Audio Adrenaline Hit Parade CD

+ 2 New Songs

Audio Adrenaline: Mark Stuart, Will McGinniss, Bob Herdman, Ben Cissell, Tyler Burkum.
Producers: John Hampton, Audio Adrenaline, Steve Griffith, Charlie Peacock.
Audio Mixer: David Leonard.
Photographer: Kerri McKeehan Stuart.
The group's seventh release, the fifth of their studio releases, Hit Parade is a noisy collection of the group's hits with two original, previously unreleased songs. At times they are reminiscent of the Presidents of the United States with their one-word song titles, like "Blitz," "Chevette," and "DC-10." The track "Get Down" is by far the best introduction to the group, and perhaps the most original in its sound. While no doubt original in many aspects, all of Audio Adrenaline's music on this particular album began to sound alike after several tracks. A shame, because the group has a worthy goal of reaching the academic fringe besides having some obvious talent. It is easy to see, though, why the group has combined sales that rise into gold status, as the music is foot-stomping and mosh-pit dance fun. ~ Dacia A. Blodgett-Williams
Audio Adrenaline uses the term "NuRock" to refer to its particular recipe of punk, thrash, straight ahead rock, and softer rock ballads, with Christian metaphors and unwavering spirituality sprinkled throughout. This greatest hits package is NuRock at its most accessible, with a strong alternative-pop sensibility, but also intensity, speed, and edginess. Lyrically, there's no doubt where the band's inspiration and interests lie. In "Walk on Water," Mark Stuart sings, "If I keep my eyes on Jesus I can walk on water/If I keep my eyes on him I can walk on water just like Peter."
This unwavering faith is continually reaffirmed in an unapologetic guitar-churning context, often with an inviting blend of wit and humility, as on "Never Gonna Be as Big as Jesus." Here Stuart fantasizes, "I could move to Hollywood/Get my teeth capped/I know I could be a big star on the silver screen/Just like James Dean," and then concludes, "Never gonna be as big as Jesus/Never gonna hold the world in my hand." Other highlights include two new songs, including the U2-ish "Will Not Fade," in which Stuart does a credible Bono imitation, and the appealingly poppy "Underdog," (not, alas, the theme from the '60s cartoon).