Communication is the fifth studio album by the Christian rock duo DeGarmo & Key, released on September 25, 1984 by Power Discs/Benson Records. The duo produced the album themselves.
D&K continues their series of successful radio-friendly Christian hits with Communication featuring its lead single "Alleluia, Christ is Coming" making the Top 5. They also recorded a cover of the rock band Pacific Gas & Electric's 1970 hit "Are You Ready?" (#14 Billboard Hot 100). The duo also started their first foray in making music videos. They made two music videos for "Alleluia..." and their Christian rock track "Six, Six, Six." It would be the latter video that was added to MTV as one of the first Christian rock videos to be seen on the channel (Steve Taylor's "Meltdown" video was also added that same year).
The original video for "Six, Six, Six" was one of a number of videos that MTV pulled from rotation due to violent content. The removal was prompted by a public reaction to the U.S. Senate hearings on sex and violence in music. MTV had misinterpreted the song as an anti-Christian statement. According to industry news reports at the time, MTV executive Sandra Sparrow was unaware that DeGarmo & Key were a Christian band when she included the video in a list of videos to be excised. MTV allowed DeGarmo & Key to submit a re-edited version which was placed back into light rotation. Removed from the re-edited video was a short scene of a man representing the Anti-Christ being set on fire.
Communication was another big seller for the duo as it peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart in 1985. The album was reissued on CD in 1992 by ForeFront Records.
Track listing
All tracks were written by Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key, except where noted.
1. Are You Ready? (Charles Allen, John Hill) -3:21
2. Rejoice - 3:36
3. It's a Shame -3:28
4. Alleluia, Christ is Coming -2:49
5. Everyday a Celebration -2:47
6. Blessed Messiah -3:49
7. Perfect Reflection -3:48
8. He Has Risen (Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, Dave Robbins) -2:52
9. Six, Six, Six -3:53
10. Man Of His Word (Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, Bob Farrell) -3:49
11. Dear Friend -1:44
Personnel
DeGarmo & Key:
Dana Key -lead vocals, guitars
Eddie DeGarmo -keyboards, fairlight CMI, vocals
Tommy Cathey -bass guitar, second lead vocals on track 1, vocals
Greg Morrow -drums, vocals
Radio singles
1984 -1985 "Alleluia, Christ is Coming" -#4 Christian AC/CHR
1985 "Perfect Reflection" -#25 Christian AC/CHR
Previous release: Mission of Mercy (1983)
Next release: Commander Sozo and the Charge of the Light Brigade (1985)
Watch the original un-edited music video of "Six, Six, Six" here:
Watch the music video of "Alleluia, Christ is Coming" here:
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