Rex - a Review of The Phantom Tollbooth

Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective
Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready....

Home
Subscribe
About Us
Features
News

Album Reviews
Movies
Concert Reviews

Top 10
Resources
Contact Us

Prodigal
Artist: Rex
Label: True Tunes Records
Length: 12/48:08

If you're looking for a good "power pop" album, Prodigal may one the one for you. Rex is singer/guitarist Rex Schnelle, and he has put together eight songs and four instrumentals that recall 80's pop bands Toto, Asia, Chicago, Mr. Mister, and Petra at different intervals.

"Real Soon" is about a chance encounter with the proverbial man on the street corner holding a "Jesus is Coming Soon" sign. The twist here is instead of dismissing, the song's protagonist realizes his need to proclaim the same sentiment. "Prodigal Son" is an Allies-style number, demonstrating the intent of the singer to change his ways:

I am a rebel, I am a fool
I am a prodigal son 
I deserve your justice,
But you gave me your mercy
You saw me comin' and gave me your mercy and wrapped your arms around me And said welcome home, yeah, welcome home

"I Need You To", a song about broken relationships, sounds like Richard Page (Mr. Mister) at his best. "Downtown" shows Schnelle wailing like Greg X. Volz (Petra) about those who would get away with everything they can:

…You like to ride the razor's edge
You like the feel of the blade
   Lookin' for a ride on the wild side
   Cadillac dreams, caviar, and
   you got it made in the shade

The instrumental "Soaring" is in the vein of guitar wunderkind Eric Johnson, while "Coronation" pictures Schnelle's father entering Heaven.

Prodigal is a paradox for me, in that it recalls a time in my life when I would have considered this a rock album. Now I would call it adult contemporary. It has the chance to be successful in both areas.

Brian A. Smith 10/22/01