Basics of Life

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This album catapults a premier inspirational quartet into the contemporary Christian pop market. Hailed as a milestone in the group's career, it garnered them several honors including a Dove Award for Best New Artist of 1992. The "obvious-about-their-faith" approach that permeates 4Him's repertoire is intact here against a strong inspirational pop backdrop. They also tip their musical hat to 70's pop/rock icons with their "wall of sound" vocals. Featured are the title track (one of their most notable); another hit with a heavenly perspective, "Through His Eyes"; and "When It Comes To Livin'," a reminder of the important things in life. --Jerry Chamberlain --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Basics of Life, Music, 4him, Gospel/Christian Music, Pop, Religious / Contemp. Christian

The Basics of Life
Average customer rating:

Have to inject some sanity

Start with the Basics

Even their weakest CD is still good

Great!

Every song is inspiring!

The Basics of Life
4HIM
Manufacturer: Verity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

4 Him

The Ride

Walk On

Best Ones

The Message

ASIN: B0000005DK
Release Date: 1997-08-26

Tracks:

The Basics Of Life
When It Comes To Livin'
Fountain Of Youth
This Time
Through His Eyes
Built On Amazing Grace
Freedom
Livin' In The Lion's Mouth
When It's Time To Go
Head Over Heels
Wrecking Ball
The Voice Of God

Amazon.com

This album catapults a premier inspirational quartet into the contemporary Christian pop market. Hailed as a milestone in the group's career, it garnered them several honors including a Dove Award for Best New Artist of 1992. The "obvious-about-their-faith" approach that permeates 4Him's repertoire is intact here against a strong inspirational pop backdrop. They also tip their musical hat to 70's pop/rock icons with their "wall of sound" vocals. Featured are the title track (one of their most notable); another hit with a heavenly perspective, "Through His Eyes"; and "When It Comes To Livin'," a reminder of the important things in life. --Jerry Chamberlain

Customer Reviews:

Have to inject some sanity.......2006-04-21

Stacks of awards or not, this is musically pretty average. What you get here is 4 good (not great but competent) male singers that do lots of harmony to middle of the road AC pop and light rock. Occasionally they're given a really good lyric to work with (they don't write most of their own stuff) but most of it is oft-trod "Jesus loves you..He's the only way to live" stuff that has been heard zillions of times.

HIGHLIGHTS:
There are 3 tunes on here which break free of the pack. The title tune is a pretty good manifesto calling for an increased moral and spiritual renewal in America (without the extremes of say, Carman's "America Again"). ("We need to get back to the basics of life/A heart that is pure and a love that is blind/A faith that is fervently grounded in Christ/The hope that endures for all times..") "Through His Eyes" is a call for racial unity and the return to God of every man and woman on Earth. ("He desires to see the good/in each and every man/That He has purposed from the start..") "when it's Time to Go" speaks of the time that a child "leaves the nest" of home ("Say goodbye,cry some tears/but don't worry") and neatly dovetails it into Jesus' departure from the home of Mary and Joseph to dying for our salvation and in the end awaiting a reunion with them in Heaven. ("When I hit the City/I'll build you a house right down the street from Mine...") It's surefire singalong fare and a darn good lyric.

LOWS:
"Head Over Heels" is yet another 'Jesus is my boyfriend/girlfriend' lyric that gives Christian contemporary music a bad name in the music world at large. "Fountain of Youth" strains too hard in its concept: a world seeking immortality through the mythical Ponce de Leon search would be better served by seeking Jesus and obtaining eternal life (if not eternal youth). The metaphor is just too specious.

BOTTOM LINE:
It's under a buck used and only the title track appears on either of their 2 hits collections (BEST ONES and CHAPTER ONE...A DECADE) so this is worth getting for the 3 best tunes. Don't expect to be blown away overall, though. (For some unclear reason, CCM Magazine rated this #66 on their 100 Greatest Christian Albums of All Time.)

Start with the Basics.......2002-06-03

In 1990, 4 Him released their self-titled debut album.
In 1991, the group released their sophomore album, "Face the Nation."
And in 1992, the group released their third album in as many years, "The Basics of Life."

Three albums in three years is a big undertaking for any group. However, the hard work of 4 Him would be rewarded in 1993 by the first of three consecutive Dove Awards for Group of the Year.

The songs on the album are:

"The Basics of Life" - A simple, light rock song that reminds us that we need to get back to the basics of what it is to be a Christian. This song still receives regular airplay on Christian radio. 4 Him is at their best when they harmonize, and this song definitely demonstrates their ability to do just that.

"When It Comes to Livin'" - A combination of ballad & soft rock that talks about living your life not for the world but for building up your faith.

"Fountain of Youth" - The fountain of youth and its legendary immortality may have escaped Ponce de Leon, but Christians have their own fountain of youth in Jesus Christ.

"This Time" - A ballad, this song is one of the weakest musically on the album. 4 Him is weakest when single solo ballads, and this song shows that weakness.

"Through His Eyes" - If we could only see through Jesus' eyes, we might have a better understanding of His love for us. Another solo ballad, this song does not contain the same weakness as "This Time."

