Album Reviews
Movies
Concert Reviews

Top 10
Resources
Contact Us

As the demise/takeover of Squint Records occurs, we are left to wonder what will become of Steve Taylor - what will be his legacy to the music world?  Will it be the mainstream success of Sixpence None the Richer?  The endless speculation of when his own next album will be released?  The signing of such talents as Chevelle and L.A. Symphony? The Roaring Lambs CD?

While all of these achievements are notable and praiseworthy, I propose this as Taylor’s legacy:the last release by Squint Records, Disappear by PFR.  After a five year hiatus, Joel Hanson, Mark Nash, and Patrick Andrew are back with a gem of an album that makes it seem like they’ve never been gone.

The CD opens with “Amsterdam,” a quest to return to a higher state of faith:

 Now I run - Every one of my days has become
 A pursuit of what I once had
 Can I get it back? Can I get it back?

PFR has always used a mix of  “power pop” guitars, combined with the occasional ballad. The result is a perfect mix of pop and rock, unrivalled anywhere in the CCM world.  They use the standard verse-chorus-verse formula of songwriting - this allows the listener to enjoy singing along with every song, and you always remember the guitar hook.  It is a simple, yet amazingly satisfying style - this is what The Elms and The Waiting should aspire to in their
careers.

“Gone” opens with a Better than Ezra-type guitar riff, and serves as an ironic breakup story. “I’m All Ready” is a longing look at Heaven.  “Even a Whisper” is a tune that sounds like The Beatles combined with Squeeze.  The guitar-driven “Falling” is another song that I can’t get out of my head.

One complaint--ten songs in thirty-five minutes?!?!?  Granted, there is no filler here, but I have a hard time believing in this day and age that there wasn’t more material available for this CD--even including “Kingdom Come” from Roaring Lambs would have been welcome.

Brian A. Smith 8/28/2001

After a long four year absence from Christian music, PFR has finally returned. The band had forged a name for themselves as one of the best bands that Christian music has ever seen. However, it's never easy to return to what you have done in the past and do it even better than you did before, especially when you've won a large amount of acclaim with your music.

I have followed PFR since I heard their third album, Great Lengths, the release that drew comparisons to the Beatles. Of course, PFR is not the Beatles and their fourth release, Them, was the album that showed so much depth and originality both in music and lyrics. If they could keep this music thing together and stay on the same track they would have some incredible years ahead of them. Unfortunately, shortly after the release of Them, the band called it quits, releasing a best of album, The Late Great PFR, right as they left the music scene. Last year PFR reunited to record a new song for the Roaring Lambs compilation on Squint Records. At that point they realized that they missed making music together, so they made plans for a new album. Disappear is the product of that decision.

In all fairness, this album has to be compared to PFR's last full-length one, Them, in order to see what kind of progress they have made, but Disappear is less like Them and more like a mix of older albums Great Lengths and Goldie's Last Day. However, PFR is doing something new with the music on Disappear. These songs are fresh, yet definitely PFR. Still, it is not nearly as good as Them. The band is taking more of a stab at the adult contemporary market with this new release, which is forgiveable and indeed understandable since they are half a decade older now, but it diminishes my appreciation of the album.

Comparisons to previous PFR aside, if we look at Disappear simply on its own merit, as if it were the first album that a new band named PFR ever made (which is how some will see it since they weren't into PFR back in their heyday), this could be quite an experience. Songs like "Amsterdam" and "Gone" show that PFR has a penchant for writing good songs and can still rock. The quality and singalongability in a song like "All Ready" will gain many fans. The toned-down, yet incredibly perfect song "Missing Love," showcasing the amazing voice of Patrick Andrews shouldn't be overlooked. As a debut album for a new band in today's scene, this would be something quite special.

Whether you were into PFR way back when or not, this should be checked out. If you liked them then, you will be happy to be hearing them again. If not, you may find a new favorite.

Trae Cadenhead 8/28/2001

PFR has come back!  One of the best-loved bands of the Christian pop-rock realm has returned! The album sounds just like they had never left.  This is both the good thing and the bad thing about this album.  On one hand, considering that the band has been out of business for a few years, diehard fans are rejoicing that they've returned.  But this album isn't likely to earn them many new fans, for the same reason.  It just doesn't break a lot of new musical ground.  It is very radio friendly, and on the whole tightly produced (although in "Missing Love" and "Closer" it sounds a little muddy in spots).  However, it IS PFR.  And that's reason enough to be happy.  There's even bonus happiness, as some of the CDs were made with 13 tracks (the first batch for one major chain), although by now those are likely sold out. Here's hoping it's not a similarly long wait before the next album!

Alex Klages 10/16/2001