Washer Whiter Than is the third studio album by the Christian rock band Petra.
Released in 1979, amidst major line-up changes that saw all but one of the founding band members leave. It was the first album to be released on the newly formed Star Song Records label. Word Records would distribute this and future releases up until 1986. Washes Whiter Than is produced by George Atwell.
The album features a more mellow style when compared to the band's two previous efforts. Part of the reason for this is that the group wanted to get away from the controversy surrounding the hard rock style of their earlier releases. The softer material on this record achieved greater airplay on Christian radio stations than had their previous albums, particularly on the song "Why Should the Father Bother?" giving them their first Top Ten hit on the Christian radio charts. The song "Yahweh Love" has a little bit of a disco style.
This is also the first release to feature singer Greg X. Volz as an official band member. Musician Rob Frazier, who later went on to have a solo career, is also featured as lead vocalist in several of the songs, as well as playing most of the instrumentation together with founder Bob Hartman.
NOTE: the album was reissued by Star Song Records on a 2-on-1 CD package together with 1981's Never Say Die. The songs "(Couldn't Find Love) Without You" and "Magic Words" were cut from this edition to save space, but on this one, you will hear the entire album with the YouTube link.
Track listing
All songs were written by Bob Hartman, except where noted.
1. I'm Thankful -2:55
2. Why Should the Father Bother? -3:52
3. Morning Star (Rob Frazier) -4:53
4. Magic Mirror -3:37
5. Mary's Song (Rob Frazier) -4:03
6. Yahweh Love -5:43
7. (Couldn't Find Love) Without You (Rob Frazier) -4:15
8. Taste and See -3:29
9. Magic Words (Rob Frazier) -3:24
10. Deep Love -4:01
Personnel
Petra:
Bob Hartman -lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals, track arrangements
Greg X. Volz -lead vocals (tracks 1, 4, 6 and 8), backing vocals
Rob Frazier -lead vocals (tracks 1–3, 5–7, 9–10), backing vocals, keyboards, guitars, track arrangements
Radio singles
1979 "Why Should the Father Bother?" -#3 Christian AC/CHR
1979 "Yahweh Love" -#20 Christian AC/CHR
Previous release: Come and Join Us (1977)
Next release: Never Say Die (1981)
Listen to Washes Whiter Than here:
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