I have long regarded Skillet as one of the more talented bands around that had not yet produced an album that is truly representative of their potential. Now they have. Alien Youth is a truly stellar release, showing dramatic improvement in every facet of the band's musical performance. It is also, by a substantial margin, the hardest, most musically reaching of Skillet's four releases to date.
The biggest difference between Alien Youth and previous Skillet releases is, well....much better music. The arrangements are better. Seventeen year old Ben Kasica demonstrates his status as a true guitar prodigy. The vocals are much improved: John Cooper has never sounded better, and he has help from his wife Korey, whose over the top female background vocals create a very appealing new element. Skillet, a band that has always played best when playing hard, takes their definition of "hard" to an entirely new level. Everything works.
"Alien Youth" kicks off the album with an alternative rock sound somewhat reminiscent of "Best Kept Secret" from Invincible, but with more of an industrial/alternative groove and less electric gizmos, a trend that is maintained throughout the album. On "Eating Me Away", Skillet offers a melodic hardcore/industrial sound unlike anything I've ever heard before, and they do it with reckless abandon. The closest thing I can think of is a combination of The Benjamin Gate and Rob Zombie. This is no fluke, either. "Kill Me Heal Me", "Stronger", and "Rippin' Me Off" all run in the same vein. In the middle of the Zombie Gate combination, though, is the true gem of the album, "The Thirst Is Taking Over", a passionate, anthemic, alternative riveter that is easily the single best song Skillet has ever recorded. Other highlights are "Will You Be There" a touching ballad that puts a new twist on the idea of trust, and features a nice duet between the Coopers, and recent radio hit "You Are My Hope".
Skillet's lyrics have never been particularly poetic, but they have always challenged the normal way of doing things. The quality of John Cooper's lyrics has been consistently erratic. On Alien Youth they manage to pull off a concept album that is not poetic, not normal, and not consistent, lyrically -- exactly what everyone should expect by now from Skillet. Cooper has his moments; the deep worship of "Thirst", the thought provoking questioning of "Eating Me Away", and "Will You Be There", immediately jump to mind. Unfortunately, there's quite a bit of stuff here that hasn't got the legs to jump to anyone's mind, such as the almost comical chorus of "Stronger" ("Cause I'm stronger, yeah, than the devil, yeah....."). It's a mixed bag.
Skillet has topped everything they've done before and fashioned a truly entertaining, artistic album. Alien Youth is sure to satisfy existing panheads, as well as convert whole new legions (I am one of the latter). Can they top this? I don't know, but if they do it'll be a monumental achievement, at least on the musical side of the ledger.
Top Picks: "Alien Youth", "Eating Me Away", "The Thirst Is Taking Over", "Rippin' Me Off", and "Will You Be There".
Pros: See above.
Cons: It's a minor quibble, but "Vapor" didn't really do much for me. But then, second tracks on Skillet albums never do. The lyrics are hit and miss.
Nathan's Score: 4/5
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2002Reviewed by Josh HurstU2 singer Bono once observed that, "Music is like a sacrament. It's not about airplay or chart position." In other words, we should create music just for the sake of being creative. Music does not need to justify itself- music is music. It's the purest, most excellent form of creativity that we as humans can take part in. Ideally, music is all about creative expression, not propaganda or some…ReAL Magazine 2001Reviewed by Jesse N.Usually my favorite music comes from regular people, people who put more effort into their music than their appearance. Skillet's first record was made by regular people, however their fourth studio release, Alien Youth, was made by four individuals who look ready to board their space craft and blast off to the planet Xerf. If you think I'm joking, check out InvincibleWear, where lead singer John…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Trae CadenheadSkillet has experienced a musical evolution like very few bands have undergone. All signs point to the fact that Alien Youth is where this evolution has been heading to and the changes were all worthwhile. Releasing their first album in the fall of 1996, Skillet quickly became a Christian rock favorite with their edgy hard rock sound. The sound was raw and unpolished, yet powerful. Still, it was…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Josh HurstRecently, Christian music has been fairly disappointing. Christian record labels have been too preoccupied with teen pop and praise and worship music to turn out many great new bands. Christian radio has become more and more saturated with Christian cliches and "bumper sticker" lyrics. I have been hoping that Skillet's new record, Alien Youth, would help to renew my faith in the Christian music…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Kerry MaffeoWith the August release of the band's fifth album, Skillet once again returns to its rock roots while still maintaining the more electronically modified elements for which the band has been recognized since Skillet's self-titled debut. Fans of Skillet will find the marriage between the harder elements and the more trendy dance vibe unique, but still true to the overall sound with which the band…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Brian A. SmithSkillet rocks hard with their latest album Alien Youth. Produced by vocalist John Cooper, the quartet has delivered a mix of hardcore rock and industrial sounds that comes closer to a live performance than any of their previous offerings. Alien Youth is the idea that a generation of young Christians has risen up to radically change the world. The title track gives light to this concept: Worldwide…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Olin JenkinsThe best thing Skillet did between Invincible and Alien Youth was to include itself in the Ardent praise and worship series. That project had a great impact on the band and has tightened the band's focus on its message: The Great Commission to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. I'm impressed with Skillet's best recording to date. I've always liked Skillet and saw an excellent concert right…Similar sounding releases
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