Homeboys, the third album from the best unknown band in Christian alternatice music, is lot more than just Ten More Songs By Adam Again. These sultans of funk-based rock have reached back to their old rock influences for a hybrid of potent musicality that recalls the excitement infused in the work of artists such as Talking Heads and Elvis Costello. Like the Heads' David Byrne and Costello, lyricist/vocalist/producer Gene Eugene delivers nonchalant observations on life's experiences - from growing up in a street gang to life in a band, and regrets over past choices that in their honest poetry offer wisdom on life's meaning, purpose and value.

Musically, Homeboys benefits from a more organic mix. While Eugene and Co. still write some of the best dance music on any label, Christian or not, the band's newest member, drummer Jon Knox, keeps things riveting and alive with emotion. Eugene adds more keyboards, predominantly a Hammond organ and Fender Rhodes piano sound, to this rock 'n' roll stew. While Paul Valadez keeps the bottom end melodically funky, it is guitarist Greg Lawless, whose versatility from stinging solos and Hendrix-like freneticism, to chunky in-the-groove chords, gives the album its most exceptional moments. Lawless proves himself one of the best, although perhaps most underrated, guitarists in Christian Rock.

But front and center are Gene Eugene's observations and voice, and the harmonies of his wife, Riki Michele, whose own Broken Records debut Big, Big Town is just a few months old. Eugene, writing in the vein of Bruce Cockburn on Inner City Front, captures some of the effects of urban blight in "Homeboys," "The Fine Line" (a song dealing with crack addiction), and a solid cover of Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues." "Hide Away" is a sad song of the distance that can come between married lovers, with lyrics written by Steve Hindalong of The Choir.

With "Dance Around in Circles" and "This Band Is Our House," Eugene expresses the place he has found in life and love that eases the pain of existence, but only "Save Me," with lyrics by Michele, and its cry for divine grace, forgiveness and strength, makes a direct affirmation of faith. "Occam's Razor," with lyrics by Terry S. Taylor, refers to the principle set forth by William of Ockham, that the simplest explanation is the best, "When I touch you with Occam's razor / I will cut you between truth and lie / And I will get through with Occam's razor / Cut your soul from the heart of darkness."

Beginning from the same place that M. Scott Peck did in his book The Road Less Traveled, that "Life is difficult," Eugene and Adam Again search out that which can be valued and celebrated in all honesty, without ignoring the complete truth about this cold, cruel world of ours. In the grace of God and accepting what one has been given, Eugene concludes in "No Regrets": "I got a woman now who loves me / I got the pink slip of my car / I got a little place, the rent is cheap / I got a band who plays my songs / Life's not so hard."

However, the songs ironically finds Eugene with some unnamed regret, that can evidently be mended by a phone call. Redemption is often just that close. Adam Again may not have all quick solutions for the problems around them, but their willingness to look at all of life, even the hard parts, makes them artists of great value to the Christian music community. I can certainly attest that with a band like this playing these fine funky rock 'n' roll songs, my life feels a little easier too.

Brian Q. Newcomb ( CCM, April 1990 )
www.ccmmagazine.com

With lots of guitar, powerful drums, and B-3 organ, this third outing for the band shows it abandoning the "dance thing" in favor of a more organic mix complete with real live drummer John Knox. And with these songs about pain, poverty, and emotion, they are all the better for the shift. Homeboys is more sophisticated all around. The excellent cover of Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues" -- more subdued than the original -- has a yearning quality courtesy of Eugene's unique voice. The standout closing track, "No Regrets," laments an apparently self-incited loss or separation, and is heart-wrenching in sentiment ("If I could be anyone again, I'd be that child in your arms"). Another unique track -- "This Band Is Our House" -- is a sort of tribute to the band as a group collective. This release presents the band as more of a serious outfit, stronger and more unified as a result.

Mark W.B. Allender ( AMG )
www.allmusic.com

Adam Again - discografi / covere / tribute nettside