Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review



Code Of Ethics
Visual Paradox



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 43 minutes, 7 seconds
Street Date: 1991


Christian music provided an extensive variety of metal acts in the 90s; however, techno was severely lacking, especially after Mad At The World left the genre. Code of Ethics was a techno-dance-alternative rock band that formed with Barry Blaze (who has worked with Kevin Max and Ian Eskelin) and Eric Switzer in 1991. Visual Paradox was first released that year under the R.E.X. Music label before CoE gained some popularity, and it was re-released in 1993 on Forefront Records.

Barry carries the perfect emotional vocals needed for this type of music. Science fiction themes and sound effects from the 1950s are used often on this album. "One Way" begins with a narrator who informs the listener to not touch the screen and "we will control the transmission and all that you see and hear." The song carries the type of music that anyone could envision hearing in a club with a hint of rock added in. I could quote parts of the song, but the title is pretty self-explanatory as the song focuses on God being the only way. "Through Your Eyes" is a Pet Shop Boys flavored song and a mellower track that picks up during its chorus. "I Need Your Love" provides a lot of variety throughout the sequence as it begins with one instrument at a time, progressing with some jazz, rock, and even influences from Depeche Mode. The song stresses love that is truly needed from God, "Gonna wash my hands of this world and ascend/ I opened my heart and you walked in/ I need Your Love (When I walk through the shadow of darkness)/ I need Your Love."

"Greater Love" is easily the most memorable song on the album because it's that perfect song that everyone will want to play repeatedly. It actually begins with sounds that are familiar at night, such as frogs and crickets, before it ventures into a great ballad. "Break Down" is a great little track that will remind the listener of DC Talk's Free At Last days, while "Taking You Down" provides an introduction that is an obvious Depeche Mode influence. There is nothing wrong with some repitition in a song, however, this one uses the phrase "Taking You Down" to excess. The title track is very interesting, providing a nice continuous flow with Blaze providing his signature vocals. The last song on the album, "Being with You" represents a perfect example of the great music found in the early 90s with a splash of electronic drums.

Visual Paradox is the first album among CoE's five studio projects that were released throughout the decade. There is no difference, musically, between the R.E.X. and Forefront versions of this album, with the exception of slightly different alterations in the album artwork. CoE's style is very reminiscent of a popular band in the late 80s, Information Society. Like CoE, Information Society used Sci-Fi sound effects and jazz to capture a unique atmosphere in techno music. This album is certainly not the best work from CoE; however, this is a very respectable project because no band in the Christian domain was providing music like this at the time. This album will be appreciated by fans of Information Society, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, or techno music in general.

- Review date: 6/10/07, written by Wayne Myatt for Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 


. Record Label: R.E.X. Music / Forefront (Re-release)
. Album length: 10 tracks: 43 minutes, 7 seconds
. Street Date: 1991
. Buy It: Amazon.com
  1. One Way
  2. Through Your Eyes
  3. I Need Your Love
  4. Heaven Help Me
  5. Greater Love
  6. Hold Me
  7. Breaking Down
  8. Taking You Down
  9. Visual Paradox
  10. Being With You

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
Hope Through Grace John 20 EP [Southwest Hardcore]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Kresher The Adventures of Sylas Spin EP (independent)
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
mewithoutYou Live (Vol. One) (independent)
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
nobigdyl. nobigdyl. Unplugged, Vol. 1 [indie tribe]
Josiah Queen The Prodigal (Deluxe Edition) (independent)
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Since The Death His Heart Hates - EP [The Charon Collective]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 1 [Thumper Punk Records]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 2 [Thumper Punk Records]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Paul Demer Let All Things Now Living - Single (independent)
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
ELEVATION RHYTHM At the Altar (Acoustic) - Single [Elevation]
Happy Powers Garden Song - Single (independent)
Sam Hauge Fame You Can Buy - Single (independent)
Hollyn & Weathrman Trees - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Memphis May Fire Shapeshifter - Single [Rise Records]
MŌRIAH Winter Wonderland - Single (independent)
The Myriad Time - Single (independent)
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Katy Nichole When I Fall - Single [Centricity]
Makenzie Phipps O Holy Night - Single (independent)
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
Ravenhill The Shakes - Single [Honey Gold Records]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Scapegoat Solace (feat. MajesticGhost) - Single (independent)
Seph Schlueter Stay (Gonna Be Okay) - Single [Provident]
Jordan Smith How Great Thou Art - Single [Gaither]
TKE3 Found (feat. Leya) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images