Chris Rice
Amused
INO Records/Eb+Flo Records

As Rocketown’s flagship artist, Chris Rice has earned himself many awards and accolades. Now after many years of faithful service to Rocketown, Rice has moved on to a new partnership with Eb+Flo Records. His latest CD on this new label is titled Amused.

The first time I popped his newest release into the CD player I thought to myself, wow what is he doing? The prelude, an abstract funky blues intro, leads into a very upbeat rock song “Love Like Crazy.” The style of writing is very similar but that funky rhythm was unusual. I’m not sure if you would call it hip-hop, but there is a little bit of a rap dropped in during the bridge as well. All together it was a new experience that was really cool for this usual mild mannered pop singer. From there though, Rice returns to his signature sound and style for the majority of the album. My favorites are “When Did You Fall,” “The Final Move,” and the whimsical “The Best Song Ever.”

Rice is one of the most amazing writers in contemporary Christian music. His songs have always had a way of connecting on many levels, mostly they are just down to earth but always pointed skyward, that “Run the Earth – Watch the Sky” mindset Rice has sung about before.

Rice, together with Monroe Jones and Ken Lewis, has established eb+flo records and a partnership with INO Records. Amused will be released as a duel disc which will feature studio footage and a behind the scenes look at making the record. Rice will also be releasing a live DVD in the fall. For more information check http://www.ebflo.com.

- Ken W.