Browse Artists
PFR
The result is the stunning new release DISAPPEAR, an album that reflects the band's maturity as writers and musicians while maintaining the trademark sound that made PFR one of the most popular Christian bands of the last decade.
PFR - featuring Nash, vocalist/guitarist Joel Hanson, and bassist/vocalist Patrick Andrew - debuted on the national scene in 1992 with the album, PRAY FOR RAIN, which garnered a Grammy nomination for "Contemporary/Rock Gospel Album of the Year" and a Dove Award for "Rock Album of the Year." Within four years the group had amassed six #1 singles, including the #1 Song of 1994 at CHR radio, "That Kind of Love." Each release found PFR gaining popularity, with their last studio album, Them, selling over 120,000 copies. When the trio disbanded in 1997 to pursue individual opportunities, they had sold over 600,000 copies of their five albums.
"We felt like we had said what we had to say," explains Joel, regarding the group's decision to disband. "And we felt it would be foolish to keep doing records just because we could."
Fortunately for legions of loyal fans, PFR found new inspiration last year while briefly reuniting to contribute a track to the ROARING LAMBS concept album. Their song, "Kingdom Come," was chosen as the album's first single and proceeded to land a Top 10 spot on Christian radio's AC chart. The rewarding experience of playing together again served as the catalyst for the group's return.
Joel explains, "It kind of gave us the vision that if there was a way for us to make music together where it could be more about the music than about positioning and image, then it might be worth making a record."
The band's dedication to great music is evident throughout DISAPPEAR. With long time producer and friend Jimmie Lee Sloas back at the helm, PFR has created a ravishing modern rock masterpiece that is both vibrant and melancholy, playful and passionate.
The album opens with "Amsterdam," a pulsating rock gem that immediately announces the triumphant return of PFR, while also introducing the band's more mature, introspective songwriting. "Amsterdam's" poignant theme of loss and regret sets the stage for the album's reflective tone and lyrical depth.
Building on this theme is the album's first single, "Missing Love," which gratefully acknowledges the most redemptive intrusion of all. Love. The song reveals the thankful posture of one who is discovering that where there is grace, there is no shame. A striking rock ballad, "Missing Love" features Joel's deeply soulful vocals against a backdrop of some of the group's most compelling musical hooks to date.
In fact, every track on DISAPPEAR is fresh, otherworldly power pop at its finest. Building on the solid foundation of guitar, bass, and drums, PFR adds deft sonic flourishes, evocative keyboard accents, and lush string arrangements to create a skillfully textured sound.
Mark explains, "The only meditated decision musically was, 'Whatever we do let's make sure that it's the music we would be making now if we would've continued.' We sort of wrote a four year history for ourselves."
With Sloas behind the console, the band was more than comfortable approaching the creative process differently for their Squint debut. " Before, we'd be writing stuff, and we were probably a little too married to things," explains Joel. "This time we would take a raw song, and we would do something with that. Or we would sit in a room, and write together as a band. It was a very different approach than we had taken in the past."
Out of this new level of collaboration materialized half of the new album, including two of its best tracks, "Gone" and "Me." And as Mark explains, " Those two songs are like movies about relationships. They're like scripts, and they tell the stories."
While DISAPPEAR finds PFR exploring new musical ground, at its core is the unmistakable sound that drove PFR's great success in the '90's and promises to please scores of anxious fans in the new millennium.
"It's a solid record," explains Joel. "Ten great songs. Something that all of us really believe in."
Patrick adds, "People are going to be very satisfied with this album and very excited."
He continues, "It really is still just us. It's what we sound like. We're going to play everything on this record short of the strings, unless the lessons Mark and I are taking really pay off."
"Which I think they are," adds Joel.
The payoff here is certainly for the listener, as the ten dazzling songs on DISAPPEAR are characterized by infectious grooves, smart, introspective lyrics, undeniable hooks, and soaring melodies. In short, the group has succeeded in accomplishing their simple yet ambitious goal - PFR has made a great record.
