John Schlitt has not left Petra. In fact, in his debut solo project, the band's lead singer doesn't even wander too far away from Petra's musical territory.
Musically and lyrically, most of Shake is similar to Petra's recent work, combining a solid rock sound with messages geared to encourage and instruct believers in their walk with God. This similarity is further strengthened by the song-writing assistance of Schlitt's band-mates Ronny Cates and Jim Cooper, and by Cooper's arranging and programming contributions on some of the songs. However, Shake is not just another Petra album, as the music and production occasionally stretch those boundaries, sometimes delving into an edgier rock sound, while other times venturing into the pop arena.
The album opens with haunting strings as Schlitt softly pleads with us to "Wake the Dead." This earnest plea quickly becomes a strong challenge to obey the Great Commission as the strings give way to crunchy guitars and the first verse tells us to "Wake up!/There's a job to be done."
The second cut, "Don't Look Back," is a fast-moving song that encourages us not to allow the guilt or the allure of past sin to distract us from our walk. The album makes its first trip into pop-rock in "Show Me the Way," as Schlitt acknowledges that God is the only one who can guide him through this life and asks for that guidance. The ballad, "Inside of You," musically reminiscent of Petra's "Love" from Beyond Belief, celebrates all that God can do in and through us.
With "Let It Show," Shake makes its greatest departure from the Petra sound, fusing rock with a highly dance-able (dare I say "funky"?) groove. While the different style grabs the listener's attention, the rock presence keeps the album from losing its continuity. The lyrics encourage us to share Christ in word and deed, even in the face of adversity.
The eight alarm-like licks of an electric guitar opening the next cut bring us back to rock-n-roll territory. This hard-rocking song encourages us to let Jesus "Carry the Burden" as we face the often difficult task of following Him. The slower-moving "One By One" reminds us to share the love of Christ with a lost world. "Try Understanding His Heart," another pop-rock blend, explores the theme of Christ's abiding love that can carry us through hard times.
Many of the songs on Shake that instruct us in obedience to the Lord do so from the perspective of what Paul referred to as a "bond-servant," someone whose obedience is born out of love toward his master. No song captures this theme more clearly than "The Hard Way," as Schlitt sings, "I know who I am/I know where I've been/I know sometimes love takes the hard way." Like "Show Me the Way," this tune employs bright keys and melodic guitars to achieve a more pop-oriented sound. The last song on the album begins "unplugged," then makes a transition toward a fuller, anthemic feel, as the lyrics inspire us to remember Christ's sacrifice on "The Road to Calvary" when we become weary or discouraged.
While various nuances help to make this album truly Schlitt's own, none of the songs, with the exception of "Let It Show," would be out of place on one of Petra's recent releases. Shake will appeal beyond Petra fans and is worthy of strong consideration by any fan of solid, well-executed Christian rock.
Other coverage for this album
Heaven's Metal #52Reviewed by Doug Van PeltOkay, here's a real mixed bag. You've got the syrupy-est ballads you've ever heard from Petra's lead vocalist; and you've also got the gnarly 'n' dirty guitar tone in a rocker like "Wake The Dead" (courtesy Mr. Dann Huff). The biggest difference you might notice between this album and Petra albums is the approach to choruses. The lead-off track, "Wake The Dead," doesn't follow the common anthemic…Similar sounding releases
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