Various: Electric Jesus Original Soundtrack

During the mid-1980s heavy metal music was under attack on multiple fronts. Tipper Gores Parents Music Resource Center PMRC was fighting metal in the halls of congress while Christian evangelists like Bob Larson waged war on the music from the pulpit. Their messaging was effective convincing some parents that metal music would turn their children into sex-crazed suicidal satanists. Metal records were forbidden in households across the United States creating space for the rise of a new market within the music industry. It was in the midst of this culture war that Christian metal emerged in American popular culture. The Los Angeles-based band Stryper became the face of Christian metal when their 1986 album To Hell with the Devil went platinum earning the band Grammy nominations and regular rotation on MTV. Strypers unprecedented success inspired a generation of young Christian metalheads. Electric Jesus tells the story of one of those groups a fictional teenage Christian metal band called 316. Set in 1986 the film offers an affectionate look at 80s Christian youth culture as it documents 316s journey from playing bible camp talent shows and church lock-ins to performing at Christian music festivals and hardcore metal nightclubs.Any decent fictional rock biopic requires a convincing soundtrack and Electric Jesus director Chris White found the perfect collaborator in Daniel Smith. Smith is a prolific figure in indie rock having worked under the Danielson moniker and its variations- Danielson Famile Brother Danielson over the past two decades. Smith is known for his highly unique vocal style which is characterized by the frequent use of a screeching falsetto. Serendipitously this sound overlaps perfectly with the screaming falsetto vocals of hair metal. Smith also brings a nuanced sensitivity to the films source material. His father is a prominent Christian music songwriter and Smiths own work carries a deeply spiritual perspective. But Smith is quick to draw a line between the mystic spirituality that informs his songwriting and the Christian music industry. My personal journey is a spiritual one a mystical one where Im chasing after something I believe exists in the unseen world. But Ive always said were not a Christian band. A lot of times its at the heart of my creative process but its certainly not anything Im selling Smith shared. Regardless of these distinctions Smiths experience brings a credible authenticity to the project. While the lyrics were handled by director Chris White Smith composed or co-composed all of 316s original music - and the results are spot-on. While composing for Electric Jesus Smith immersed himself in the hair metal music of his youth binge-listening to a steady rotation of bands like Ratt Twisted Sister and Mtley Cre. Electric Jesus captures the hair metal sound in all its melodramatic excess from the overwrought power ballads to the histrionic guitar pyrotechnics. In addition to the music of 316 the Electric Jesus soundtrack features new material from Smiths Danielson projects - featuring four new proper Danielson songs including the fantastic sunshine pop of Danielsons Beach Boys-influenced You Can Fly plus a track from Steve Taylor & the Danielson Foil and instrumental score by Smiths Familyre Friends. The soundtrack also contains music Smith composed for 316s black metal rivals Satans Clutch and Bloody Mass. But its the music of 316 that forms the centerpiece of this 21 track release. All of 316s songs are expertly voiced by actor Wyatt Lenhart who is also the onscreen frontman of 316. The instrumentation for 316 is provided by guitarist John Montgomery bassist John Mark Painter and drummer Patrick Berkery. The chemistry of this ensemble is best experienced on the albums lead single 316s hilariously bombastic Commando For Christ - one of the most brilliant send-ups of metal music since This Is Spinal Tap. The songs ridiculous chorus will likely be stuck in your head for the next few days. Lets all go commando for christDepending on your prior relationship to Christian hair metal this music might provoke nostalgia curiosity or laughter. The magic of what Smith and his crew have done here is to create a set of music that speaks to all of these responses. They clearly understand the inherent absurdities of hair metal while also conveying a sincere affinity for the style. Christian metal has certainly faced its share of derision over the years providing an easy target for mockery. But Electric Jesus has created an opportunity to take a second look at the genre and the culture that produced it. Regardless of your opinion on this once controversial genre of Christian music theres no question that this music wielded a significant influence during its prime offering many future headbangers their first taste of metal. The Electric Jesus soundtrack celebrates this odd subculture of American music in all its holy glory and ridiculousness.

1.1 Commando for Christ
1.2 You Can Fly
1.3 Vacation Bible Bop
1.4 Love
1.5 Passing Through the Wall of Fame
1.6 Barabbas
1.7 Heavenly Metal
1.8 Do the Barabbas
1.9 Beat You Off
1.10 Arcade Reigns
1.11 Love Comes Down
1.12 Girl I Love Jesus Too
1.13 This World Is Not My Home
1.14 Have You Ever Had a Girlfriend
1.15 All Hail Hell
1.16 We Just
1.17 Ecstatic Delight
1.18 Come and Save Me
1.19 Makes Me Wanna Sing
1.20 We All Went Commando
1.21 Dont Toss Us Away


H 0.34
W 12.38
L 12.41

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