God Fixation
Encyclopedia
God Fixation is the eighteenth release of the Christian rock
band, Petra
. It was released on April 21, 1998.
The album features 3 new members: guitarist Pete Orta
guitarist/keyboardist Kevin Brandow
and bassist Lonnie Chapin
. All new members worked on the music and lyrics of the new songs contributing heavily to the sound of this album, which is more modern and less driving than most of their previous work.
and keyboardist Jim Cooper
, lead singer John Schlitt
recruited guitarists Pete Orta
and Kevin Brandow
, who had been playing with him on his solo tour. They joined new bassist Lonnie Chapin
in the recording of the album. According to Schlitt, the three new members worked closely with band founder Bob Hartman
in the writing and recording of the album for six weeks.
Hartman, who handled most of the songwriting, was open to collaborations from the new members. Schlitt said in an interview with HM that "the music has been totally affected by the three new guys and [drummer] Louie [Weaver]. They came in with ideas, and they showed Bob, and Bob said, 'Great, I don't have to write songs anymore... All I gotta do is come up with the words.' So there were a lot of ideas from the new guys." As a result, most of the music was written by Orta, Brandow, and Chapin, along with musician Brian Wooten
and producer John Elefante
.
When questioned about the change in style of the band, Schlitt said "Petra wasn't selling worth a stink. Petra was going down the drain (because of internal problems), and I don't want to go down the drain yet. Personally, if it means kids are interested in a new style, I believe we can do it. If it means getting three new members to do it, I guess it has to be done."
, except where noted.
at the 41st Grammy Awards in 1999.
, gave it 4 out of 5 stars calling it "one of Petra's most underrated albums". However, HM wrote about the album "there are a few rockers here, but pale in comparison to the band's hard rock glory days of On Fire!
. Nowadays, Petra seems to remain Christian rock for kids whose parents don't let 'em listen to rock & roll." The review closes saying that "nothing groundbreaking is heard. While some may receive encouragement from the content, many a learned listener will hear a typical confirmational drivel that soaks most of Christian radio."
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
band, Petra
Petra (band)
Petra is a music group regarded as a pioneer of the Christian rock and contemporary Christian music genres. Formed in 1972, the band took its name from the Greek word for "rock"...
. It was released on April 21, 1998.
The album features 3 new members: guitarist Pete Orta
Pete Orta
Pete Orta Pete Orta Pete Orta (born August 26, 1971 in Port Lavaca, Texas is a Christian rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter and music producer. He was a member of Christian rock band Petra from 1996 to 2000....
guitarist/keyboardist Kevin Brandow
Kevin Brandow
Kevin Brandow is a Christian musician and songwriter.Brandow grew up in East Greenbush, New York. He went to Saint Rose College in Albany, New York, where he studied music theory...
and bassist Lonnie Chapin
Lonnie Chapin
Lonnie James Chapin was formerly the bass guitarist of Christian rock band Tait. His younger brother, Chad, is the current drummer of the band. His hometown is Bend, Oregon. He was also the bassist for the legendary Christian rock band Petra from 1997 to 2001 before joining Tait.-Lonnie with...
. All new members worked on the music and lyrics of the new songs contributing heavily to the sound of this album, which is more modern and less driving than most of their previous work.
Album background
God Fixation came to be after another major lineup change within the band. After the departure of guitarist David LichensDavid Lichens
David Lichens is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter.In 1995 he joined legendary Christian rock band Petra which exposed him to lots of worldwide touring and studio experience....
and keyboardist Jim Cooper
Jim Cooper (musician)
Jim Cooper is a Christian musician, songwriter, and producer.Cooper studied at Temple Christian Academy in his hometown. Jim Cooper got his feet wet with Jody Davis with the band Phos Also in the Band was a lead singer by the name of Gary...
, lead singer John Schlitt
John Schlitt
John William Schlitt is known for his career as the lead singer of Christian rock band Petra from 1986 until the band's retirement in late 2005. Prior to joining Petra in 1986, Schlitt was the vocalist for Head East....
recruited guitarists Pete Orta
Pete Orta
Pete Orta Pete Orta Pete Orta (born August 26, 1971 in Port Lavaca, Texas is a Christian rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter and music producer. He was a member of Christian rock band Petra from 1996 to 2000....
and Kevin Brandow
Kevin Brandow
Kevin Brandow is a Christian musician and songwriter.Brandow grew up in East Greenbush, New York. He went to Saint Rose College in Albany, New York, where he studied music theory...
, who had been playing with him on his solo tour. They joined new bassist Lonnie Chapin
Lonnie Chapin
Lonnie James Chapin was formerly the bass guitarist of Christian rock band Tait. His younger brother, Chad, is the current drummer of the band. His hometown is Bend, Oregon. He was also the bassist for the legendary Christian rock band Petra from 1997 to 2001 before joining Tait.-Lonnie with...
in the recording of the album. According to Schlitt, the three new members worked closely with band founder Bob Hartman
Bob Hartman
Robert Hartman is a Christian artist, guitarist, writer and songwriter. He is the founder of Christian rock band Petra. Hartman was involved with the band from its foundation in 1972 to its end in 2005. He took a break from touring in 1995, but continued to write most of the band's songs,...
in the writing and recording of the album for six weeks.
