Meltdown (Steve Taylor album)

Meltdown
Studio album by Steve Taylor
Released	1984
Recorded	Sundberg Studios (Denver, Colorado)
Genre	New wave, rock
Length	43:00 (album) 54:15 (CD)
Label	Sparrow
Producer	Jonathan David Brown
Steve Taylor chronology
I Want to Be a Clone (1983) Meltdown (1984) On the Fritz (1985)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

Meltdown is the title of the second release and first full-length album by American singer-songwriter Steve Taylor. It followed 1983's I Want to Be a Clone and featured a similar kind of style, involving Christian rock incorporating new wave musical influences, while also being produced by Jonathan David Brown. The album did well, commercially, reaching the No. 10 spot on Billboard's Top Contemporary Christian chart.^[2]

It additionally received positive critical reviews from publications such as Billboard, saying that "Taylor has an edge and vitality". The album was listed at No. 18 in the 2001 book CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music.^[3] Like other works by Taylor, the album's songs touched on many socio-political issues, with "We Don't Need No Colour Code" denouncing Christian organizations that practice racism and "Over My Dead Body" calling for more attention to violations of human rights overseas.^[2]

Track listing

Side one

1. "Meltdown (at Madame Tussaud's)" – 4:26
2. "We Don't Need No Colour Code" – 2:43
3. "Am I In Sync?" – 4:32
4. "Meat the Press" – 3:48
5. "Over My Dead Body" – 5:21

Side two

1. "Sin For a Season" – 4:14
2. "Guilty By Association" – 3:21
3. "Hero" – 3:40
4. "Jenny" – 4:04
5. "Baby Doe" – 3:51

The CD was issued more than a year after the vinyl and cassette versions. It was entitled Meltdown and Meltdown Remixes and was also released on Sparrow Records.

Song references

The title track alludes to the famous attraction of Madame Tussauds, a wax museum in London, England.

"Baby Doe" was a vocal response to the early 1980 incidents involving the deaths of handicapped newborns that resulted from the withholding of medical treatment.

"We Don't Need No Colour Code" challenged and ridiculed the racial policies of Bob Jones University among others.

"Guilty By Association" condemns evangelists that abuse Christian teachings and just seek fame and money for themselves.

"Over My Dead Body" called for more attention to be given to international violations of human rights.^[2]

CD track listing

1. "Meltdown (at Madame Tussaud's)" – 4:26
2. "We Don't Need No Colour Code" – 2:43
3. "Am I In Sync?" – 4:32
4. "Meat the Press" – 3:48
5. "Over My Dead Body" – 5:21
6. "Meltdown (at Madame Tussaud's)" [extended version - remix] – 6:24
7. "Sin For a Season" – 4:14
8. "Guilty By Association" – 3:21
9. "Hero" – 3:40
10. "Jenny" – 4:04
11. "Baby Doe" – 3:51
12. "Meltdown (at Madame Tussaud's)" [instrumental extended version - remix] – 4:29
13. "Meltdown (at Madame Tussaud's)" [edited version - remix] – 3:35

Some Band

• Steve Taylor: Vocals and backup percussion
• Kerry Conner: Guitars
• Cactus Moser: Drums
• Chris Richards: Bass:
• Dave Thrush: Sax
• Harry Bruckner: Bass Guitar on "Whatcha"
• Woody Waddell: Keyboards (including the Mighty Farsifa)

Production notes

• Written and arranged by Steve Taylor.
• Produced and engineered by Jonathan David Brown.
• Recorded at Sundberg Studios, Denver, Colorado.
• Mixed at Mama Jo's, North. Hollywood, California.
• Mastered at Future Disc, Universal City.
• Cover and Everything Artsy by The Graphics Studio.
• Photography by Greg Wigler.
• Cover Coordination by B. Charlyne Hinesley.

References

1. ↑ Meltdown (Steve Taylor album) at AllMusic
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://www.allmusic.com/album/meltdown-mw0000650874
3. ↑ http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/albumdetail.php?album_id=527