Different Kind of Free explained

Different Kind of Free
Type:	studio
Artist:	ZOEgirl
Cover:	Different-kind-of-free-zoegirl.jpg
Released:	September 16, 2003
Recorded:	2002–2003
Studio:	Antenna Studios, The Loft and Sound Stage Studios (Nashville, Tennessee).
Length:	48:53
Label:	Sparrow
Prev Title:	Mix of Life
Prev Year:	2002
Next Title:	Room to Breathe
Next Year:	2005

Different Kind of Free is the third studio album from Christian girl group ZOEgirl. It was released on September 16, 2003 through Sparrow Records and was produced by Lynn Nichols, Robert "Aurel M" Marvin, Damon Riley and Tedd T. "You Get Me", "Beautiful Name" and "Feel Alright" were released as radio singles. Different Kind of Free marks the band's departure from the bubblegum pop music of their two previous albums, in favor of a pop rock sound.

Background

See main article: article and You Get Me (song).

ZOEgirl's Mix of Life was released on September 24, 2002. This remix album's Trip Rock Mix of "I Believe" foreshadowed the girl group's transition from bubblegum pop music to pop rock music.^[1]

During the autumn of 2002, Chrissy Conway-Katina started working on a draft for the lead single "You Get Me" with her future husband James Katina. Its chorus remained the same in the finished version of the song.^[2]

On February 2, 2003, an animated banner appeared on ZOEgirl's official website, encouraging visitors to "listen to the [Trip Rock] remix" of ZOEgirl's hit single "I Believe".^[3] Those who participated in this activity were instructed to listen to the original, pop version of "I Believe". Afterwards, they listened to the Trip Rock remix of "I Believe". Finally, they would comment on the remix, indicating whether or not they enjoyed it.^[4]

The album's official release date was announced on May 22, 2003 via the group's official website.^[5] "You Get Me" was released to radio stations on June 22, 2003. On July 15, 2003, ZOEgirl announced the album's title: Different Kind of Free. The lead single "You Get Me" was released to retail stores on July 24, 2003.^[6]

Release

Different Kind of Free peaked on the Billboard 200 at No. 149. It reached No. 9 on Billboards Christian Albums chart, and No. 4 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart.

Reception

Despite the girl group's musical transition, the album received generally favorable reviews among Christian music critics. Jesus Freak Hideout stated in their review: "ZOEgirl strips away the electronic sugar and spice to offer up the smoothest transition from pop to pop/rock since Rebecca St. James made the same move in the mid-nineties." CCM Magazine said that "No. offers plenty of good advice on ways to be different and, in this case, godly kinds of girls."^[7]

Personnel

ZOEgirl

Alisa Childers – vocals, additional guitars (5, 8), BGV arrangements
Chrissy Conway – vocals, additional percussion (5), BGV arrangements
Kristin Swinford – vocals, additional guitars (5), BGV arrangements

Additional musicians

Tedd T – programming (1-9, 11), bass guitar (1, 3-7, 9, 11), additional BGV arrangements
Damon Riley – programming (1-9, 11)
Rusty Varenkamp – additional programming (1-9, 11), additional vocal arrangements
Robert "Aurel M" Marvin – all instruments except electric guitar (10)
Lynn Nichols – electric guitars, acoustic guitars (1-9, 11), additional vocal arrangements
David May – additional guitars (2)
James Katina – bass guitar (2), additional backing vocals (2)
Brent Milligan – bass guitar (4, 8)
Dan Needham – drums (1-9, 11)
Antonio Neal – additional backing vocals (2)
Mat Kearney – rap (10)

Production

Lynn Nichols – executive producer, producer (5)
Tedd T – producer (1-9, 11), recording, editing, mixing (1-9, 11)
Damon Riley – additional production (1-9, 11), additional recording
Aurel M – producer (10)
James Baird – additional recording, drum recording, mixing (1-4, 7)
Rusty Varenkamp – additional recording, editing
Allen Salmon – drum recording assistant, editing
F. Reid Shippen – mixing (10)
Lee Bridges – mix assistant (10)
Richard Dodd – mastering
Jan Cook – art direction
Beth Lee – photographic direction
Alexis Goodman – graphic design
Kristin Barlowe – photography
Brian Smoot – make-up
Giovanni Guliano – hair stylist
Christiév Carothers – stylist

Notes and References

Web site: Different Kind of Free . October 13, 2012 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20080709165812/http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2003/differentkindoffree.html . July 9, 2008 . review on Christianity Today. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
Web site: "You Get Me" draft . September 10, 2017 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20040213023246/http://www.zoegirlonline.com/enhancedCD/lyrics/song7.jpg . February 13, 2004 . . Retrieved August 28, 2010.
Web site: ZOEgirlOnline.com . August 28, 2010 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20030202014106/http://www.zoegirlonline.com/ . February 2, 2003 . on February 2, 2003 via the Internet Archive. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
Web site: ZOEgirlOnline.com . September 10, 2017 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20030219171329/http://artists.sparrowrecords.com/remix/zoegirl-radio.html . February 19, 2003 . questionnaire via the Internet Archive. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
Web site: ZOEgirlOnline.com . August 28, 2010 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20030529121104/http://www.zoegirlonline.com/ . May 29, 2003 . on May 29, 2003 via the Internet Archive. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
Web site: New CD Single in Stores Now . September 10, 2017 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20030811140520/http://www.zoegirlonline.com/news.php?artistID=34&articleID=1531 . August 11, 2003 . . ZOEgirlOnline.com on August 11, 2003 via the Internet Archive. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
http://www.thefish.com/music/interviews/1228228/ "Different Kind of Free" - Music Review.