Search - Petra :: Petraphonics

The Best Of Petra's Ballads

Michael Janke | San Diego, CA | 09/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are a plethora of Petra collections out there. Too many, in fact. The serious collector should only consider two of them: WAR & REMEMBRANCE and PETRAPHONICS. W&R is a two disc boxed set that covers the Star Song label years in definitive fashion. PETRAPHONICS is unique in that it is the only Petra collection that features all of the group's best radio ballads.The coolest feature on this project is the first track, "Radio Daze." Produced by Brian Tankersley, it is a maxi-single of sorts that combines the choruses of most of the tracks on the album into one, grand and sweeping single. Just like "The Rock Block" (from the collection, THE ROCK BLOCK) and "Power Praise" (from the POWER PRAISE collection), it is a stunning thing to behold and if you haven't heard it before you'll want to listen to it over and over. "Radio Daze" is worth the price of admission all on its own.The rest of the song list is solid. Every one of Petra's great ballads from 1979 through 1988 are featured. Their biggest hit, "The Coloring Song" is here, along with other Greg X Volz favorites like "More Power To Ya" and the underrated "Grave Robber." John Schlitt is well represented too, with cuts like "I Am Available" and "First Love."PETRAPHONICS is the perfect collection for the Petra fan in a mellow mood. It recaptures the essence of the songs that brought Petra its wider spread acceptance in the church in those formative, early years of the band. A great, classic hits project that gets FIVE STARS."

Very personal and mellow its good.

K. Fontenot | 05/04/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is one of the best collection of songs by them (Petra means rock) is harder and as good. Thankful heart is breathtaking and true; Why SHOULD the father bother(you know)It's a very personal album. All glory be God.Amen."

Classic Christian Rockers' Best AC Hits

K. Fontenot | The Bayou State | 12/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Few Christian bands really stand out from the pack. Most of them are known only to their Christian audience and rarely do they have an impact outside of those confines. There are some, however, who have managed to break through to the secular market. Amy Grant immediately comes to mind. DC Talk and Jars of Clay also made some headway on the secular scene. To a lesser degree, Stryper rode secular rock's coattails to get their message to the people. None of these artists have done what Petra have, however. While Grant made bubblegum ballads customized for AC radio and the other artists mentioned only managed to place a couple of hits on secular radio, Petra remained true to their roots and played nothing but Christian rock. Although they didn't directly impact the secular mark with chart-topping hits, every secular rocker from the 70's and 80's knew exactly who Petra were. They were the heaviest Christian band on the scene, and their influence is still being felt today.



Though Petra definitely proved that they had the chops, they also knew how to slow things down and make beautiful AC songs and ballads. "Petraphonics" attests to this. It's a collection of the best slow tunes by Petra while they were under contract with Star Song.



The best songs on here, in my opinion, are "Grave Robber," "Don't Let Your Heart Be Hardened," and "More Power To Ya." Also, who can forget the wonderful tune, "The Coloring Song."



The key to this band is Bob Hartman. He wrote the bulk of the material by the group throughout their long career. Frontman Greg X. Volz left the band and was replaced by John Schlitt. Other members came and went, but for the most part, Hartman was there either on the strings or in the background in a supporting role.



Most Christian bands these days can be seen as reflections of popular contemporary bands. Petra never fell into that category. They broke out at the same time that many other arena rock bands like Kansas and Styx hit the scene. Like other bands, their sound changed with the times. They went to a hairband-style sound for awhile during the 80's and eventually added loop tracks and a more pop sound when they hit the 90's. But through all of the ups and downs, their Gospel message remained the same.



If you've never heard Petra before, you're in for a treat. This album, featuring their slower tunes, is similar to the sounds of Kansas (notice John Elefante's credits on a few of the songs). You can also hear a little bit of Styx, but without the hard theatric leaning that Styx was well known for. I suggest you check this one out if arena rock is your thing. Another album, "Petra Means Rock," shows the band at their arena rock hardest and best.



Highly recommended."