Skillet 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 obvious that improvements could be made. The first stab at improvement came with the release of their second album, Hey You, I Love Your Soul, which toned down the heaviness and added some electronic sounds. The new sound wasn't necessarily rock or industrial or techno. The third time out on Invincible, the hooks were catchier and the electronics were more up front. The album brought several band member changes. Vocalist/bassist John Cooper became the only original Skillet member.
On Alien Youth, Skillet has taken the next logical step. The electronic influence is still just as obvious as on Invincible, but now the band has rekindled the heaviness found on the original debut. The difference is that the heaviness is channeled in a more intelligent way and the hooks are bigger and better. The music on Alien Youth blows away anything the band has done before.
At this point, Skillet's sound can be considered to be industrial. Massivivid's Brightblur is probably the best album to compare Alien Youth to musically. The main difference between that all too-underestimated Massivivid debut and the new Skillet album is that Skillet is more straightforward and less poetic than Massivivid but Alien Youth rocks with all the musical power of Brightblur. Now that's some good stuff. The way the rhythm guitar matches the drums on the song "Vapor" does a good job of showing exactly what kind of music Skillet is capable of these days.
John Cooper is a visionary. The purpose behind the Alien Youth album proves it. Cooper envisions this album as a reviving force for the souls of young people. The title track and the song "Earth Invasion" specifically go hand in hand with what Cooper is trying to do with the album. The other songs provide a backdrop, giving purpose to the goal of Alien Youth. "Vapor" and "Eating Me Away" remind me much of Ecclesiastes with both songs pointing out that life is meaningless without God. "Vapor" is rather bleak in its outlook: "And the future's robbing my soul/ I'm face to face with my futility/ And my life is slipping away/ Inhaling my mortality." While "Vapor" mainly just explains the need, "Eating Me Away" also provides the answer: "Save me from my rage and my humanity/ I'm more nothing than being/ Is this my legacy/ Feel it eating me away/ All that I am, all that I want, all that I lack/ Come on and save me." The song transitions neatly into "Kill Me, Heal Me."
An incredible desire for God is expressed in the song "Thirst Is Taking Over": "You alone are what my soul needs/ You know the thirst is taking over/ Hardly breath, I'm in urgent need/ You know the thirst is taking over." The songs "Stronger" and "Rippin' Me Off" are very straightforward in their message of countering the world. "Will You Be There" and "Come My Way" are both more toned down in their music and personal in their lyrics. The only weak song to be found here is "One Real Thing," a tune that sounds a bit too cliché when stacked up alongside the others. Wife Korey Cooper penned "One Real Thing," and while it's not a bad song, it really doesn't fit well on Alien Youth.
Skillet is planning to do big things with this album and this is definitely the record they needed to deliver to the masses. While certainly far from what you would consider art, Skillet delivers so well on the hooks and the message, that I find myself enjoying Alien Youth thoroughly despite the fact that it's no masterpiece. This is the stuff that will and should be playing on the loudspeakers before youth group meetings. Alien Youth blows away any other youth group music out there.
4 tocks
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…The Rebel Base 2002Reviewed by NathanI 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.…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 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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