Search - Larry Norman :: Only Visiting This Planet

Only Visiting This Planet
Larry Norman
Only Visiting This Planet
Genres: Pop, Rock, Classic Rock, Christian & Gospel
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1

Forget for a moment the 'Christian music' label that has been pinned on Larry Norman for his entire career. Sure, he happened to believe in God, but his albums are crammed with so many political, social, sexual, and human ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Larry Norman
Title: Only Visiting This Planet
Members Wishing: 4
Total Copies: 0
Label: Solid Rock
Release Date: 9/22/2009
Genres: Pop, Rock, Classic Rock, Christian & Gospel
Style: Pop & Contemporary
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 755491440223

Synopsis

Product Description
Forget for a moment the 'Christian music' label that has been pinned on Larry Norman for his entire career. Sure, he happened to believe in God, but his albums are crammed with so many political, social, sexual, and human observations that it's strange that he has been branded as a mere religious singer. Stranger still is the fact that even though he is credited as the artist who started the entire Christian Rock genre, he spent his entire career disassociating himself with the movement and in turn was regarded as a pariah by the church. Only Visiting This Planet, (Part 1 of a trilogy of records) produced in 1972 by Norman and Beatles producer George Martin, is still regarded as a landmark recording in the history of contemporary Christian music and as an undiscovered gem by secular critics and musicologists the world over. Members of King Crimson and Asia fill out the band, and Bill Price (Sex Pistols, The Clash, Guns n' Roses) engineered this pristine recording. The All Music Guide says that 'this record truly shines with great lyrics sung to great melodies... the power and passion of I Wish We'd All Been Ready is unmistakable and understatedly intense. Other songs such as The Outlaw take on the ballad song form to sing in a timeless Dylan-esque manner. The Great American Novel sings through tears of despair about hypocrisy among both Christians and non-Christians alike. Sarcasm and humor grace this record in the form of I Am the Six O'Clock News and Reader's Digest. This record is a one-of-a-kind collection.''He was a lone wolf. He looked different, sounded different and he presented his beliefs in a way that rang true. Larry Norman knows what he's doing and if you haven't noticed, you should.' - Frank Black (Pixies)'The most significant artist in his field' - Time Magazine
'A maverick' - Entertainment Weekly
'Thematically controversial' - Paste Magazine
'A creative genius' - Huffington Post
'A huge inspiration' - Harp Magazine
'The most important writer since Paul Simon.' - Billboard Magazine
'Enormously influential' - USA Today
'A powerful lyricist and master of obliqueness.' - London Guardian

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CD Reviews

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."