Jesusfreakhideout.com celebrates 30 Years online in 2026... Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!
Jesusfreakhideout.com celebrates 30 Years online in 2026... Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

The 77s
Holy Ghost Building



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 45 minutes, 40 seconds
Street Date: June 26, 2008


 
  
HolyGhostBuilding
READER RATING:  HolyGhostBuilding
/ 5.0 (0 votes)

The Seventy Sevens (also known as The 77's) were the first alternative Christian band to be picked up by a mainstream label, Island Records (also home to U2), back in 1987. Over 20 years later, this band is still full of surprises and brilliance. 77's have made a commitment to a unique project this time around. The listener will be placed into a time warp, as the tone of this album will cover the late 60s, 70s, and even 80s.

The album kicks off with some rhythm and blues along with a little rock thrown in for good measure. 77's have actually enhanced the pace of some of these songs in contrast to their originals. "Working on a Building," originally performed by Bill Monroe, and "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning" are songs that will echo memories of Credence Clearwater. "Stranger Won't You Change Your Sinful Ways" (Steve Scott) is done with a style similar to Tom Petty. "I'll Remember You, Love, in My Prayers" is originally performed by Alison Kraus on the Oh Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack, and the Rolling Stones would be proud of 77's version as it is much like their technique found in the early 70s such as "Gimme Shelter."

The album is full of inspirational and thought-provoking content as evidenced in songs like "What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul" (Marty Stuart), "Brother how far, from the saviour today/ Risking your soul, for the things that he gave/ Oh if today, God should call you away/ What would you give, in exchange for your soul." Next, 77's provide a rendition of Elvis' "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again," and this version is done quite well in capturing the moment when this song was originally released as Mike Roe sings the song quite confidently with the background vocals of all the "Ba-da-Ba-das." "City of Refuge" provides some heavy guitar work that is reminiscent of some the punk bands of the late 70s and early 80s while at the same time; the 77's introduce some blues into the mix. The album closes with the only original song, "A Lifetime Without You." What separates this song from the rest of the album, other than being original, is that this is a style typically found in ballads from the band's other albums, such as "Drowning with No Land in Sight" and "Sticks and Stones."

Holy Ghost Building consists of 10 cover songs that are given unique treatments from lead singer Michael Roe, bassist Mark Harmon, and percussionist Bruce Spencer. Even though most of the songs were originally written by mainstream artists, the lyrical content is very effective in for our walk with God. The style chosen for this album makes it a rare experience among most of the praise and worship projects being released today. Although I prefer the classic sound of the 77's found in their earlier releases, this is a unique album in its own right.

- Review date: 9/14/08, written by Wayne Myatt



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get a FREE month of VidAngel on us when you sign up!

 

Record Label: Lo-Fidelity Records
Album length: 11 tracks: 45 minutes, 40 seconds
Street Date: June 26, 2008
Buy It: Bandcamp

  1. I'm Working on a Building
  2. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning
  3. Stranger Won't You Change Your Sinful Ways
  4. I'll Remember You, Love, in My Prayers
  5. You're Gonna Be Sorry
  6. What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul
  7. He's a Mighty Good Leader
  8. When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again
  9. Everybody Ought to Pray Sometime
  10. I'm Gonna Run to the City of Refuge
  11. A Lifetime Without You

 

 



 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get a FREE month of VidAngel on us when you sign up!

Search JFH



This Thursday, May 28, 2026
SINGLES
Stryper I'm Alright, (I'm Okay) - Single [Frontiers]

This Friday, May 29, 2026
ALBUMS
Benjamin William Hastings x Aodhán King Happy To Be Here [Anotherland/Capitol CMG]
Dojo Saints Dojo Saints (independent)
Every Moment Holy: Prayer Songs 2026 Q2 (independent)
Heartbound Lamentations (independent)
Narnia X [Sound Pollution]
Skye Peterson Through Line (independent)
Mike Rogers Mike Rogers [Gaither]
Tenroc God Is A Person [Provident]
Various Artists Rock, Paper, Scissors, METAL: Vol. 4 [JFH Music]
Various Artists To Hell with the Devil - A 40th Anniversary Salute [Roxx]

SINGLES
Abandoned Pools Einstein's Space and Van Gogh's Sky - Single (independent)
Lady Audri IOU - Single [Syntax]
Bill B. The usual - Single [Syntax]
Dex the nerd who loves Jesus Battlefront (Spiritual War) - Single [Syntax]
Gracie Binion & John Wilds Show Me Your Face - Single [BEC]
KNGDM REVIVAL Psalm 44 - Single [Dream]
Hillside Recording Every Morning - Single [Ocean House]
Vic Lucas Joy is Coming - Single [Syntax]
Northview Worship Wildly Faithful - Single [BEC]
Matthew Plante Like You Do - Single [Dream]
Jenna Raine What Would I Say? - Single [Warner]
Saints in Exile Need an Escape - Single [Syntax]
Jordan St. Cyr Every Reason To Bellieve - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Newsboys Take Me To Your Leader (30th Anniversary Edition) [Red] [Girder]

Next Tuesday, June 2, 2026
ALBUMS
John Joseph James God of the Second Chance (independent)

Next Wednesday, June 3, 2026
SINGLES
Life.Church Switch Hunger - Single [Ocean House]

Next Friday, June 5, 2026
ALBUMS
John Allan Live from Anaheim - EP [Centricity]
August Burns Red Season of Surrender [Fearless]
Zach Williams Revival Nights at Red Rocks [Provident]

SINGLES
CAIN Living Water - Single [Provident]
The Emerging Sound, People & Songs Stand on Your Promise - Single [People & Songs]
John Long, Jake MacAdam Jesus is Better - Single [Ocean House]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images