iPod wOrthy: Terry Scott Taylor (part one)

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in iPod wOrthy segments are not necessarily reflective of the opinions of the probably smarter, but definitely prettier half of the BnSki...123 contributing staff (i.e. B, who typically stares off into space muttering "why...why...why...?" when Ski plays 2/3rds of the music on his iPod) Reader beware, your mileage (and musical taste) may vary.

Terry Taylor has been making brilliant, introspective Christian rock/country/punk/new wave/acoustic alternative/satirical comedy/yodeling music for longer than I've been a Christian (I got saved in '82). Much of his music has been a large part of the soundtrack of my "life" in Christ. His music is not trite but instead makes you think, laugh and sometimes go "huh"?

He's been the lead singer of basically three bands, the first of which I'll talk about now. Daniel Amos (aka D.A., da), the Swirling Eddies, and the Lost Dogs. His solo projects are beautiful and poignant and have a much more personal and vulnerable feel.

Daniel Amos started as a country band. On the Shotgun Angel album (1977), the title song is a Eagles-ish 70's classic complete with CB radio chatter towards the end. Great stuff. A couple years later (1981) Daniel Amos had musically shifted to more of a rock sound and put out the Horrendous Disc album. My favorite cut on that one is I love you #19. If the guitar riff doesn't make you nod your head, you've never played air guitar.

Starting in 1981, Daniel Amos put out four "concept albums" called the Alarma Chronicles. I'm sure all DA fans have their favorites from these four albums. I'm not crazy about the first one, though it was one of the first five or so Christian music records I've ever purchased. Album 2, Doppleganger, has some hilarious, frantic, punk-type tunes like Mall (all over the world) and, my personal favorite, New car! (including audio from the Price is Right game show).

Vox Humana came out in '84 when I graduated high school and ranks as one of my top two DA projects of all time. If you hated the music of the '80s then you probably won't like it but I was EXTREMELY happy to find a legitamite copy on CD via ebay this year. (There are apparently pirated "import" copies out there. Terry's site asks you to please not buy them.) My favorite songs on this one are both social commentaires and REEEAALY fun, '80s music. (It's the eighties, so where's our) Rocket Packs? is a loungey, synthy, fun song with a great title. It's also kind of profound to read the "futuristic lyrics" and realize how close they resemble "real life". Home Permanent is a play on words and came at a time when lots of folks had one. Dance Stop is an all-time classic and probably the closest thing that Christan music has come to Rock Lobster.

MY second favorite DA album is the last of the Alarma Chronicles, Fearful Symmetry. This Disc is one of my "most sought after" CDs at the moment. It's more reflective and serious new wave music than the previous two but I love it! My favorite cuts are The Pool, Neverland Ballroom, and Instruction Through Film

In 1988, my friend Gary and I decided we would go to the Cornerstone 88 music festival in Chicago to see DA and other bands. At C-stone, Terry and the boys played a late-nite set from their current CD at the time, Darn Floor, Big Bite.

The album name comes from how Koko, a gorilla who was famous back then for learning simple sign language, described the experience of being in an earthquake. Terry's point is we're the same way before our awesome, holy God. Sort of a take off of John's experience of God's throne in Revelation.

Some lyrics from the title chorus are:
Darn floor - big bite
You are beautiful, terrible terrible sight!
Darn floor - big bite
You are love, fire and light

Daniel Amos continues to put out CDs, but the above are my favorites. Next time I'll look at Terry's solo projects and his band's alter ego, the Swirling Eddies.