Washes Whiter Than (1979)

Washer Whiter Than is the third studio album by the Christian rock band Petra.

Released in 1979, amidst major line-up changes that saw all but one of the founding band members leave. It was the first album to be released on the newly formed Star Song Records label. Word Records would distribute this and future releases up until 1986, which will then be distributed by Capitol Christian Music Group. Washes Whiter Than was produced by George Atwell.

The album features a more mellow style when compared to the band's two previous efforts. Part of the reason for this is that the group wanted to get away from the controversy surrounding the hard rock style of their earlier releases. The softer material on this record achieved greater airplay on Christian radio stations than had their previous albums, particularly on the song "Why Should the Father Bother?" giving them their first Top 10 hit on the Christian radio charts. The song "Yahweh Love" has a little bit of a disco style.

This is also the first release to feature singer Greg X. Volz as an official band member. Musician Rob Frazier, who later went on to have a solo career, is also featured as lead vocalist in several of the songs, as well as playing most of the instrumentation together with founder Bob Hartman.

NOTE: the album was reissued by Star Song Records in 1988 on a 2-on-1 CD package together with 1981's Never Say Die. The songs "(Couldn't Find Love) Without You" and "Magic Words" were cut from this edition to save space, but on this one, you will hear the entire album with the YouTube link posted below.

On another note, Washes Whiter Than was reissued and remastered on CD in 2021 and on a clear vinyl with blue splatter in 2025 by Girder Music. Released as part of the Legends of Rock series, it is the first time that the entire album is available on CD with all 10 songs. The CD comes with a collectors trading card and on vinyl, it comes with a 12 x 18 poster.

Track listing

All songs written by Bob Hartman, except where noted.

1. I'm Thankful -2:55

2. Why Should the Father Bother? -3:52

3. Morning Star (Rob Frazier) -4:53

4. Magic Mirror -3:37

5. Mary's Song (Rob Frazier) -4:03

6. Yahweh Love -5:43

7. (Couldn't Find Love) Without You (Rob Frazier) -4:15

8. Taste and See -3:29

9. Magic Words (Rob Frazier) -3:24

10. Deep Love -4:01

Personnel

Petra:

Bob Hartman -lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals, track arrangements

Greg X. Volz -lead vocals (tracks 1, 4, 6 and 8), backing vocals

Rob Frazier -lead vocals (tracks 1–3, 5–7, 9–10), backing vocals, keyboards, guitars, track arrangements

Radio singles

1979 "Why Should the Father Bother?" -#3 Christian AC/CHR

1979 "Yahweh Love" -#20 Christian AC/CHR

Previous release: Come and Join Us (1977)

Next release: Never Say Die (1981)

Listen to Washes Whiter Than here: