Search - Stryper :: 7 Weeks Live in America

Still great after 20 years

Brian Reaves | Anniston, AL USA | 06/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I was a teenager, Stryper had just started to make their name in music. They were misunderstood and feared by most church folks I knew, but their music was incredible. At the time, they were one of the few Christian bands who had successfully "crossed over". Now they are back for their 20 years anniversary with a live CD from their reunion tour last year, and you'd never know they left.The music kicks, and is as sharp now as it was then. The only thing that betrays their age is Michael Sweet's voice. He doesn't hit every high note he used to, but he can take most of them on with no problem. Favorites like "Soldiers Under Command", "Sing Along Song", and even the quirky "Winter Wonderland" are here (though "Reason for the Season" would have been a better Christmas song--and an original of theirs). I don't really know why they'd go with "Caught in the Middle" and "More Than a Man" rather than the two new rockers they did on their last "Best Of" cd though (those two songs would have cooked, where the others sort of drag things down just a little). The only major deviation from the album versions comes with "Honestly". This one make take a couple of times to appreciate, but it's good. Give it a chance. They close out the CD with an awesome prayer for the audience, and you really get a feel for what a night at the concert would be like. It was good to see the band steer clear of their "Against the Law" cd for the most part, though "Shining Star" would have been a better choice for the concert than "Caught in the Middle". Unfortunately, their most radio-friendly cd "In God We Trust" doesn't get a single song in here. All in all, the boys proved they can recreate the sound from their albums live and just as strong. I can't wait to see the DVD when it comes out! Highly recommended."

Stryper still rocks

Ed M. | Lancaster area, PA USA | 07/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I like to think I am fairly picky about what music I listen to. I am a christian, but usually don't listen to christian music because of its general lack of quality. Stryper however is the exception, and I think this live collection from their recent tour proves it. I saw them in Asbury Park, NJ in Nov. last year and it was one of the best concerts I've been to in my life. This CD shows not only how great they still sound, but how they sound even better now than 12 years ago. Not only can Michael Sweet still hit those high notes(including the jaw-dropping, 14 second note at the end of "The Way"), but he and Oz Fox also still have the ability to shred lightning fast guitar solos and the dual-guitar harmony between them is very tight and is added in places that actually improves the quality of the song, in this listener's opinion. The only time the pace really slows down during the concert is on their token ballad, "Honestly." While not a bad song, I don't really listen to this one cause after listening to so many heavy songs, I'm not really ready to listen to a song that's sounds like it's out of a school dance, but this is a guy's opinion. Then they cover "Winter Wonderland", which, though they do heavy it up, doesn't really seem to fit unless you were there or are in a Christmasy mood. These aside, the majority of the CD, for lack of a better term, rocks, and if you are a Stryper fan in any sense of the word(and maybe if you aren't)it will have you singing along on nearly every track. Very few CD's do that for me, and that's why I give it five stars. I can't stop listening to it."

Great Live Album from STRYPER!!!

Louie Bourland | Garden Grove CA | 06/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What an extraordinary event it was. After 12 years, the legendary band Stryper was back on the road once again delivering their positive Gospel message to its audience. The Stryper reunion tour was a raging success with many of its venues sold out and packed to the rafters with die-hard fans. Honestly, it was as if the band never went away.
"7 Weeks, Live In America" captures just some of the many highlights from Stryper's 2003 reunion tour. All feature the band's original line-up of vocalist Michael Sweet, his brother Robert Sweet on drums, guitarist Oz Fox and bassist Tim Gaines. The band sounds as exciting and vibrant as they did back in their '80s heyday.
The live album includes all the classics including "Makes Me Wanna Sing", "Calling On You", "Free", "Soldiers Under Command", "Reach Out", "Honestly" and "To Hell With The Devil". Also included is their rarely performed version of the holiday standard "Winter Wonderland" (it was the holiday season when this CD was recorded) and a heartfelt closing prayer from Michael Sweet.
The musical performances are top-notch and positively shows that even after 12 years, Stryper can still rock with the best of them. Michael Sweet's voice sounds as fresh and seasoned as it was back in the day. He can still belt out the high notes effortlessly. Robert Sweet's drumming is arguably better than on the initial Stryper recordings and is full of driving enthusiasm. The guitar work from both Oz Fox and Michael Sweet is simply the best they've done as is Tim Gaines bass playing which has a bit more of a funk edge to it.
If you were one of the many die-hard Stryper fans who had the honors of seeing them on their reunion tour, this CD is an excellent souvenir and is a must. If you missed them, "7 Weeks" serves as an excellent sampling of what the band performed. Either way, "7 Weeks" is an essential title is an awesome gift from the band to their fans.
May the legacy, message and ministry of Stryper live on!!"