Carman

Item: The Standard
Author: Ann Hathcock

The Standard

(1993)

Reviewed by Ann Hathcock

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Sparrow RecordsThe LighthouseDecember 1993

ccm pop rap

Carman's latest, The Standard, is a collection of songs to encourage the Christian. The theme begins with lifting up the name of the Lord and ends with a plea that we need God in America again. Carman starts out this album with "Who's In The House." It is a rap song similar to "A2J" from Addicted to Jesus, with help from Billy Gaines and Daniel Winans.

The next tune is a tropical island praise song titled "Now's The Time." It is an upbeat recording that made me want to get up and praise the Lord with all of my being. "Great God" is a typical Carman standard, having intense delivery with clarity of a message from a powerful God. Next up is an African praise song, "Everybody Praise The Lord," probably inspired by his recent concert in South Africa. "The River" is different than Carman's usual high-powered style. It is a slow-paced track that shows Carman's beautiful, clear voice.

A forceful tune, "Marchin' and Movin'," adds a little rap to make the message come alive. As the chorus goes, "we've got the victory by the blood of the Lamb." "Sunday School Rock" is a great sing-a-long song and as Carman says, "kinda a fifties thing, but not quite." Carman performs a duet with Margaret Becker on "Holdin On." First Call also provide background vocals on this typical Carman cut which includes a bold commitment to the Gospel. Next is a beautiful praise of tribute to our God, "Lord, I Love You." The song repeats, "Lord, I love you with every passing day. I'm sure Lord, I love you completely and forever more." The strongest cut lyrically on the album is "America Again." Carman does a monologue telling us of a country built on Christian principles and how we need to get back to those values. Then, he sings a chorus, "The only hope for America is Jesus/the only hope for our country is Him /If we repent of our ways stand firm and say/we need God in America again."

This album will probably be an asset to one who likes Carman's aggressive style of ministry through lyrics and music. Carman sums up the album like this, "I pray this recording builds your faith in God, strengthens your spirit man, brings you into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and encourages you to raise the standard of Christianity right where you live."