Allies was a Christian rock band formed in 1984 by former Sweet Comfort Band member Randy Thomas by bringing in members of two of his former acts: he had been with Bob Carlisle and Jim Erickson in Psalm 150 and was also at one time in the band Sonrise with Sam Scott and Matthew Chapman (Scott was also part of Psalm 150 though not at the same time as Thomas).
After the final album Perfect Timing by Sweet Comfort Band was released featuring Thomas and future solo artist - songwriter Bryan Duncan, Allies, with Thomas, Carlisle, Erickson, Scott and Chapman, was formed and was signed to Light Records, even before the group recorded a demo.
Their self-titled debut album was released in 1985 and the band took the name at face value as the group appeared on the album jacket cover in military fatigues. Their second album, Virtues, followed a year later in 1986. Both albums were hurt by image-marketing that tried to capitalize on the spiritual warfare fad by presenting the group in paramilitary outfits. Allies left Light Records after Virtues and at the same time Smith left the group. They signed with Word Records in 1987 and released Shoulder to Shoulder as a four-piece band.
Allies released their next album Long Way From Paradise in 1989. It would be their most successful album and critically acclaimed. CCM Magazine listed the album as one of the 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music in 2001. Two more albums were released with The River and Man With a Mission. After Man With a Mission was released, Allies disbanded in 1992. Carlisle went on to have a successful solo career and had a hit song with "Butterfly Kisses" in 1997, which he co-wrote with Thomas. Also in 1997, Thomas formed the Christian rock duo Identical Strangers with vocalist Andy Denton and released only one album together.
More information on Allies at Wikipedia:
Discography
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