a song about a girl who "used to be so nice" but now is "smokin' weed and drinkin' and probably fooled around" is embarrassing all around. The vocals on "Ask Him In" are overly smarmy (who gave THAT guy the mike?), and the "Star Wars laser sound solo" on one of the songs- I forget which- possibly "Holy Ghost Power," is disco-era excess at its best.Despite these criticisms, I have to say that "God Gave Rock and Roll To You," is a classic. The album-opening performance here is better than the "Beat the System" rendition, and far preferable to the cover version by KISS (used in the sequel to "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure") The guitar work is a premonition of the great inter-locking guitar parts we'd hear on later tunes like "Chameleon." If the album were more like the title track, I probably would still own it. Instead, I gave my copy away to a fan who was curious about their earlier stuffIf you're a diehard Petra fan, go ahead and collect this one for interest and for the couple of truly great tracks. Otherwise, start with "Washes Whiter Than" and work your way forward."

The Hits before they had hits on the radio!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a fan of the Greg X. Volz Petra, then you'll enjoy this album. It isn't very popular at all, but it includes a different version of "God Gave Rock and Rolll" and is alot like the Eagles. Great album!!!!!!!!"

This is some of their best work!

Nate8762 | Minnesota, USA | 10/20/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Come and Join Us" may not be as polished as some of Petra's later work, but it's infinitely better than the stuff they cranked out after Greg X. Volz left the band (no offense to his replacement). "God Gave Rock 'n Roll to You" is, without a doubt, the best song on the album. It's a classic that ranks right up there with many of the legendary, secular songs of the 70's. As another reviewer mentioned, this album was particularly amazing when you considered the kind of "Christian Music" that had been put out up until that time. The late 70's was the the birth of true Christian rock (Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill, Keith Green and others were either exloding on to the scene or hitting their prime). This is a must-have for any die-hard Petra fan, and a great suggestion for anyone who loves classic rock."

A quantum leap from their first

Joboo | USA | 04/12/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Contrary to the last review of this CD, my personal opinion is that this album ushered in what was to be Petra's best years. The title track, with the dual guitar riffs, was groundbreaking for its time. Christian rock music didn't sound this good. To appreciate this album's sound, you need to have been a Christian teen at the time of its release in 1977 and know what pitiful music we had to listen to from the Christain side of the house. With this album, Petra gave us Christains something to be proud of. It had the message AND it had a sound and production value that you didn't feal ashamed to put it on for friends. This album is for the hardcore fan of today who wants to have all of Petra's music. And it is for oldtimers like me to be able to listen again to the music that helped to lay the foundation for which every single Christain rock band travels today. I challenge anyone to find another Christian rock album put out in 1977 that even comes close to this album. I have no doubt you won't."

Come And Join Us - hints of things to come.

Mike Becht | New Albany, IN USA | 09/02/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"After entering the scene in 1974 Petra returned three years later with a giant step away from their scattered, uneven and under produced self-titled debut. On Come And Join Us Petra gave us hints of things to come, including the debut of "guest vocalist" Greg X. Volz, who would go on to become the band's frontman for the next nine years. Most of the tracks on Come And Join Us lack the cohesiveness and punch of later efforts. The gem (unpolished as it is) on the project is "God Gave Rock And Roll To You."

This album is a worthy addition for true Petra fans and CCM music collectors. The casual fan who is familiar with Petra's later projects will not find much that is recognizable here. A better starting point would be 1979's breakthrough Washes Whiter Than.

-Mike"

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	Petra Come & Join Us Genres: Pop, Rock, Christian & Gospel Track Listings (9) - Disc #1 God Gave Rock And Roll To You Ask Him In Sally Without You I Would Surely Die Come And Join Us Where Can I Go Holy Ghost Power Woman Don't You Know God Gave Rock And Roll To You (Reprise)
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