Copyright ©1997, ProMotion, inc.
www@acloserlook.com
For the past ten years Rice's main endeavor has been working as a youth retreat leader throughout the country, and he would not sign with Rocketown unless he could continue his 15 weeks of summer camps and retreats each year. That pleased the folks at the label, which grew out of Smith's heart for kids, and at his teen center, Rocketown.
After the signing, Rice set to work and Deep Enough to Dream is the result. The songs are musically mature in both lyrics and melodies, perhaps as a result of Rice's experiences with young people. There's also a good bit of variety, each tune fittingly paced and set to the meaning of its lyrics. "Prone to Wander" gives listeners a start with its wandering tune until you realize it underscores the message of "How can I be so prone to wander/ so prone to leave You/ So prone to die?/ And how can You be so full of mercy/You race to meet me and bring me back to life."
When you hear the rolling chorus of "Sam's Song" you feel the new happiness of someone who's found his place and plan for life in the Lord. "It's the only way my life will ever make sense to me./Oh, la-da-da, la-da-da, la-da-da."
The title track "Deep Enough to Dream" is Rice at his best, setting a scene in its opening lines when the singer dozes off for a nap. The dream he has is a beautiful one in brilliant colors of being with a billion people at the wedding feast with Christ. "Oh, do I ever have to wake up," sings Rice. As long as he can write and sing this way, we'll look for more from Rice.
Copyright ©1997, ProMotion, inc.
www@acloserlook.com