!Hero (album)

Last updated

!Hero
!Hero (album).jpg
Studio album by
Various artists
ReleasedSeptember 2, 2003
Genre Christian rock
Length1 hour, 47 minutes
Label ForeFront / Emd
Producer Pete Stewart
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
CCM Magazine B [1]
Christianity Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Jesus Freak HideoutStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]

!Hero is an album featuring the songs from the rock opera, !Hero. It is based on the question, "What if Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?" The rock opera modernizes Jesus' last two years on earth and features a cast of many well-known Christian rock artists with Michael Tait, Rebecca St. James, and Mark Stuart as the three main characters: Hero (Jesus), Maggie (Mary Magdalene), and Petrov (Peter).

Contents

Track listing and performers

Disc 1 [4]
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."This is How it Happened" Mat Kearney and Pete Stewart Paul Wright 2:08
2."A Few Good Men" Eddie DeGarmo Michael Quinlan, Mark Stuart, Michael Tait 5:09
3."Wedding Celebration"Eddie DeGarmo John Cooper, John Grey, Michael Tait, Nirva Dorsaint, and GRITS [ citation needed ]4:32
4."Fire of Love"Eddie DeGarmoJohn Cooper and Michael Tait4:38
5."Lose My Life with You"Eddie DeGarmoMichael Tait and Nirva Dorsaint[ citation needed ]3:14
6."Man on a Mission"Matt Kearney and Pete StewartPaul Wright1:14
7."Secrets of the Heart"Eddie DeGarmo Rebecca St. James and Michael Tait3:52
8."Stand Up and Walk"Eddie DeGarmoJohn Cooper, Matt Hammitt, and Michael Tait4:24
9."Do What You Gotta Do"Eddie DeGarmoJohn Cooper and Pete Stewart3:05
10."Take My Hand"Eddie DeGarmoMichael Tait1:48
11."Love's Declaration"Eddie DeGarmoRebecca St. James, Mark Stuart, and Michael Tait3:17
12."Raised in Harlem [nb 1] "Eddie DeGarmo and Pete Stewart T-Bone and Michael Tait4:21
13."They're Callin' Him Hero"Mat Kearney and Pete StewartPaul Wright2:42
14."Manna From Heaven"Eddie DeGarmoRebecca St. James, Michael Quinlan, Mark Stuart, and Michael Tait4:20
15."Hero"Eddie DeGarmoRebecca St. James, Michael Quinlan, and Mark Stuart4:41
Disc 2 [4]
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."He Just Had to Stir Things Up/Leave Here"Eddie DeGarmoRebecca St. James, Michael Tait, and Paul Wright5:19
2."Stand by You"Eddie DeGarmoRebecca St. James and Paul Wright2:47
3."Say the Word"Eddie DeGarmoPaul Wright1:36
4."Intentions"Eddie DeGarmoMichael Quinlan3:20
5."Finally Home"Eddie DeGarmoRebecca St. James, Michael Quinlan, and Mark Stuart3:37
6."Not in Our House"Eddie DeGarmo and Pete StewartJohn Cooper and Michael Tait2:09
7."Murder on Their Minds"Mat Kearney and Pete StewartPaul Wright2:59
8."Party in the House Today"Eddie DeGarmoMark Stuart3:49
9."In Remembrance of Me"Eddie DeGarmoMichael Tait1:53
10."Shadowman"Eddie DeGarmoMichael Quinlan and Pete Stewart5:00
11."Hero's Agony"Eddie DeGarmoMichael Tait[ citation needed ]2:37
12."I Am"Eddie DeGarmoMichael Tait4:17
13."Kill the Hero"Eddie DeGarmoJohn Cooper, Paul Wright, and Bob Farrell6:00
14."Execute/Intentions (Reprise)/Hero (Reprise)/Lose My Life With You"Eddie DeGarmoRebecca St. James, Nirva Dorsaint and Michael Quinlan[ citation needed ]3:58
15."He's Not Here"Eddie DeGarmoRebecca St. James and Nathaniel Lee3:41
16."The Truth Comes Out"Eddie DeGarmo and Mat KearneyPaul Wright1:47

Reviews

Chris Well, writing for CCM Magazine, reviewed it favorably and stated, "!Hero is inventive, rhythmic and should, no doubt, spark debate everywhere about the real Jesus. [1] On the other hand, Andree Farias of Christian Music Today, wrote, "!Hero's attempt to be all things to all people is well-intentioned, its 'replayability' value is minimal, deeming it no more than a glorified post-concert souvenir for the live stage show." [2]

