Description
Heat. It. Up. is the eleventh studio album by the American rock combo DeGarmo & Key Band, released on Benson Records in 1993. The album was produced by John Hampton, Eddie DeGarmo, and Dana Key. The band cut the tracks on the album in only three days and every song on the album is the first take in terms of the track, except for one.
There’s been a buzz in the air about this new D&K records, that it’s a welcome “return to rock” for the boys from Memphis. This, of course, is presupposing that they haven’t been playing rock for quite some time, and that pop is either a dirty word or at least, forbidden territory for the duo.
In an attempt to set the record straight, let’s come to terms with DeGarmo & Key. Beginning with a sound that was alternately blues guitar-based in the tradition of early ZZ Top and keyboard-based in the tradition of bands like Kansas and Emerson, Lake and Palmer, De Garmo & Key, like any band that has been around as long as this one (15 years and counting), has played through a myriad of musical changes form flat-out rockers to syrupy pop ballads. To their earliest fans though, anything that strays too far from the primary approach is a sell-out.
An unfortunate point of view, since the boys are much better songwriters (in general) today than Back When, and if anything, they’ve shown themselves to be clever enough to build a large following, while maintaining the chameleon-like freedom to change colors when needed. Not only that, but to call ‘The Pledge‘ and ‘Go to the Top‘ pop records with a disdainful tone is to miss the point. Not only were they well-written and executed, but they connected extremely well with the kids and the church… and, in spots, they rocked as hard as anything they’ve recorded. Go listen again.
So, having said that, what of ‘Heat It Up’? Well, it rocks, that’s for sure. And it does so on a series of extremely well-crafted (shh! don’t say pop) songs that form the basis for what may be the band’s most artistically successful and popular album to date.
The album kicks in hard with «God Good/Devil Bad», a rock anthem in the tradition of «Rock Solid» (and not without a sense of humor), followed with the latter part of a one-two punch in the form of «Selective Amnesia», a reminder that God has chosen to forget the sins he forgives, driven by a locomotive-styled rhythm track and fine guitar work by Key. In fact, Key plays his strat off all over this record. That should make someone happy.
The title track is as musically hot as you’d expect, with suitable, if not predictable lyrics for the theme (same goes for «Armed and Dangerous», «Soldiers of the Cross», and «Fight Back»).
«It’s My Business» arrives at an interesting time in light of some current scandals in Christian music, with a lyric that reminds believers of their mutual responsibility and accountability to each other: “It’s my business to see that you’re doin’ fine/ It’s my business to keep you between the lines/ I’m just doin’ what the Lord says to do/ I hope your business is watchin’ me too.”
«Dare to Be Different» is a ballad that should comfort young Christians in the struggle to stand up for their faith in less than friendly circumstances: “You’ve heard their whispers/ They say we’re odd and out of touch/ Sometimes it hurst/ Sometimes we listen way too much/ …We dare to be different/ Dare to be called strange/ Dare to be different/ And the cross you wear should mean you’ve truly changed.”
Like DC Talk’s bold pronouncement in «Jesus is Still Alright», «I Use the J Word» is an anthem for cause of not laying it between the lines when it comes to giving credit were credit is due: “Let me tell you plain and simple/ Let me leave you no doubt/ I could never help you/ By leaving Jesus out.”
To get to the point, ‘Heat It Up’ is a winner, with DeGarmo & Key reuniting with John Hampton at Ardent Studios in Memphis (where many of the duo’s early records were made), to produce an album with both the passionate energy, and the sense of bullheaded belief you would expect from a 15-year old. Here’s to adolescence. [Thom Granger, CCM, June 1993]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/heat-it-up/1395619168)
CD tracklist:
01. Voices – 0:40
02. God Good / Devil Bad – 4:31
03. Selective Amnesia – 3:12
04. Never Look Back – 4:06
05. Heat. It. Up. – 3:17
06. It’s My Business – 4:28
07. Dare 2B Different – 4:54
08. Talk To Me – 4:29
09. Armed And Dangerous – 4:27
10. I Use The J Word – 3:56
11. Soldiers Of The Cross – 4:24
12. Divine Embrace – 3:34
13. Fight Back – 5:37
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Benson.
“God Good Devil Bad” (VIDEO)
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