PFR

Item: Great Lengths
Author: Beth Blinn

Great Lengths

(1994)

Reviewed by Beth Blinn

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Label Vireo RecordsThe LighthouseMarch 1995

ccm pop rock power pop

With the release of Great Lengths, the third album from PFR, the band proves that a lot of maturity can happen within a small amount of time. A scant 365 days from the release of their sophomore project, Goldie's Last Day, this outing finds the trio integrating the diverse styles that have been on their previous efforts into something that sounds like a true hybrid. Their influences (Beatles, King's X, Crowded House, among others) are woven subtly into their compositions, instead of being worn on their sleeve, as they were in their previous work.

The result is a collection of melodic pop/rock, that is memorable for its musical and lyrical hooks.

The album kicks off with the bounce of "Great Lengths," penned by bassist Patrick Andrew and producer Jimmie Lee Sloas. A self-indictment about pursuing desires other than those of God, it gets the project off to a good start. "Wonder Why" follows, beginning with a cool riff that leads into a song that showcases the strong vocals of the band.

When I say that more of the same follows, I mean that in the best sense--great harmony, strong songwriting, and melodies that stick with you are everywhere on this album. The guys turn in a good cover of Keith Green's "Trials Turned to Gold," that sounds both old and new, with a great bass line. The strongest cuts, however, are "Blind Man, Deaf Boy," "It's You, Jesus," and "Last Breath." The first two were written by guitarist and lead vocalist Joel Hanson, while Andrew contributed the last one. "Last Breath" starts out rocking as hard as anything on the album, and then weaves in some interesting vocal bridges. "Blind Man, Deaf Boy," and "It's You, Jesus" take themes common in Christian music, (dependence on God and His love) and manage to treat them without sounding trite.

Even people who normally think that pop music is "fluff" should get into much of this album. Because when you get right down to it, a good song is a good song, no matter what the genre. And these are good songs.