Search - :: I Predict 1990

Perfect album for the 2000s

Michael A. Males | Oklahoma City, OK United States | 01/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am NOT a Christian (a term I can't imagine Jesus approving); as a reverent agnostic, perhaps I delight in "I Predict 1990" because Steve Taylor's strikingly original, iconclastic faith that closely tracks Jesus's true message infuriates every phony, blowhard Christian I loan this remarkable album to. I was given this album by the Christian youth leader I worked with as a crew leader for the Youth Conservation Corps who thought (correctly) I'd be fascinated with Taylor's unique ode to Jim Morrison, and it is always at the top of my music stack. Those who are deeply dismayed by the ascent of the mammon-worshipping, warmongering Bush/Limbaugh/Ashcroft "Christians" on the right and the cynical do-nothing moralisms of the Left will find the cultural and political themes enthusiastically articulated by Taylor a true solace. Never straying one millimeter from the gospels, Taylor takes hard shots at abortion clinic bombers, wealthy CEO's, academic and psychiatric vanities, capital punishment, and the poseur coldness of this new age. Thank you Mindy, wherever you are, and Steve--surely you have something to predict about 2010?"

Since I gave up Hope

Random Bimms | Bellevue, WA United States | 06/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is partly responsible for why I am still a christian, despite having gone to college.
The song "Since I gave up hope I feel a lot better" is a very amusing song. It made me laugh while I was in high school, but it also prepared me for college.
In college, they do their best to make you lose the values your parents taught you. Especially Christianity. They are very successful at this with a lot of unprepared college freshmen. But not with me. Why not? Partly because of that song.
I love almost every song on this album. I have lost this album, I lost it years ago. But I still remember a lot of the songs.
"I blew up the clinic real good"
"It's harder to believe than not to"
"Svengali"
"Babylon"
"Since I gave up hope I feel a lot better""

A masterpiece.

Hugo Ball | 02/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is the anecdote to smarmy, saccharine, overly sincere, self-important Christian music. I Predict 1990 is smart, funny, satiric, deadly serious, and intelligent: qualities often lacking in the music sold at your local Christian bookstore (right next to the "Jesus it the Real Thing" t-shirts). On "I Blew Up the Clinic," he even employs that most un-holy of literary devices (or so it would seem)--satire! Who would have thought that Christian music could be layered and sophisticated. How many other CCM bands mention Carl Jung, Svengali, and Jim Morrison?



Plus it rocks. Ripping sax solos, shouting vocals, and catchy-as-hell hooks all the way through.



When most other "gospel" music only focuses on one part of the Christian experience, Taylor dares to talk about it all. "Harder to Believe Than Not To" has been the theme song of my faith since 1990.



With this album (and Meltdown, On the Fritz, and I Want to Be a Clone), Taylor takes his place among the pantheon of Christian artists--like Terry Taylor, the 77s, the Choir, Adam Again, Scaterd Few, Daniel Amos, the Swirling Eddies, and the Lost Dogs--who don't suck."