Deep Dive: Russ Taff's self-titled album (Episode 10) - a podcast by CCM in 3D

When an artist self-titles their debut album, the message is usually along the lines of, "Hello there. This is who we are. Nice to meet you." When an artist self-titles their third, fourth, fifth, or later album, the message is much different: "Hello again. This album will contain big changes from who we were previously." So it was in 1987 when CCM vocalist Russ Taff released his self-titled third solo album. Whereas the previous album (Medals, 1985) had been full of anthems about not bowing to idols and the artist being "rock solid," the viewpoint had shifted radically on the third album. Taff had clearly plummeted "down in the lowlands" and a "dark night of the soul" album was the result.

The 3D's were excited to revisit an album that meant so much to each of them back in 1987. Would the songs still hold up today? Would the message carry the same gravitas as before? Would the production undermine the seriousness of the lyrics? Push play and find out for yourself.

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The 3D's are Dan, Derek, and Dave. Three friends who used to work together in early 1990s in Christian radio who love to reminisce about music from the golden era of CCM, 1985-1995. If you love classic Amy, Michael, Petra, Russ, and White Heart, you have found your new favorite podcast. New episodes drop every Monday. Make sure to subscribe.

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Dan Day is a small business owner in the Wichita area.

Derek Hale is pastor of Trinity Covenant Church (CREC) in Wichita, KS (https://trinitycovenantchurch.wordpress.com/)

Dave Wilson is an on-air personality working for Entercom Communications.

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Intro and outro music: "New Spoon," composed by Sam Luttrell. Used by permission. Please visit his Bandcamp site at https://cannonfire.bandcamp.com/releases.

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