Against the Law is the fourth studio album by the Christian hard rock band Stryper, released on August 21, 1990 by Enigma Records and Hollywood Records. The album was produced by Tom Werman.
Against the Law marked a change in 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. Most Christian bookstores refused to sell the album, due to the album's subject matter.
Three singles and music videos were released: "Two Time Woman," "Lady" and a cover of Earth, Wind & Fire's number one hit "Shining Star" (1975 #1 Billboard Hot 100, #1 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs), but received minimal airplay. This was also bassist Tim Gaines' first album appearance since 1985's Soldiers Under Command that he was involved in making a Stryper album. Well-known musician and television personality Randy Jackson played bass guitar on "Shining Star" with Gaines playing bass and backing vocals on the rest of the album. Against the Law peaked at number 25 on the Top Christian Albums and number 39 on the Billboard 200 Albums charts.
Track listing
All songs were written by Michael Sweet, except where noted.
1. Against the Law -3:50
2. Two Tim Woman -3:41
3. Rock the People -3:35
4. Two Bodies (One Mind One Soul) -5:18
5. Not That Kind of Guy -4:00
6. Shining Star (Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn) -4:23
7. Ordinary Man -3:52
8. Lady -4:54
9. Caught in the Middle -3:49
10. All for One -4:32
11. Rock the Hell Out of You -3:36
Personnel
Stryper:
Michael Sweet -lead and backing vocals, guitars
Robert Sweet -drums
Oz Fox -backing vocals, lead guitars
Tim Gaines -backing vocals on all tracks, bass guitar on tracks 1 -5, 7 -11
(Randy Jackson -bass guitar on track 6)
Previous release: In God We Trust (1988)
Next release: Can't Stop the Rock (1991) (compilation album)
Watch the music video of "Two Time Woman" here:
Watch the music video of "Lady" here:
Watch the music video of "Shining Star" here:
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