PFR - featuring Nash, vocalist/guitarist Joel Hanson, and bassist/vocalist Patrick Andrew - debuted on the national scene in 1992 with the album, PRAY FOR RAIN, which garnered a Grammy nomination for "Contemporary/Rock Gospel Album of the Year" and a Dove Award for "Rock Album of the Year." Within four years the group had amassed six #1 singles, including the #1 Song of 1994 at CHR radio, "That Kind of Love." Each release found PFR gaining popularity, with their last studio album, Them, selling over 120,000 copies. When the trio disbanded in 1997 to pursue individual opportunities, they had sold over 600,000 copies of their five albums.
"We felt like we had said what we had to say," explains Joel, regarding the group's decision to disband. "And we felt it would be foolish to keep doing records just because we could."
Fortunately for legions of loyal fans, PFR found new inspiration last year while briefly reuniting to contribute a track to the ROARING LAMBS concept album. Their song, "Kingdom Come," was chosen as the album's first single and proceeded to land a Top 10 spot on Christian radio's AC chart. The rewarding experience of playing together again served as the catalyst for the group's return.
Joel explains, "It kind of gave us the vision that if there was a way for us to make music together where it could be more about the music than about positioning and image, then it might be worth making a record."
The band's dedication to great music is evident throughout DISAPPEAR. With long time producer and friend Jimmie Lee Sloas back at the helm, PFR has created a ravishing modern rock masterpiece that is both vibrant and melancholy, playful and passionate.
The album opens with "Amsterdam," a pulsating rock gem that immediately announces the triumphant return of PFR, while also introducing the band's more mature, introspective songwriting. "Amsterdam's" poignant theme of loss and regret sets the stage for the album's reflective tone and lyrical depth.
Building on this theme is the album's first single, "Missing Love," which gratefully acknowledges the most redemptive intrusion of all. Love. The song reveals the thankful posture of one who is discovering that where there is grace, there is no shame. A striking rock ballad, "Missing Love" features Joel's deeply soulful vocals against a backdrop of some of the group's most compelling musical hooks to date.
In fact, every track on DISAPPEAR is fresh, otherworldly power pop at its finest. Building on the solid foundation of guitar, bass, and drums, PFR adds deft sonic flourishes, evocative keyboard accents, and lush string arrangements to create a skillfully textured sound.
Mark explains, "The only meditated decision musically was, 'Whatever we do let's make sure that it's the music we would be making now if we would've continued.' We sort of wrote a four year history for ourselves."
With Sloas behind the console, the band was more than comfortable approaching the creative process differently for their Squint debut. " Before, we'd be writing stuff, and we were probably a little too married to things," explains Joel. "This time we would take a raw song, and we would do something with that. Or we would sit in a room, and write together as a band. It was a very different approach than we had taken in the past."
Out of this new level of collaboration materialized half of the new album, including two of its best tracks, "Gone" and "Me." And as Mark explains, " Those two songs are like movies about relationships. They're like scripts, and they tell the stories."
While DISAPPEAR finds PFR exploring new musical ground, at its core is the unmistakable sound that drove PFR's great success in the '90's and promises to please scores of anxious fans in the new millennium.
"It's a solid record," explains Joel. "Ten great songs. Something that all of us really believe in."
Patrick adds, "People are going to be very satisfied with this album and very excited."
He continues, "It really is still just us. It's what we sound like. We're going to play everything on this record short of the strings, unless the lessons Mark and I are taking really pay off."
"Which I think they are," adds Joel.
The payoff here is certainly for the listener, as the ten dazzling songs on DISAPPEAR are characterized by infectious grooves, smart, introspective lyrics, undeniable hooks, and soaring melodies. In short, the group has succeeded in accomplishing their simple yet ambitious goal - PFR has made a great record.
Albums
-
Pray for Rain
Goldie's Last Day
Great Lengths
Them
Late Great PFR
Disappear
The Bookhouse Recordings
