Rick Cua

Item: Times Ten
Author: Roger Appelinski

Times Ten

(1995)

Reviewed by Roger Appelinski

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Label UCAThe LighthouseJune 1995

blues rock classic rock heartland rock r&b

Only a handful of Christian artists have celebrated 20 years of Christian music. Rick Cua is now one of those elite. He has changed, adapted, and grown as an artist while always offering easily accessible and relevant lyrics. Times Ten is no exception.

I would say that, without a doubt, this project has the most musically diverse elements of Cua's projects to date, but it manages to hold together very tightly--perhaps because of the primarily mid-paced tempo. It centers around a laid-back classic rock/R&B feel. There is a tangible acoustic guitar part in sections that Cua hasn't often implemented, as well as a few harmonica parts. Apart from the aggressive pop-laden "Italo Americano" and the Wear Your Colors-vibed "Bull by the Horns," the album is mid-paced--a few moving ballads, but the rest fairly mid-tempo. Phil Madeira's B-3 helps add a light bluesy vibe, and musicians Mike Caputy and Mike Mead on drums, George Cocchini on guitar, and Emedin Reviera on percussion are the primary backing band. Bob Halligan Jr. and Robert White Johnson add depth with heavily layered background vocals--typical on Cua's albums.

I have always found Cua's writing to be the strength of his projects--except for a few rare spots--and I think it is the case here. He writes with long-time co-pen Bob Halligan Jr. on all but two, where Leonard Ahlstrom assists the duo. There should be no missing the point of this new ten-pack of tunes. For example, "Italo Americano" is a light-sounding biography of Cua:

I was raised and turned loose On the north side of Syracuse ...I got up to fall back down Too much trouble came my way ...My life crumbled into pieces So I got down on my face Screamin' Jesus take your place

It is also helpful that the liner notes offer a translation of the Italian chorus as well.

There is a good collection of exhortation messages: "Never Give Up" is encouragement to "Get on your knees and never ever give up;" "Build a Bridge" speaks to victims of abuse; "High Country" urges to follow "the narrow road" to meet him where he's going--"I'm headed for the high country/Join me join me it's nice up here;" and "Bull by the Horns" reminds us that we have to tackle the "giants" in our life every day.

There is also a trio of songs sung to God: "Slow Sailin'," which is a song of devotion to God and how He reassures that, despite the rough water and slow sailing, it will be alright in the end; "Whenever I," which thanks Him for being faithful in catching and loving us when we fall; and "I Know You'll Be There" which offers, "I don't deserve to have You with me/But I know You'll be there oh Lord my guide." "Brothers and Sisters" is a simple offering for his family telling his brothers and sisters how much he misses them. Cua also takes a cue from Nehemiah about not getting fooled and continuing God's work in "Can't Come Down."

It took me a while to warm up to Times Ten. It didn't have the hard rock energy of his earlier projects that I really enjoy, and it didn't have much of the pop elements of The Way Love Is. A few listens, especially focusing on the lyrics, helped me enjoy it more.

If you haven't heard Cua before, this is a good introduction to his songwriting talents, and a part of his musical ability--this time the more heartland-rock feel.