Art of the State explained

Art of the State
Type:	studio
Artist:	AD
Cover:	Album Artwork - "Art of the State".jpg
Released:	1985
Genre:	Christian rock
Length:	43:19
Label:	Sparrow
Producer:	Kerry Livgren
Prev Title:	Time Line
Prev Year:	1984
Next Title:	Reconstructions
Next Year:	1987

Art of the State is the first studio album by the Christian rock band AD, and the third solo album for its leader Kerry Livgren. The album was re-issued in the late 1990s under Livgren's new record label, Numavox Records.

Background

In the previous year, Kerry Livgren and his newly formed group, AD, released their first album, Time Line. In the year following its release, Livgren was caught in a legal problem with his contract connection with Kansas, causing the band to make a decision. Unable to sell or perform their material in the Non-Christian Marketplace, AD had to release their newest records in the Christian Marketplace; a move that Livgren and the others never had expected would happen at first when the band was originally formed.

Realizing the limited options, the group accepted the offer and began work on their next record, which contained songs relating in strictly Christian themes. Livgren also decided with the others that AD should receive full credit for the production of the album, rather than the album being split half and half for its creation. The tour for the band, unfortunately, was not as successful as intended, resulting in Warren Ham's departure from the band after the tour for Art of the State had ended.

Reception

Compared to review that Time Line received, AllMusic gave Art of the State a much more favorable review of four stars out of five; a drastic improvement from the 1984 release that both Livgren and AD took ownership of. Marked as a religious album, it was said to be unique in its own way and has created an enjoyable experience for the listener. It has been said to be strongly focused on songs of worship and praise while providing other songs of controversial subjects at the same time.

Track listing

All songs written by Kerry Livgren, otherwise indicated

1. "All Creation Sings" - 4:22
2. "We Are the Men" - 4:41
3. "Lead Me to Reason" (Michael Gleason) - 3:56
4. "The Only Way to Have a Friend" - 4:16
5. "Games of Chance and Circumstance" (Gleason) - 4:18
6. "The Fury" - 5:34
7. "Progress" - 4:39
8. "Heartland" (Gleason) - 3:42
9. "Zion" (Warren Ham, Livgren) - 3:26
10. "Up from the Wasteland" (Gleason, Livgren) - 4:25

Personnel

A.D.

• Michael Gleason – lead vocals (1, 5, 6, 10), backing vocals, keyboards, guitars
• Warren Ham – lead vocals (1-4, 7-9), backing vocals, keyboards, harmonica, woodwinds
• Kerry Livgren – keyboards, guitars
• Dave Hope – bass guitar
• Dennis Holt – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Additional vocals

• Debi Chapman (1, 10)
• Susan Shewbridge (1, 10)

Production

• Mark Ferjulian – executive producer
• Ken Marcellino – executive producer, art direction, front cover art concept
• Kerry Livgren – producer, engineer
• Michael Gleason – assistant engineer, front cover art concept
• Gary Westman – additional engineer
• Glenn Meadows – mastering at Georgetown Masters (Nashville, Tennessee)
• Bill Murphy – art direction
• Tim Wild – front cover illustrations
• FM Management – management

External links

• Review