MP3 clip from International Anthems For The Human Race Theme From Summer

At first listen, International Anthems For The Human Race, the new project by All Star United, seems to be a fluff piece with undertones of the Beatles and the 60's surf scene. But, by delving a bit deeper into the tracks, one finds a surprising depth of meaning. As the band challenges in Welcome To Our Big Rock Show, "Got a cryptic coder / On the microphone / Find the secret message / Buried in our big rock show."

The album is surprisingly similar, both in sound and structure, to the Beatles' Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (or more accurately, the Peter Frampton / BeeGee's remake) in that the songs seem to flow into a narrative. The album opens with a song about "the band," Welcome To Our Big Rock Show; it is an somewhat "autobiographic" piece, and shows that ASU have the rare ability to be slightly self-mocking, and at the same time be cuttingly insightful about themselves and the music industry at large. (Anyone for Steve Taylor's I Want To Be A Clone?)

The narrative seems to follow the singer as he rises in popularity (Popular Americans and Worldwide Socialites Unite), but continues to be disillusioned about his life (International Anthem). The final song on the disc, much like A Day In The Life on Sgt. Pepper, ties together the themes of the album. In Put Your Arms Around Me the singer realizes that "I'm an average guy / But the people like to have their heroes," but that his source of strength comes through Christ.

Beyond the narrative, however are some truly good tunes. One of the best songs on the album, If We Were Lovers is a catchy pop song, which at first listen may cause one to wonder if this really is a Christian group. It is in fact a cry for revolution; a call for Christians to be imitators of Christ. The theme behind the song is that if we embraced Jesus' command, love your neighbor as yourself, "An extraordinary love / Offers heal for hurt and kind for cruelty" that "revolution might begin with you and me."

Another song, one which is sure to be a summer hit release, is Theme From Summer. It is a catchy, Beach-Boys-surfer tune, which indirectly bashes those who feel that "Christians should always cheerful and happy." In fact, ASU mockingly add, "When skies are gray / try this cliché."

Finally, as a bonus, hidden track is ASU's rendition of Hurricane Baby, a rousing swing style tune well worth the hunt.

All in all, International Anthems For The Human Race is a thoroughly enjoyable musical journey.