Third Day (CD - 1996)

Third Day: Mac Powell (vocals, acoustic guitar); Mark Lee (acoustic & electric guitars); Brad Avery (guitar, background vocals); Tai Anderson (bass); David Carr (drums, percussion).

Choir: Jill Bullard, Chris Carder, David Carr, Melissa Chandler, Jennifer DeSilets, Phil Jones, Jane Jones, Kristine McGuire, Dina Vanderpoel, Steve Winkler.

Additional personnel: Bob Lehman (acoustic guitar); Kenny Hutson (dobro, mandolin); David Mardis (lap steel guitar); Rich Mullins (hammered dulcimer); Alexis Mears, Chad Merritt, Kristie Vanderpoel (strings); Matt Still (Hammond B-3 organ); Alfreda Gerald, Taj Harmon, Phil Jones, Chris Carder (background vocals).

Engineers: Matt Still, Ed Burdell, David Mardis.

Recorded at Furies Studios and Bosstown Studios, Atlanta, Georgia.

Personnel: Mac Powell (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar); Brad Avery (vocals, guitar); David Carr (vocals, drums, percussion); Melissa Chandler, Kristine McGuire, Jennifer Desilets, Chris Carder, Dina Vander Poel, Steve Winkler, Phil Jones, Taj Harmon, Jill Bullard, Jane Jones, Alfreda Gerald, Phil Jones (vocals); Mark Lee (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Bob Lehman (guitar, acoustic guitar); David Mardis (slide guitar, lap steel guitar); Kenny Hutson, Kenny Huston (dobro, mandolin); Rich Mullins (dulcimer, hammer dulcimer); Alexis Mears, Kristie Vanderpoel, Chad Merritt (strings); Matt Still (organ); Tai Anderson (bass guitar).

Audio Mixers: Ed Burdell; David Mardis; Matt Still.

Recording information: Bosstown Studios, Atlanta, GA; Furies Studios; Furies Studios, Atlanta, GA.

Photographer: Ben Pearson .

Third Day's debut album is a great introduction to this Southern Christian rock band, led by lead singer/guitarist Mac Powell. The band's style can be summarized as Hootie & the Blowfish meets Lynyrd Skynyrd meets Pearl Jam. The first album emphasizes the straight-ahead classic rock sound. It produced songs that would become Third Day concert fixtures -- like the dramatic "Thief," told from the point of view of one of the other criminals who were crucified with Jesus, the anthemic "Consuming Fire," and the sentimental "Love Song." Other good album tracks include the ballad "Take My Life," "Nothing at All," and the condemning "Did You Mean It?" This album easily has crossover appeal for people who don't normally listen to Christian rock. The band's musicianship and originality shines through. This album probably remains Third Day's purest, most focused work. 1997's Conspiracy No. 5 would bring in a more alternative grunge sound. The band has never been more accessible as right here. ~ Steven Jacobetz minimize