Rocktrospectiva: The Odd "Against The Law" Turns 35

Released on 21 August 1990 "Against The Law" was the fifth studio album by Christian metal US band, Stryper, the album spawned three singles, the Earth Wind & Fire cover "Shining Star", "Two Time Woman" & "Lady" but unfortunately and spite the album marked a change in the musical and visual direction, the singles received minimal played and the album sold poorly. 

 

During the summer of 1990, the musical tendencies are changing and the hard rock/hair bands, are no longer enough rentable and begin to lose influence and rotation on the MTV, the alternative bandwagon is around the corner, and even for bands like Stryper despite the multimillionaire contract are in the verge of that, their most acclaimed album "To Hell With The Devil" sold 5 million, but this one "Against The Law" not even sold a million. 

 

Despite a respectable career and and the support of a well-stablished label, this Christian band has it all, even thought they were heavy metal something totally contrasting with Christian fundamentalism, they managed a forge a career based in their talent, their good singles, intense power ballads based in hard rock and heavy metal. 

 

The band decided to change their style, no more balck and yellow spandex outfits and shaved faces, they got rid of the bold evangelical lyrics and the original band logo with Isaiah 53:5. In their place were leather and cowboy outfits, and lyrics more focused on rock n' roll and relationships, although arguably from a Christian worldview.

 

The album opener "Against The Law" seemed to be a rehearsal with a more rocker riff than heavy like a wink to the new tendencies in radio station in the early 90's., something that didn't like the original fans of the band thus it doesn't sound like the original Stryper anymore, Michael Sweet  is impecable on this tune, next is "Two Time Woman" a fantastic power ballad great from start to finish, dunno why this wasn't a huge hit, misunderstood and underrated, "Rock The People" remains the same with a lyrical Sweet and keep the good rockin vibes although the old Stryper still not around.

 

"Two Bodies (One Mind, One Soul)" was a bluesy tune with a sharp guitar although the tune wasn't strong enough under the band's usual terms, "Not That Kind of Guy" kept the rocker line with well-cared. chorus line and a good guitar solo, Sweet again loose and intense and comfortable on this new style. Then the funky Earth, Wind and Fire cover "Shining Star" the band gave their rocker style althought keeping certain elements such as the brass line, a fantastic tune and single at least for me,  "Ordinary Man" return the rock line with nice verses and melodies. 

 

Next was "Lady" the power ballad, nice and good under the Stryper standard, the sound intensified with "All For One" a nice tune with a riding guitar with a fantastic and epic verse, chorus and melodies, next "Rock The Hell Out Of you" the closer was another fantastic track, speed and intense and with old Stryper esence.  

 

It was a curious and rare album, even the own Michael Sweet dislike it even today...actually the whole band dislike it, but it was and inflexion point at the time, in some way, this album could be the final step in the band's career, they were inactive for several years after this, but as a retrospective, the album had interesting songs and tunes for the loyal fan and the rock and metal enthusiast, 35 years later and still sounds quite good despite the clichés, it was a well-deserved and imprescindible changed in the band's sound and look that meant a positive thing, an album to enjoy without prejudices and that's it. 

 

Against The Law Track List: 

 

1. Against The Law

2. Two Time Woman

3. Rock The People

4. Two Bodies (One Mind, One Soul)

5. Not That Kind Of Guy

6. Shining Star

7. Ordinary Man

8. Lady

9. Caught In The Middle

10. All For One

11. Rock The Hell Out Of You