Acoustic
Artist: MIC
URL: http://geocities.com/CollegePark/Field/4799/mic.html
Label: GMI Music Partners B.V., The Netherlands
Length: 26:13 / 7 tracks
Of course, Contemporary Christian Music is not just for hip Christians
in the United States, England, or even Europe for that matter. There are
numerous bands all over the world that combine modern musical forms with
messages of relevant Christian faith. MIC, for example, hails from Johannesburg,
and their combination of lively dance pop music and handsome photo-ready
appearances make them South Africa's answer to dc Talk. Sporting three
white guys and one black one makes you wonder if such a band could have
succeeded in the land of Apartheid ten years ago. But times really have
been a changin', and just recently their rising popularity in their mother
country and Europe has helped garner them a coveted First National Bank
- South African Music Association (FNB-SAMA) award.
Unplugged albums have been entirely too pervasive, but at least
MIC's Acoustic EP is a bit of a departure for this bright pop band.
Apparently, while on tour the band added an acoustic set to their otherwise
upbeat barrage, which provided the appropriate inspiration for an EP in
the same vein. Foregoing all the technical wizardry, drum tracks, and dance
grooves, MIC delivers seven unplugged songs. Four are original numbers
from previous albums delivered in a laid-back fashion focused on a lone
guitar and vocals. One of MIC's earlier albums, Stories from a Dry Land,
offers two of these tracks, including "Round and Round." This song opens
the album with some simple but stirring guitar strumming, light percussion,
pleasant R&B flavored vocals, and a rap:
Philip is a guy who's into his TV
Wakes up in the morning to see what he can
see
Bowl of Rice Crispies and apple juice
The only thing he doesn't like is the news
He's not concerned with the state of his soul
As long as he's got his remote control
Reality's not an option -- it's late
But hey what's on channel eight!
"Once," the only song culled from their Crazy World album,
laments a suicidal girl's failure to find Jesus. Although one of their
biggest singles from the album of the same name, Superhuman draws
more than a few dc Talk "Jesus Freak" comparisons, the unplugged version
stands on its own with appealing retro aplomb.
I got a bad case of conscience cancer
But I'm a sinner whose found the answer
My hands are dirty, I'm a little weak
Other than that I'm a Superhuman freak!
The most powerful song, however, is "The End," which the band likens
to Larry Norman's "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" because of the similar plaintive
urging for people to be prepared for the approaching apocalypse.
The end of the world is coming
Can you see the shadows on the wall
What's behind you?
The end of the world is coming
Do you feel the people pulling you?
They will haunt you.
What can I do?
The three remaining tracks are diverse cover songs. The first is
a delightful turn at the ol' traditional spiritual "Blind Man" about the
blind man lost on a road who finds that Jesus is "the way to go home."
On "Weather with You," MIC delivers an applaudable and almost note for
note version of the popular Crowded House tune. Albeit lacking the original's
hauntingly happy yet brooding quality, this brighter version clearly portrays
MIC's gift for rich harmonies. The album closes with Matt Redman's "I Will
Offer" on a note of pure praise confirming the band's earnest intentions
to share a "spirit of worship." They sing as if they really want the rest
of the world to hear of their love for our Lord.
All the arrangements are sparse, well-produced, and offer rich tones
and clarity, which only further enhances MIC's talented vocal prowess.
All of these songs are spirited, warm and inviting, and most of them are
so short that the whole EP passes you by in a positive, but catchy flurry.
Acoustic's only obvious weaknesses are some immature lyrics skirting
the familiar territory of banal Christian pop. There are other fresher
lyrical moments, however, that are less formulaic, and at all times the
band comes across as being sincere. So much so, in fact, you'll easily
find yourself swept up and singing along happily to this soulful mix. Moreover,
it is both the great multi-generational and cross-cultural appeal and pleasing
pop/R&B sound, that makes this one Acoustic set that should
be heard outside of European dance halls and South African townships.
Steven S. Baldwin (6/24/99)
