I Predict 1990


I Predict 1990 is the title of the fourth release and third full-length album by singer-songwriter Steve Taylor. Lyrically, the album explores actions that exploit others to various ends from multiple perspectives. CCM magazine found that the overall theme is that the ends never justify the means. It was released as a one-off on Myrrh Records instead of Sparrow. Taylor has said that the album's title was meant as a parody of a Lester Sumrall TV program and book, I Predict 1986.

Background

The cover was designed and painted by Taylor's wife, Debi. It was intended to resemble early 20th-century French poster art; however some Christians felt that it resembled a tarot card, which sparked controversy. Additionally, one televangelist claimed that the image was of Taylor saluting Satan, and that it additionally contained secret messages and links to New Age philosophy. These accusations caused some Christian book stores to pull the album.
Per the album's credits, all songs were written by Steve Taylor, except "Babylon" by Taylor and Dave Perkins. The ending theme to "Jim Morrison's Grave" was "borrowed" from Claude Debussy; and the introduction to "Harder to Believe" was "stolen" from Sergei Rachmaninoff.
The song "I Blew Up the Clinic Real Good" proved controversial; The song's lyrics - a scathing critique of anti-abortion activists who in turn blow up abortion clinics or kill doctors - resulted in Christian bookstores pulling the album, either because the song's critique of the pro-life movement offended store owners and customers, or because these same individuals missed the song's satirical point, and believed Taylor advocated such violence. Taylor himself would occasionally call these stores to personally explain the song to them. Taylor's tour of Australia was canceled due to the controversy around "I Blew Up The Clinic Real Good", largely due to misunderstanding of its satire.
Disillusioned with the Christian music scene following these and other controversies during the course of his career, Taylor formed the secular alternative rock band Chagall Guevara shortly after the release of the album.

Track listing

  1. "I Blew Up the Clinic Real Good" - 4:12
  2. "What Is the Measure of Your Success?" - 4:39
  3. "Since I Gave Up Hope I Feel a Lot Better" - 3:29
  4. "Babylon" - 4:51
  5. "Jim Morrison's Grave" - 4:29
  6. "Svengali" - 4:30
  7. "Jung and the Restless" - 4:32
  8. "Innocence Lost" - 5:03
  9. "A Principled Man" - 3:27
  10. "Harder to Believe Than Not To" - 4:32

    Personnel

Some Band
Additional musicians
Production notes