The Touchstone (album)

The Touchstone is the tenth studio album by the American Christian rock band Petra. It was released in 1995 by Word Records. Musically, the album represented a move toward a more progressive rock sound for Petra, incorporating longer instrumental passages and more complex arrangements than their previous works. Lyrically, the album explores themes of faith, doubt, and the importance of spiritual discernment in a complex world. While The Touchstone was generally well-received by critics, it generated some controversy among longtime fans due to its departure from the band's established hard rock style and more explicit lyrical content, specifically regarding the challenges of living a Christian life. Key tracks on the album include "Hyperspace," "Hey World," and "Underneath the Rubble." The album features John Schlitt on lead vocals, Bob Hartman on guitars, John Lawry on keyboards, Ronny Cates on bass, and Louie Weaver on drums.