Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?
Reijo Piippula | Turku, Finland | 02/22/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I hadn't heard of Larry Norman, ever...'til I found his album on CCM critic's list. This album was number two on that list. (Amy Grant's "Lead Me on was number one). I have to say that I was really impressed right away when I heard this album through for the very first time. Larry's voice sounded very touching and the lyrics were also very touching and he tells about things so deeply. Without doubt this is one of the greatest and the most essential albums in Christian music history among with Petra's "Beyond Belief" and Stryper's "To Hell With the Devil". Even the first track "I've Got to Learn to Live Without You" is a sad song - very touching and one of my favorite Christian songs of all time. It is not exactly about Jesus but there's so much more in this life than just Jesus (although it should be an important part of it) and we need to notice it - especially Christians. "The Outlaw" is also a sad story - this is clearly about Jesus. "Why Don't You Look into Jesus", "Righteous Rocker" and "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" are all about people. The message is clear - we need Jesus - we need love. We need those things not only to get into Heaven but also to make this world better. "I Am The Six O'Clock News" and "Reader's Digest" are rock songs made with sense of humour. Still - those songs have an important message for us. "The Great American Novel" is about Jesus - but also the condition our life on Earth. "Pardon Me" is a peaceful and touching song about love and fear we have. One of the best-known songs on this album is "Why Should The Devil Have All the Good Music". It's very rockin' - it is very upbeat. I would say that this is one of the greatest rock albums of all time.
Stars: I've Got to Learn to Live Without You, I Wish We'd All Been Ready, Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music"
One of the greatest Rock--not just Christian Rock--albums of
Justin Brunner | 12/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Larry Norman was a genius, and "Only Visiting This Planet" features this pioneer of Christian rock at his best. All ten of the original tracks are classics, ranging in genre from blues-rock to psychadelic, with some 1950's rock 'n' roll influence mixed in. In addition to the brilliance and quality of the music, Larry's lyrics are some of the wittiest and most thought-provoking of any genre, much less rock. Norman's vocal delivery of his lyrics is one-of-a-kind and down-to-earth. In the discussion of the great American singer-songwriters of the 20th Century, Norman would be included by the unbiased. His was a talent on par with Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, and Randy Newman."
Best Christian Rocker to ever walk this planet
laBarista Is In | 01/23/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Want to hear what Christian Rock could have been if it hadn't turned into the canned music it is today? Larry Norman is the most musically gifted Christian Rocker I've ever heard. I've seen him live twice - he's a genius, alone or with his band. He does not fit a mold, does not cater to the so called "Christian music community", but is a real artist. Some songs have a strong message some are just about life and love - like it should be - without forcing a canned message into every song like most Christian Rockers do...
The "bonus" tracks on this CD are corny - he obviously threw them together - don't know why, but you've got to hear his original stuff."