Reviewed by Tony Cummings

This independent album was rather overlooked when released in 2000. But with renewed interest in those new wave rockers Lifesavers Underground now that frontman Michael Knott has reformed the band, now might be a good moment to review this. Mark started the Lifesavors in 1980, who released the 'Us Kids' album in 1981, now considered something of a classic. Mark left the band and Mike Knott renamed the band Lifesavers, Lifesavers Underground, LSU, etc. 'Generation XXX' is the first of Mark's two solo albums. It's an intriguing work, with full-on Jesus songs, "God's Army", "I Need Jesus In My Life", "God Is Light God Is Love" and "I Can't Get Enough Of Jesus" being just four of the 17 tracks crammed on here. Set against the in-your-face spiritual sloganeering is a bizarre CD booklet largely consisting of adverts for tasteless practical jokes like squirt toilet seats, plastic dog mess and imitation vomit! Make of that what you will, there's plenty of torrid rock guitar to accompany Mark's gruff, jagged vocals and though the similarity of feel and tempo and the omnipresent drum machine gets a tad wearing before the end this is definitely one LSU devotees will want to search out. And I'm told CR Direct even have some in stock!

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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