A Look Back Into
Geoff Moore & The Distance's Music

Buzz Trexler, who considers himself something of a Contemporary Christian Music aficionado, takes a look back at eight years of GM&D’s music. "Some of it can be called ‘Christian bubble gum,’" Trexler says. "But that’s not necessarily a criticism. Christianity can, and should, be fun! But at the same time, GM&D also produced what I would call challenging Christian anthems, as well as praise and worship songs."

On that note, here’s what our local CCM fan says about GM&D’s music:

"Pure and Simple"
Release Date: 1990
Favorite Song: Not familiar with this album, but the lyrics seem true to GM&D’s ministry. Plus, given the collaboration by Phil Madeira and longtime Moore friend Steven Curtis Chapman, "Pure and Simple" must be good stuff. Chapman’s well known, but Hammond B3 master Madeira’s name on a liner note is a must-hear for me.

"A Friend Like U"
Release Date: 1992
Favorite Song: While the title cut carries a lot of weight in my family, "Listen to My Heart," penned along with Chapman, is a worthy praise song that’ll bring "God-bumps" in any worship service. "Come to Me," another Madeira collaboration, is another worthy praise song.
Video Trivia: The music video "A Friend Like U" features guests Chapman with his son Caleb and Moore’s son Josh, who, like their dads, are "big friends."

"Evolution"
Release Date: 1993
Favorite Song: Sheesh! Too tough to narrow down. The whole album’s great! Let’s pick three: "Why Should the Devil (Have All the Good Music)," actually a Larry Norman tribute that defines my own philosophy of Contemporary Christian Music; "Evolution (redefined)," guaranteed to always spark a conversation among first-time listeners; and "Heart to God, Hand to Man," a Salvation Army tribute, which has a great holiday season music video. OK, forgive me, No. 4 would have to be … I can’t do it, captain! Just buy the album and judge for yourself.
Video Note: We played the "Evolution (redefined)" music video at a praise band concert for a small United Methodist Church north of Knoxville. Definitely created a stir ...

"Home Run"
Release Date: 1995
Favorite Song: Another toughie, but I’m going to force myself to pick two: "Evidence of God" and "The Vow."
Video Trivia: Several pieces for you. Two videos came from this album, "Home Run" and "The Vow." "Home Run" was shot at the home of the Triple A Nashville Sounds. It featured former Major-Leaguer Tim Burke, and the young blonde is the sister of dc Talk’s Toby McKeehan. She can also be seen in Audio Adrenaline’s "Never Gonna be as Big as Jesus" video.
Bonus Trivia: Geoff Moore’s dad played minor league baseball for the Triple A Toledo Mudhens.

"Greatest Hits"
Release Date: 1996
Favorite Song: This is another one that I don’t have, but could probably do well to pick up. It’s supposed to be a little different than most greatest hits albums. The double CD set has album versions of several songs on one CD, with live versions on the second.

"Threads"
Release Date: 1997
Favorite Song: It would be easy to pick the hard-rockin’ "I’m Free," but "Threads" has such a great message that I’m going to stick with that.
Video Note: I told Moore that we played "I’m Free" a couple of times at my church’s Contemporary Worship Service. His comment: "That must be a contemporary service."
Web Note: You can find GM&D’s discography and lyrics at www.geoffmoore.com

Back to "Hanging by 'Threads'

The Rev. Frank "Buzz" Trexler is managing editor at The Daily Times and pastor of Green Meadow United Methodist Church, www.themeadow.org. You can e-mail him at PastorBuzz@nxs.net.