Description

Volume 2 is the sophomore album by the Swedish hard rock band Jerusalem, released in the US on Lamb & Lion Records in 1980, distributed by The Benson Company. As well released on Myrrh Records in the UK, a division of Word. (The original Swedish version of the album, entitled Volym 2, was released on the Swedish gospel label Prim the same year.) The album was recorded by Boje Lundberg at Supreme Studio in Stockholm, Sweden; with Swante Bengtsson producing. All songs written by guitarist and lead singer Ulf “Uffe” Christiansson except the music of “Dialogue” written by keyboardist Dan Tibell. (“Special thanks to Henning Christiansson and Andy Kidd for their help in translating the texts.”)

Improved second effort continues in their signature heavy blues-rock mode while putting more emphasis on the progressive classic rock angle. «Gethsemane», «Dialogue (Between One Person)» and the 8-minute «Introduction» are especially strong cuts with mood changes, classical influences and longer guitar/organ stretches. There’s also a lengthy drum solo at the beginning of «By By World». Closes on a gentler note with the string-accompanied ballad «A Flower». [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

Jerusalem – Volume 2 (Legends Remastered), Retroactive Records 2018

Jerusalem are often described as a hard rock outfit, but this 1980 album, now remastered and re-issued, saw the Swedish rockers develop a more mature and experimental sound. Retroactive Records have polished the overall sound to bring an extra clarity to the original recordings. In many ways the tracks on this album have a real progressive edge that mixes elements of Supertramp with Deep Purple. From the tumbling opener that has a steam train shuffle, «Wake Up» includes dynamic instrumental sections that showcase the interplay between guitars and keys that characterises a large proportion of what is on offer. With its driving, classic rock sound, «Rock n Roll» makes the perfect follow up, allowing Ulf Christiansson‘s distinctive vocals to take centre stage. This is an album that is full of light and shade with the quieter «Love Song» and «A Flower» adding a strong counterpoint. As with all Jerusalem recordings, a classic gospel message is weaved throughout the tracks without sounding cheesy. The progressive credentials are underlined by the epic «Introduction» that starts with a full organ sound and passes through a full range of sounds, all underpinned by a crisp and satisfyingly punchy bass. Many of the tracks included on this recording have surfaced on compilation and live albums but listening to them in their original setting brings context and a sumptuous, indulgent feel. Any fan of Jesus rock and roll will find this a satisfying and nostalgic listen. [Ian Webber, Cross Rhythms, September 2018]

> Apple Music (Jerusalem Classics 1 – Swedish Version)

LP tracklist (English version):

Side One
A1. “Wake Up” – 5:33
A2. “Rock-N-Roll!” – 4:30
A3. “Love Song” – 3:43
A4. “Gethsemane” – 3:42
A5. “I Depend On You, Jesus” – 4:40

Side Two
B1. “Introduction” – 8:02
B2. “Dialogue” – 4:29
B3. “By By World” – 5:32
B4. “A Flower” – 4:11

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records. Remastered by Rob Colwell and re-issued on CD by Retroactive Records in June 2018, entitled Volume Two (Legends Remastered). The CD comes in a jewel case featuring a 12-page booklet with lyrics and band pics.

An advertisement for Jerusalem’s first two albums, Volume 1 & 2, was featured in the July 1981 issue of CCM Magazine.

A full-page advertisement for Jerusalem’s first two albums, Volume 1 & 2, was featured in the November 1980 issue of CCM Magazine.

JERUSALEM – Volume 2 (Legends Remastered)

Jesus Rock-N-Roll! Don’t Be Afraid.

When I think of the music from Jerusalem’s 2nd release, not surprisingly titled Volume 2, I think of the second track on the album, «Rock-N-Roll». This song perfectly epitomized the music (great grooves) and the mission of the band, because these songs are all about rock… and rocking out in the name of Jesus. In essence, Volume 2 was (and remains) the perfect follow-up and companion to Volume 1 because it was more 70’s organ-driven, guitar rock and it was even more transparent yet as passionately worshipful lyrically. But it was also a bit more theatrical as well. After all, this was released in 1980 when there was a wind of change in the air musically, and bands were looking for new sounds to ring in the new decade. The band also saw its first personnel changes as well when Anders Mossberg stepped in on bass and the talented Klas Anderhell took over the drum seat. Anderhell’s contribution in particular added a bit more flare at the drum set and helped to add a slightly proggy vibe to some of these songs – a progression in style that would manifest itself more fully on 1981’s Warrior.

