Stir It Up

Description

Stir It Up is an album by the American pop quartet The Imperials, released on StarSong Records in 1995. The album was produced by band member Paul Mills.

Just when you think you’ve got the Imperials figured out, the vocal group with a three decade history stirs it up again. Change has been a way of musical life with the Imps, and that has been perhaps as much a weakness as it has been a strength. The group has gone from southern gospel to inspirational to adult contemporary to darn near rock, and most recently settled into a light contemporary sound that seemed somehow logical for the likes of veterans Armond Morales, his sister Pam, Dave Will, and newest comer Jonathan Hildreth.

But one listen to «Change the World», the first track from ‘Stir It Up’ and it’s clear that the fire isn’t fading – and it’s starting to heat up again! This opening tune serves as an anthem (“If I wanted to change the world/I would start by loving you/And if loving was all we knew/Baby we could change the world”) that sets the tone, and reprises itself at the end as well. If that weren’t catchy enough, the next tune, «Taking Your Love for Granted», is hookier still; as pop savvy and radio-ready as the Imps have ever been (surely, you’ve heard this one on your local Christian station by now).

The R&B-flavored pop of ‘Stir It Up’ is reminiscent of the late ’80s Imps (‘This Year’s Model‘), when bassist Jimmie Lee was lead vocalist. It was the hottest the group got musically for me, but seemingly not all members were comfortable with the direction, and I personally never expected to hear it again. But yours truly is glad to be wrong about this one, and Armond sounds downright buoyant singing the bass parts on «Standing on the Rock of Love». Who knew?

Suffice it to say, though groups like 4HIM insure the future of the modern pop Christian quartet, it’s not time to count these guys out yet. With smart production by Paul Mills and additional backing vocals from Chris Harris, Lisa Bevill, and Chris Rodriguez, ‘Stir It Up’ does just that – and the mixture is a potent one indeed. [Thom Granger, CCM, March 1993]

CD tracklist:

01. Change The World – 4:27
02. Taking Your Love For Granted – 3:47
03. We’re All in This Together – 3:49
04. Testify – 4:05
05. Put the Weight on My Shoulders – 4:36
06. Standing on the Rock of Love – 3:43
07. Stir It Up – 4:17
08. I Believe in You – 4:01
09. My Faith Stands – 4:00
10. Change the World (reprise) – 3:47

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by StarSong Records.