Music Review: Short Term Memories by Chris Rice

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: So many great songs on one disc
Cons: Chris' career tanked from here
The Bottom Line:
The hits from four discs
With many timeless lyrics
I will always love




These Songs Will Always Be More Than Short Term Memories

In 1997, Chris Rice took Christian music by storm. I don't say that lightly. Even though I didn't have access to Christian radio at the time, I still had "Deep Enough to Dream" memorized in a matter of weeks. Chris would go on to release four projects for Rocketown Records. I love all four of them to this day. He combines folk and pop music in a fun way and his unique insights make me stop and think. As he was leaving that label for a new one, he released Short Term Memories, a collection of his hits to date. I'm sure it will be no surprise when I announce that I love it, too.

As with any collection, there is some new material to entice long time fans to buy the disc. This disc features two new songs and two new versions of classics. Frankly, those new versions aren't that special. "Clumsy" is now a live recording from 1998. Since it was recorded with a band, it really doesn't sound that different from the studio version. The other new version is "Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)." He current radio single at the time, this is an acoustic version. It's just Chris and a guitar. It's beautiful, but nothing too different.

The two "new" songs are both old, but new to Chris's records. Actually, as far as I know, this is the first recording of "Mama Prays" anywhere. It's classic Chris, guitar based folk with some pop production like the almost chant like "Prayers when up but never came down" that starts the song. It's a celebration of the power of parental prayer in their kids' lives.

The other new song is "Go Light Your World." While this is the first time Chris has recorded it, it was a big hit in the 90's for Kathy Traccoli. This challenge to live the gospel is still great. It's got a piano base and becomes a nice ballad.

The neat thing about this disc is that each of his four previous releases are equally represented here. That is very rarely the case on collection CD's. It shows how strong those four projects truly are. And as great as the songs included here are, I can easily think of at least one song from each album I wish had been included here. Ah, the curse of the die hard fan.

What is here is great. The disc opens with his first hit, "Deep Enough to Dream." With its quirky guitar picked opening, Chris creates a dreamlike state as he envisions what Heaven will be like. It never fails to put a smile on my face. Also from that debut is "Welcome to Our World." Quickly becoming a Christmas classic (it's been recorded on a couple now), this piano ballad marvels at God becoming man.

Chris has always had a way with word picture, but that is never truer then with "Smell the Color 9." In it, Chris struggles with following God when God is silent. You know, the times when "finding You is just like trying to/Smell the color nine." It's a neat word picture and one I go back to every time I hit struggles. It's an upbeat pop song heavy on the guitar and drum, which makes it lots of fun.

Another favorite that made the disc is "Smile." This mid-tempo ballad expresses the longing to join God in Heaven. It perfectly captures that desire and the pain of separation, at least for me.

And, for those wondering, yes this disc includes "Cartoons." Intended to just be a funny song, it turned into Chris's signature. In it, he wonders just what would happen if various cartoon characters started praising God. And let me tell you, he does dead on imitations. This is the live version from the "Night in Rocketown" compilation, and you can hear just how much the audience loves it.

Usually on a compilation disc, there are one or two songs that I think are weak. That isn't the case here. Every song here is wonderful.

After leaving Rocketown, Chris has tried to go in a new musical direction that doesn't work for me. And his lyrics don't seem as sharp as they used to be. But that just makes these songs all the more special to me. If you want an unique sound and lyrics that make you stop and think, pick up Short Term Memories.

CD Length: 1:10:34

Tracks:

1. Deep Enough to Dream

2. Go Light Your World

3. Smellin' Coffee

4. The Other Side of the Radio

5. Clumsy (Live)

6. Mama Prays

7. Smell the Color 9

8. Welcome to Our World

9. Life Means So Much

10. Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)

11. Power of a Moment

12. Sometimes Love

13. And Your Praise Goes On

14. Smile (Just Want to be with You)

15. Face of Christ

16. Home Tonight

17. Cartoons (Live)