Phillips, Craig & Dean

Item: Trust
Author: Stephen Trickey

Trust

(1995)

Reviewed by Stephen Trickey

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Label Star Song RecordsThe LighthouseJanuary 1996

adult contemporary ccm pop

What do you get when you take three men from different cities who are pastors of their local churches, talented singers, and love practical jokes? A Christian pop group that can roll out #1 songs by the bunches. That's what you have when you combine Randy Phillips (Austin, Texas), Shawn Craig (Irving, Texas), and Dan Dean (St. Louis, Missouri) as they make up Phillips, Craig & Dean. They are known as much for their endless sense of humor as for their classic harmonies. How much fun are they having? Let's put it this way, they are either having an absolute blast in making their music, or they are the biggest scam artists of all time.

Only someone full of joy in their music would dare start a song with such studio snippets as, "Let er' rip, tater chip," (from "Take Me To Jesus" from their debut) or, "Roll the tape Roscoe," (from "Can I Get A Witness" from Lifeline). Not only is it entertaining; it works! They already have eight #1 singles from their first two projects, plus a #1 song from the project My Utmost For His Highest, to their credit. Add to that several Dove Award nominations and it gives the group about as much success as anyone has had in such a short career (they started in 1992).

In this their third release, the choice was simple: either stay the course and duplicate their previous work or take a walk on the wild side and try something new. Well, they didn't take a long walk on the wild side, but they certainly took a short stroll there.

Paul Mills is back as producer, bringing plenty of quality background singers (former Imperial Ron Hemby and Lisa Bevill) and musicians (another former Imperial Jimmy Lee Sloas, Tom Hemby and Jerry McPherson). The new release, Trust-which stands for "To Rest Upon Sure Things"-is a wonderful consistent mix of inspiring ballads and energetic pop tunes.

All three members had a hand in writing the songs along with such veteran songwriters as NewSong's Leonard Ahlstrom and 4HIM producer Don Koch. The same perfect harmonies are still there, along with incredibly spiritual sensitive lyrics. Trust however, gives the Phillips, Craig & Dean standards a little more "juice."

The first two tracks are great, up-tempo pop songs, and will remind many of their past radio hits. The first, "You Don't Have The Right," is a bit like, "He Believes In Lost Causes" from the Lifeline project. It possesses a snappy musical beat that is just accessible enough to carry the toe-tapping harmonies on a fun, upbeat ride. Lyrically, the tune is a challenge for Christians to "tell the story" to the world:

You don't have the right to remain silent If you've been arrested by God's grace You've got to take the stand to tell the story Of how your guilty stains have been replaced...

The second song, "Christian," could easily become a new anthem for many Christians. It starts with a funky drum solo intro and quickly lifts to a rousing crescendo. The song carries a full sound, thanks to plenty of hand-clapping background vocals and peppy guitar play. It would be difficult not to be caught up in the catchy harmonies on this one. It will remind fans of such past tunes as "Can I Get A Witness." Lyrically, it follows the path set by the first cut by stating our wonderful opportunity as Christians:

Some talk about virtue Some preach about vice Some say that the road to heaven is paved with thin ice Some people keep sinning They don't think about it twice... But I'm proud to be a Christian I'll say it loud that I'm a Christian There ain't no doubt that I'm a Christian...

The next two cuts display the other side of the group by showing their incredible skill at delivering inspiring, soul-searching ballads. "Mercy Came Running" is a slow to mid-tempo ballad that takes gentle harmonies into a slightly faster chorus. Lyrically, it displays the overwhelming desire of Christ to forgive us of our failures:

Mercy came running Like a prisoner set free Past all my failures to the point of my need When the sin that I carried Was all I could see And when I could not reach mercy Mercy came running to me

For me, the true knockout ballad of the project is "Crucified With Christ." It is a slow, easy ballad with plenty of piano and string accompaniment. Vocally, it boasts a fine performance from Phillips for most of the song, lifting to a lush melodic harmony with heavy support from the background vocalists. Pulling its meaning from Galatians 2:20, it states, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me...." This song is likely to top the inspirational charts.

The next two songs caught me a little off-guard at first. It was with these two cuts that the group introduced that "juice" I was talking about earlier. I admit it took more than one listen to get me comfortable with the idea of Phillips, Craig & Dean dabbling with a little "rock" sound. In time, however, not only did the songs appeal to me, but they sounded great. "Reckless Ride Of Faith" is an upbeat guitar and drum laden tune that peps up the project after the two earlier ballads. While the fast pace was a little different, it wasn't too far off from the sound of "This Is The Life." "Living It Up" shows a little indication that they know they're treading new territory when another studio snippet following the song features one of the guys saying, "That's different!" Plenty of guitar play, complete with an electric guitar solo, sets the tone for this one. Though the faster pace may be a slight departure for the group, the fun and energetic way in which they perform, and the message it produces, remain solid. The lyrics give another message of celebration to the Christian:

I'm living it up I've got a reason to celebrate I'm living it up Don't want to live my life any other way I'm through with livin' down and out I'm settin' my heart on things above I've got my eyes on Jesus I'm living it up

"Ready For The Rain" and "Where It's Always Been" slow the pace down a bit as they deliver a nice and easy sound with the group's trademark harmonies. Musically, they are more in line with past easy listening tunes such as "Build A Bridge To Love" with a touch of acoustic guitar and church organ. The final cut is a song co-written by Phillips and follows a similar theme to a previous #1 hit, "Midnight Oil," by giving thanks for the prayers of a loved one. Phillips attributes this song to a woman he knew in his youth who always kept him in her prayers.

Trust will likely satisfy all fans of Phillips, Craig & Dean as they continue to record quality music with just the right touch of good old-fashioned fun. There are several radio-friendly songs destined for the charts. Their willingness to jazz up the tempo on a few songs shows a desire to progress and mature in their music. Those who have not heard their music and enjoy strong harmonies, fun pop tunes, and inspiring ballads all wrapped with a strong Christian message should definitely give this a listen.