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  Jesusfreakhideout.com 5-Star Review

  JFH 5-Star Review




dc Talk
Jesus Freak



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 13 tracks: 57 minutes, 53 seconds
Street Date: November 21, 1995


Three men of God, one band, one record that changed Christian music... again. In 1992, dc Talk came out with the record that everyone said was the turning point for Christian music, Free At Last. But this was only the beginning. Three years later, Toby, Mike, and Kevin are back again, from the "House of Insomnia" (their studio in Franklin Tennessee) with Jesus Freak. Now let's take a look back at the album that refined a generation of Christian rock and roll.

A funky guitar riff and raw drum intro on "So Help Me God" opens Jesus Freak. The song asks God to be with us and for Him to be our source of hope, and not the world. Next up is the hit tune "Colored people" which obviously speaks of the diversity of God's creation in people. The next track is arguably the best track on the record, if not one of the best and most memorable in the history of Christian rock, the title track, "Jesus Freak." dc Talk has come 180 degrees stylistically as "Jesus Freak" creeps in with a moody acoustic riff before utterly erupting with hooky electrics and an often haunting melody. "What If I Stumble?" opens with a now renowned quote from Brennan Manning, "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." The quote appropriately sets up the song which confronts the band's concern about falling while being under the public's watchful and critical eye. The band's remake of the familiar tune by Stephen Schwartz in the early ‘70's, "Day by Day" is given an aggressive face lift from trio.

The melodic hit "Between You and Me" addresses the importance of seeking forgiveness from others when needed and about confessing our sins to God, "If confession is the road to healing/ Forgiveness is the Promised Land." "Like It, Love It, Need It" is a schizophrenic pop/rock free-for-all that about seeking Jesus not worldly pleasures. Michael Tait throws a curve ball with the very off key operatic version of "Jesus Freak" in the "Jesus Freak (Reprise)." A worthy cover of Charlie Peacock's "In the Light" heated up pop charts while "What Have We Become," one of my other personal favorites in the record, is a darker song about how worldly, prejudice, selfish, and ignorant we are as people in today's society. "Mind's Eye" is the last musical offering on the album, and lyrically explores man's faith in God's existence. The last track is a spoken poem by Kevin Max entitled "Alas My love."

All in all, Jesus Freak is a phenomenal record that is a milestone in Christian music that has changed the industry forever, opening doors for artists in new ways. From Toby's promise "I got somethin' for ya, man" at album's opening to the last words of Kevin's poem, Jesus Freak is pure musical greatness.

JFH Reader Review: Review date: 2/6/03, written by Jeremy Gibson for Jesusfreakhideout.com



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JFH Staff's Additional 2 Cents



Arguably one of the best records in Christian rock that opened the doors for rock in CCM, this album not only is well-written and still relevant today, but it inspired the creation of this very website... - 12/23/04, John DiBiase

Everything changed when dc Talk unveiled Jesus Freak unto the world. One of the highlights of CCM history, Jesus Freak is unparalleled in its influence and importance on Christian music. dc Talk never had, nor never shall rock as hard as they did in 1995. - 12/4/04, Josh Taylor

 


CD

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. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Forefront Records
. Album length: 13 tracks, 57 Minutes and 53 Seconds
. Street Date: November 21, 1995
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. So Help Me God
  2. Colored People
  3. Jesus Freak
  4. What If I Stumble
  5. Day By Day
  6. Mrs. Morgan
  7. Between You And Me
  8. Like It-Love It-Need It
  9. Jesus Freak (Reprise)
  10. In The Light
  11. What Have We Become?
  12. Mind's Eye
  13. Alas My Love
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This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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