The Messengers 1971 LP: Born Again - A1 Not Too Early

Born Again is an outstanding custom obscurity that showcases the talents of two excellent Jesus music groups from Vermont. Side one belongs to The Messengers, five longhaired chaps who time-warped their sound back to the UK psychedelic garage rock/beat scene circa 1966 and 1967. Man, these guys have got spunk! ‘Not Too Early’ opens with quick-paced jangling electric guitar, surging organ, heavy drums and Merseybeat harmonies – first listen I was absolutely convinced they were British (and it still wouldn’t surprise me if one or two of them actually were). All six tracks are strong, especially the powerful ‘The Right Way’ which opens on a two-note ‘For What It’s Worth’ kind of theme, then building to an explosion of ferocious in-your-face hard rock fuzz guitar. Side two features seven selections by the folk duo Good News. While obviously not as heavy as their buddies on the flip side, Wayne Harvey and David Trombley emerge as one of the better examples of the style, exemplifying much of the depth of Simon & Garfunkel’s acoustic work. Cover uses the same image of Christ as Agape’s Gospel Hard Rock. Eet’z a monstah!!!!!! (Ken Scott - Archivist) The Messengers / Good News LP: Born Again Label: House Released: 1971 Genre: Rock Style: Religious, Psychedelic Rock, Folk Rock Side A: The Messengers A1 Not Too Early A2 One Way A3 Everywhere You Go A4 The Right Way A5 Let Him In A6 The Other Side Side B: Good News B1 There Comes A Time B2 Lonely People B3 Holy Joe B4 One Thirteen B5 Disciple Song B6 Ain't It Nice B7 Here Today Gone Tomorrow Released by the small Vermont-based House label, both groups play Christian rock, but it's one of those rare albums that might appeal to a much broader audience. So here are what the liner notes have to say about the two groups: "Early in March 1970, six people began praying to a way and a love big enough to draw the freaks and straights off the streets of Brattleboro, Vermont ("All American" city which the New York Times one stated as having the second highest per capita drug abuse rate in the U.S.) to find a New Way, a new life in Jesus Christ. Each of the six had little in common: different age, educational background, social orientation everything. Only one thing united them: each had been "born again" through faith in Jesus Christ and His sinless life and selfless death 2,000 years ago. Each had recognized his personal separation from God, his need of a savior and director for his life, and the importance of individually receiving Christ's gift of salvation, freedom, joy, and peace. The prayer worked. The love was shared. The gospel hit the streets and inevitably people believed. from six we grew to sixty ad more and more. Among the many new believers were those who wanted to present their joy in the Lord through music and expression developed into two groups - The Messengers and Good News. This record is not designed to turn you on to music. The music was not written to give you a good feeling. Eight guys just didn't pick up their instruments to entertain you. You see there's a ninth personality involved with this record - the Holy Spirit of the Living God. And if you don't meet Him through it, you've never gotten off at all. If you know Christ already, worship Him with us in song. If you have never trusted Him with your life, we pray deeply for you will find Him through this music."