Romeo Unchained (1986)

Romeo Unchained is the fourth release and third studio album by American singer - songwriter Tonio K. It was released on June 17, 1986 by Word Records' What? label and A&M Records.

A critically-acclaimed album, Romeo Unchained was, according to Kurt Loder, then writing for Rolling Stone magazine, said he was tempted "to trumpet" the album "as the best Bob Dylan album since Dylan himself lost interest in the Pop song form." Loder also said of Tonio K as "an arousing original." Romeo Unchained was the first of five albums that What? Records have been released during its short-lived life, which specializes in creative and unusual rock and roll releases with spiritual messages.

Tracks include "Perfect World," in which he laments about love gone wrong. "Impressed" is about holding ourselves up to the impossible standards of history's supposedly great couples. "You Belong With Me" in which the artist acknowledges the fear inherent in opening our hearts to other flawed humans.

Although not really a religious album, Romeo Unchained does have some spiritual undertones and not make it sound preachy. Tonio K worked with four producers on this project including T-Bone Burnett, who would later produce Leslie Phillips' final Christian album, The Turning. CCM Magazine has ranked the album at number 12 in their 2001 book The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music.

NOTE: the track "I Handle Snakes," according to the album liner notes written by Tonio K, was written and recorded around mid-1980. He also wrote,"Thematically, it has nothing to do with the other songs on, or intent of, this record. It is included here only at the insistance of certain A & R, managerial, and media folk. They know who they are; you decide what you think."

Romeo Unchained was reissued on CD in 1996 by the independent label Gadfly Records.

Track listing

All songs were written by Tonio K, except where noted.

1. True Confession -3:40

2. Perfect World (Tonio K, Glen Burtnick) -4:13

3. Romeo and Jane (Tonio K, Billy Steele) -3:47

4. You Belong With Me (Tonio K, John Keller) -4:51

5. Impressed (Tonio K, Bob Wilson) -4:24

6. I Handle Snakes -3:36

7. Emotional War Games -3:54

8. Living Doll -3:44

9. You Don't Belong Here -5:51

10 You Will Go Free -6:37

Production credits

Rick Neigher -producer (tracks 1 -4 and 7)

Bob Rose -producer (tracks 5, 8 and 9)

T-Bone Burnett -producer (track 10)

Howard Steele -producer (track 6)

Radio singles

1986 "Perfect World" -#8 Christian CHR

1986 "True Confession" -#9 Christian CHR

Previous release: La Bomba (EP) (1982)

Next release: Notes From the Lost Civilization (1988)