AMUSING

Chris Rice

reviewed by Colin Michael

Wait a minute! Didn't MDM4M review Amusing last issue?

Well, sort of. That is to say, yes, Silas gave us a nibble and pumped up the DVD or "DualDisk" of Amusing one short month ago. But this is different. No, really! See, I'm and old guy (older than Chris!), not a CCM puppy like young Tomkin. I don't even listen to CCM!

Before you tune me out, let me say one thing... I really got a lot out of this album and I want to let you in on what got my attention.

First off, I'll admit that a couple of these songs got me singing and stayed in my head several days. "When Did You Fall In Love" and "Lemonade" both remind me of some of the better new folk that has been playing on adult contemporary stations over the last ten years or so. Fairly timeless, upbeat music and lyrics that stick with you for awhile.

On the other hand, "Breakfast Table" is a song that get's to me, and not just because the subject is the recent loss of a loved one. The lyrics are touching, whimsical, deeply personal and universal all at once. It reminds me of Jonathan Edwards best stuff, like "Emma" or "Cold Snow", but surpasses it because it contains that kernel of theology that makes it stand up to reality.

But I've saved the best for last. You have GOT to sit down and listen to "Love Like Crazy", straight through and with the volume up! Then you need to give it a second listen and really catch all of those lyrics. It's a Bible lesson in one sense, an irreverent rant in another, and definitely not politically correct when they go into overdrive with the euphemisms for mental instability. I couldn't even count how many. But tell me this, would you tell Jesus:

Well I'm telling you boy,
you got a lot to learn.
I think you're crazy alright,
to love for nothing in return.
You've lost your marbles;
got a few loose screws;
and if you count your cards
I'll bet you got less than fifty-two.

Maybe you wouldn't dare be that blunt, but I bet the Pharisees didn't hesitate to call Jesus a cracked pot right to His face. We really need to understand again what the world thinks of the love of Christ.

Look at the crazy things
that love made Jesus do.
Well the friends He chose
were thought to be outrageous
And you could even find Him
touching the contagious,
And the craziest is how
He chose to save us;
He gave His life away.
Then He had to go and say
got to love the same way
that I love you.

Love like crazy!

"Love Like Crazy" isn't just a song, it's a terribly convicting sermon. It is also a kickin' tune, too! A bit too much for me, really, but the lyrics are so convicting that I can't help recommending this album to everyone whose ear I can bend. Add it to your collection. Right now.