“Yeah, we believe in our Lord Jesus/ And not only believe – we know/ We’re not afraid to tell you/ And we’re hoping, yeah that it will show/ Good news should not be secret/ That’s why we’d like to tell you so.” – «Rock-N-Roll»

For those familiar with the Fruit Records releases (where two of the tracks were deleted) this new version (part of the Legends Remastered series by Retroactive Records) contains «Love Song» and «Dialogue» from the original masters. Both of these deletions were critical because «Love Song» is one of the few songs in the history of Christian rock to really line-out a proper approach to a love relationship with the opposite sex (particularly how should a man view his wife – women in general – in lieu of a relationship with Christ). «Dialogue (Between One Person)» was equally essential because not only did the song address the personal struggle involved in making a choice for Christ, but musically it represented a much more theatrical vocal approach by Ulf Christiansson than what we had heard up to this point. (In fact, Ulf’s vocal style on this album was taken to an all new level, with more quirky interjections and gyrations.) Tibell’s keyboards here also have a decidedly more Deep Purplish, proggy style – great stuff on all levels.

The remastering brings a deeper, warmer, analog-vinyl sound to the CD format. When I first listened to this on my main system I had to make the sure the snares were turned off on my drums (located in the same listening space) because I kept hearing this snare buzz. But these tracks sound like they were re-mastered off of analog or vinyl sources because of the occasional record “pops” that can be heard in the background. It’s nostalgic and doesn’t do anything to detract from the listening experience, but I suspect the only sources for remastering would have come from analog recordings. As with Volume 1, the CD is housed in a clear jewel case with 12 page booklet.

From the churning train-like driving rock of the confrontational opener «Wake Up» to the beautiful acoustic pickings of the closer «A Flower», Volume 2 not only kept the motivational fire of the Spirit moving in the Jerusalem camp, but introduced listeners to a slightly more progressive and instrumental side of the band. And speaking of introductions, the song «Introduction» showcased a more instrumental and dynamic side of the band (those organ sounds rule!), but yet simultaneously outlined the purpose and mission of the music – brilliantly executed. «Gethsemane» remains a fan favorite as well because it was telling the story of the betrayal and crucifixion of Christ in a way that had not really been done previously – theatrical progressive rock – and was a song that foreshadowed the brilliance that would follow with «Sodom» the following year. One of the most transparent songs here would have to be «I Depend On You, Jesus», a ballad which hearkens back to the innocence of the debut album, but a song which also reflects the need we have for daily “spiritual water” from Jesus/God. I would be remiss if I didn’t say something about «Bye Bye World» in this synopsis. Well, Klas Anderhell’s drum solo introduction sounds fabulous on this new version and hearkens back to an era when drums still sounded like drums (thundering, wall-vibrating drums) and not just machines. That aside, this song perfectly encapsulates the Jerusalem worldview – less of this world and all of its allures and more focus on eternity. In a style not unlike the preceding song («Dialogue») this one musically has a Queen-like frivolity and theatrical spirit – “Bye Bye To You World, ha-ha-ha!” – Ulf almost mocking the world and all its appeal.

“I’m sick of you world and all that I’ve got/ I think you should realize it’s over and out/ You still try to fool me, with all kinds of games/ Poor me, I was cheated, I should be ashamed/ How little you’re giving…” – «Bye Bye World»

In summary, Volume 2 didn’t possess quite the mystical/magical child-like qualities of innocence as that of the debut, but it did continue to show the growth and maturity (musically and lyrically) of Jerusalem as a band and as a ministry, and the more progressive and theatrical elements here on songs like «Gethsemane», «Introduction», «Dialogue» and «Bye Bye World» were the genesis of what was to come with Warrior. (Stay tuned for more…)

[Jonathan "Doc" Swank, HM Magazine, June 2018]