210. Beyond the Crystal Sea – Jimmy Hotz

BEYOND THE CRYSTAL SEA (1980)

Jimmy Hotz

The definitive and original Christian progressive rock album, Beyond the Crystal Sea is the masterpiece of an artist that may be one of the most important people in the history of all of rock music that very few may even be aware of.Musicians around the world have been indebted to Hotz’s work and may not even realize it.

He is the inventor of the Hotz Box, Midi Vest, Atari Hotz Box, MIDI Translator and host of other commonly used and creatively important electronic advances. In fact, Hotz is also responsible for integrating 3D Graphics and manipulating their movement through computer technology.

Hidden amongst his technological achievements is also a brilliant composer, arranger, instrumentalist and songwriter. his musical vision met his technological genius ion 1980’s brilliant Gospel themed “Beyond the crystal Sea.” Like much or progressive rock Hotz borrows from fantasy literature and themes and infuses them into clear Biblical messages.

This album is “Art Rock” at its finest. Fans of early Genesis and experimental rock fans of Yes, King Crimson and Pink Floyd will love what Hotz creates here. Songs are complex, with intricate changes and musical instrumental breaks interspersed with more commercial rock vocal influences. But one great joy is Hotz ability to remain accessible with this album and not alientate those outside of the limited “art rock” fan base.

There are layers of vocals, keyboards and guitars creating a much larger than life wall of sound. There is no doubt that modern Progressive Rock legends like Dream Theatre and Neal Morse were heavily influenced and inspired by Hotz’s work. It should also be noted that Hotz also had a hand in producing the classic Ark Angel album to be discussed later.

 

11 Thru 500

Before starting the top 10 I thought some of the long time readers might appreciate, and some of the more recent inquirers would find helpful, a rundown of numbers 11 through 500.

