Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I've read about this album for years but never heard it until now. For instance, Jesus music historian Don Williams wrote "Larry Norman...heard the Agape hard rock Christian group play songs about Jesus. This convinced Larry that he could use his rock music to communicate the Gospel..." Agape formed in 1968, played throughout the West Coast and disbanded in 1972 leaving as their legacy this album, released on Mark in 1971 and a 1972 item, 'Victims Of Tradition' (also now reissued on CD). Today this ultra-rare albums is listed in Guide To Collectable Record Albums. There buffs are told that a mint copy of this album is worth 150 dollars. After all the history, what's the music like? Most of it is rambling psychedelic blues, with up front Jesus proclamation and bags of period charm. There is a major flaw however. You'll need to listen to tracks like "Believe" with something hard between your teeth - the lead singer is so stupefyingly flat that it will produce pain for all but the most tone deaf collector. This reissue also contains two previously unissued tracks "Street Walker" and "Alchemy" which with their country-rock leanings sound almost like a different band.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.