Rebel Poet, Jukebox Balladeer: The Anthology : Larry Norman : Review : Rolling Stone

Most people who have heard of Larry Norman at all know him primarily as a sixties Jesus Freak who pioneered today's multi-billion dollar Contemporary Christian Music industry. But Norman, who died in February at age sixty, was anything but a middle-of-the-road musical sheep who followed a prescribed formula of simplistic shout-outs to Jesus. He was an eccentric, psychedelic music-loving, politically left-leaning hippie folksinger who also loved the lord and wanted everybody else to love him, too. If his music opened sanctuary doors to subsequent Christian acts from Petra to P.O.D., Norman's idiosyncratic voice, melodies and arrangements also inspired secular artists like Black Francis, who named the Pixies' 1987 EP Come On Pilgrim after a line in Norman's bluesy "Watch What You're Doin'," in which he sings, "Come on pilgrim, you know he loves you."

Seven of the twenty songs on this anthology come from Norman's George Martin-produced masterpiece of 1972, Only Visiting This Planet, including the raw, psychedelic garage-rock of "I Am the Six O'Clock News," about media coverage of the Vietnam War; the Dylan-like ballad "Great American Novel," which takes on racism and Christian hypocrisy; and the lush chamber-pop of "Pardon Me," in which Norman rejects a young girl's offer of free love. While Norman's faith fuels even the most tangentially Christian-related tracks here, his visionary music should not be limited to Christian audiences.

MARK KEMP

(Posted: May 29, 2008)

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Review 1 of 2

2of 5 Stars

Just as I find rap/rock bands and christian themes odd bedfellows in today's music, I experience the same disjointed discomfort with christian themes in the traditional rock'n'roll tunes on this album. This guy sounds like somebody gave Jerry Falwell a bong, an electric guitar, and a couple of old Jerry Lee Lewis records. He makes such smug comments as why you can't pray in school when it says 'In God We Trust' on our money. Maybe someone should've informed him that this monetary policy was only instituted in 1954 by Eisenhower as part of our paranoia over Russian communism, not as some divine intervention on the Treasury's presses. Besides, the minute prayer-in-school fanatics are confronted with the possibility of praying to someone other than THEIR god, they come unglued. What really pissed me off was the lyric about John Lennon's comment that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus. Anybody too ignorant to understand he wasn't deriding anyone's beliefs or trying to put down Christianity really should just shut up. But then you have to have a certain lack of intelligence to believe in a myth about a magical Jewish carpenter that lived over 2000 years ago about whom there is absolutely no evidence he did anything attributed to him, or that he ever even existed at all.

As for the music iteself, the guy was obviously inspired by something, because it really is creative and enjoyable. That's why I have to give it two stars. I'd rate the lyrics, but I don't know how to spell Pthhhhhhhh.

Jun 4, 2008 10:04:08

Review 2 of 2

5of 5 Stars

This is a must for any music lover. Larry Norman's "Rebel Poet" transcends time and the songs on this collection are not only funny but the are thought provoking as well. Not unlike U2, The Call and Cockburn Norman's muse is inspired by Jesus and the Bible. Yet, he is one of few song writers who can make you laugh, cry and think all at the same time. Sounds easy, I dare anyone to try it because very few can reach that level of writing. Dylan can, Young can and yes Norman can too. God Bless You Larry Norman, I miss you.
Stpatrik

May 17, 2008 18:50:03

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