I'd heard so much about Rick Elias from friends and other artists and had seen his name show in production credits for albums and film scores so much, that when I got the chance to review Blink, I jumped for it. I already knew I loved "God Inc.," which had been released as a part of the Prism magazine compilation, Demonstrations Of Love.
While "God, Inc." may well be the most memorable of the ten songs here, by no means is the rest of Blink just packing peanuts. As would be expected from an artist associated with Prism magazine, Elias provides us with a bit to think about while we tap our toes. Those interested in counting the times Jesus is mentioned may dismiss this record, but those who want to savor the thoughts and lyrics will find a satisfying musical meal in Blink. It's not that the record doesn't use any "Christian" words; it's just that the use is not heavily reliant upon a "Christian-ese" understanding of evangelical jargon.
The insert says this is a collection of demos from the past three years; however, the song choices and production care make the project flow together as if Blink was an album project from concept to finished product. These songs are observations and prayers of a man with some Jesus following experience - not jaded, but mature.
If you like a little grit in your grooves, Blink may well be for you. There are jangly guitars here, but the production is sparser (and that's a good thing) than Elias' work with Tom Hanks' That Thing You Do. This album breathes and feels real, and despite its Nashville reality, doesn't seem to have that Nashville Christian music cookie-cutter feel.
The players include Mr. Elias on just about everything one can imagine playing. When he's not covering all the instruments, he's enlisted some heavy hitter players for assistance. Phil Madeira is on organ and accordion; Aaron Smith visits on drums; Jackie Street and Danny O'Lannerghty cover basses; Tom Howard hits piano on one tune; and John Catchings lends his tasteful cello work on a couple of tunes. And of course, Linda Elias, artist in her own right, shares the background vocal duties.
Elias' vocals are kind of a cross between Neil Young and Tom Petty. Their fans and those of artists of the likes of Pierce Pettis, Ashley Cleveland, Bruce Cockburn, Vigilantes of Love, and Mark Heard will probably enjoy this record. I know I did.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by James StewartRick Elias's skills have been much in demand recently -- he wrote and recorded several of the songs on the soundtrack of Tom Hanks's That Thing You Do and produced, among others, Split Level's acclaimed new release glo.bal. Rick describes this album as "a collection of 'demos' of varying quality," and it is an interesting snapshot of his current focus as a solo musician. The instrumental duties…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Linda T. StonehockerThe songs of Blink were never meant to be shared. After being burned twice by tepid response to his recordings, Rick Elias worked behind-the-scenes in Christian music to support his family as a producer, writer, and side-man. Over the years, late at night, he'd create a little, just for himself. The result is a series of songs that might find a home in the roots rock or alternative country…Similar sounding releases
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