Petra, BEAT THE SYSTEM, CD reissue Girder Records 2021This CD copy updates my vinyl Lp on Star Sound. The CD booklet includes the lyrics on the foldout, but not the original Lp's merchandise and tour sheet from the original. This album was Petra's bid to cross over from being distributed exclusively in Christian bookstores. Word/ABC inked a deal in late 1984 to distribute CCM albums to the general/secular (mall) retail outlets via A&M Records and RCA distribution, and the first two acts on the roster on the A&M imprint were Petra and Amy Grant. Petra's BEAT THE SYSTEM came first, but only sold about 10% of their albums in regular retail channels, while this album topped the Billboard TOP INSPIRATIONAL ALBUMS monthly chart on three appearances, on 6/01/1985, 6/29/85, and 7/27/85, replaced at the top by Amy Grant's UNGUARDED album.Petra and Word changed the band's style on this album from a 1970's pop/rock sound (think the softer Boston and Journey pop ballads) to a synth/pop sound much like period Top-40 acts like Hall & Oates, Kenny Loggins, Huey Lewis, and mid-'80s dance soundtracks like FOOTLOOSE and TOP GUN.The album charted on the Billboard TOP INSPIRATIONAL ALBUMS monthly chart (published every four weeks) from 2/09/85 debut until 7/26/86. but did not appear on the regular 200 pop albums chart. Petra followed this album with a 2 Lp live set, CAPTURED IN TIME AND SPACE, that returned to a more guitar '70s rock sound, which charted on the ...INSPIRATIONAL ... chart beginning 5/03/86.