One of the best releases of this fall, ALIEN YOUTH is an event not to
miss. Here's a full review from Rick Foux. Plus, we've got 2 weeks
of releases to catch up on here, so get the full scoop. And, I'd
also like to lift up a prayer to Jesus Christ for all those involved
in the tragedies of this past week.

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ALIEN YOUTH - SKILLET (2001)
by Rick Foux

TARGET: Planet Earth
OBJECTIVE: Lost Souls
MISSION: Take them to our leader.

EARTH BE STRONGLY CAUTIONED. COME WITH US IF YOU WANT TO LIVE.

The invasion begins with the release of Skillet's fourth rock child,
Alien Youth. Combine the hard, heavy style of Hey You, I Love Your
Soul with the more techno-based Invincible and you have Skillet's
most diverse and best album yet.

The title track serves as the hard rock anthem and opener for the
CD. "Alien Youth" is a concept that John Cooper adapted from Hebrews
11:13, about how all who live by faith admit they are aliens and
strangers on Earth. Cooper's theme for the album is that we as
Christians need to take over the world with a passion and fire for
God. The chorus of "Alien Youth" pretty much sums up Cooper's
mission: "We're taking over the world, we're the alien youth. We're
coming for your soul...we're gonna shake the world, we're the alien
youth. We're taking over..." Not only is it profound, but it rocks!
Listeners will notice that the guitars are much more prevalent on
Alien Youth than any previous Skillet album. "Vapor" is a headbanging
follow-up that doesn't disappoint, speaking on how finite life is and
what a difference we can make in our short time here. Skillet then
takes the Alien Youth concept further with "Earth Invasion," a more
lackadaisical tune that resembles "I Trust You" from Invincible. Next
comes the first ballad and contemporary radio single for the
album, "You Are My Hope." It still leans toward a soft rock edge, and
the addition of Korey Cooper's vocals in the background adds a
wonderful harmony in this touching love song to God. Track #5 quickly
satisfies the heavy metal appetite with "Eating Me Away," a fan
favorite on the album due to its awesome lyrics and oh-so-perfect
blend of electronic rock and techno sampling. "Kill Me Heal Me"
begins before you can even tell that "Eating Me Away" is over. This
time there are guitars all 'round; crunchy, electric, bass, you name
it. Lori Peters's drum set also amazingly stands out in this song.

The second half of the CD brings out Skillet's more worshipful side
with "Thirst Is Taking Over" and "One Real Thing." The latter sounds
like a modern worship tune while "Thirst Is Taking Over" is your
familiar Skillet rock song in slow motion. Things really heat up
with "Stronger," track 9, an almost scary industrial cut that would
give even Marilyn Manson chills. Simply put, "Stronger" rocks hard,
with lyrics that make you want to play a rousing game of "Stomp
Satan." Speaking of Marilyn Manson, "Rippin' Me Off," Alien Youth's
next hard core track, was inspired when Cooper himself attended
a Manson concert to see what the youth of America were being fed.
Needless to say, it sounded something like: "You say Jesus is doing
nothing. You say revolution took his place. There's no God that
created the world, and no Savior for the human race," in which Cooper
unashamedly responds, "You say God is dead but you're rippin' me off.
You can't infect my mind with your vanity." What comes next may be
the best Skillet ballad yet; "Will You Be There" is a superb duet
blending John and Korey's stellar vocals. That, with tear-jerking,
worshipful lyrics, makes "Will You Be There" sure to be a worn spot
after running it through your CD player more than average. "Come My
Way," also a ballad, although more mellow than its predecessor, will
have listeners thinking, "What?? The end of the CD already?? It can't
be!!" Never fear; Skillet is not one to disappoint. If you happened
to be one of the lucky first 1,000 people to pre-order Alien Youth
from Family Christian Stores, the band has thrown in a special
limited edition CD with your worthwhile purchase. Not only is it
signed by each Skillet member, but it includes two previously
unreleased tracks and a short commentary by John Cooper on the
meaning of "Alien Youth." The two additional songs are "Heaven In My
Veins," a jumpy techno-tune that easily could have fit on the album,
and "Always The Same" from the Invincible pre-release. As if all of
this didn't have even the biggest Panheads salivating enough, pop the
disc in your computer's CD-ROM drive and you can watch the "Alien
Youth" video!

When it all comes down to a point, this album is FLAWLESS. Cooper and
Co. have done everything perfectly this time around, giving them a
tough challenge to top in the future and proving, once again, that
Skillet IS the Christian rock band of the new millennium. Are you
ready for the invasion? Pick up a copy of this album today. If not,
we'll abduct you.

Find out more about Skillet on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/skillet


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 (at cMusicWeb.com or at your local
store)

CLEAR TO VENUS - ANDREW PETERSON
Andrew Peterson releases his second CD on folk label Watershed
Records. It's an honest journey through Andrew Peterson's life,
showing that he is not going clear to venus, but even closer to home.

SATELLITE - P.O.D.
After years of waiting, they finally hit the street with more rockin'
rap-core. Their lead single, "Alive", is already #1 on TRL, and the
album includes songs like "Youth of the Nation" and "Without Jah-
Nothin".

TIME & AGAIN - TWILA PARIS
All of Twila's #1 hits on one disc! Includes her 15 best songs in
her 20+ years career, plus three totally new songs for the big twila
fans.

WORSHIP - MICHAEL W. SMITH
Smitty assembles an all-star cast of artists for his live worship
event, which takes some of the best songs in worship, including
his "Agnus Dei", and worships to them in true Michael W. Smith style,
with beautiful instrumentals and piano.


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 (at cMusicWeb.com or at your local
store)

CHRISTMAS - JACI VELASQUEZ
Jaci turned up the AC in June, put on her sweater, and started
crooning in Spanish and English. Pick your language and listen to
her sing her favorites in the tradition of Bing Crosby, except for
the cameo of Alvin and the Chipmunks!

PAST THE WISHING - SARA GROVES
The album that got Sara Groves going, this major-label re-release
brings her first 9-song release to the nation. More contemporary
folk for everyone to enjoy.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
• Former Whiteheart Member Produces New Jewel Album
• Lifehouse Heads Out on Tour
• delirious? Releases mp3s to Comfort Victims of Tragedy
• And much more!

View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER (on cMusicWeb.com)

ALTERNATIVE: http://cMusicWeb.com/alternative
In the Company of Angels - Caedmonm's Call [9/25]
Real Men Cry - Lost Dogs [9/25]

POP: http://cMusicWeb.com/pop
Declaration - Steven Curtis Chapman [9/25]
Dream - Michelle Tumes [9/25]
More - Crystal Lewis [10/02]
Chapter One: A Decade - 4HIM [10/09]
What Matters Most - Wes King [10/30]

WORSHIP: http://cMusicWeb.com/worship
RESONATe - SONICFLOOd [10/02]
Deeper: the d:finitive Worship Collection - delirious? [10/09]

Click on the album titles on the genre page to order them and recieve
them on the release date.


Sorry about a missed week last week, but I've been busy getting back
into school. Also, for a couple reasons, we weill not be able to
release the new cMusicWeb.com until sometime into October. We are
truly sorry about this delay, and we are working as hard as possible
to bring you more cMusicWeb.com. Thanks for reading this week's
cMusicMail, and we'll be back next week with even more great
content. If you have any comments or questions, please reply to this
e-mail or send them to webmaster@... We'd love to hear
from you!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
ICQ - 43224317 AOL IM - dMusicWeb