11. The 77’s                                                               All Fall Down
12. Phil Keaggy                                                         Love Broke Thru
13. Leslie Phillips                                                      The Turning
14. Tonio K                                                                 Romeo Unchained
15. The Altar Boys                                                   GLM (Gut Level Music)
16. David Edwards                                                  David Edwards
17. Bob Bennett                                                      Matters of the Heart
18. The Swirling Eddies                                         Outdoor Elvis
19. Bob Dylan                                                            Slow Train Comin’
20. Amy Grant                                                          Lead Me On
21. DC Talk                                                                 Jesus Freak
22. Love Song                                                           Love Song
23. Chagall Guevara                                               Chagall Guevara
24. DeGarmo & Key                                                               Straight On
25. Larry Norman                                                    In Another Land
26. Rick Elias                                                              Rick Elias and the Confessions
27. Rich Mullins                                                        A Liturgy, A Legacy & a Ragamuffin Band
28. Daniel Amos                                                       Doppelganger
29. Bruce Cockburn                                                                Dancing in the Dragon’s Jaws
30. The Call                                                                Reconciled
31. Barry McGuire                                                   Lighten Up
32. Lost Dogs                                                             Scenic Routes
33. Mustard Seed Faith                                        Sail on Sailor
34. Switchfoot                                                          The Beautiful Letdown
35. U2                                                                          War
36. Undercover                                                        Branded
37. Adam Again                                                        Dig
38. Benny Hester                                                    Nobody Knows Me Like You
39. The Choir                                                             Chase the Kangaroo
40. Russ Taff                                                              Russ Taff
41. LSU                                                                        Shaded Pain
42. The Front                                                            The Front
43. Prodigal                                                                Electric Eye
44. Caedmon’s Call                                                 40 Acres
45. Andy McCarroll & Moral Support              Zionic Bonds
46. Stryper                                                                 To Hell With the Devil
47. Daniel Amos                                                       Horrendous Disc
48. Kerry Livgren                                                     Seeds of Change
49. Burlap to Cashmere                                        Anybody Out There
50. Paul Clark                                                            Hand to the Plow
51. Sweet Comfort Band                                      Hearts of Fire
52. Vigilantes of Love                                            Jugular
53. Michael Omartian                                            Adam Again
54. The Violet Burning                                           Strength
55. Sixpence None the Richer                            Sixpence None the Richer
56. Ideola                                                                   Tribal Opera
57. Daniel Amos                                                       Shotgun Angel
58. Charlie Peacock                                                                The Secret of Time
59. After the Fire                                                     CBS Recordings
60. Jerusalem                                                           Warrior
61. The Alarm                                                           Declaration
62. T-Bone Burnett                                                 Trap Door
63. Michael Anderson                                           Sound Alarm
64. Tonio K                                                                 Notes from the Lost Civilization
65. Steve Taylor                                                       I Predict 1990
66. Gospel Gangstas                                              Gang Affiliated
67. Mute Math                                                         Mute Math
68. Alice Cooper                                                      The Last Temptation of Alice Cooper
69. Edin Adahl                                                           Alibi
70. Jars of Clay                                                          Jars of Clay
71. Vector                                                                  Mannequin Virtue
72. Bruce Cockburn                                                                Humans
73. Phil Keaggy                                                         Sunday’s Child
74. Lifesavers                                                            Kiss of Life
75. Matthew Ward                                                 Toward Eternity
76. The Prayer Chain                                              Shawl
77. Daniel Amos                                                       Darn Floor, Big Bite
78. Randy Stonehill                                                 Between the Glory and the Flame
79. Mark Heard                                                        Satellite Sky
80. The Innocence Mission                                 The Innocence Mission
81. Julie Miller                                                          Meet Julie Miller
82. Bebo Norman                                                    Ten Thousand days
83. Benny Hester                                                    Benny Hester
84. 2^nd Chapter of Acts/Phil Keaggy                 How the West Was One
85. Andrae Crouch & the Disciples                   This Is Another Day
86. Mat Kearney                                                      Nothing Left to Lose
87. Sweet Comfort Band                                      Cutting Edge
88. Gentle Faith                                                       Gentle Faith
89. Charlie Peacock                                                                Love Life
90. Erick Nelson & Michelle Pillar                      The Misfit
91. The 77’s                                                               Pray Naked
92. Children of the Day                                         Come to the Water
93. The Choir                                                             Circle Slide
94. Roby Duke                                                          Not the Same
95. Johnny Lang                                                       Turn Around
96. Ishmael United                                                 If You Can’t Shout Saved, You’ll Have to…
97. Malcolm and Alwyn                                        Fools Wisdom
98. Undercover                                                        Forum
99. Michael W Smith                                              The Big Picture
