| Mad at the World | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1987 | |||
| Recorded | 3-D Studios, Asyloma Studios, MATW Studios | |||
| Genre | Christian rock, synthpop | |||
| Length | 49:13 | |||
| Label | Frontline | |||
| Producer | Roger Rose | |||
| Mad at the World chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |   [1] |
| CCM | (not rated) [2] |
Mad at the World is the first album from Christian rock band Mad at the World. It was significant for being one of the few Christian music albums to feature a synthpop sound.
In 1987 the band, consisting of Roger Rose, his brother Randy (who was only fifteen years old at the time) [3] [4] and their friend Mike Pendleton, released Mad at the World. The disc was unique in christian music for featuring a synthpop style of dance music [5] heavily influenced by bands like Tears for Fears and especially Depeche Mode. [4] This was at a time when the Christian music scene was dominated by Amy Grant and Stryper was breaking out. [4] Roger's personal taste ran towards the sounds of Ultravox and Depeche Mode, a sound that no Christian band was playing at that time, prompting him to create the band and write the music. He attempted to "avoid church talk and cliche, (resulting) in some fresh, invigorating images." [3] Although not the best-selling album by the band, [6] it is fondly remembered by many fans. [7]
Although Daniel Amos released Vox Humana in 1983, it featured a more up-beat sound, more guitar and more acoustic drums, so this disc stands as one of the first truly synthpop albums in Christian music.[ according to whom? ]
At 49 minutes and 13 seconds, this is the band's longest album.
Although Roger has stated that Mad at the World was the band's first and last disc not recorded entirely at Roger's home studio, [5] the drum tracks for Through the Forest were recorded at Randy's studio, Rose Studios.
This album was reissued in 1999 by KMG Records on a "two-for-one" disc with Seasons of Love .
The heavy influence of Depeche Mode has been noted for this album. About this, Roger has responded, "I personally know plenty of people -- Christians -- who listen primarily to mainstream music because Christian music does not satisfy them musically. What Mad at the World is about is music that fills that kind of void, yet I feel it is lyrically uncompromising in its Christian message and values." He has also said, "Depeche Mode is probably my favorite group musically, but lyrically they are the most offensive, so dark and terribly depressing." His response was to write music answering the untruths which might affect young listeners, such as "Dry Your Tears" where he describes "a world where you see nothing everywhere" before singing "Close your eyes and pray/Heaven could be calling your name." [3]
All songs written by Roger Rose.
"No More Innocence" was re-recorded for the album Boomerang .
"Mad at the World" was re-recorded for the album Through the Forest .
Although no videos were filmed for this album, there is a concert video of the band performing "No More Innocence" dated from 1995. This was filmed after Mike Pendleton left the band and features Mike Link and Ben Jacobs.
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in Basildon in 1980. The group consists of a trio of Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher (keyboards).
Violator is the seventh studio album by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. It was first released on 19 March 1990 through Mute Records internationally, and through Sire and Reprise Records in the United States.
Nitzer Ebb are a British EBM group formed in 1982 by Essex school friends Vaughan "Bon" Harris, Douglas McCarthy (vocals), and David Gooday (drums).
Music for the Masses is the sixth studio album by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. It was released on 28 September 1987 by Mute Records. The album was supported by the Music for the Masses Tour.
Ultra is the ninth studio album by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. It was released on 14 April 1997 by Mute Records. It was the band's first album following the departure of Alan Wilder, who had become disillusioned with life in the band. Wilder's departure and lead singer Dave Gahan's drug problems, which culminated in a near-fatal overdose, had caused speculation that Depeche Mode was finished. Ultra was the first album the band recorded as a trio since A Broken Frame (1982); it was also their first where the band members were not involved with production.
Exciter is the tenth studio album by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. It was first released on 14 May 2001 in the United Kingdom by Mute Records and a day later in the United States by Reprise Records. The album was produced by Mark Bell, and was supported by the Exciter Tour, one of the band's most successful tours.
Alan Charles Wilder is an English musician, composer, arranger, record producer, and a former member of the electronic band Depeche Mode from 1982 to 1995. Since his departure from the band, the musical project called Recoil became his primary musical enterprise, which initially started as a side project to Depeche Mode in 1986. Wilder has also provided production and remixing services to the bands Nitzer Ebb and Curve. Alan Wilder was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 as a member of Depeche Mode. He is a classically trained musician.
Disciple is the fifth album released by Christian rock group Disciple, on June 7, 2005. When the single "The Wait is Over" was released, it broke several records in Christian music, including the longest spot at No. 1 on the R&R Charts.
101 is a live album and documentary film by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. It was released on 13 March 1989 by Mute Records. It chronicles the final leg of the band's Music for the Masses Tour and the final show on 18 June 1988 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
Mad at the World is a Christian rock band from Southern California. The band originally consisted of brothers Roger Rose and Randy Rose and their friend Mike Pendleton, later joined by Brent Gordon. Pendleton and Gordon left the band in 1992 and were replaced by Mike Link and Ben Jacobs. The band produced seven studio albums, one compilation package and two double reissues of previous albums.
Book of Love is the self-titled debut studio album by American synth-pop and electronic band Book of Love, released on April 1, 1986, by Sire Records.
Ekklesia is the debut album released by the American Christian metalcore band For Today. The album was released on April 1, 2008 through Facedown Records. A version of the album featuring their old lead singer has found its way onto the internet through the means of a blogspot page. The album includes 10 tracks with a range in different sounds from the metal genre as well as an instrumental track and intro. According to the liner notes, Matt Tyler, the band's former vocalist, is featured on "Redemption" and "A Higher Standard".
Flowers in the Rain is the second album by Christian rock band Mad at the World. Released in 1988, it was their first album to chart and their second-highest charting album.
Seasons of Love is the third album by Christian rock band Mad at the World. Released in 1990, it was their highest charting album.
Boomerang is the fourth studio album by Christian rock band Mad at the World. Released in 1991, it was their most controversial album.
Through the Forest is the fifth studio album by Christian rock band Mad at the World. Released in 1992, it was their last album to feature a hard rock sound. The CD sleeve has the following text on the band's inspiration for the album's title: "Life is like the forest: It's full of beauty, mystery, danger and so many paths to choose. We all need a guide to lead us through the forest. - Psalm 119:105."
The Ferris Wheel is the sixth studio album by American Christian rock band Mad at the World. More of an alternative album than their previous three, it jettisoned the hard rock sound they had become known for and incorporated more of a Beatles-esque sound.
The Dreamland Café is the seventh studio album from Christian rock band Mad at the World. It continued the pop, Beatles-esque sound they had demonstrated on The Ferris Wheel.
World History was a compilation album by Christian rock band Mad at the World. It highlighted songs from their first six studio albums. It did not include any songs from their 1995 album.
Randy Rose is a musician who has been playing professionally since 1987, when his older brother Roger formed Mad at the World, for which he played drums, sang, and wrote songs.
