7: The Best of Stryper

by Stryper

Overview

Throughout rock history, all great bands spawn quite a bit of similar-sounding offspring -- and the mighty Van Halen were no different. Throughout the '80s, a plethora of VH disciples appeared on the scene -- many of which happened to also hail from the same locale, Hollywood. Musically, Stryper were quite similar to the Van Halen boys, but vocally, singer Michael Sweet was more a kin to Styx's Dennis DeYoung. The pairing of both styles won Stryper a large following, and for a stretch of several years, scored several MTV hits, all of which are neatly compiled on 2003's 7: The Best of Stryper. While Stryper's lyrical message did not reflect either the party-hearty (Moetley Cruee) or the "demonic" (W.A.S.P.) bands of the era, they were cut from the same musical cloth. As a result, Stryper were known primarily as a rock band ("Soldiers Under Command," "Free," etc.), even though they also specialized in schmaltzy power ballads ("Honestly," "Lady," etc.). Also, there was the odd moment when both styles merged, such as "Calling On You," and Stryper get credit for the unlikeliest cover tune for a pop-metal band -- Earth, Wind & Fire's "Shining Star" (perhaps only outdone by the Bulletboys tackling Tom Waits' "Hang On St. Christopher"). With all the expected favorites included here, the 18-track 7: The Best of Stryper is a much better Stryper compilation than 1991's paltry Can't Stop the Rock. ~ Greg Prato

Product Details

Release Date:	03/25/2003
Label:	Hollywood
UPC:	0720616239129

Tracks

1. Something
2. For You
3. Shining Star
4. Lady
5. All for One
6. In God We Trust
7. Always There for You
8. To Hell With the Devil
9. Calling On You
10. Free
11. Honesty
12. The Way
13. Soldiers Under Command
14. Makes Me Wanna Sing
15. Reach Out
16. From Wrong to Right
17. Loving You
18. Believe

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Stryper   Primary Artist
Jackson Marques   Vocals (Background)
Michael Sweet   Guitar,Vocals
Oz Fox   Vocals,Guitar
Robert Sweet   Drums

Technical Credits

Paul Lani   Mixing,Producer
Michael Sweet   Composer,Producer,Executive Producer,Mixing
Michael Wagener   Engineer,Producer
Michael J. Lloyd   Mixing,Producer
Tom Werman   Producer
Stryper   Mixing,Composer,Producer
Kenny Lewis   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Programming
Carl Beatty   Mixing,Engineer
Paul Angelli   Mastering
Dan Nebenzal   Mixing,Engineer
Lorenzo Dunn   Composer
Lawrence Ethan   Engineer
Tim Gaines   Title Concept
Stephan Galfas   Producer
Philip Bailey   Composer
Maurice White   Composer
Ron Goudie   Producer
Carmine Rubino   Engineer,Mixing
Oz Fox   Producer,Composer
Robert Sweet   Producer,Composer