100. John Mehler                                      Bow and Arrow
101. MxPx                                                    Life in General
102. Chuck Girard                                      Chuck Girard
103. Jennifer Knapp                                 Kansas
104. Sam Phillips                                        The Indescribable Wow
105. Darrell Mansfield                             Higher Power
106. Arkangel                                              Warrior
107. Kerry Livgren/AD                             Timeline
108. Various Artists                                   At the Foot of the Cross
109. Neal Morse                                        Testimony
110. Steve Scott                                         Love In the Western World
111. Randy Stonehill                                 Return to Paradise
112. Steve Camp                                        Fire and Ice
113. Petra                                                     More Power To Ya
114. Scaterd Few                                       Sin Disease
115. Pat Terry                                              Humanity Gangsters
116. Stavesacre                                          Friction
117. Hothouse Flowers                           People
118. John Fischer                                       Dark Horse
119. The Imperials                                     Priority
120. Rich Mullins                                        Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth
121. LYRIX                                                     Songs From the Earth
122. Jon Gibson                                          Body and Soul
123. 2^nd Chapter of Acts                          With Footnotes
124. POD                                                       Satellite
125. Iona                                                       The Book of Kells
126. Rick Elias                                              Ten Stories
127. T-Bone Burnett                                 Truth Decay
128. Pierce Pettis                                       Chase the Buffalo
129. Margaret Becker                              Immigrants Daughter
130. Lone Justice                                       Shelter
131. DC Talk                                                 Free at Last
132. Dashboard Confessional                               Alter the Ending
133. Syn                                                         A Matter of Time
134. Resurrection Band                           Awaiting Your Reply
135. King’s X                                                                Faith, Hope, Love
136. Plank Eye                                             The One and Only
137. Amy Grant                                          Age to Age
138. Adam Again                                        10 Songs
139. Various Artists                                   Orphans of God – Mark Heard Tribute
140. Toby Mac                                            Diverse City
141. Daniel Amos                                       Mr. Beuchner’s Dream
142. Vigilantes of Love                            Audible Sigh
143. Lifesavers                                            Us Kids
144. Poor Old Lu                                         Mindsize
145. The Violent Femmes                      Hallowed Ground
146. Kansas                                                  Vinyl Confessions
147. Kemper Crabb                                   The Vigil
148. U2                                                          Achtung Baby
149. Crystal Lewis                                      The Bride
150. Whitecross                                         Whitecross
151. Newsboys                                           Going Public
152. Barry McGuire                                   Seeds
153. Lost Dogs                                             Little Red Riding Hood
154. Mark Heard                                        Second Hand
155. Waterboys                                          Pagan Place
156. Various Artists                                   City on a Hill
157. Avion                                                    Avion
158. David Meece                                     Are You Ready
159. Flyleaf                                                   Flyleaf
160. White Heart                                       Redemption
161. Fleming and John                             Delusions of Grandeur
162. Tourniquet                                         Psycho Surgery
163. Jennifer Knapp                                 Lay It Down
164. Vigilantes of Love                            Killing Floor
165. Randy Stonehill                                 Equator
166. Margaret Becker                              Never For Nothing
167. Magdallan                                           Big Bang
168. Deliverance                                        Weapons of Our Warfare
169. Aunt Bettys                                        Aunt Bettys
170. Terry Taylor                                        Knowledge and innocence
171. David Mullen                                     Revival
172. Jacob’s Trouble                                 Knock Breathe Shine
173. Van Morrison                                    Avalon Sunset
174. Russ Taff                                              Medals
175. Daughtry                                             Daughtry
176. Servant                                                                Rockin’ Revival
177. Petra                                                     Never Say Die
178. The Imperials                                     One More Song for You
179. Ashley Cleveland                             Big Town
180. David Edwards                                  Get the Picture
181. Phil Keaggy                                         Ph’lip Side
182. Cliff Richard                                        Now You See, Now You Don’t
183. Keith Green                                       No Compromise
184. Charlie Peacock                                                Charlie Peacock
185. Derek Webb                                      She Must and Shall Go Free
186. Resurrection Band                           Lament
187. FM Static                                             What Are You Waiting For
188. Over the Rhine                                 Eve
189. Take 6                                                   Take 6
190. Living Sacrifice                                   Reborn
191. 4-4-1                                                      Mourning Into Dancing
192. 2^nd Chapter of Acts                          Mansion Builder
193. Phil Keaggy                                         Crimson & Blue
194. Neal Morse                                        Lifeline
195. Newsboys                                           Love Liberty Disco
196. Creed                                                    Human Clay
197. The Throes                                         All the Flowers
198. White Heart                                       Don’t Wait for the Movie
199. Plumb                                                   candycoatedwaterdrops
200. Various Artists                                   Brow Beat
201. Audio Adrenaline                             Underdog
202. Prodigal                                                Just Like Real Life
203. Steve Taylor                                       Squint
204. Fireworks                                            Shatter the Darkness
205. Lecrae                                                   Rebel
