Against the Law (album)
1990 studio album by Stryper
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Against the Law is the fifth studio album from the Christian metal band Stryper, released on August 21, 1990. Three singles and videos were released for this album including "Shining Star" (an Earth, Wind & Fire cover), "Two Time Woman" and "Lady" but received minimal airplay.
- Music Grinder and Record Plant (Hollywood, California)
- Devonshire Sound Studios (North Hollywood, California)
| Against the Law | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 21, 1990 | |||
| Recorded | 1989 | |||
| Studios |
| |||
| Genres | ||||
| Length | 45:19 | |||
| Label | Enigma | |||
| Producer | Tom Werman | |||
| Stryper chronology | ||||
| ||||
This album marked a change in the musical and visual direction of the band. Gone were the yellow and black spandex outfits, the bold evangelical lyrics and the original band logo with Isaiah 53:5. In their place were leather outfits, and lyrics more focused on rock n' roll and relationships, although arguably from a Christian worldview. The album sold poorly compared to the band's previous gold and platinum releases.
Track listing
All songs by Michael Sweet except where noted.
- "Against the Law" – 3:49
- "Two Time Woman" – 3:40
- "Rock the People" – 3:34
- "Two Bodies (One Mind, One Soul)" – 5:17
- "Not That Kind of Guy" – 3:59
- "Shining Star" (Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Maurice White) – 4:22
- "Ordinary Man" – 3:51
- "Lady" – 4:53
- "Caught in the Middle" – 3:48
- "All for One" – 4:31
- "Rock the Hell Out of You" – 3:35
Personnel
Stryper
- Michael Sweet – lead vocals, backing vocals, guitars
- Oz Fox – lead guitars, backing vocals
- Tim Gaines – bass (except 6), backing vocals
- Robert Sweet – drums
Additional musicians
- John Purdell – keyboards
- Brent Jeffers – additional keyboards
- Randy Jackson – bass (6)
- Tom Werman – percussion
- Jeff Scott Soto – backing vocals
Production
- Tom Werman – producer
- John Guarnieri – A&R direction
- Jacqui Randle – A&R administration
- Eddie DeLena – recording, mixing
- Mike Bosley – assistant engineer
- Lawrence Ethan – assistant engineer
- Buzz Morrows – assistant engineer, mix assistant
- Patrick Pending – art direction
- Rudy Tuesday – art direction, design
- David Perry – special photo printing
- Ed Colver – still life photography
- Neil Zlozower – band photography
- Jeannine Pinkerton – typesetting
- Kyle Tucy Sweet – make-up
- Fleur Thiemeyer – wardrobe
Alternative versions
A limited-edition version of the album was also released that included a 14-minute interview with the band.
Title of the album
Tim Gaines said the album was titled Against the Law because it was, "our response to these religious folks who Christ said "They swallow a camel and strain on a gnat."[4] In other words: in response to the criticism from Christians protesting against them.
Charts
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japanese Albums (Oricon)[5] | 92 |
| US Billboard 200[6] | 39 |
| US Top Christian Albums (Billboard)[7] | 25 |