Primary cast

Secondary cast and musicians

  • Todd Collins – percussion
  • Eddie DeGarmo – piano, background vocals, executive producer
  • DJ Majscratching
  • Jason Eskridge – background vocals
  • Kim Fleming – choir
  • Brad Ford – vocals, assistant executive producer
  • Robert Gay – children's chorus
  • Rachel Goldstein – choir
  • Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson – harmonica
  • Tony Lucido – bass guitar
  • Rick May – drums
  • Ann McCrary – choir
  • Antonio Phelon – choir, background vocals
  • John Ray – choir
  • Becky Robertson – children's chorus
  • Joanna Robertson – children's chorus
  • Thomas Romines – choir
  • Pete Stewart – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, piano, electric piano
  • Greg Thomas – choir
  • Patti Thomas – choir
  • Michelle Valentine – choir
  • Paul Wright III [6]

Support staff

  • Eddie DeGarmo – executive producer
  • Brad Ford – assistant executive producer
  • Carl Marsh – Fairlight, string arrangement
  • Bethany Newman – art director, design
  • Marcelo Pennell – audio engineer
  • Carter Robertson – choir director
  • Dan Shike – mastering
  • Pete Stewart – audio engineer, producer, programming
  • Greg Thomas – choir director [6]

Notes

  1. Raised in Harlem was featured on Hip Hope Hits 2005, a compilation album on Gotee Records. [5]

Footnotes

Related Research Articles

<i>Jesus Freak</i> (album) 1995 studio album by DC Talk

Jesus Freak is the fourth studio album by the American Christian rap and rock trio DC Talk, released on November 21, 1995, on ForeFront Records. The style was a marked departure from the group's previous releases, incorporating a heavier rock sound and elements of grunge that was popular at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Project 86</span> American rock band

Project 86 is an American rock band from Orange County, California, formed in 1996. The band has released ten albums, which have collectively sold nearly 500,000 units worldwide, two EPs, two DVDs, and one live album.

<i>Free at Last</i> (DC Talk album) 1992 studio album by DC Talk

Free at Last is the third studio album from DC Talk, which was released in 1992. Music videos were filmed for "Jesus Is Just Alright", "The Hardway" and "Luv Is A Verb". In 1994, DC Talk released a long-form video of the "Free at Last World Tour" entitled Narrow is the Road, in which all three music videos can be seen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audio Adrenaline</span> Christian rock band

Audio Adrenaline was an American Christian rock band that formed in 1986 at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky. The band gained recognition during the 1990s and received two Grammy Awards and multiple Dove Awards. Audio Adrenaline were regular performers at the annual Creation Festival, Spirit West Coast festival, Agape Music Festival, and Alive Festival. In 2007, the group disbanded due to lead singer Mark Stuart's spasmodic dysphonia. During this time, they released eight studio albums.

<i>Dont Censor Me</i>

Don't Censor Me is the second studio album by Audio Adrenaline, released on ForeFront Records on October 1, 1993. The album features the track "Big House", which is considered the band's most popular song.

<i>Bloom</i> (Audio Adrenaline album) 1996 studio album by Audio Adrenaline

Bloom is the third studio album released by Audio Adrenaline. In 1999, the album was certified Gold by RIAA.

!HERO is a 2003 Christian rock opera about Jesus. It is based on the question, "What if Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?". After the original tour in 2003 ended, it was released on DVD, CD, and was written into a trilogy of novels and series of comic books.

<i>Different Kind of Free</i> 2003 studio album by ZOEgirl

Different Kind of Free is the third studio album from Christian girl group ZOEgirl. It was released on September 16, 2003 through Sparrow Records and was produced by Lynn Nichols, Robert "Aurel M" Marvin, Damon Riley and Tedd T. "You Get Me", "Beautiful Name" and "Feel Alright" were released as radio singles. Different Kind of Free marks the band's departure from the bubblegum pop music of their two previous albums, in favor of a pop rock sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeGarmo and Key</span> American Christian rock band

DeGarmo & Key was a Christian rock band/duo formed in 1977 by Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key. The group is notable for having the first Christian rock album nominated for a Grammy award and the first American Christian group to have a video entered into MTVs rotation. They are also noted as being among the first groups to raise the level of technical excellence to match general market releases of the time. While the group played blues based rock with a minor British progressive rock influence, they migrated to a more pop and rock style as time went on. DeGarmo played keyboards and sang background vocals, while Key played lead guitar and did the majority of the lead vocals. The other musicians at the time of formation in the late 70s were John Hamptone, David Spain, Max Richardson and Terry Moxley (drums) along with Joe Hardy and Ken Porter (bass). Later members included Tommy Cathey on bass (1982), Greg Morrow on drums as well as Tony Pilcher on rhythm and second lead guitar. Some of their more notable hits include: "Destined to Win", "Let the Whole World Sing", "Six, Six, Six", "Boycott Hell", "Every Moment" and "Casual Christian". The group is also noted for their albums Streetlight (1986), D&K (1987), and The Pledge (1989). Other musicians who have recorded or toured with DeGarmo & Key include Kenny Porter (bass), Kevin Rodell (drums), Chuck Reynolds (drums), Steve Taylor (guitar) and Mark Pogue (guitar). The group was nominated for seven Grammy Awards and five Dove Awards DeGarmo and Key disbanded in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesus Freak (song)</span> 1995 single by DC Talk

