Love Revolution (1997) (NewSong album)

Love Revolution is the ninth studio album by the Christian music group NewSong, released on January 15, 1997 by Benson Records.

NewSong went through its second personnel change with Love Revolution as Christian vocalist Charles Billingsley left the group in 1996 to resume his solo career in music and ministry after the release of People Get Ready. The group is down to five members, but, for a time, is still intact with NewSong founders Eddie Carswell and Billy Goodwin, along with Russ Lee, Scotty Wilbanks and Leonard Ahlstrom. For this album, production duties were split as Paul Mills produced six songs, while Christopher Harris produced three and Rodney Mills produced only two sons.

Love Revolution produced four number one songs and a Top 10 song on the Christian AC chart making this album even more better than People Get Ready in terms of good quality songwriting and airplay. The second single and music video "Rhythm of the World" has a mix of pop and world beat influences. "More Fun Than Sin" is a rousing ode to abundant life. In addition to NewSong's vocals, additional musicians and backing vocalists contributed to the album including future CCM artist Natalie Grant (Love Revolution is also the name of Grant's 2010 album). Co-lead vocalist Lee also got involved in songwriting co-writing six songs.

Love Revolution peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. Later in 1997, NewSong released a limited edition enhanced CD (E-CD) entitled Joy to the Rhythm of the World. It contains the audio and video of "Rhythm of the World," four different versions of the Christmas hymn "Joy to the World," behind-the-scenes with NewSong, biography and more. It was nominated for a Dove Award for Enhanced CD of the Year in 1998.

Track listing

1. Love Revolution (Eddie Carswell, Russ Lee, Leonard Ahlstrom) -4:32

2. Miracles (Eddie Carswell, Russ Lee, Leonard Ahlstrom) -4:47

3. Won't Stop Love (Eddie Carswell, Leonard Ahlstrom, Tim Haynes) -4:15

4. Rhythm of the World (Eddie Carswell, Leonard Ahlstrom) -5:52

5. Hold On to the Cross (Eddie Carswell, Leonard Ahlstrom) -5:57

6. More Fun Than Sin (Eddie Carswell, Russ Lee, Leonard Ahlstrom) -3:38

7. Start All Over on Mars (Eddie Carswell, Leonard Ahlstrom) -3:23

8. Love Gets in the Way (Eddie Carswell, Russ Lee, Leonard Ahlstrom) -4:42

9. Turn the World Around (Eddie Carswell, Russ Lee, Scotty Wilbanks) -4:16

10. Saving Grace (Eddie Carswell, Don Barnes, Jeff Carlisi, Danny Chauncey,

Jim Peterik) -4:24

11. Heaven is You (Eddie Carswell, Russ Lee, Leonard Ahlstrom) -10:19

Personnel

NewSong:

Billy Goodwin -vocals

Eddie Carswell -vocals, guitar

Russ Lee -vocals

Leonard Ahlstrom -vocals, guitar

Scotty Wilbanks -vocals, horns, keyboards

Production credits

Paul Mills -producer (tracks 2 -5, 7 and 8)

Christopher Harris -producer (tracks 1, 6 and 11)

Rodney Mills -producer, Mike Clark -associate producer (tracks 9 and 10)

Radio singles

1997 "Miracles" -#10 Christian CHR, -#1 Christian AC for 5 weeks

1997 "Rhythm of the World" -#5 Christian CHR, -#1 Christian AC for 2 weeks

1997 "Love Revolution" -#25 Christian CHR, -#1 Christian AC

1997 -1998 "Won't Stop Love" -#1 Christian AC for 2 weeks

1998 "Love Gets in the Way" -#8 Christian AC

Previous release: People Get Ready (1994) 

Next release: Arise My Love: The Very Best of NewSong (1999) (compilation album)

Watch the music video of "Rhythm of the World" here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJQryCH55MM