Two Hearts

Item: Give 'em the Word
Author: Roger Appelinski

Give 'em the Word

(1993)

Reviewed by Roger Appelinski

Discogs YouTube

Label Star Song RecordsThe LighthouseDecember 1993

funk pop r&b

Sophomore projects always have a stigma of being either very good or very bad-usually determining the future of a group. With Give 'em the Word, Two Hearts, Michael and Carrie Hodge, are back with an enjoyable second release.

The unquestionable strength of the project lies in the voice of Carrie Hodge. It's no wonder she toured the country as a child singer. However, unlike their debut album, Carrie uses her talent in finessing vocals, instead of overpowering them. She comes across very relaxed, almost effortless, as she drives the tunes-especially the ballads.

This isn't an overly vertical album, but portrays practical issues in being faithful to God, with the title track offering a reminder to share the Word with our friends, and the whole world. "Goin' Home" starkly questions, "Isn't anybody talkin' 'bout goin' home anymore... Could it be we're so happy with things down here..." "This Could Be the Time" also reminds us that our time to go home could be soon, which is echoed in "Wake Up." "Because of You" and "Fairest Lord Jesus" are a pair of enjoyable tunes offering praise to the Lord. "I Will be Faithful" is a nice offering of human faithfulness in a relationship, although written by Tankersley and Rick Crawford rather than the Hodges. Michael was the primary pen on five tracks, with Carrie happily assisting on "Because of You," a reminder that God is the reason for what they do.

Give 'em the Word also represents the return of Carrie and Michael to their R&B roots. From the funky upbeat tracks to the heartfelt ballads, there is a strong R&B presence mixed with Pop. Brian Tankersley handled the production and the drum and bass programming. The project is loaded with keyboard embellishments, and acoustic and electric guitar riffs, and is mixed with some mandolin and superb background vocals.

The title track is probably the standout of the faster tracks, with an almost dance groove. They also left in a neat little tid-bit. Their Shih Tzu, "Baby," (who is more like their child...) growls and barks during Michael's guitar solo-even earning a BGV credit for the album.

Fun and energetic, even through the ballads, this is a pleaser for Pop fans that like some funk mixed in; they accomplish their goal to express their R&B roots.