"Jesus Freak" is a song by the American contemporary Christian music group DC Talk. Released on August 1, 1995, it was the lead radio single from the group's fourth album. The song was written and produced by Toby McKeehan and Mark Heimermann. Lyrically, the song is about standing up for the belief in Jesus Christ in the midst of persecution. Musically, the song has been described as alternative rock and grunge. It received airplay on both contemporary Christian music and alternative rock stations, formats that rarely interact. "Jesus Freak" earned DC Talk three GMA Dove Awards.

"If We Are the Body" is the debut single by Christian rock band Casting Crowns. Written by Mark Hall and produced by Mark A. Miller and Steven Curtis Chapman, it was released as the lead single from the band's 2003 self-titled debut album through Beach Street Records on July 26, 2003. The song, originally written by Hall as a "teaching tool" for his youth group, is a CCM and acoustic rock song. It incorporates the violin, mandolin, and accordion in its arrangement and questions why the Christian church does not minister impartially.

"Who Am I" is a song recorded by Christian rock band Casting Crowns. Written by Mark Hall and produced by Mark A. Miller and Steven Curtis Chapman, it was released on February 22, 2004, as the second single from the band's 2003 self-titled debut album. A pop rock and adult contemporary ballad, the song is based around the piano and utilizes orchestral sounds. Lyrically, the song is centered on worshiping God. The song received positive reviews from music critics upon its release, with several regarding it as one of the best songs on their debut album.

<i>Ana Laura</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Ana Laura

Ana Laura is the debut studio album by contemporary Christian music recording artist Ana Laura, and the album released on March 7, 2006 by Reunion Records that Rob Graves produced. The album received a positive impression from music critics.

<i>Hotline</i> (White Heart album) 1985 studio album by White Heart

Hotline is the third album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the band's first with Gordon Kennedy on guitars and the last with both lead vocalist Scott Douglas and on the Home Sweet Home label. The first radio single "Jerusalem" features lead vocals from both Douglas and lead guitarist Kennedy and became a top five hit on Christian radio and was co-written with the Christian rock duo DeGarmo and Key. Hotline peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.

"Make Your Move" is a song by Christian rock band Third Day. Written by Mac Powell and composed by Third Day, the song was released was serviced to Christian CHR radio in the United States on January 30, 2011, as the third single from the band's 2010 album Move. A southern rock song, "Make You Move" features a heavy kick drum and grunge-influenced chorus, while the vocals are distorted during the bridge and take on a muffled effect. Lyrically, the song depicts evangelism for the perspective of a non-believer.

<i>The Glorious Unfolding</i> 2013 studio album by Steven Curtis Chapman

The Glorious Unfolding is the 15th studio album by the contemporary Christian musician Steven Curtis Chapman, released on September 27, 2013, by Reunion Records, and produced by himself along with Brent Milligan. This was his first album released by Reunion Records, and it was his nineteenth album in his career. The album has seen commercial success as well as critical acclaim.

<i>Lost in Worship</i> 2002 studio album by Fusebox

Lost in Worship is the first studio album by Fusebox. Elevate Records alongside Inpop Records released the album on February 26, 2002.

<i>Its Christmas</i> (Planetshakers album)

It's Christmas is the first studio Christmas album from Australian worship band Planetshakers. Planetshakers Ministries International and Venture3Media released the album on 29 November 2019. This album includes the Christmas releases of EPs Christmas Vol. 1 (2017) and Christmas Vol. 2 (2018).

<i>God Is Good!</i> 2022 live album by Cody Carnes

God Is Good! is the first live album by American Christian musician Cody Carnes. It was released on September 30, 2022, via Sparrow Records and Capitol Christian Music Group. The album features guest appearances by Kari Jobe, Natalie Grant, and Benjamin William Hastings. The album was produced by Austin Davis, Aaron Robertson

Farrell and Farrell was a Christian music husband and wife duo formed in 1977 by Bob and Jayne Farrell. They have released seven studio albums and one live album between 1977 and 1989 and have amassed many Christian radio hits during those times. Bob Farrell is the principal songwriter of the duo and outside of Farrell and Farrell has written songs for many CCM and mainstream artists like Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, Eric Clapton, Anne Murray, Laura Branigan and DeGarmo and Key.

References