206. Bryan Duncan                                    Have Yourself Committed
207. Jon Gibson                                          Jesus Love Ya
208. Bloodgood                                          Detonation
209. Jimmy Hotz                                         Beyond the Crystal Sea
210. Jeff Johnson                                      Icons
211. DeGarmo and Key                           This Time Thru
212. House of Heroes                              Suburbia
213. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club       Beat the devil’s tattoo
214. The Rocket Summer                       Do You Feel
215. Third Day                                             Third Day
216. Russ Taff                                              The Way Home
217. Glass Harp                                           Glass Harp
218. Daniel Band                                        On Rock
219. In 3D                                                      No Glasses Needed
220. Bob Dylan                                            Infidels
221. Amy Grant                                          Behind The Eyes
222. Vengeance Rising                            Human Sacrifice
223. Bill Mason Band                                                No Sham
224. Michael W Smith                              The Michael W Smith Project
225. Twila Paris                                           The Warrior is a Child
226. Larry Norman                                    So Long Ago the Garden
227. Michael Omartian                            White Horse
228. The All Saved Freak Band             My Poor Generation
229. Benny Hester                                    Benny From Here
230. Sheila Walsh                                       Future Eyes
231. Ark                                                         The Angels Come
232. Randy Matthews                             Son of Dust
233. U2                                                          October
234. The 77’s                                               Sticks and Stones
235. Bourgeois Tagg                                 Bourgeois Tagg
236. Robert Vaughn & the Shadows  Love and War
237. Mad at the World                            Flowers in the Rain
238. Sweet Comfort band                      Sweet Comfort Band
239. MC Hammer                                      Hammer, Please Don’t Hurt ‘Em
240. Oden Fong                                          Come for the Children
241. World Party                                        Private Revolution
242. Caedmon’s Call                                 Caedmon’s Call
243. Tom Howard                                      Danger in Loving You
244. Sufjan Stevens                                  Illinoise
245. Adam Again                                        Homeboys
246. Stavesacre                                          Speakeasy
247. Edin Adahl                                           X-Factor
248. Julie Miller                                          Blue Pony
249. Out of the Grey                                                Out of the Grey
250. Wayne Watson                                 Watercolour ponies
251. Larry Norman                                    Something New Under the Son
252. Mark Heard                                        Ashes and Light
253. The Swirling Eddies                         Zoom Daddy
254. Shai Linne                                            Atonement
255. Midnight Oil                                       Dust and Deisel
256. Denny Correll                                    Standing in the Light
257. Robin Lane & the Chartbusters  Imitation Life
258. TobyMac                                             Tonight
259. Bruce Cockburn                                                Stealing Fire
260. Barnabas                                             Hear the Light
261. Undercover                                        Balance of Power
262. The Silencers                                     A Letter From St. Paul
263. Dave Kelly                                           Crowning of a Simple Man
264. Bride                                                     Snakes in the Playground
265. Giantkiller                                           Valley of Decision
266. Precious Death                                 Southpaw
267. Ginny Owens                                     Without Condition
268. Mortal                                                  Lusis
269. The Crucified                                     Pillars of Humanity
270. Atomic Opera                                    Gospel Cola
271. Earthsuit                                              Kaleidoscope
272. Galactic Cowboys                             Galactic Cowboys
273. The Call                                                                Let the Day Begin
274. Daniel Amos                                       Fearful Symmetry
275. Five Iron Frenzy                                                Upbeats and Beatdowns
276. Vigilantes of Love                            Driving the Nails
277. The Alarm                                           Strength
278. Saviour Machine                              Saviour Machine I
279. Owl City                                               Ocean Eyes
280. The Winans                                        The Return
281. Kyle Henderson                                                More Than the Look of Love
282. The Archers                                        Fresh Surrender
283. Fred Field and Friends                   Fred Field and Friends
284. Plank Eye                                             Commonwealth
285. Mortification                                      Scrolls of the Megilloth
286. Steve Taylor                                       On the Fritz
287. Brainchild                                            Mindwarp
288. 16 Horsepower                                 Secret South
289. Larry Norman                                    So Long Ago the Garden
290. Charlie Peacock                                                Everything That’s On My Mind
291. Starflyer 59                                         Silver
292. Saving Jane                                         Girl Next Door
293. Stryper                                                 Soldiers Under Command
294. Bob Bennett                                      Songs From Bright Avenue
295. Paramore                                            Brand New Eyes
296. Mason Profitt                                    I Had a dream
297. Glad                                                       Beyond a Star
298. Holy Soldier                                        Holy Soldier
299. Jacob’s Trouble                                 Jacob’s Trouble
300. Kerry Livgren/AD                             Art of the State
301. Leon Patillo                                         The Sky’s the Limit
302. Bruce Hibbard                                   Never Turnin’ Back
303. Evanescence                                      Fallen
304. MxPx                                                    Teenage Politics
305. Allies                                                     Allies
306. The Predators                                   Social Decay
307. Skillet                                                    Comatose
308. Kenny Marks                                     Right Where You Are
309. The 77s                                                 Ping Pong Over the Abyss
310. Resurrection Band                           Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore
