I was born in the 60's, had my childhood in the 70's, and came of age in the 1980's. It was a much simpler time back then, especially musically, and sometimes I miss it. Well, except for bell bottom jeans, perms and the disco era. Some things are best left forgotten.
The 80's was the golden age of Music, and really the birth of Christian Contemporary Music, though you can push it into the 70's. Woodstock happened in 1969. Larry Norman's Upon This Rock published in 1969, is generally thought to be the first CCM Album and kicked off the Jesus Music Era, which some have ending in 1989, but I would say really ended as the 80's began and Christian Music began to become a force in the Music Industry at large.
The hardware was simple. There was the 45 or single. It had 2 songs. Side A was the radio hit. And then there was the B-side. They didn't need to be from the same artist. A 33 or album was usually 8 to 10 songs, with 5 to a side. All could be hits, or none. Around the middle of the decade a hybrid appeared called an extended play disc or EP. it usually consisted of 5 songs.
Throw simplicity out the window. It's time to embrace The Darkness, the latest genius release by Scott Allen (aka Klayton). Multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire with numerous side projects, this one Scandroid (he is also Celldweller, Circle of Dust, Argyle Park, Klank, and Chatterbox. Tired yet). Scandroid is his 80's Synthwave persona, and it is probably my favorite, though It's hard to pick among the excellence. This is Scandroid's Third "Album", and the label is up for debate. There are 18 tracks, which would technically make a "Double Album". Yet there are only 6 original songs, which would make an EP. The 18 tracks are arranged in the following order: The 6 Original Tracks (Into The Darkness, Phoenix, The End of Time, Onyx, Red Planet, and Out of The Darkness), then there are 4 remixes of the vocal tracks, and then there are 8 more instrumental tracks (Into the Darkness is also a very short instrumental), 4 of which are remix instrumentals. So its 2 EP's and an album combined.
I was sold on The Darkness (there was no title at the time) when I heard Phoenix, and so did everyone else. Soundcloud had that song with almost 11,000 plays:
Another life begins, sanctified
Freed from a thousand sins, that have died
fear no uncertainty, anxiety or unbelievers
Spread Wings of Fire, Born Again.
Can I get an Amen, somebody.
Scandroid is really meant to be experienced, and you can't do justice with talk, so I have included the soundcloud playlist for The Darkness. All 18 Tracks. We Are Phoenix. A Perfect 5 Emeralds. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
