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I have to admit I'm getting tired of seeing one worship project after the next pop up in the Christian music scene. It seems like everyone is making a worship record these days, and countless compilations are being released to re-package and financially capitalize on some of this generation's most beloved church songs. Thankfully, I can't lump The Rock and Roll Worship Circus in with the same category as the multiple disc Wow Worship collections or the Songs 4 Life series offered by Time Life on late night infomercials. Instead, I can group them in the vast minority of worship acts truly seeking to reach out to God rather than capitalize on a trend. And the fact that they know how to play hard and well helps their cause. Take for instance songs like "Space Angel" or "The Undiscovered" on the new disc. The first combines the gritty classic rock sounds of The Rolling Stones mixed with a touch of The Violent Burning, while the second has such a refined and polished rock sound that it could be heard playing in any mainstream club or bar. The fact that an uplifting message accompanies such high quality performances is a great way to bridge the gap between believing rock fans and those that aren't in tune with their faith. More lyrical substance comes in the form of "The Blood of Jesus" and "See the Cloud is Coming," which has a power ballad consistency destined to appeal to anyone that likes 80s hair bands at heart. Hopefully The Rock and Roll Worship Circus can continue with their message untainted, rather than become jaded by the sometimes product driven Christian music industry.

Andy Argyrakis  8/23/2001

Currently there are about seven million worship CDs on the market.  Of that number, about three million are marketed toward the younger generation as "alternative" worship.  But until now, all of them have been posers.  The Rock and Roll Worship Circus is the first band that truly captures both the heart of worship AND the heart of rock and roll.  Rather than just being a selection of choruses repeated over and over again ad nauseum (isn't there a verse in the Bible about vain repetition?), this disc presents genuine worship lyrics packaged in music that is a blend of everything from the Monkees, Beatles, and Stones to Pink Floyd and the Violet Burning.  The band was born out of several worship bands at a Longview, Washington church, and is headed by lead singer Gabriel Wilson, and his wife, Melanie "Blurr" Wilson.

The album kicks off with "Ride," which the band calls its mission statement. There isn't a bad song on the disc, but standouts include "Space Angel," "Party Song," "Your Crown" (which features boxes instead of drums, and a toy piano), "The Undiscovered," and "I Will Wait" featuring Blurr's dreamy vocals.  The disc even includes three bonus tracks that don't quite fall into the "worship" mode, but are interesting nonetheless, especially the song "Hairboy."

This ain't your mama's worship band.  Rejoice and Amen!

Ken Mueller 9/1/2001

Like other bands before them, modern rock band Rock ‘N’ Roll Worship Circus throws their hat into the ring of bands exclusive to worship music, with the hope that their efforts and their hearts for worship will show they aren’t just another band hoping to cash in on the collective spiritual yearning of people across the globe, but are serious about their faith.

Big Star Logistics pulls together fourteen original worship driven songs designed to both evidence the power of Christ in each band member’s life as well as invite the listener to enter into the same worship experience as the musicians themselves. Though lyrically non-traditional, the message is still the same: we serve a great God, He has saved us and we have reason to rejoice because of it.

The album opens with a rock anthem, celebrating the coming deliverance of believers from this world, and urging seekers to join the “Ride.”  Track two, “Space Angel,” has a definite spacey sound to it.  Reminiscent of the artsy rock of Luxury, the rounded vocals half echo as the steady stream of melody flows in the background.  "Say I do and I will send a space angel to you/Singing to the galaxy one."

“Party Song,” an upbeat, modern rock track described in the liner notes as a "song about the wedding feast of the Lamb and the return of Jesus," the band hopes this song will encourage "baby" believers and unsaved listeners not to ‘whine about the attacks of the enemy’ but to run even harder until we can celebrate with the angels in heaven.

Another futuristic sounding track, “Open The Gates” sounds a lot like a Fold Zandura ballad, with that signature guitar effect sort of swimming in the background.  Though a very short song, the message is clear.  "Open the gates/So your people receive your healing/Lord, open the gates/cuz when your people sing/all of heaven sings."

“Come On, Get Down,” is another upbeat modern rock number featuring a lively drum track and some sweet guitar riffs.  Musically matching the cheerful lyrics, the song melds nicely into the rest of the album, keeping with the theme of rejoicing in our salvation.

As well as the eleven regular tracks, three bonus tracks complete the package.  “Hairboy,” “Oggo Click Cross,” and “On My Way,” written on various themes close to the band, though not necessarily, as they termed it, ‘congregational worship songs.’

The enhanced album features overhead sheets and tab for each song on the album. 

Kerry Maffeo 9/23/2001

It is great when a band breaks out of the norm and tries to do something truly original, even if it doesn't necessarily turn out as well as it might have. Rock and Roll Worship Circus has endeavored to do something fresh and exciting with their first full-length, Big Star Logistics. The band's name is very descriptive of the music they create: rock and roll with a worship focus. 

The band really has two distinct sounds that they use on the album. There is the good-old-flat-out rock and roll, and then there's also the atmospheric, guitar-beautified rock sound. The straight-up rock hits you on the opening track, "Ride," and continues in songs like "Party Song," and "Come On, Get Down." These songs sound good, but not as good as the band sounds when they experiment with the atmospheric as they do on "Space Angel." Falling somewhere between the sounds of Starflyer 59 and Violet Burning, the song is incredible with its high-soaring guitars and breathy vocals. Another standout track that employs this same style is "The Undiscovered." On the softer side, "Sweet Jesus" is another wonderful tune. 

On the album's ninth song, "I Will Wait," we are suddenly hit with female vocals. They sound good, but why are they introduced so far into the album? They become rather prevalent from this point in the album to the end. All of the songs on the album are great, but there is a lack of unity and cohesiveness between the tracks. While the first eleven songs are all related lyrically, musically there is not that same bond. The last three tracks (twelve through fourteen) are not worship songs, but bonus songs that show some other style songs that Rock and Roll Worship Circus can do. These are good songs too, but again do not contribute to any unity between the songs on Big Star Logistics. 

The tracks on Big Star Logistics could stand on their own, but together create somewhat of an artistic mess. Buy the album, make MP3s of the songs, and listen to whatever track you feel like listening to at a certain given time. Rock and Roll Worship Circus is making some great music with a wonderful message to it. Given time I think we will see some great things from the band. 

Trae Cadenhead 10/14/2001

Rock N Roll Worship Circus is like listening to an alternative radio station-­then you realize all of the lyrics are about God. "Party Song" is a mix between Bush and dada, while "Space Angel" is influenced by Radiohead.  The female vocalist on "I Will Wait" is an Alanis Morrisette/Jennifer Knapp combination.

"The Undiscovered" sounds like an updated version of Pink Floyd, and "Sweet Jesus" is a mixture of Bush, smashing Pumpkins, and Radiohead.  "See the Lord" could be a duet between Mac Powell (Third Day) and Jennifer Knapp.  Finally, "Hairboy" vocals are very much like that of Jakob Dylan (Wallflowers).

In all, this CD is very well done and because of the subject matter, surpasses most of what I hear on the radio these days.  So, buy a balloon, send in the clowns, and watch out for the elephants-­let the circus begin.

Brian A. Smith  11/5/2001