311. The Waterboys                                 This Is The Sea
312. Sacred Warrior                                  Obsessions
313. Evie                                                        Mirror
314. Third Day                                             Time
315. Robin Lane & The Chartbusters Robin Lane & the Chartbusters
316. Darrell Mansfield                             Get Ready
317. John Michael & Terry Talbot        The Painter
318. Annie Herring                                    Through a Child’s Eyes
319. Phil Keaggy                                         Town to Town
320. Mute Math                                         Armistice
321. Youth Choir                                        Voices in Shadows
322. Michael Card                                      Legacy
323. Underoath                                          They’re Only Chasing Safety
324. Bruce Cockburn                                                In the Falling Dark
325. Guardian                                             Fire and Love
326. Bethlehem                                         Bethlehem
327. First Strike                                           First Strike
328. Semaja                                                 No Burning Out
329. Third Day                                             Third Day (Tunesmith)
330. Idle Cure                                              Idle Cure
331. Shawn Groves                                   Invitation to Eavesdrop
332. Kim Hill                                                 Talk About Life
333. Dave Perkins                                      The Innocence
334. North Bound                                      North Bound
335. Simple Minds                                     New Gold Dream
336. What If                                                 What If
337. Servant                                                                World of Sand
338. Dan Peek                                             All Things Are Possible
339. Relient K                                              mmhmm
340. Elim Hall                                               Things Break
341. The Alpha Band                                                Spark in the Dark
342. 5 O’clock People                               The Nothing Venture
343. Shout                                                    It Won’t Be Long
344. Randy Stonehill                                 Thirst
345. Daniel Amos                                       Vox Humana
346. Adam Again                                        Perfecta
347. Michael Roe                                       The Boat Ashore
348. Mark Heard                                        Stop the Dominos
349. Andy Pratt                                          Fun in the First World
350. Altar Boys                                            Against the Grain
351. Parable                                                 Illustrations
352. Veil of Ashes                                      Pain
353. Mr. Mister                                          Welcome to the Real World
354. Kevin Max                                           The Blood
355. The Elms                                              Big Surprise
356. Various Artists                                   Streams
357. Dion                                                       I Put Away My Idols
358. DeGarmo & Key                                               Mission of Mercy
359. Alwyn Wall Band                              The Prize
360. Los Lobos                                            By The Light of the Moon
361. Mylon LeFevere/Broken Heart  Sheep in Wolves Clothing
362. The Echoing Green                          Defend Your Joy
363. Steve Archer                                      Through His Eyes of Love
364. Good News                                        Good News
365. Grits                                                      Art of Translation
366. Havalina Rail Co                                 Havalina Rail Co
367. The Way                                              Can It Be
368. Starflyer 59                                         Leave Here a Stranger
369. The English band                              What You Need
370. Ernie and Debbie Rettino             More Than Friends
371. Dig Hay Zoose                                    Magenta Manta Love Tree
372. Farrell and Farrell                             Choices
373. Steve Curtis Chapman                   Beauty Will Rise
374. Leslie Phillips                                      Beyond Saturday Night
375. 12 Stones                                            12 Stones
376. Barnabas                                             Approaching Light Speed
377. Michael Knott                                    Rocket and a Bomb
378. POD                                                       Fundamental Elements of Southtown
379. Dead Artist Syndrome                   Prints of Darkness
380. Kaja                                                       Crazy People’s Right to Speak
381. Julie Miller                                          Invisible Girl
382. Stronghold                                          Fortress Rock
383. Nichole Nordeman                          Woven and Spun
384. Barren Cross                                      Atomic Arena
385. Sarah Laughing                                  Sun and Moon
386. James Vincent                                   Waiting for the Rain
387. Pat Terry                                              Film at Eleven
388. Bob Bennett                                      First Things First
389. Crumbacher-Duke                           World’s Away
390. Crystal Lewis                                      Beauty For Ashes
391. Donna Summer                                                She Works Hard for the Money
392. JC Power Outlet                                               Forgiven
393. Vince Ebo                                            Love is the Better Way
394. In 3D                                                      Barrage
395. T-Bone Burnett                                 Proof Through the Night
396. Scott Wesley Brown                       I’m Not Religious
397. Judson Spence                                  Judson Spence
398. Curious Fools                                     Curious Fools
399. Two Pound Planet                           Songs From the Hydrogen Jukebox
400. PFR                                                        Great Lengths
401. Walk on Water                                  WOW
402. Prodigal                                                Prodigal
403. OC Supertones                                 The Adventures of the OC Supertones
404. Tim Miner                                           A True Story
405. John Fowler & Harpoon                                Live
406. Chris Taylor                                         Worthless Pursuit of Things on the Earth
407. Parchment                                          Shamblejam
408. Keith Green                                       So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt
409. Collective Soul                                   Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid
410. Mylon LeFevere                                               Mylon
411. The Choir                                             Wide Eyed Wonder
412. Paul Clark                                            Good to Be Home
413. Dime Store Prophets                      Love is Against the Grain
