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JFH Music Review


The Ws, Fourth From The Last
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The Ws
Fourth From The Last



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks: 46 minutes, 24 seconds
Street Date: 1998


READER RATING:   


Mirroring secular counterparts, it became popular in the mid and late 90's for Christian ska and swing bands to infiltrate the contemporary-Christian-music market. The W's made quite a splash with their debut, Fourth from the Last, even winning a 1999 Dove Award for best modern rock/alternative album. While there's an irony about retro-swingers like The W's winning a "modern rock" award, you can't deny that these six young men from Corvallis, Oregon, spin up a spirited and punchy set of horn-driven swing-ska. Singer-guitarist Andrew Schar introduces us to a safe, but colorful array of slackers, skaters, and surfers that populate his world. Bassist Todd Gruener and drummer Brian Morris lay a solid rhythm track throughout and provide a foundation for the jumpin' jive from Valentine Hellman (tenor sax, clarinet), Bret Barker (trumpet), and James Carter (alto sax).

JFH Reader Review: Review date: 6/5/07, written by Steven Lewis for Jesusfreakhideout.com



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JFH Staff's Additional 2 Cents


Of course the Christian market always has to mirror the mainstream trends, but The W's were a treat for Christian teens looking for an alternative to secular, non-family-friendly acts like The Cherry Poppin' Daddies. Fourth from the Last is rough around the edges but offers a nice balance between the spiritual ("Open Minded," hit "The Devil Is Bad," "Moses") and the down-right silly ("Frank," "Pup," "King of Polyester"). Not a record that'll go down in history as one of the most memorable albums of the 90's, but it's a fun project nevertheless. - 1/10/08, John DiBiase

 

 

CD

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. Record Label: Sara Bellum
. Album length: 12 tracks: 46 minutes, 24 seconds
. Street Date: 1998
. Buy It: Amazon

  1. Open Minded
  2. The Devil Is Bad
  3. Frank
  4. J.P.
  5. Moses
  6. Pup
  7. King of Polyester
  8. Jason E
  9. Alarm Clock
  10. Flower Tattoo
  11. Dexter
  12. Hui
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