| Musical Style: Hard Rock | Produced By: Daniel Band |
| Record Label: Lamb & Lion | Country Of Origin: Canada |
| Year Released: 1982 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 65% |
| Running Time: 41:52 |
Daniel Band emerged from Toronto, Canada's extensive Christian music scene in the early eighties and went on to become a pioneering force in the growing Christian hard rock movement. The bands history can be traced back to the day vocalist and bassist Dan McCabe and guitarist Toni Rossi met when the two were playing in separate bands the same evening at a local Christian coffee house. After guitarist Bill Findlay, who managed the coffee house, established a friendship with McCabe and Rossi as a result of booking both bands, Daniel Band officially come about when the three got together to make music. Please note that at the time its 1982 debut On Rock was recorded Daniel Band did not have a contract and only entered the studio after a friend of the band told them to "record an album and then send me a bill". (We all should be so lucky!) On Rock was initially picked up for distribution by Lamb & Lion Records after a music executive heard it that had connections with the Benson Company in the states.
Please note that Magdalene Records later re-issued On Rock in 2001 with new album artwork and a bonus CD featuring a one hour interview with McCabe, Rossi and Findlay.
I might describe Daniel Band as polished seventies influenced hard rock comparable to April Wine, Triumph, Rush, Ted Nugent and Kiss. McCabe contributes a strong melodic flavored classic tenor voice. Rossi, one of the underrated Christian rock guitarists of his era, furnishes a profusion of fast fingered lead guitar work in addition to handling lead vocals on two tracks. Findlay rounds out the mix on rhythm guitar. Drummer Peter Cosman joins McCabe on bass to form a solid rhythm section.
Daniel Band produced On Rock with assistance from Glenn Kaiser (Resurrection Band) and Roger Heiss of Jesus People USA. (Kaiser developed an interest in Daniel Band after hearing its five song demo, a friendship later forming between the two bands when they played together in Toronto.) On Rock showcases a polished production job giving prominence to crystal clear sounding sonics. Just the right amount of upfront rhythm guitar stands alongside a fluid mix of lead guitar. While the drum sound is tight and steady, I find that the bass is not always placed high enough in the mix.
"He's The Creator" opens the album to a crisp sounding rhythm guitar that conveys it at a stylish mid-tempo pace through its first three verses. After briefly pausing, "He's The Creator" evenly advances on a catchy chorus that twice repeats the phrase "He's the Creator. You need Him as Savior". A minute long instrumental passage allows Rossi to display his talent on lead guitar. "He's The Creator" is aptly named:
He created the moon and the sun
He created the stars...
He created the earth and the sky
He created mankind
The power ballad "I'm Sorry" showcases a huge infectious melody line. Once an acoustic guitar takes the song halfway through its first verse, an incredibly catchy guitar riff kicks in and drives it forward in an emotionally charged manner. Following its second verse, "I'm Sorry" breaks for several seconds of tight sounding rhythm guitar harmony prior to slowing for a near perfect mix of acoustic guitar and keyboards. The song repeats its first verse and half the second before fading out. "I'm Sorry" talks about the change God can make in an individuals life:
If you're standing on the Rock
The winds will never break you
I know God is more than talk
His joy and love can change you
Rossi handles lead vocal duties on the gritty hard rocker "You Don't Need The Blues". The song carries his raspy mid-octave ranged voice over an edgy rhythm guitar as it evenly flows to a punchy chorus delivering a simple but straightforward message:
He came to die for you and me
The truth can set you free
Rossi further showcases his classical influenced lead guitar playing during a minute long instrumental passage.
“Free From Sin” fails to rank among the albums more noteworthy material. Introduced to an ear piercing scream from McCabe, the song moves ahead with an abundance of guitar driven momentum until it reaches a repetitive chorus carried at an upbeat tempo. Rossi tears it up with a sharp sounding guitar solo.
