Caught in the Act of Loving Him

Description

Caught in the Act of Loving Him is the fourth album by the Canadian rock band Servant, independently released on Rooftop Records in 1983, distributed in the US by The Benson Company. Licensed to Image VII Records in Canada, manufactured by Word Records Limited. Also distributed in the UK and Europe by Pilgrim Records. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Jonathan David Brown at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California. (Trivia: The man behind the glasses featured on the album cover was Servant’s tour bus driver, Randy.)

Servant, in its strongest and most consistent form, moves toward a keyboard oriented synth-pop sound on ‘Caught in the Act of Loving Him’. Dedicated to the cause of world missions, ‘Caught’ is offered as a bonus on Servant’s “Great American Album Giveaway” tour, which combines a solo artist, a major opening act, missionary speakers, and Servant’s usual, exciting extravaganza.

Compositionally, Servant learning from past excesses, relies on a three-and-a-half minute hook-oriented, pop-rock formula. For the most part, it works. «Now is the Time» and «Tied Down» brings together the message – abandon material hindrances for the work of Christ’s gospel – with the group’s best music. «Heart To Heart», «Something Right for You», and «Holding on to You» likewise wed pointed lyrics to good hooks and bright vocals. The electronic hymn «Thank God» stretches out in rich orchestral praise.

While «Fall Out» makes strong European-styled techno-pop, «Gauges» fails due to the limitation of the formula. «Burning Bridges» and «Can’t Go Back» attempt an amalgam of contemporary rock sound with bubble-gum melodic fills. They sometimes work and sometimes are unintentionally humorous.

Servant, which has honed and maintained a career through constant touring, writes with an eye as much to visual concepts as musical strength. This tends to add a welcome dynamic element to the live music. Yet, often the guitar solos sound as though they were designed more for how they look when played than for how they actually sound. Hence, what works well on stage or in video lacks sting on vinyl.

What works consistently for Servant on ‘Caught’ are the fine vocals of Sandie Brock and Bob Hardy, the keyboard textures of Matt Spransy, and Spransy’s compositional additions and arrangements with Bruce Wright. Jonathan David Brown produces with generally positive results, but problem spots – like the guitar “blue note” early in «Can’t Go Back» – leaves one wondering if the project was rushed.

The message that comes through the album is one of commitment to Christ and the cause of world missions. Although the songs tend toward the sermonic, they avoid preachiness by melding their point with a musical idea. Gratefully, these songs are more memorable, helpful, and positive than some of Servant’s previous works, and they should garner greater radio play.

Without doubt, Servant will remain a major force in Christian rock circles due to the group’s intense commitment, fervent touring, strong managerial direction, and great theatrical shows. [Quincy Smith-Newcomb, CCM, January 1984]

Caught in the Act of Loving Him, Limited Edition CD, Retroactive Records 2006

23 years after the fact and for the first time ever on CD, out of Grant’s Pass, Oregon, comes Servant’s Caught in the Act of Loving You. Initially released in 1983 on Servant’s Rooftop Records, CITAOLH was the album that put the band on the map. Great music, innovative marketing and endless touring brought this album to the masses.

Musically, it is a giant step forward in sound and songwriting for the band. The project is loaded with energy, wit, and variety that was occasionally missing in the group’s previous releases. Clean guitars and keys alongside catchy melodies prepared the way for the band’s forthcoming major label releases, Light Maneuvers and Swimming in a Human Ocean.

The band saw more to the sweetness (check the bass line in «Fall Out») on the production side of things. Where there are moments when the band is unleashed, there is a controlled passion and urgency here.

But none of these ingredients would matter if the songs weren’t here. Servant had learned many songwriting lessons from the past ten years together. Matt Spransy and Bruce Wright teamed to create very good songs – even a couple of classics, for my money. «Holding On To You», «Can’t Go Back» and «Fall Out» are very memorable. If Christian music had a sense of history, these would be, without a doubt, on an “oldies” playlist.

Along with the sharpness of the music, the band launched the Great American Album Give Away Tour. The idea was to give every ticket holder a free LP and if you owned the LP, you got a free concert ticket. Unbelievably, over 100,000 albums were given away during the tour. The band would soon be signed to Myrrh Records, being produced by Bob Rock. [Bob Felberg, The Phantom Tollbooth, January 29, 2007]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/caught-in-the-act/1777324664)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Now Is The Time” – 2:56
A2. “Fall Out” – 4:30
A3. “Thank God” – 4:33
A4. “Holding On To You” – 3:58
A5. “Burning Bridges” – 3:57

Side Two
B1. “Heart To Heart” – 3:13
B2. “Gauges” – 3:02
B3. “Something Right For You” – 3:24
B4. “Tied Down” – 3:58
B5. “Can’t Go Back” – 3:08

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Rooftop Records. Digitally remastered and re-issued as a Limited Edition CD by Retroactive Records ‎in 2006.