"Built on Amazing Grace" - Yet another ballad. Although lacking musically, this song contains a great message about God's amazing grace in our lives.

"Freedom" - Finally the album gets back to what 4 Him does best: soft rock and harmonies. We often think of freedom the same way the world does: freedom from tyranny, from school, from a bad situation, etc. But true freedom is found in Christ.

"Livin' in the Lion's Mouth" - Another song about God's amazing grace and wanting to be on the front lines for God so that others can see His grace in me.

"When It's Time to Go" - A great song about a child coming-of-age and leaving mom and dad.

"Head Over Heels" - An excellent song about how God does not give up on us, even though we give up on Him.

"Wrecking Ball" - One day God is going to tear down the walls society has built up trying to block us from Him.

"The Voice of God" - Another ballad that again demonstrates the group's weakness in these songs. However, it is one the strongest songs lyrically on the album.

Although this is not one of 4 Him's best albums, it is still a 5-star album and deservedly so. A must have for any 4 Him fan.

Even their weakest CD is still good.......2000-10-19

4Him puts out such incredible music that even when one of their CDs is not up to par with their other CDs, its not a problem. This is my least favorite 4Him CD. Perhaps it is because Basics of Life was overplayed and I'm a little tired of it. Yes, the message is fantastic and I like it. But I do listen to the music for more than just the spiritual side and there is nothing wrong with that. I recommend the CD, but if you can only buy one, get 4Him, Face the Nation, The Ride, or The Message first.

Great!.......1999-06-23

Another awesome album from the guys. Awesome CD, and well worth the money. This album also features the song of the same name which is probably their most famous song of all 'Basics of Life'.

Every song is inspiring!.......1999-02-04

This CD proves that 4Him is truly a group of blessed guys. Mark Harris has a tremendous gift in his ability to write songs that continuously move people to feel "spirit led." These guys are my favorite and they can do no wrong! Keep it up!

Average customer rating:

Haterz be Dammed
25 Ta Life
Manufacturer: Back Ta Basics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0001FZG8A
Release Date: 2004-02-11

Tracks:

Haterz Be Damned
Promise Keeper
Drown in Your Own Blood
Where it Begins
Make It Work
Wise to Da game
Separate Ways
End the hate, Voilence Fade
Da Low Down
Shortfuse
Keepin It Real
Fight Dirty
Lead Song
Strength Thru unity
Absence of Sincerity
Loyal Ta The Grave
Let The past, Be The Past
Hardcore Rules
Bullet For Every Enemy
Refocus
As One

Album Description

For fans of 25 Ta Life, one of the most ferocious, tenacious energized straightedge bands ever comes the ultimate collection of band material to date HATERZ BE DAMNED. Offering up new songs, rare tacks and tons of out of print material, the album is culmination of the bands spirits, energy, and prolific writing skills. Featuring 21 cuts from a variety of out of print, hard to find rare material from over a decade of recording this is the definitive 25 Ta Life collection, a gauntlet like overview of the hardcore scene through the pipes of raging frontman Rick Ta Life.

Of particular interest for fans are songs excerpted from splits with well-known bands such as SLANG and SPAZZ, as well a tracks of the classic comp New York Hardcore 2. Also included are rare, hard to find cuts from the now out of print album Keepin' It Real, excepts from their last album Best of friends/enemies, and unreleased songs accumulated from grinding out music throughout the world.

For the most complete, ridiculous and over the top collection of 25 Ta Life gems ever, pick up Haterz Be Damned and unleash your straight-core demons.

Hellbound Misery Torment
Average customer rating:
Hellbound Misery Torment

Manufacturer: Back Ta Basics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Rock | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Best of Friends/Enemies

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Vendetta

ASIN: B0007SXLNS
Release Date: 2005-01-27

Tracks:

Abort
Believe in Me
Heavenly Sleep
Question Yourself
Ladyluck
You Can Count on Me
Crucified
I Don't Care About You
Haterz Be Damned
Promise Keeper
Drown in Your Own Blood

Album Description

25 Ta Life, the seminal, driving force that has defined hardcore for nearly a decade is back with their first completely new full length album in over three years Hellbound Misery Torment. Replete with a totally revamped line-up, fresh off a triumphant world tour, 25 Ta Life front man Rick Ta Life has assembled eleven new songs to complement his already rich discography, a raucous collection that represent an artistic culmination of 25 Ta Life's hard work, creativity, and commitment to the scene.

Filled with hard driving guitars, relentless guttural drums, and the in-your-face vocal style, Rick Ta Life guides the listener through his own personal pain and torment, attacking his not so vague demons, the rites of betrayal and celebrating the joys of friendship. What makes this album truly remarkable, is the refined productions skills and improved instrumentalists, an effort that has evolved the band into hardcore's most adept performers. Adding to the superior musicianship is full throttle sound that gives sonic force to the record from beginning to end. In short Hellbound Misery Torment is 25 Ta Life's best work to date.

The Basics of Life
Average customer rating:
The Basics of Life
4Him
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00008ETJ5
Release Date: 1994-10-04