Amplifier

Description

Amplifier is the third album by the American pop-rock band Big Tent Revival, released on Forefront Records in 1998. The album was produced and recorded by John Hampton at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. Additional engineering by Brad Blackwood, Jason Latshaw, Matt Martone, and Pete Matthews. Mixed by Hampton and Skidd Mills at Ardent Studios. Strings arranged by Carl Marsh.

On its third album from the Memphis pop/rock quartet, Big Tent Revival takes the lessons learned and confidence earned on the heels of its successful sophomore outing, ‘Open All Nite’, and turns up the energy and volume a couple of notches for ‘Amplifier’. Songwriter/vocalist Steve Wiggins writes straight-up Christian rock songs that are easily understood. But, it’s like someone shook up this band, because more often than not it attacks these tracks as if someone’s life depended on it. Would that more Christian bands recorded with as much heart and passion.

«Still Breathing» begins with the gift of life as a witness of our call to live faithfully. «Someday (Time & Space)» reflects on eternity, and «What Would Jesus Do» asks the question at the heart of a poignant movement among young teens. All these and most of the tracks on ‘Amplifier’ attain a high memory to music ratio, but the real fun starts as they step out of the clean, precise, pop recording mold and allow the music to breathe and rock. It first happens as the third song, «God Made Heaven», comes to its predictable conclusion when rhythm section Rick Heil and Spence Smith and guitarist Randy Williams decide to take a final victory lap. By the time we get to «Jimmy» (track five), BTR is content to hop on a punchy blues riff and ride it to its logical jamming conclusion.

Wiggins & Co. have created a pop/rock gem, balancing songs of insight and compassion with moments of ecstatic musical expression that embody the joy of knowing Christ in ways that words cannot. Track 11 is an extended verbal thank-fest, and completely unnecessary. But it’s followed by four, fun bonus tracks (on the CD) that make up in musical gusto what they lack in refinement. This ain’t Hollywood, baby. This is Memphis rock ‘n’ roll in the cause of Christ. Isn’t that cool? [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, April 1998]

Newsflash! BTR carve out a new rocked up sound for themselves! We kick off on this album with an excellent cover of Brent Milligan’s «Still Breathing» (previously recorded on the ‘One Point Oh‘ compilation). The rest are by the band’s own Steve Wiggins and do not lower the standards. «Lovely Mausoleum» examines the way people hide the emptiness with a false exterior. «Wouldn’t It Be Cool» is a lot deeper than it’s title suggests. They mellow out a little on a couple of songs, but the overall feel is somewhat like a whirlwind locked in a box – ready to blow the lid off at any moment! Which is exactly what happens on the last four tracks. In the four (yes, four) “hidden” tracks the CD nearly leaps out of the deck with the sheer energy they exude! In a marvelous touch of irony, they are actually the best tracks on the album. Rockier and free from the slightly over produced feel of the others. In them, Steve roundly slams religious legalism, finger pointing critics and gives his very definite views on those who think they will be able to argue with God’s final judgement. If this is the new sound of BTR, I am all for it. Since this is also an AVCD, those of you with PCs will be able to view the video for their hit single «What Would Jesus Do?». Brit pop it’s not, but a smouldering slab of rock and roll it is. Value for money, too – what more could you ask? [Joel Lewis, Cross Rhythms, October 1998]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/amplifier/1502260058)

CD tracklist:

01. Still Breathing – 3:40
02. Lovely Mausoleum – 3:57
03. God Made Heaven – 4:21
04. Someday (Time and Space) – 4:51
05. Jimmy (Narrator: Don Small) – 3:32
06. Star In The Book Of Life – 3:08
07. Wouldn’t It Be Cool – 4:21
08. Psalm 72 – 3:48
09. What Would Jesus Do? – 5:10
10. Ready, Steady, Go – 3:39
11. Untitled – 10:35
12. Real Thing – 2:10
13. Rivalry – 4:01
14. West Memphis Lawyer – 5:06
15. Come On People – 2:44
Video: What Would Jesus Do – 4:32

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Forefront Records. Tracks 12 through 15 are not referenced in any of the liner notes or inserts, but the titles are mentioned in Track 11, along with some additional credits and thanks.

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