All Things Are Possible

All Things Are Possible was originally released on the Christian label Lamb & Lion Records, after Dan Peek left the safety of hit group America to become a religious artist. Here's the problem with this sweet and well-constructed album of pop songs -- it seems to lack sincerity in its aim for the mass market. Peek appears with open shirt on the front and back covers, a light blue scarf around his neck over the deep-blue mountainous terrain. The imagery looks better suited to the television program Queer as Folk than a Christian album. Musically it is top-notch; "Hometown" could have fit nicely on The Beverly Hillbillies, with its banjo and hoedown snap. MCA's Songbird and Firewind Records imprints reissued this album sometime after the original Lamb & Lion release, and the music has merit. "You're My Savior" sounds just like America, it is just that the lyrics are a bit sappy. One can only wonder what God almighty thinks of some of these sappy tunes written in his honor! Wouldn't these artists glorify Him by utilizing their talents to come up with entertaining records that have thought-provoking lyrics -- lyrics that change the world for the better? "I Have to Say Goodbye" works because the God stuff is toned down. It doesn't feel like his relationship to the Lord is that of a student handing the teacher an apple to get a better grade. Producer Chris Christian was being touted as a big deal in the '70s and early '80s, but he never crossed over -- the redundant name is a bit cloying. There is a tremendous track here, the rose among the thorns, and that is the title song, "All Things Are Possible." Co-written by Peek and Christian, it is a moving, sweeping, captivating pop tune. It is serious, it is magical, it should have been the biggest Christian rock crossover hit. Indeed, one might even venture the opinion that Peek failed the Lord by not staying in the band America and performing this tune with them. The melody and positive-thinking sentiment could have sent the tune to number one and ushered in tons of imitation Christian singer/songwriters. You know what? There is a God -- perhaps that is the last thing the Almighty would want to happen to pop music! Still, songs like "Divine Lady" on a record with such an overtly sexual album cover seem a bit crass. He should have stayed in America.