4Him

Item: The Ride
Author: Ann Hathcock

The Ride

(1994)

Reviewed by Ann Hathcock

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Label Benson Music GroupThe LighthouseOctober 1994

adult contemporary ccm pop

If you are a tried and true 4HIM listener, you will enjoy their latest release titled, The Ride. Producers Michael Omartian, Don Koch, and Peter Wolf team up to create a typical 4HIM recording, tremendous 4-part harmony with vibrant vocalization. The theme created throughout the project is one of encouragement to the Christian of God's never-ending love.

Beginning the project, Orville & Wilbur Wright are the center of the song, "Wings." The artists contrast the flight of the Wrights' to our heavenly desire to spread our "wings" to our eternal home and "wave these worries good-bye." This theme mimics the song, "Fountain of Youth" from an earlier album. Switching lead voices, we hear from the distinct voice of Kirk Sullivan on "The Nature of Love." An urgent, powerful message brings, "For Future Generations" to the forefront as one of the hits on this album. The lyrics "what has been I can not change, for tomorrow and today, I will be a light for future generations" set a challenge to the Christian community for accountability to those around us. Changing pace is the Bee Gees sound of Marty Magehee with "Shelter In The Rain." It definitely has the lively rhythm to make you want to break into a 70's disco dance.

The relationships we have with friends through Jesus Christ is the theme for the slow pop tune, "Between You And Me." As always with 4HIM projects, there are a lot of different vocal arrangements between each artist to give each song a unique sound. This album makes good utilization of the voices, changing lead vocals to fit the mood of the song. "Real Thing" is the closest to a "rock" sound as 4HIM will get. The song is led by tenor, Andy Chrisman, but there are a lot of voice-overs to give the tune a spirited tone. One of the most unique songs on the album is "Ride Of Life." Complete with roller coaster sound effects, you feel like you are on a scream machine as this arrangement takes you on this "roller coaster ride of life, lifts you up and lets you down...this roller coaster ride of life spins you round and round and round." A typical 4HIM arrangement is "What Do I Know," complete with lots of ooh's and aah's as only these four guys can do. "Love Finds You" is a distinctive song telling us that we are not far away from friends that we love. "We may be worlds apart but you're never too far from where I need you to be, love finds you, love brings you to me."

Being one of those tried and true fans, I really enjoyed the new release from 4HIM. These guys have such great harmony, maybe an acappella project will be up next? The lyrics and arrangements are typical 4HIM but they do a great job of presenting them in a fresh, new way. I would recommend this album to anyone who needs encouragement when The Ride gets a little rough.