Spreadin’ Like Wildfire

Description

Spreadin’ Like Wildfire is the seventh studio album by the American pop trio The Archers, released on MCA Songbird in 1981, distributed by Sparrow Records. The album was produced by Dony McGuire.

Spreadin’ Like Wildfire – The Archers – MCA/Songbird MCA 5258

The Archers’ MCA/Songbird debut is filled with high energy performances of uptempo material. «Everyday» and the title cut are meant for the airwaves. «Back In Your Arms», «Care», and «Never Say Goodbye» slow down the pace for easy listening. [Record World, Gospel Album Picks, October 10, 1981]

‘Spreadin’ Like Wildfire’ (Songbird, MCA-52-58) is very slick, very professional, very formula. It also contains an updated, upbeat sound for The Archers. Though slightly deficient in gut-level emotions (if that’s what you’re looking for), many of the tunes on the LP are still well-written and tastefully arranged to convey enthusiasm.

The Archers perform these secular hit sound-alikes with their own brand of freshness and with considerable ease; their sibling accuracy and harmonies blend well with the full, punchy, orchestrated pop sound provided by producer Dony McGuire.

Several cuts convey delightful, upbeat moods, including the title cut, «Spreadin’ Like Wildfire», «I Never Knew Love Like This Before», «Back In Your Arms», and a rather unusually arranged «Merry Go Round». Steve Archer’s tune, «Care» promises his solo album will be somewhat different from the Archer’s group effort. One cut on the LP does stand out as a bit strange: «Runnin’ to Long», seems to be one of those not-as-rare-as-they-should-be Christian songs in which the themes of the music and the lyrics seem inherently contradictory.

Best cuts: «Spreadin’ Like Wildfire», «Back In Your Arms», «Merry Go Round». [Karen Marie Platt, CCM, December 1981]

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LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Spreadin’ Like Wildfire” – 4:01
A2. “I Never Knew Love” – 4:02
A3. “Sooner Or Later” – 4:22
A4. “Back In Your Arms” – 4:45
A5. “Everyday” – 4:11

Side Two
B1. “Runnin’ Too Long” – 4:13
B2. “Care” – 4:33
B3. “Nothing Can Separate Us” – 4:15
B4. “Merry-Go-Round” – 5:51
B5. “Never Say Goodbye” – 3:53

Note: Originally issued in the mainstream market on MCA Songbird as MCA-5258 and co-released in the Christian market via Sparrow Distribution as MCR-5016 with that product number and Sparrow distribution credit on the label and back cover.

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