When it comes to Audio Adrenaline, a new sound is always being experimented with on each project they release. However, nothing they have done in the past 10 years can even be compared to their self-titled debut back in 1992, which may explain why they weren't recognized until their 1993 smash hit "Big House." The AA boys showed early on that you can be in a Christian band with positive lyrics and still have fun all in the same.

For those who aren't into good ol' rock n' roll with a little bit of rapping on the side, this album may not be for you. The album opener "One Step Hyper," the techno-flavored anthem "Revolution," and "Life"(a song stressing the issue of one's mortality and how life passes us by if we don't watch what we say and do), all contain pop/rock elements along with some rap vocals by frontman Mark Stuart. Probably the best song on the album would be "P.D.A.," another rap lyric-fused pop/rock song about displaying the love of God to those we come in contact with and not keeping it to ourselves. Well-layered melodies and smooth vocal harmonies acentuate the songs "What You Need" (about developing a personal relationship with Christ), as well as the tender ballad "Who Do You Love." Much of the album combines live instrumentation with drum machines, seeing as how Audio Adrenaline did not acquire a full-time drummer until the 1996 Bloom tour. Regardless, it doesn't take away from the craziness displayed in the tracks "My God" and the preceding track "DC-10" (which could have done without being remade as a swingabilly song on the band's 1999 album Underdog).

As with some debut efforts, AA's self-titled album does have a few flaws. "J.E.S.U.S. Is Right" includes a well thought out message, but eventually gets a little too repetitive as the song title is mentioned several times throughtout the duration of the song and serves as the only chorus. "Audio World" is another track that doesn't do bad lyrically, but tends to have a melody that drags on a little too much, which starks in contrast with most of the album. This project may not be to the liking of anyone who is more a fan of efforts such as "Bloom" and "Some Kind of Zombie," but did serve as a predecent to the band's abilites to develop into a maturer sound of mind. True fans of Audio Adrenaline should not pass up this album especially since one can find it for 75% off its original retail price these days. Audio Adrenaline continues to remain one of the most powerful rock acts out in the music world today.

JFH Reader Review: written by Paul Portell, 2/12/03, for Jesusfreakhideout.com