Hartman, who handled most of the songwriting, was open to collaborations from the new members. Schlitt said in an interview with HM that "the music has been totally affected by the three new guys and [drummer] Louie [Weaver]. They came in with ideas, and they showed Bob, and Bob said, 'Great, I don't have to write songs anymore... All I gotta do is come up with the words.' So there were a lot of ideas from the new guys." As a result, most of the music was written by Orta, Brandow, and Chapin, along with musician Brian Wooten
Brian Wooten
Brian Wooten is an American guitar player. He has played in contemporary Christian rock bands, including Whiteheart in the 1990s. Also in the 90s, he played and co wrote songs on Petra albums including God Fixation and Double Take....
and producer John Elefante
John Elefante
John Elefante is an American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer.-Early years:Born in Levittown, New York, his family soon moved to Long Beach, California. Growing up, he sang and performed drums for his family band, the Brotherhood...
.
When questioned about the change in style of the band, Schlitt said "Petra wasn't selling worth a stink. Petra was going down the drain (because of internal problems), and I don't want to go down the drain yet. Personally, if it means kids are interested in a new style, I believe we can do it. If it means getting three new members to do it, I guess it has to be done."
Track listing
All songs written by Bob HartmanBob Hartman
Robert Hartman is a Christian artist, guitarist, writer and songwriter. He is the founder of Christian rock band Petra. Hartman was involved with the band from its foundation in 1972 to its end in 2005. He took a break from touring in 1995, but continued to write most of the band's songs,...
, except where noted.
- "If I Had to Die for Someone" (Music by Chapin and John Elefante) – 4:39
- "Hello Again" (Music by Brian WootenBrian WootenBrian Wooten is an American guitar player. He has played in contemporary Christian rock bands, including Whiteheart in the 1990s. Also in the 90s, he played and co wrote songs on Petra albums including God Fixation and Double Take....
and Elefante) – 3:40 - "A Matter of Time" (Music by Hartman, Elefante and Wooten) – 3:24
- "Falling Up" (Music by Orta and Elefante) – 4:25
- "Over the Horizon" (Words by Chelsea Brandow, Music by Orta and Elefante) – 4:37
- "God Fixation" (Music by Orta, Chapin and Elefante) – 2:54
- "Set for Life" (Music by Kevin Brandow, Wooten and Elefante) – 3:55
- "Magnet of the World" (Music by Hartman and Elefante) – 3:44
- "Shadow of a Doubt" (Music by Hartman and Elefante) – 3:27
- "St. Augustine's Pears" – 3:48
- "The Invitation" (Music by K.Brandow, Wooten and Elefante) – 4:29
Awards
God Fixation was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Gospel AlbumGrammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album
The Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album was awarded from 1991 to 2011. From 1991 to 1993 it was awarded as Best Rock/Contemporary Gospel Album. In 2011 the category was known as Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album....
at the 41st Grammy Awards in 1999.
Reception
The album received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. It has a rating of 3 stars at AllMusic, while Victor Sambu, of Jesus Freak HideoutJesus Freak Hideout
Jesus Freak Hideout is a Christian music website. The website specializes in reviewing, previewing, and selling Christian albums. The website is known for its album reviews, independent music, artist interviews, concert dates and ministry through devotionals and prayer...
, gave it 4 out of 5 stars calling it "one of Petra's most underrated albums". However, HM wrote about the album "there are a few rockers here, but pale in comparison to the band's hard rock glory days of On Fire!
On Fire!
On Fire! is the eleventh studio release of the Christian rock band, Petra.The songs of this album are in the Hard rock category. The lyrics continue the theme of spiritual warfare featured in their previous efforts, with metaphors making reference to military subtexts...
. Nowadays, Petra seems to remain Christian rock for kids whose parents don't let 'em listen to rock & roll." The review closes saying that "nothing groundbreaking is heard. While some may receive encouragement from the content, many a learned listener will hear a typical confirmational drivel that soaks most of Christian radio."
Petra
- Pete OrtaPete OrtaPete Orta Pete Orta Pete Orta (born August 26, 1971 in Port Lavaca, Texas is a Christian rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter and music producer. He was a member of Christian rock band Petra from 1996 to 2000....
- Lead/rhythm guitars, vocals - John SchlittJohn SchlittJohn William Schlitt is known for his career as the lead singer of Christian rock band Petra from 1986 until the band's retirement in late 2005. Prior to joining Petra in 1986, Schlitt was the vocalist for Head East....
- Lead vocals - Kevin BrandowKevin BrandowKevin Brandow is a Christian musician and songwriter.Brandow grew up in East Greenbush, New York. He went to Saint Rose College in Albany, New York, where he studied music theory...
- Keyboards, guitars, vocals - Lonnie ChapinLonnie ChapinLonnie James Chapin was formerly the bass guitarist of Christian rock band Tait. His younger brother, Chad, is the current drummer of the band. His hometown is Bend, Oregon. He was also the bassist for the legendary Christian rock band Petra from 1997 to 2001 before joining Tait.-Lonnie with...
- Bass, vocals - Louie WeaverLouie WeaverLouie Weaver III is a Christian drummer most famous for being the long-time drummer of legendary Christian rock band Petra for 22 years. Weaver was controversially dismissed from the band in 2003. He is currently working on several projects. In 2010, Weaver reunited with former members of Petra...
- Drums
Additional musicians
- Bob Hartman - Guitars
- Robert Freeman - Violin
- Brian Wooten - Guitars
- John Elefante - Background vocals
Production
- John & Dino Elefante - ProducerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- Bob Hartman - Executive producer
Recording
- Recorded and Mixed at the Sound Kitchen, Franklin, Tennessee
- Additional recording at The Snack Bar, Brentwood, TennesseeBrentwood, Tennessee-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,445 people, 7,693 households, and 6,808 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 7,889 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.63% European American, 1.89% African American,...
- Engineered and Mixed by J.R. McNeely & Richie Biggs
- Assisted by Todd Gunnerson, Tim Coyle and Matt Weeks
- Mastered by Ken Love at Master Mix