No Doubt (CD - 1995)

Petra: David Lichens (vocals, guitar); Jim Cooper (vocals, keyboards); John Schlitt (vocals); Ronny Cates (bass, background vocals); Louie Weaver (drums).

Additional personnel: Tom Howard (conductor); Bob Hartman (acoustic & electric guitars); The Nashville String Machine; John Elefante (keyboards); Chris Rodriguez, Micah Wilshire (background vocals).

Engineers include: Dave Murphy.

Recorded at Sound Kitchen, Cool Springs, Tennessee and Great Circle Sound, Nashville, Tennessee.

NO DOUBT was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album.

The addition of keyboardist Jim Cooper and guitarist David Lichens have not changed Petra's sound on No Doubt. However, the band's songwriting is consistently strong throughout the record, alternating between their patented fist-pumping anthems and inspirational ballads, all devoted to the Lord. ~ David Jehnzen

Since 1972, Petra's trailblazing fusion of religion and popular music has made them the world's premier Christian rock band. NO DOUBT continues along their pre-destined road of faith, but with some personnel changes on this particular crusade. Bob Hartman--Petra's founder, guitarist and principal writer--relegates himself to the recording studio, allowing young bucks Jim Cooper and David Lichens to climb aboard on keyboards and guitar, respectively.

Lichens plays only on the band's live dates, but Cooper's influence on Petra's musical direction immediately comes to the fore, particularly on the five songs he co-wrote. The bubbly arrangements that lightly gild the title track display an uncanny skill at crafting palatable ear candy. This same lush cushion gives "Sincerely Yours," a song about giving oneself over to Jesus Christ, a sound that could easily fit onto a Survivor album.

Throughout, the newer members of the group inject a modern vibe into the music, allowing Petra to go from the heavier stylings similar to Kings X ("Heart Of A Hero"), to a pop side resembling the Gin Blossoms ("Think On These Things"). Still, Bob Hartman remains the heart of the group, contributing to all but one song. Hartman's most impressive composition is "Right Place," a hard-driving anthem that points to God as the only solution, regardless of how bleak life is. minimize