Artist Info:Discography Album length: 12 tracks: 46 minutes, 24 seconds Street Date: 1998
Mirroring secular counterparts, it became popular in the mid and late 90's for Christian ska and swing bands to infiltrate the
contemporary-Christian-music market. The W's made quite a splash with their debut, Fourth from the Last,
even winning a 1999 Dove Award for best modern rock/alternative album. While there's an irony about retro-swingers like
The W's winning a "modern rock" award, you can't deny that these six young men from Corvallis, Oregon, spin up a spirited and
punchy set of horn-driven swing-ska. Singer-guitarist Andrew Schar introduces us to a safe, but colorful array of slackers,
skaters, and surfers that populate his world. Bassist Todd Gruener and drummer Brian Morris lay a solid rhythm track throughout
and provide a foundation for the jumpin' jive from Valentine Hellman (tenor sax, clarinet), Bret Barker (trumpet), and James
Carter (alto sax).
- JfH Reader REVIEW:
Review date: 6/5/07, written by Steven Lewis for Jesusfreakhideout.com
Of course the Christian market always has to mirror the mainstream trends, but The W's were a treat for
Christian teens looking for an alternative to secular, non-family-friendly acts like The Cherry Poppin' Daddies.
Fourth from the Last is rough around the edges but offers a nice balance between the spiritual ("Open Minded,"
hit "The Devil Is Bad," "Moses") and the down-right silly ("Frank," "Pup," "King of Polyester"). Not a record that'll
go down in history as one of the most memorable albums of the 90's, but it's a fun project nevertheless.
- 1/10/08, John DiBiase
Record Label: Sara Bellum
Album length: 12 tracks: 46 minutes, 24 seconds
Street Date: 1998
Buy It:Amazon
Record Label: Sara Bellum