The superlative "Undercover Christian" stands out with its near mesmerizing melody line. A prominent mix of keyboards perfectly accentuates the catchy guitar riff that drives the song through its first and second verse in energetic fashion. Subsequent to an instrumental passage highlighted by an intense guitar solo, the catchy riff returns to close out the third and final verse of a song featuring a no-nonsense message:
Undercover Christian
Your faith is rarely seen
I wish you were either hot or cold
'Cause you’re really no use to me
"Two Roads" is a terrific no holds barred hard rocker impeccably complemented by Rossi's raw edged voice. A crunchy rhythm guitar forcefully moves the song through its first and second verse before Rossi's sharp sounding lead guitar work carries a nice extended instrumental passage. The song maintains its high level of energy during its third and final verse.
A near perfect blend of rhythm and lead guitar and keyboards propels the progressive influenced "Never Again" over its first minute. Racing through its first verse with a ton of up-tempo energy, the song slows upon reaching a chorus with a great catchy hook. A combination of rhythm guitar harmony and a brief guitar solo highlights a thirty second instrumental passage. The lyrics to "Never Again" ask a very relevant question:
What good is it my friend
If you gain the whole wide world
And you lose your very soul?
Please note that Daniel Band entered "Never Again" in a talent search on a Toronto area major FM rock station and placed third.
Slowly progressing through its first verse to a bouncing riff, "In The Sky" gains impetus for an ordinary sounding chorus I might describe as average-to-good at best. Rossi nails a fast paced guitar solo just under a minute in length. "In The Sky" talks about the second coming:
Well history is ending, soon He'll be sending
The One who dies for us on a wooden cross
Well He'll come again 'cause he loves all men
His mercy lasts forever, it's written in God's letter
"I Like To Rock" begins to several seconds of bluesy open air rhythm guitar before advancing through its first and second verse at a non-descript mid-tempo pace. Rossi follows with several seconds of gritty lead guitar work. Moving through its third and final verse in the same unremarkable manner, the song closes to the same type of bluesy rhythm guitar opening it.
"Spiritual Game" comes across in a manner that borders on overbearing. After a crisp rhythm guitar pushes it forward hard and heavy, "Spiritual Game" culminates for an acoustic laced chorus with a repetitious feel.
The album closes to the wonderful pop influenced hard rocker "Somebody Loves You". An edgy rhythm guitar backed by a punchy bass line introduces the song, the two carrying it at an upbeat tempo until it crests for a vocal harmony driven chorus with a huge catchy hook. A bass guitar solo, appropriately, carries the songs instrumental passage.
On Rock proves a somewhat inconsistent effort musically in that Daniel Band at this early stage in its career has not mastered the art of writing a full album of strong and memorable material. That being said, "I'm Sorry" and "Never Again" are the two best songs Daniel Band ever recorded, while "Undercover Christian", "Two Roads" and "Somebody Loves You" all standout with noteworthy melodies. On the other hand, I have never been able to warm up to "Free From Sin", "In The Sky", "I Like To Rock" and "Spiritual Game". A first-rate production job when combined with the bands solid musicianship and Dan McCabe’s classic tenor voice in the end gives the album a strong recommendation.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "He’s The Creator" (3:54), "I’m Sorry" (4:18), "You Don’t Need The Blues" (3:15), "Free From Sin" (3:07), "Undercover Christian" (3:25), "Two Roads" (2:49), "Never Again" (4:00), "In The Sky" (4:10), "I Like To Rock" (3:04), "Spiritual Game" (5:00), "Somebody Loves You" (4:44)
Musicians
Dan McCabe – Lead Vocals, Bass & Keyboards
Toni Rossi – Guitars, Mandolin & Lead Vocals
Bill Findlay – Guitars, Strings & Synthesizers
Peter Cosman - Drums
Also Reviewed: Daniel Band - Straight Ahead, Daniel Band - Run From The Darkness
Reference List
Crothers, Kevin. "Daniel Band Interview." White Throne 2 (1987): 14-15, 18.
"Interview With Daniel Band." Magdalene Records (2001): Compact Disc.
