Description
Candycoatedwaterdrops is the sophomore studio album by the American modern rock project Plumb (the brainchild of singer/songwriter Tiffany Arbuckle), released on Essential Records in 1999, a division of Brentwood Music, manufactured and distributed in the US by Provident Music Distribution. Also distributed by BMG Distribution. The album was produced by Matt Bronleewe (an original member of Jars of Clay) with Glenn Rosenstein producing tracks 2 and 7.
The album won Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award in the category Modern Rock Album at the 31th Annual Dove Awards, held on April 20, 2000.
In 2024 Plumb released Candycoatedwaterdrops Reimagined.
Tempted to judge this album by its title? This isn’t a Christian rock version of Liz Phair’s whitechocolatespaceegg. And it’s not a concept album pitting God’s living water versus sugary religion. Instead, Plumb’s second release falls somewhere between the derivative and the daring. At its best, this disc engages the listener with its mesh of textures, from churning stomp rock («Late Great Planet Earth») to Beatles-gone-Nashville («God-shaped Hole»).
But at several key junctures, candycoateawaterarops fails to realize some adventurous lyrical concepts and lands square in the middle of the modern-rock road. Not that this makes for unpleasant listening; to be sure, Tiffany Arbuckle is in fine voice throughout, buffeted by capable musicianship and muscular production (hats off to producer Matt Bronleewe). But there’s little here to suggest that Plumb has shattered any barriers. Songs like «Stranded», «Worlds Collide» and «Lie Low», strident as they sound, are indistinguishable from most Christian hit radio fare.
Lyrically, «Damaged» and «Drugstore Jesus» tackle molestation and demagogue ministers respectively – great starting points for any narrative – but neither song musters enough imagery or storytelling tension to make these topics jump to life. And on «Phobic», Arbuckle sings, “You can be healed/ You can be free/ You can know peace/ Never be afraid again.” That last line in particular doesn’t ring sincere – every believer’s life retains its fearful moments – and the verse as a whole sounds more like bumper-sticker Christianity than true soul comfort.
Granted, this album is far from a sophomore slump. What’s more, candycoatedwaterdrops will likely yield many hits and sell in the hundreds of thousands. Then again, should Christian artists only embrace economic measures of success as evidence of mission accomplished? Give this album an “A” for ambition. But artistically and spiritually, there’s something of a sophomore stumble evident. [Lou Carlozo, CCM, May 1999]
Alternative music seems to be fast becoming a known entity; much to its detriment. At one time, the genre hailed a welcome set of bands who thought nothing of pushing the familiar rock genre beyond popular perimeters. Now it seems full of like sounding groups, producing slick pop music for the masses. Plumb, on the other hand, have come up trumps with the release of their exceptional second release. This kicks off the proceedings with the phenomenal «Late Great Planet Earth»; an awesome mix of acoustic, electric and classical instrumentation that must be heard to be believed. Whether it be modern rock («Solace») powerful ballads («Worlds Collide») or laid back pop grooves (the title cut), Plumb deliver the goods admirably. Though well produced, there is nothing to suggest that these compositions could not be pulled off in a live setting. Featuring the talents of such session musicians as Jerry McPhearson (guitars), George Cocchini (guitars) and Jackie Street (bass), not forgetting the London Symphony Recording Orchestra (conducted and arranged by Tom Howard), ‘Candy…’ is a mature leap forward in both sound and delivery; a fine collection of modern tinged grooves to rival, and in deed surpass many within the genre. Truly ‘alternative’? Judge for yourself. [Alex Figgis, Cross Rhythms, June 1999]
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/candycoatedwaterdrops/359219023)
CD tracklist:
01. Late Great Planet Earth
02. Stranded
03. Here With Me
04. Lie Low
05. Phobic
06. God-Shaped Hole
07. Solace
08. Worlds Collide: A Fairy Tale
09. Damaged
10. Drugstore Jesus
11.1 Candycoatedwaterdrops
11.2 He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Essential Records.
A full-page advertisement for Plumb’s Candycoatedwaterdrops was featured in the April 1999 issue of CCM Magazine.
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