The Early Years (1996 - 2001) (2010)

The Early Years (1996 - 2001) is a compilation album by the Christian rock band Skillet, released on July 27, 2010 by Ardent Records and INO Records with distribution by Provident Label Group and Sony Music. Released at the height of the band's popularity with the release of their 2009 album Awake, The Early Years features 13 tracks from Skillet's first four albums on the Ardent label, but no songs from their live worship album Ardent Worship: Skillet Live. The enhanced CD (e-CD) also contains their early music videos for "Best Kept Secret" and Gasoline."

Track listing

All songs were written by John Cooper, except where noted.

1. Best Kept Secret (from Invincible) -3:56

2. Gasoline (from Skillet) -4:03

3. Locked in a Cage (Hey You, I Love Your Soul) -3:56

4. Saturn (Ken Steorts) (from Skillet) -5:09

5. I Can (from Skillet) -4:19

6. You're Powerful (John Cooper, Korey Cooper) (from Invincible) -3:27

7. More Faithful (from Hey You, I Love Your Soul) -3:45

8. You Are My Hope (John Cooper, Korey Cooper) (from Alien Youth) -4:16

9. Alien Youth (from Alien Youth) -4:12

10. Invincible (from Invincible) -3:52

11. Hey You, I Love Your Soul (John Cooper, Korey Cooper) (from Hey You, I Love

Your Soul) -3:00

12. Rest (John Cooper, Korey Cooper) (from Invincible) -3:49

13 The Thirst is Taking Over (from Alien Youth) -6:32

Personnel

Skillet:

John Cooper -lead vocals, bass guitar (all tracks)

Korey Cooper -backing vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar (tracks 1, 6, 8 -10, 12 and

13)

Kevin Haaland -lead guitar (tracks 1, 6, 10 and 12)

Ken Steorts -lead guitar, guitar synthesizer, backing vocals (tracks 2 -5, 7 and 11)

Ben Kasica -lead guitar (tracks 8, 9 and 13)

Trey McClurkin -drums, percussion, backing vocals (tracks 2 -5, 7 and 11)

Lori Peters -drums (tracks 8, 9 and 13)

Production credits

John Cooper -producer (tracks 1, 3, 6 -13)

Skidd Mills -producer (tracks 1 -7, 10 -12)

Paul Ebersold -producer (tracks 2, 4 and 5)

Previous release: Awake (2009)

Next release: iTunes Session (digital EP) (2010)

Listen to the playlist The Early Years (1996 - 2001) here: