Shoulder to Shoulder is the third studio album by the Christian rock band Allies. It was released on November 10, 1987 by DaySpring/Word Records.
After two albums on Light Records, Allies signed with Word Record for their next album. Shoulder to Shoulder was considered a commercial breakthrough. Gone is the military wear they wore from those past releases and tour. The band showed themselves as they really are by wearing normal clothes and not costumes. The album was benefited by its radio singles "How Much Love" and "It's Never Easy." Both of those songs made their first appearances on the Christian AC chart, in addition to the Christian CHR chart. The band made two music videos to promote the album with "It's Never Easy" and "Voice of the Spirit."
Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas wrote and produced the album.
The band brought in musician Kenny Williams to replace Sam Scott on keyboards. Even though Williams appeared on the album jacket cover with the other band members, he did not appear in the two music videos and left Allies after making Shoulder to Shoulder. Allies became a four-piece band starting with this release. In early 1988, the album began its chart climb on the Billboard Top Christian Albums and peaked at number 20. In 1989, the music video of "It's Never Easy" was nominated for a Dove Award for Short Form Music Video of the Year.
Track listing
All songs were by Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas.
1. Voice of the Spirit -4:18
2. Shoulder to Shoulder -4:17
3. Easy as 1, 2, 3 -3:38
4. Something In Your Eyes -4:41
5. Angelina -3:50
6. You're All I Needed -4:41
7. Looking On the Outside -4:09
8. How Much Love -5:49
9. It's Never Easy -3:57
10. Closer Than a Brother -2:41
Personnel
Allies:
Bob Carlisle -lead vocals, backing vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar
Randy Thomas -guitar, backing vocals
Matthew Chapman -bass guitar, backing vocals
Jim Erickson -drums, backing vocals
Kevin Williams -keyboards, saxophone, backing vocals
Radio singles
1988 "How Much Love" -#2 Christian CHR, #3 Christian AC
1988 "It's Never Easy" -#7 Christian CHR, #7 Christian AC
1988 "Shoulder to Shoulder" -#12 Christian CHR
Next release: Long Way From Paradise (1989)
Watch the music video of "It's Never Easy" here:
Watch the music video of "Voice of the Spirit" here:
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