Chris Rice

Item: Amusing
Author: Brian A. Smith

Amusing

(2005)

Reviewed by Brian A. Smith

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Label Eb+Flo RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2005

ccm singer-songwriter

Chris Rice has left the CCM world -- sort of. After years spent on Rocketown Records, Rice and longtime producer Monroe Jones formed a new label called eb+flo, with a distribution deal with INO Records, long known for being an artist friendly group. As a result, Rice is free to do songs that aren't necessarily crafted for his typical radio audience.

Amusing shows Rice to be much more relaxed than on previous outputs, possibly even too relaxed. The usual themes are here, of faith, and finding God in nature, and trying to get a rein on time, and falling in love. "When Did You Fall" has a familiar sound (think James Taylor) to it, to the point that it would have fit in on any Rice album to date.

"Love Like Crazy," featuring legendary guitarist Duane Eddy, takes a whimsical but pointed look at Christ from the very beginning:

I heard a rumor that love will make you crazy
Well, is it true?
Well, that's no rumor, look at the crazy things that love made Jesus do...

"Breakfast Table" is about the loss of a loved one, and the hope that the two will see each other again:

My lucky doll, you're in heaven before me
You were my taste of Heaven here.

"The Final Move" portrays life as a chess match, with Love making the move that decides the game. "Tick-tock" asks Rice's questions re eternity, and examines the random nature of time related to our lives. "Lemonade" is an optimistic look at taking chances in life and the joy that can result.

Amusing is the right title for the record. Rice has built a career in pondering the same questions many have of God, and in a tongue in cheek approach to life, realizing that it is better to laugh at its absurdities, rather than become bogged down in the pitfalls. At times, it is almost as if he and God have their own private jokes behind the scenes. This disc doesn't grab you immediately like previous Rice albums, but it continues to reveal its depth with repeated listens.

3.5 tocks