414. KJ – 52                                                  It’s Pronounced Five Two
415. Rick Cua                                               Koo-Ah
416. Ed Raetzloff                                        Drivin’ Wheels
417. Randy Matthews                             Now Do You Understand
418. Kim Boyce                                           Kim Boyce
419. Isaac Air Freight                                                Fun in the Son
420. Steve Soles                                         Walk By Love
421. Jamie Owens-Collins                      Growing Pains
422. Tommy Coomes                               Love Is the Key
423. Quickflight                                          Decent Beat
424. Pilgrim Outlets                                  Do You Know Him
425. Don Francisco                                    Forgiven
426. T-Bone                                                 The Hoodlum’s Testimony
427. First Call                                               Undivided
428. Wish for Eden                                    Pet the Fish
429. Michael Been                                    On the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough
430. Sweet Comfort Band                      Breakin the Ice
431. Bob Dylan                                            Saved
432. Squad 5-0                                            What I Believe
433. Jeff Johnson                                      Fallen Splendor
434. Sometime Sunday                           Stone
435. Jimmy A                                               Secrets
436. Chris Eaton                                         The Vision
437. Carson Cole and RU4                      Mainstreet
438. Toby Mac                                            Momentum
439. Common Band                                  Anger Into Passion
440. LSU                                                        Grace Shaker
441. Creed                                                    My Own Prison
442. Thousand Foot Krutch                   Phenomenon
443. Beau MacDougall                             This Side of Heaven
444. David and the Giants                      David and the Giants
445. Poor Old Lu                                         Sin
446. Lewis McVay                                      Coming Attractions
447. Jan Krist                                               Decapitated Society
448. Vector                                                  Please Stand By
449. Mike Stand                                         Do I Stand Alone
450. Crumbacher                                       Incandescent
451. Imitators                                              Once and For All
452. Jeremy Camp                                    Stay
453. Scott Blackwell                                  Walk on the Wildside
454. Hawk Nelson                                     Smile, It’s the End of the World
455. Black Eyed Sceva                              Way Before the Flood
456. Mad at the World                            MATW
457. D-Boy                                                    The Lyrical Strength of One Street Poet
458. Hokus Pick                                          Snappy
459. Rick Altizer                                          Blue Plate Special
460. Waterdeep                                         Everyone’s Beautiful
461. Silverwind                                           A Song In the Air
462. Steve Taylor                                       I Want to Be a Clone
463. Gary Chapman                                  Sincerely Yours
464. The Kry                                                 You
465. Honeytree                                          Evergreen
466. Idle Lovell                                            Idle Lovell
467. Lights                                                    The Listening
468. Jars of Clay                                          Good Monsters
469. Fireworks                                            Sightseeing at Night
470. Kathy Trocoli                                      Stubborn Love
471. Mike Warnke                                     Hey Doc
472. The Lifters                                           The Lifters/That What Love’s About
473. The Mercy Seat                                                The Mercy Seat
474. Karen Lafferty                                   Bird in a Golden Sky
475. Nobody Special                                 Nobody Special
476. Neal Morse                                        ?
477. Morgan Cryar                                    Keep No Secrets
478. Servant                                                                Light Maneuvers
479. Jon Gibson                                          Change of Heart
480. Kansas                                                  Audio Visions
481. Maranatha Singers                          Praise 1
482. Paul Clark                                            Songs for the Savior 1 & 2
483. Mark Heard                                        Eye of the Storm
484. Mark Farner                                       Just Another Injustice
485. Randall Waller                                   Midnight Fire
486. Lifesavers                                            Dreamlife
487. Lone Justice                                       Lone Justice
488. Seven Day Jesus                               Hunger
489. Sheila Walsh                                       War of Love
490. Undercover                                  God Rules
491. Vision                                            Vision
492. Various Artists                            The Everlasting Living Jesus Music Concert
493. Petra                                              Back to the Street
494. PID                                                 The Chosen Ones
495. Steve Camp                                   Shake Me to Wake me
496. Infinity Plus Three                      Setting Yesterday Free
497. Stryper                                           Yellow and Black Attack
498. Paul Q Pek                                     Touch the Ground
499. Weber and the Buzztones           Weber and the Buzztones
500. Malcolm and the Mirrors           Red Alert

265. Valley of Decision – Giantkiller

VALLEY OF DECISION (1981)

Giantkiller

This may be one of the most rare title on the entire list. The band’s three album were released in England and slowly made their way over to the US. Star Song picked up Valley of Decision and released it to little response. Which was a real shame.

This progressive, new wave band was creative and unique and totally stood out from the rest of CCM at the time. That, of course, explains why they did not make such an impact. But since this list is more about the quality than the impact their placement here is deserving.

The production was way above the norm for the genre at the time but can be explained by the fact that Jimmy Hotz and Kemper Crabb produced the album. Both will appear later on this list and are brilliant beyond comparison.

Fans of early Lifesavors, Undercover, the Imitators and the Choir will find quite a bit to like here. At the same time fans of Christian Euro music will love the comparisons to Ishmael, The Predators and Alwyn Wall.

Keyboard dominated and dance drum rhythms dominate the album. Guitars take center stage primarily during the solos, but the rhythm work has little to no distortion and is primarily in the background. Lyrics are pretty straight forward with an emphasis on evangelism and spiritual warfare.

AYSO!

Lyrics are very