Against the Law (album)

Against the Law is the fifth release, and fifth studio album, from the Christian metal band Stryper, released on August 21, 1990. Three singles and videos were released for this album including "Shining Star" (an Earth, Wind & Fire cover), "Two Time Woman" and "Lady" but received minimal airplay.

Against the Law
Studio album by
Stryper
ReleasedAugust 21, 1990
Recorded1989
GenreGlam metal, hard rock, heavy metal
LabelEnigma
ProducerTom Werman
Stryper chronology
In God We Trust
(1988)		 Against the Law
(1990)		 Can't Stop the Rock
(1991)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Select[2]

This album marked a change in the musical and visual direction of the band. Gone were the yellow and black spandex outfits, the bold evangelical lyrics and the original band logo with Isaiah 53:5. In their place were leather outfits, and lyrics more focused on rock n' roll and relationships, although arguably from a Christian worldview. The album sold poorly compared to the band's previous gold and platinum releases.

Track listing

All songs by Michael Sweet except where noted.

  1. "Against the Law" – 3:49
  2. "Two Time Woman" – 3:40
  3. "Rock the People" – 3:34
  4. "Two Bodies (One Mind, One Soul)" – 5:17
  5. "Not That Kind of Guy" – 3:59
  6. "Shining Star" (Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Maurice White) – 4:22
  7. "Ordinary Man" – 3:51
  8. "Lady" – 4:53
  9. "Caught in the Middle" – 3:48
  10. "All for One" – 4:31
  11. "Rock the Hell Out of You" – 3:35

Personnel

Stryper

Additional musicians

Production
  • Tom Werman – producer
  • John Guarnieri – A&R direction
  • Jacqui Randle – A&R administration
  • Eddie DeLena – engineer, mixing
  • Mike Bosley – assistant engineer
  • Lawrence Ethan – assistant engineer
  • Buzz Morrows – assistant engineer, mix assistant
  • Patrick Pending – art direction
  • Rudy Tuesday – art direction, design
  • David Perry – special photo printing
  • Ed Colver – still life photography
  • Neil Zlozower – band photography
  • Jeannine Pinkerton – typesetting
  • Kyle Tucy Sweet – make-up
  • Fleur Thiemeyer – wardrobe

Studios

  • Recorded at Music Grinder Studios (Hollywood, California) and Devonshire Sound Studios (North Hollywood, California).
  • Mixed at Record Plant (Hollywood, California).

Alternative versions
The limited-edition cover artwork for Against the Law

A limited edition version of the album was also released that included a 14-minute interview with the band.

Title of the album

Tim Gaines said the album was titled Against the Law because it was, "our response to these religious folks who Christ said "They swallow a camel and strain on a gnat."[3] In other words: in response to the criticism from Christians protesting against them.

Charts
Chart (1990) Peak
position
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[4] 92
US Billboard 200[5] 39
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[6] 25

References
  1. Against the Law at AllMusic
  2. Perry, Neil (September 1990). "Stryper: Against The Law". Select. No. 3. p. 91.
  3. "Timothy Gaines Interviews". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.
  4. Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  5. "Stryper Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  6. "Stryper Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
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